Inside the classroom where Kiseki, Aika, and Issei had been placed together, Kiseki sat just behind Aika while Issei sat a few desks away, close to his usual partners-in-crime, Matsuda and Motohama.
Pointing discreetly at the trio, Aika leaned back slightly and whispered to Kiseki, "Look at those three. Do you know they're infamous around here as the 'Pervert Trio'? That title's been theirs since their first year. I even heard their degeneracy started back in middle school."
"Hey! Kiryuu! Don't just spread rumors like that to Kiseki!" Issei shot back, clearly offended. "We simply appreciate beauty and want to share our findings with the world! Right, Matsuda? Motohama?"
"Exactly," said Motohama, adjusting his glasses with a serious nod. "What's wrong with wanting others to experience the same breathtaking views?"
"Yeah!" Matsuda chimed in, his shaved head gleaming under the light. "And don't act like you're innocent, Kiryuu! You're as much of a pervert as we are. Why do we get the nickname while you walk around unscathed?"
Aika smirked and crossed her arms. "Oh? Then can I ask why all three of you look like you just crawled out of a dumpster?"
"We, uh... fell," Issei muttered.
"Yeah! Total accident," Motohama and Matsuda added in unison, though their bandaged faces and bruised cheeks said otherwise.
"Don't believe them, Aika-san," a voice said from the side. It was Katase, a girl with short pink hair, holding a bento box.
"That's right, Aika-san," added Murayama, the brown-haired girl with twin tails. "They were caught peeping on the kendo club and got thrashed by the upperclassmen."
Aika sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "So, the Pervert Trio were 'accidentally' beaten... for trying to peek again. Got it."
The trio offered sheepish laughs, rubbing the back of their heads in shame.
Kiseki glanced at Issei and shook his head. "So that's why your parents looked so worried when you came home with bruises. They thought you were getting into fights with delinquents."
"Well… technically, we were," Issei replied, lowering his voice.
"Hoo... And what else were you doing, Issei?" Kiseki asked calmly as a small box materialized in his hand from thin air.
"Um… talking about 'the classics' with Matsuda and Motohama… admiring the student body… sharing our wildest dreams out loud…" Issei trailed off but suddenly became more animated. "It was beautiful, man. Like we were poets of passion!"
"Then, on behalf of your worried parents, allow me to punish you," Kiseki said solemnly before flicking the box with uncanny precision. It zipped through the air and nailed Issei square in the forehead, knocking him back in his chair.
"Ow! What's with that magical girl declaration?!" Issei howled, lying sprawled on the floor.
The bell rang, bringing an end to their banter as everyone hurried to their seats. The long morning lessons began, dragging on as the students tried to stay focused. By the time the bell finally signaled the lunch break, Issei looked like his brain had melted.
"Yes! Lunch!" Issei shouted triumphantly, grabbing Motohama and Matsuda as they dashed out—off to eat, or possibly resume their 'special missions'.
Kiseki chuckled softly at their antics before turning to Aika. "Hey, Aika. Mind showing me the way to the cafeteria? I still get turned around in here."
"Oho? So you finally recognize this magnificent lady's greatness?" Aika replied, striking a pose with arms folded and nose in the air.
Kiseki smiled with genuine warmth. "That's right. I'd be honored to have such a magnificent lady as my guide."
His sincerity threw her off. She dropped her pose and waved him off with a sigh. "Fine, fine. I'll lead the way. I need to refuel after those soul-sucking lectures anyway. Katase, Murayama—you two want to join?"
The girls agreed, and the group of four made their way through the halls. As they walked, Aika pointed out various parts of the school, from the library to the gymnasium, while Kiseki asked questions and made casual conversation with Katase and Murayama. The girls laughed a few times at his dry humor and polite curiosity.
Once they reached the cafeteria and ordered their food, they sat at a table by the window. The midday sun cast a warm glow over the room as they began eating.
"So Aika," Katase said curiously, stirring her juice with a straw, "when did you and Kiseki meet? I've never seen you so chatty with a guy before."
Aika gave a short laugh. "We met about a week ago, actually. He was registering at the school and I happened to be there. Then we found out we live in the same neighborhood. Since then, I've been kind enough to show him around—out of the goodness of my heart, of course."
"She's been a great help," Kiseki added sincerely. "It's not easy adjusting to a new place, but she made it much easier."
Murayama raised a brow. "Hmm, Kiseki, you're not like most of the guys around here."
"That's because I'm not a pervert," Kiseki answered with a smile, giving a pointed glance toward where the Pervert Trio had disappeared.
The girls chuckled as Aika shook her head. "Don't flatter yourself too much. We'll see how long that innocence lasts."
As they finished their meal, Maruyama leaned forward slightly, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Then, can I ask you something, Kiseki? Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked with a mischievous grin, clearly in gossip mode.
Aika and Katase turned their attention toward him as well, interest flickering in their eyes.
Kiseki simply shook his head, smiling faintly. "Nope, not at the moment. I just moved into town recently, so I haven't had the chance to meet anyone special yet."
"Oho? Then what's your type?" Maruyama pressed, now grinning like a cat eyeing its prey.
Kiseki rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment before answering casually, "I'm not really picky. I'll leave it up to fate. Maybe I won't have a girlfriend at all... or maybe one day I'll find someone... or maybe—" he paused dramatically, "—I'll end up with lots of girlfriends."
Maruyama gasped in mock shock. "A harem?! I knew it! You do have harem ambitions!"
Aika smirked, folding her arms. "Tch, boring. And here I thought you were a realist. But I should've known—deep down, you're just like every other guy dreaming big."
"Hahaha. Well, what can I say? A man should have lofty dreams," Kiseki replied with a chuckle.
The girls all rolled their eyes in unison but couldn't help smiling. They finished their meals soon after and returned to class together, only to encounter the Pervert Trio—Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama—now sporting a collection of fresh bruises and bandages.
"...Do I even want to ask?" Aika muttered dryly.
Kiseki tilted his head. "Judging by the bandages, I'm guessing the kendo club got involved?"
"You're not wrong..." Issei groaned. "Let's just say curiosity got the better of us again."
"You mean your 'special missions' failed—again," Aika snapped. "Honestly, it's a miracle you three aren't banned from every club already."
After another round of long classes and watching Issei moan dramatically from his bruises, the final bell rang.
As the students began to pack up, Kiseki and Issei exchanged brief goodbyes. Issei, clearly still reeling from his earlier punishment, mumbled something about going home to 'recover his dignity' and stumbled away.
Kiseki, meanwhile, turned to Aika. "Mind showing me the rest of the school? I'd like to know more about the campus layout."
"Sure, why not?" Aika stretched her arms above her head, letting out a small yawn. "Better than staying in class with those three idiots."
The two of them walked across the campus as Aika gave him a casual tour, pointing out various facilities along the way. Eventually, they came to a smaller building near the back of the grounds.
Kiseki peered at it and then glanced inside the window. "Is this the Kendo Club's building? I think I see Katase and Maruyama inside."
"Yeah, that's the one," Aika confirmed. "Wanna drop by?"
"Sure, I wouldn't mind saying hello."
As they stepped into the clubroom, the buzz of wooden swords clashing paused for a moment. Club members turned their heads, and Katase and Maruyama's eyes lit up upon seeing them.
"Aika-san! Kiseki-kun! What brings you here?" Maruyama asked, jogging over.
"Aika was showing me around, and we saw you both here. Thought we'd say hi," Kiseki replied with a light smile.
"Are you two thinking of joining the club?" Katase asked, looking hopeful.
"Count me out," Aika said immediately, raising both hands as if to ward off the idea. "I like my limbs unbruised, thank you very much. Ask Kiseki."
Everyone turned to him expectantly. Kiseki rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I'm a complete beginner, but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. I've always been curious about martial arts."
Katase's face lit up. "Really? That's great! We could always use more members. Don't worry, we'll go easy on you."
With a small laugh, she gave them a brief tour of the club, introducing Kiseki to several members and explaining how practice sessions worked. Though Aika didn't join, she hung around, casually chatting with some of the girls while Kiseki tried a few practice swings under Katase's guidance.
About an hour later, Kiseki and Aika said their goodbyes to the club and continued exploring the campus.
As they passed one of the school gardens, a sudden breeze swept through the area. Autumn leaves danced in the air, fluttering like crimson and gold butterflies. Kiseki paused, caught in the moment. His gaze followed the leaves as they circled and scattered—until his eyes settled on a striking figure standing on a nearby balcony.
Her long crimson hair flowed like silk in the wind, radiant against the evening light. Her regal presence felt otherworldly.
"Who is that red-haired girl?" Kiseki asked softly, still watching her from afar.
Aika followed his gaze and nodded. "That's Rias Gremory. She's the President of the Occult Research Club. She's also one of the Four Great Elder Sisters around here—along with Sona Sitri, Tsubaki Shinra, and Akeno Himejima."
"I see..." Kiseki said, nodding thoughtfully before turning his eyes away.
They continued walking, leaving the area behind—unaware that Rias had seen them.
From the balcony above, Rias watched them walk off, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"You're smiling, Rias. What caught your interest?" came a teasing voice behind her.
Rias turned slightly to the source—a beautiful young woman with a voluptuous figure, violet eyes, and exceptionally long black hair tied in an elegant ponytail. Akeno Himejima.
"I just saw two interesting students. The boy, especially. He was clearly mesmerized by my appearance—but he recovered quickly and left without any awkward fuss. That's... uncommon."
Akeno placed her hand delicately on her cheek, feigning surprise. "Ara ara... Are you disappointed he wasn't completely spellbound by your beauty?"
"Nonsense," Rias replied with a small smirk. "There's something mysterious about him. His aura is faint but strange—almost hidden. My instincts are telling me he's more than he appears."
Akeno's smile softened. "Do you want me to keep observing him?"
"Yes. Keep an eye on him, but discreetly. We don't want to spook him," Rias said, her tone more serious now. "Also, what's the status on the other one?"
"The brown-haired one? He's already on another radar. Some other factions might have already made their moves. Are you sure you want to recruit this boy instead?"
Rias nodded slowly. "Yes. His potential is... unusual. I don't know what kind of power he holds, but I'm sure it's worth the gamble."
Akeno closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly. "Understood. I'll continue monitoring him closely."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the mysterious web around Kiseki began to tighten—though he had yet to realize just how many eyes were now watching his every step.
END OF THE CHAPTER.