After Max was officially claimed and the chaos at camp finally settled into something resembling routine, Luna wasted no time.
The world folded in on itself in a soft ripple of space magic, and in the next instant, Japan stretched out before them.
Neon signs buzzed overhead, traffic hummed in the distance, and the air felt different—denser, sharper, saturated with supernatural undercurrents that Max could feel even with most of his power sealed.
Luna stepped forward like she owned the place.
She walked down the street slowly, hands clasped behind her back, eyes scanning buildings, alleyways, rooftops—judging them the way someone judged furniture, not real estate.
"Why are you like this?" Max asked, following her. "We could literally just stay in a hotel."
Luna waved him off without looking back."I know we could. But Rias is filthy rich, and she already offered to buy us a house."
She spun around, grinning."Also, hotels don't let me do the fun things I want."
Max sighed."That sentence concerns me deeply."
They continued walking, Luna stopping occasionally to peer at houses like she was window-shopping for snacks.
"I just want to be clear," Max said carefully. "I'm not taking in the entire Occult Club. Or half of Kuoh Academy. That universe is way too big."
Luna hummed."Fine. Fine."
She held up her fingers and started counting."Starting four. Koneko. Maybe Kuroka. Ophis if we can even find her."
Max stopped walking.
"…That's already pushing it."
Luna smiled innocently."But still reasonable."
"Fine," Max relented. "But no more than that."
"Unless Artemis falls for you," Luna added casually.
Max choked."That's not happening."
Luna laughed as she stopped in front of a modest, one-story house tucked between two larger buildings.
Max blinked."…That's it?"
The house was small. Clean. Quiet. Nothing flashy. Nothing that screamed rich devil aristocracy.
"Yes," Luna said proudly. "Perfect, right?"
"I thought you'd want something bigger," Max admitted.
Luna shook her head."No. Rias' family would use that special magic to expand the inside anyway."
She smirked."Better to let that kind of thing stay in delicate hands."
Max frowned slightly as Luna pulled a scroll from… somewhere. He wasn't even going to ask anymore.
She infused it with a pulse of magic.
The air shimmered red.
Rias Gremory appeared in a flash of crimson light, already adjusting her posture like she'd been standing there the whole time.
"Welcome to Japan," Rias said smoothly. "I assume you found a place, Luna."
Her eyes drifted to the house.
"…Isn't this a bit small?"
"It's fine," Luna said quickly. "I was hoping you could apply that spatial expansion magic. Please."
Max realized, a little belatedly, that Luna hadn't actually asked him about this part.
Rias considered it."That will take paperwork. A lot of it."
She sighed."Structural permissions, territory registration, anti-detection seals…"
She waved a hand."It should be finished by morning. The space magic itself will be done the following day."
She looked at them both."You're free to stay at one of my family's hotels until then."
"That works," Luna said cheerfully.
Max nodded."I hear you have a problem that needs fixing."
Rias stiffened slightly.
"…Yes," she said. "That's the real reason I agreed so quickly."
She folded her arms."I'm getting married in a few days."
Max winced internally."Riser Phenex, right?"
Rias froze.
"How did you—" She stopped, then exhaled. "Yes. Him."
Her expression darkened."He treats women like collectibles. I don't want that future."
She looked directly at Max."I was hoping you could help. In any way."
Max hesitated.
Then sighed.
"Alright," he said. "In return… I want a chance."
Rias blinked."A chance at what?"
Max felt every ounce of cringe crash down on him.
"…A chance to replace him."
There was a long pause.
Then Rias laughed.
Not mocking. Not cruel.
Just genuinely amused.
"You're strange," she said. "But fine."
She wiped at her eyes, then handed Luna a card."End the engagement, and you get your chance."
She vanished in another flash of red.
Luna stared at the card, then at Max.
"…Look at you," she teased. "Seems like you don't need me as a wingman at all."
Max groaned."If I didn't say that, you would've made it worse."
He rubbed his temples."I figured I couldn't stop you, but I could at least make the ride bearable."
Luna laughed and snapped her fingers.
The world folded again.
They reappeared inside one of the Gremory family's luxury hotels—top floor, private elevator, absurdly expensive.
Luna took one look at the room layout and frowned.
"…Two beds."
"Good," Max said immediately. "I barely slept last time."
She pouted."I was hoping to sleep together."
"You kicked me half the night," Max replied flatly.
She crossed her arms."That's bonding."
Max dropped onto one of the beds."Relax. We've got a wedding to crash in a few days."
Luna smiled slowly.
"Oh," she said. "This is going to be fun."