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[POV - Rias Gremory][Kuou Academy - Occult Research Club Room]
Clack-clack-clack...
My heels echoed through the empty corridors of the academy like the tick-tock of a broken clock. Each step took me back to a reality I no longer wanted to face. Damn, how can someone feel homesick when they're already home?
"Buchou!" Issei's cheerful voice cut through my thoughts like a dull knife. "It's great that you're back! I trained really hard while you were away and—"
Thud.
I let my bag fall to the floor, the sound as heavy as my heart. I pulled out a chair and sat down heavily, feeling as if the entire world had collapsed on my shoulders.
— Rias? — Akeno's voice reached me from behind, soft as silk but loaded with concern. — Darling, is everything alright?
Before I could answer, I felt her arms wrapping around me from behind, that warm embrace that only she knew how to give. Shit, how could I be so transparent?
— Ara ara... — she murmured in my ear, that singing tone she used when she discovered my secrets. — Is dear Rias thinking about Rito-kun?
Gulp.
I swallowed hard, feeling my face heat up like a pan on fire. No point in hiding, right? Akeno knew me better than I knew myself.
— How did you...?
— It's written all over your face, silly. — She gave a low giggle, but soon noticed something in my hand. — And what's that letter there?
I looked down. Damn, I hadn't even noticed I was still holding it. The letter I had written to him... all those words I couldn't say in person.
Sigh.
With a sigh that came from the depths of my soul, I extended my hand and summoned my familiar. Poof! A small cloud of red smoke formed, and from it emerged my little bat, which quickly transformed into an elegant bat-woman.
— Take this to Yuuki Rito, — I murmured, handing over the letter. — And... be careful.
Whoosh!
She disappeared through the window like a night shadow, taking my heart in paper form with her.
I turned to Akeno and, before I could control myself, threw myself into her arms. Geez, when did I become this needy person?
— Rias... — she whispered, stroking my hair. — You don't need to pretend you don't feel anything. I can feel my friend in great pain from leaving the person she loves far away.
Sniff.
And that's when the floodgates opened. I started crying like a child lost in a mall, all that strength I pretended to have melting away like sugar in the rain.
— It's not fair... — I heard Akeno murmur, and when I looked up, I saw silent tears streaming down her face too.
— Akeno...
— It's not fair that you have to choose between duty and love. — She hugged me tighter. — It's not fair that the heart doesn't choose by convenience.
We stayed like that for what felt like eternity, two friends sharing a pain that words couldn't express.
— Maybe... — I managed to speak between sobs. — Maybe we can talk to him again at some point. But this time we can tell him we love him.
— We will. — Akeno agreed, also crying. — We will.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
The bell announced the end of the period, and gradually the other members began to arrive. I quickly wiped my face, trying to compose the mask of a strong leader that everyone expected to see.
But when Issei came in, excited to show me his "progress," I felt my heart sink even further. Poor thing... he had trained so hard, was so excited...
— Buchou! Look at this! — He raised his fist, and a red light sprouted from it. — I managed to awaken Twice Critical! Isn't it incredible?
Twice Critical.
Twice the power. While Rito... damn, Rito could recreate the entire universe if he wanted to. The comparison was so unequal it was almost cruel.
— It's... it's very good, Issei. — I forced a smile that must have looked more like a grimace.
During the minutes that followed, while he told me about his training, I couldn't help but compare. Rito was gentle, but strong. Issei was strong, but... I don't know, something was missing. Even in those more... intimate areas... God, what kind of thoughts are these, Rias?
Tap-tap-tap.
The sound of beaks tapping on the window pulled me from my reverie. A golden bird... Riser's familiar? What the hell did he want now?
The creature dropped a letter and flew away. With my heart racing, I opened the envelope.
"Rias,After careful consideration and having personally witnessed the tremendous power of Yuuki Rito during our... unfortunate interaction, I have decided it would be prudent to indefinitely postpone our matrimonial arrangement.A wise man recognizes when he is outmatched, and that boy possesses a power that even I wouldn't dare challenge. Consider our contract canceled.May you find the happiness you deserve.Riser Phenex"
Thump-thump-thump!
My heart beat so hard I was sure it would come out of my mouth. Free... I was free! The wedding had been canceled! All that pressure, all that golden prison... it was over!
Without thinking, I pulled out my phone and set as wallpaper that photo we took together. God, how I loved that smile of his... that simple way of being...
I left the letter on the table, lost looking at the phone screen, when I heard Issei approaching.
— Buchou, I wanted to talk about a strategy I thought of and...
His words died in the air. I followed his gaze and shit... he had seen the photo. I saw the color drain from his face, as if someone had pulled the plug on life.
Silence.
The silence that settled was thick as molasses, heavy as lead. I could see the gears turning in his head, connecting the dots, reaching the inevitable conclusion.
— Who... who is he? — his voice came out hoarse, broken.
And in that moment, seeing the raw pain in his eyes, I understood. The universe had a cruel way of teaching us about love. Sometimes you love someone who doesn't love you back. Sometimes the one who loves you can't have your heart.
And sometimes, in the middle of all this mess, you realize that hurting someone you care about is the hardest thing in the world.
— Issei... — I began, but what words could make that less painful?
None.
Absolutely none.