The party ended past midnight, when the lights went out and everyone returned to their rooms. The silence that followed was heavier than Rian expected. He changed clothes with slow movements, and only when he lay down on the bed, face up, did the darkness begin to show him what he hadn't wanted to think about until that moment.
The word harem kept turning in his head.
It wasn't a game. It wasn't an empty fantasy or an automatic reward for being a powerful demon. It was a complex commitment, full of nuances that few dared to consider honestly. A harem could look like a field of roses—a beautiful, pleasant, attractive landscape. But no field of roses existed without thorns.
Every woman had her own world, her own emotions, her pride, her dreams. They weren't pieces on a board or decorations to show off. A harem divided time, attention, care, intimacy. There was no way for all of them to be satisfied all the time, no matter how hard the one at the center tried.
Even in the original DxD story, things weren't as light as readers remembered. Asia had tried to speak seriously about the morality of a relationship between two people before being dragged by the current. Rias, proud as she was, had shown jealousy, insecurities, that need to be the most important even if she shared the role. Other girls hid their doubts, accepting a structure that didn't always make them happy.
Rian knew that. And he still wanted it.
He wanted it because he wanted to live. Because he wanted to know all those people who, in his past life, had been just characters that lit up gray days. He wanted to share time, joys, small complicities. He wanted to build something that could only exist in this unreal world where danger was constant.
But enjoying life had never been simple. Even less in the supernatural world.
Since childhood, he knew that to have something, he had to deserve it, protect it, sustain it with his own hands. His power was great, but not enough. He had reached the limit of the talent he possessed. Years of training, years pushing his body and energy until shaping them like perfect weapons, and even so… he wasn't at the top.
And he couldn't be satisfied with less.
Not when there were beings capable of wiping out the planet. Not when entire worlds seemed to blend into an impossible amalgam. Not when he aspired to protect not only his life, but the lives of everyone around him.
He might seem greedy… and he was. He wanted a full life, a future that didn't feel fleeting, a space where he could breathe without always looking over his shoulder.
He had worked too much. And he needed to work more.
But suddenly, a simple question crossed his thoughts like a sigh.
What was the point of so much effort if he couldn't live a satisfying life?
He closed his eyes, letting silence fill the room. The echo of the party, Akeno's laughter, Shirone's shy gestures… all of it still pulsed in his memory. Maybe that was why he wasn't surprised when he heard a soft knock on the door, barely a tap. He didn't need to ask. Both had done the same when they were younger, when he left for the Underworld for long seasons or returned exhausted from extreme training.
The door opened without a sound.
Akeno entered first. Her steps were silent, her presence warm. Shirone followed with her gaze lowered, holding a pillow against her chest. They didn't say anything. They didn't need to. It was a natural gesture between them, as ordinary as breathing, as constant as the moon by the window.
Rian sat up slightly, resting his back against the headboard.
"Late for visits," he murmured without reproach.
Akeno smiled gently, the smile she used when she wanted to hide deeper thoughts.
"You're thinking too much, Rian-sama. It shows from the hallway."
Shirone climbed onto the bed without asking permission, as always, and placed the pillow at her side.
"We want to stay here. Just for today," she whispered, as if afraid the night could break with a louder sound.
Rian sighed. Not out of annoyance, but because that familiarity had been disarming him for years without breaking through his defenses. Moving to the side, he lifted his left arm slightly to make space for them.
Akeno was the first to come close. She wore a dark purple sleep kimono, elegant even in its simplicity. The fabric slid naturally over her skin, showing that mix of maturity and warmth that always accompanied her. She settled gently on his right side, lowering her head until her cheek rested against his chest.
Shirone imitated her silently. Her white, light, slightly loose kimono gave her an almost ethereal air under the dim room light. She climbed onto the bed with short, timid steps and lay on his left side, resting her head on his chest as well, with an almost instinctive movement, like a small animal seeking familiar refuge.
He placed his arms around both of them. He didn't tighten his hold; there was no possession nor undue tension. Only the measured delicacy of someone who knows how to hold without hurting. Both exhaled at the contact, as if that simple embrace allowed them to release a weight they hadn't voiced.
There was no desire.
There was no rush.
Just closeness.
Just company.
Just the silent reminder that, even if he still couldn't cross the line of his promise, he wasn't alone.
Akeno spoke first, her voice so soft it barely broke the quiet of the room.
"About tonight… you don't need to hurry."
Shirone, timid but firm, added:
"We'll stay with you no matter what."
Rian closed his eyes for a few seconds.
They didn't say it as a romantic confession. They didn't say it as a claim. They said it as people who were part of his life. As those who had chosen to walk by his side long before he understood it himself.
And maybe that was why, in that shared silence, the truth emerged more clearly than before.
He loved his life.
He loved his power, his freedom, his routine. He loved the absurd encounters, the unexpected conversations, the calm he found in the arms of others without breaking anyone's dignity. He loved the bonds he had formed, the voices that called him by name, the familiarity of nights like that.
He even loved his worries, because each one existed thanks to something valuable he could lose.
And that was his deepest fear.
Losing everything.
The thought arrived without force, like a thorn that could neither be pulled out nor ignored.
While Akeno breathed softly against his right side, and Shirone relaxed against his left shoulder, Rian lifted a hand to gently stroke Shirone's white hair with an almost paternal gesture. The young girl closed her eyes immediately. Akeno, sensing the movement, rested her head more comfortably on his chest and let out a small, content sigh.
Shirone lifted her gaze slightly, her golden eyes shining in the dim light.
"Rian-sama…" she murmured with a soft hesitation. "Is something wrong?"
He turned his head just enough to look at her, and instead of a long explanation, he smiled. A small, genuine smile, almost lazy from the day's exhaustion.
"Nothing serious," he answered. "It's just… I'm glad you're both here."
Shirone looked at him for a few seconds, as if she wanted to make sure he wasn't hiding something behind those words. Then, with an almost childlike shyness, she pushed herself up slightly and gave him a short kiss on the lips.
There was no rush, no tension, no intention to take it further.
Just a soft, warm, familiar gesture.
A kiss that said more than any words.
When she pulled back, she settled again against his chest, her cheeks flushed.
Akeno let out a sound of protest that wasn't quite a word.
"Hey…" she murmured, stretching one finger to poke Rian's chest. "And what about me?"
Without waiting for permission, she rose slightly and cupped Rian's face with one hand.
Her kiss was different: a little firmer, carrying that playful touch so characteristic of her, yet without breaking the calm of the moment. Just a more intentional brush of lips, almost as if she wanted to leave a clear mark of her presence.
When she pulled away, she narrowed her eyes and stuck out her tongue just a bit.
"Tsk. I'm not letting Shirone get ahead," she whispered teasingly before settling back into place.
Rian shook his head lightly, amused, and let his hand rest on Akeno's shoulder while the other remained on Shirone's back.
The two girls remained still for a few seconds. Then they breathed more deeply, as if that small reaffirmation of affection had eased something they hadn't voiced aloud. They nestled more comfortably between his arms, without rushing.
The room filled again with the warm silence of the night. Akeno rested her forehead against his collarbone; Shirone wrapped her arms gently around his waist.
Rian closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel their warmth, their scent, and the softness of their proximity.
Yes, he truly loved his life.
And precisely because of that, he had to protect it with all his strength.
***
Morning arrived with deceptive calm. Rian prepared as usual, the warm memory of the previous night still lifting his mood. He and his peerage arrived early at the academy, where they split off toward their respective classrooms.
When Rian and Akeno stepped into their room, they found Kominami Asumi already seated at her desk. She was leaning over a notebook, lightly frowning as she reviewed formulas. The classroom light highlighted her lilac hair.
She raised her head as soon as she saw them enter.
"Good morning, Kuremi-kun," she greeted naturally.
"Good morning," he replied, approaching his desk. "Reviewing yesterday's work?"
Kominami nodded, showing a page filled with notes.
"I was going over it since this morning. Thank you for explaining it to me. I really understand it better now."
Rian allowed himself a small smile.
"I'm glad I could help."
Akeno greeted her as well.
Rian blinked for a moment and then remembered:
"Ah, right. I didn't introduce you two properly yesterday. That was rude of me."
He turned toward both of them.
"Kominami Asumi, this is Himejima Akeno. Akeno, this is Kominami-san, my seatmate."
Both gave a small polite bow.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
The contrast was obvious.
Kominami—small, slender, with an almost childlike appearance that anyone could mistake for a middle-schooler. She had a gentle air, a natural softness that invited people to protect her.
Akeno, meanwhile, was the complete opposite. Tall, voluptuous, with an elegant and sensual presence that shattered any notion of being an ordinary student. It was impossible to see her that way.
Akeno examined her with a soft, almost analytical look, then cast a brief glance at Rian—clearly remembering the talk from the night before.
Kominami broke the silence with a mischievous smile.
"So… did he let you rest last night?"
Akeno blinked, surprised only for an instant, before smiling with her usual playful charm.
"Not really. He was very lively last night."
Rian watched them both, expression blank on the outside but slightly annoyed inside.
"Seriously?" he muttered with resignation.
Akeno let out a light laugh. Kominami too. They both seemed to enjoy his reaction.
As he watched them interact, Rian couldn't help but wonder why Asumi was so open. In the original manga, she was more reserved, mature in her behavior, playful only with those she considered close.
Here, she behaved more spontaneously, more freely.
And the answer arrived quickly.
Kominami had been nineteen when she appeared in the story of Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai. She had already finished high school. She had already failed the university exam. She already carried frustrations that shaped her character.
But this version was still in high school.
She still believed she had time—time to improve.
Her humor was lighter because she hadn't faced her defeats yet.
And Japan was a closed environment when forming school groups. Once a class was established, classmates became something like an involuntary little family. It was normal to seek closeness so as not to fall behind socially.
Lost in those thoughts, Rian stared into space for a few seconds.
Kominami tilted her head.
"Is it normal for him to go blank like this?"
Akeno smiled openly.
"Much more than he realizes."
Rian snapped back to awareness just in time to notice how Akeno's laugh made her chest move in a way that was impossible to ignore given her proportions. Kominami looked at that detail, then instinctively at her own chest, and let out a resigned sigh—as if accepting a battle lost from birth.
"Life is unfair," she murmured without malice.
Akeno heard her and smiled as if she understood the entire sentiment without needing words.
Rian, meanwhile, simply took his seat and opened his notebook, trying to maintain a minimum of mental peace before class began.
The rest of the morning passed with an almost refreshing normality. Unlike the day of the ceremony and the previous day, which had been full of announcements, introductions, and initial adjustments, this was the first time Rian experienced a full, conventional class.
The teachers went through the material at a steady pace, and he had no difficulty keeping up; after all, the education he had received as an heir far exceeded the academic level of a human high school.
That sense of routine, far from boring him, allowed him to relax a little and feel, for a moment, like just another student.
When lunchtime came, Akeno packed her things calmly, looked at Rian for a few seconds… then walked over to Kominami with a gentle smile.
"Kominami-san, would you like to have lunch with me today?"
The young girl looked at her for just a moment before smiling.
"Eh? Sure. I'd like that."
They left the classroom without looking back.
Rian blinked.
"Huh…"
He watched the two of them walk away, their light conversation fading down the hallway. He crossed his arms, thoughtful.
Could Akeno be upset…?
It was possible. After all, even if she had acted naturally, she might still have that quiet sting regarding the harem issue. He wouldn't blame her if that was the case, though… he did feel a bit lonely.
He sighed and took one of the bentos he had bought with Shirone yesterday.
"I should think of something to make it up to her," he murmured, without drama.
Something ridiculous yet strangely comforting came to mind.
Although Akeno's hatred for fallen angels wasn't as deep as in the original DxD material, she still held certain grudges against some people. Because of that, he considered the idea of going to punch Barakiel.
"…It would be a good way to show affection," he thought without irony.
With his current power, it should be possible.
He found himself laughing quietly at the absurdity of the idea. In that lighter mood, he walked toward the cafeteria. The usual bustle filled the place: students going back and forth, long lines, overlapping conversations.
And then he saw her.
A girl in a white lab coat—clearly a science club uniform—with glasses and a curvy figure hidden under the fabric. Her posture was shy, almost stiff. She stood in front of the crowd gathered to buy food, but didn't seem able to find the right moment to get in line.
The girl looked at the bread shelves as if they were an insurmountable wall.
Rian let out a small laugh.
"I'm hopeless," he muttered under his breath.
He approached.
And while he moved, a nearby student's eyes followed him closely.
***
From her table, Hyoudou Isane watched the scene with interest. Her brown hair fell over a gentle face, naturally pretty though without the extravagant beauty of the institute's top girls. Her presence had something homely, warm—someone easy to like.
"So… it's true?" she thought as she followed Rian with her eyes.
She lowered her gaze to her right hand.
The deep voice of the dragon echoed inside her.
"Bearer, without a doubt. Even if he hides his demonic power with skill, he cannot evade my senses."
Isane tilted her head, curious.
"He's very different from stray demons… he's really handsome."
There was a pause.
Ddraig seemed to be processing something.
"Bearer… demons often possess supernatural beauty. Do not let yourself be swayed by appearances. I have told you this before."
"Yes, yes," she replied with a vague smile, not very convinced as she watched Rian.
He reached the girl in the lab coat and glasses, spoke briefly with her—Isane couldn't hear what—and then slipped into the crowd. He moved people gently but effortlessly, as if parting curtains instead of bodies. Minutes later, he returned with two pieces of bread and handed them to her.
They spoke for a few seconds before both walked to an empty table to eat.
"…How gentlemanly," Isane murmured without thinking.
"Bearer, focus," sighed Ddraig, already without hope.
"I can't. Besides, just looking won't hurt anyone."
Ddraig decided to remain silent for the sake of his own sanity.
At that moment, someone leaned next to her.
"Hey, Isane," Aika Kiryuu whispered, her signature glasses shining suspiciously. "Is that your type?"
Isane jumped in surprise.
"Eh? No, that's not… I was just… looking because… uh…"
Aika wasn't listening. She stared openly at Rian, evaluating him with the precision of a mad scientist.
Her eyes drifted down slowly—and then sparkled.
"Now I understand your interest," Aika said with dangerously convincing seriousness. "That senpai looks well-endowed."
Isane opened her mouth, ready to deny everything… but froze mid-motion, her cheeks slightly red.
She leaned toward Aika and whispered:
"Hey… seriously?"
Aika adjusted her glasses before answering.
"Trust my calculations."
Ddraig said nothing as he watched his bearer ask for details.
He couldn't.
Meanwhile, Rian walked to an empty table with the girl beside him, unaware of what he had just caused.
But a small shiver ran down his spine.