Ryusei charged again, with black flames enveloped around her dagger, her movements blurring from her use of Shadow Step. Igris flanked from the opposite side.
The man parried Igris' strike, his fur-wrapped tsuba scraping against the shadow soldier's greatsword. The clash of their weapons echoed like thunder.
But this man… he didn't falter. He met every blow with terrifying precision.
CLANG!
With a powerful twist, he batted Igris away again and turned his full attention to Ryusei.
A powerful backhand from the flat of his sword struck Ryusei across the ribs and launched her through the air. She crashed into the side of a parked car—metal crumpling under the force of the impact. The vehicle's alarm erupted in a shrill wail as Ryusei collapsed to the ground, blood pooling from the gash across her chest.
From surrounding homes, lights snapped on.
"Tch… annoying."
The man stepped back, his red eyes glaring down at the battered Ryusei as she groaned, trying to push herself up from the dented hood of the car.
"You're better than I expected." He turned away, sheathing his blade. "'Til next time, kid."
In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the shadows, leaving only the ringing car alarm behind.
Ryusei groaned, blood trickling from the reopened gash on her chest. Igris walked to her side but said nothing, his burning eyes still locked in the direction the enemy had vanished and then went back into Ryusei's shadow.
She nodded at him weakly, and with effort, raised a hand toward the ground and used her Shadow Manipulation skill. Her body collapsed into the shadows cast by the alley's streetlamps, and she vanished into the darkness.
{Later- Ryusei's house}
The front door of Ryusei's house creaked open and Rias looked up from the couch in surprise, only to gasp.
"Ryusei!"
The pale girl stood in the doorway, blood staining her shirt, jacket torn and eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. Her breathing was ragged. Without a word, she staggered forward, and Rias caught her in her arms, guiding her down onto the couch.
"What happened to you?! This wound—it's deep!" Rias said, pulling Ryusei's shirt aside to reveal the vicious diagonal gash across her chest. "Did something attack you on the way back?!"
"…Some guy," Ryusei said softly, wincing as she lay back against the cushions. "He… he came out of nowhere."
Rias's face darkened as she called on her healing magic, her hands glowing with a warm red light as she pressed them gently to Ryusei's chest. "You could've died…"
"…We're reporting this to Grayfia and my brother," Rias said, tone sharp. "Someone's targeting you and we'll figure out who."
She gently brushed Ryusei's hair back and leaned in, pressing her forehead to hers. "But for now, just rest, okay?"
"…Thanks," Ryusei murmured. "Sorry for making you worry…"
The sun filtered softly through the curtains as Ryusei slowly blinked awake in her bed. Her body still ached from the night before, but the warmth of the room and the scent of lavender helped calm her nerves.
She looked down—her chest was bandaged tightly, the gauze fresh and neat. Her upper torso was bare, save for the wrappings, and she realized someone had cleaned and redressed her wounds during the night.
"Morning," came a voice, soft and teasing.
She turned her head to find Rias laying beside her, propped on one elbow, absently playing with strands of her black and white hair.
Rias gave her a small smile. "How's your wound?"
Ryusei gave a long yawn, stretching slightly. "It's doing just fine… Still surprised my body refused to heal itself."
Rias reached out to gently touch the bandages. "You nearly bled out, Ryusei. Don't brush it off."
"I'm fine now," she murmured.
"…That doesn't make me worry any less," Rias said under her breath, leaning in to kiss Ryusei's forehead.
A short while later, the two got ready for school.
Ryusei stood in front of the mirror brushing her hair when Rias hugged her from behind, her chin resting on Ryusei's shoulder.
"Maybe I should start joining you in the shower. Just to help with recovery," she teased.
Ryusei flushed. "You're not helping the healing process."
"Oh, but I'm helping my happiness~" Rias whispered.
{At Kuoh Academy – Occult Research Clubroom}
Ryusei sat beside Issei on the couch, arms crossed as she looked around.
"…Where's Kiba?" Issei finally asked.
Rias sighed as she sipped her tea. "He didn't come to school today."
"That's not like him…" Ryusei murmured.
"…Is something wrong?" Issei asked.
Rias was silent for a moment before setting her cup down. "I suppose you deserve to know."
She looked to the ceiling as if searching for the words. "Kiba… Yuuto… was once part of something horrible. A secret program called the Holy Sword Project. A twisted experiment to create Holy Sword wielders… from children."
Ryusei's brows furrowed. "Children?"
"He was one of the failed products. They discarded him and the others like trash," Rias said, voice sharp. "He barely escaped with his life… and I found him just before he died."
Issei's fists clenched. "That's… messed up…"
Just then, the door opened, and Akeno entered the room, holding the door open for two more figures.
"President, Sona and Tsubaki are here," she announced.
Sona Sitri, the Student Council President—and a fellow devil—walked in, her glasses gleaming slightly. Beside her was her Queen, Tsubaki Shinra.
"Forgive the intrusion," Sona said, composed as always. "Tsubaki has something she wishes to discuss."
Tsubaki stepped forward, addressing Rias directly. "Earlier today, I encountered two suspicious individuals on the way here this morning."
{Ryusei's House – Later That Afternoon}
Ryusei and Rias stepped through the front door, the smell of hit them immediately.
In the kitchen, Haruka stood in an apron slightly dusted with flour, bustling around multiple pots and pans. Bowls of chopped vegetables and trays of uncooked meat lined the counters.
"Woah…" Ryusei murmured. "Haruka… how much are you cooking?"
Haruka turned with a grin, wiping her hands on a towel. "Today's special. Our grandfather is visiting! He hasn't seen you since you were a baby, Ryusei. Thought I'd make a feast worthy of the occasion."
Ryusei froze mid-step. "G-grandfather…? He… he's coming here?"
"And," Haruka continued, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "you can introduce Rias too since your dating."
Ryusei's blush deepened, and she ducked her head. Rias, on the other hand, let out a small laugh, stepping closer to the counter. "Well then," she said smoothly, "I suppose I should help. Can't have Haruka doing all the work herself."
Haruka smirked, handing Rias a cutting board. "Perfect. You can start with these vegetables. Just… try not to cut your fingers off."
Ryusei tried to concentrate on the counter in front of her, but every so often, she caught Rias glancing at her with that soft, teasing smile, and her heart betrayed her with a flutter.
"Rias, you don't have to—" Ryusei started, but Rias leaned closer, brushing a strand of Ryusei's hair behind her ear as she spoke.
"Helping you… helps me, too."
Ryusei's blush deepened, but she couldn't help the small, shy smile that crept onto her face. Meanwhile, Haruka hummed happily, completely at ease with the two of them working side by side.
Once the food was finished and the table set, the three girls retreated to get ready.
Rias went to the guest room to change, while Ryusei headed to her own room. Charcadet, perched patiently on the dresser, held out a neatly folded blue tie, its bright color catching the morning light. The little Pokémon's eyes sparkled as it looked up at Ryusei expectantly.
"Thanks, buddy," Ryusei murmured, crouching down to take the tie. She smoothed her hands over the fabric before fastening it neatly.
She stepped back and glanced at herself in the mirror, adjusting her dark grey long-sleeve dress shirt and black pants. Her half black, half white hair was tied into a low ponytail, strands falling softly around her face.
"How do I look?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, seeking approval from both Charcadet and the reflection staring back at her.
Charcadet chirped happily in approval.
Ryusei ran a hand through her ponytail, noticing the length. "Huh… did my hair get longer? Maybe I should get it cut sometime soon," she said with a faint smile, tilting her head to the side, the sunlight catching the pale streaks in her hair.
She took a deep breath, smoothing her shirt one last time. "Alright… let's do this,"
Rias emerged from the guest room, stepping into the hallway with an effortless grace. She wore a soft, form-fitting red dress.
Ryusei's eyes widened, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks. "Wow…" she whispered, barely able to form words as she took in Rias' appearance.
Rias caught her gaze and smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You're looking really handsome… and pretty at the same time," she said softly.
Ryusei shuffled her feet, tugging lightly at her sleeves. "Y-You… look amazing, too," she stammered, unable to hide the flutter in her chest.
The two exchanged shy smiles before Haruka called from the kitchen. "Girls, dinner's ready!"
They made their way to the dining room just as the doorbell rang.
"Ryusei, can you get the door?" Haruka asked.
Ryusei nodded and hurried to the front door, smoothing her shirt nervously. She opened it to reveal a tall, muscular man with gray hair and greenish-gray eyes, dressed in a crisp black three-piece suit.
"Um… can I help you, sir?" Ryusei asked cautiously.
The man's eyes lit up with recognition, and he laughed heartily. "You haven't seen me since you were a baby!" Before Ryusei could react, he bent down and scooped her up under her arms.
"H-hey! Put me down! Who even are you?!" Ryusei squirmed, kicking slightly.
"I'm your grandfather, child! Okkotsu Go!"