Chris followed Rias through the halls of Kuoh Academy, trying not to stare at everything like a tourist. The building smelled faintly of chalk and polished wood, sunlight spilling through tall windows and painting warm stripes across the floor. Students glanced at him as he passed—curious, whispering, but not unkind.
Rias walked with a calm confidence, her long red hair swaying behind her like a banner. Every few steps, she glanced back at him, checking if he was still there. Checking if he was okay.
It was strange.
He'd known her for less than five minutes, yet she felt… safe.
"Transfer paperwork is simple," she said as they approached the office. "They'll ask a few questions, but I'll vouch for you."
He blinked. "You don't even know me."
She paused, turning to face him fully.
"You looked like you needed someone today," she said softly. "That's enough."
His throat tightened. He didn't know how to respond to that. In his old life, people didn't say things like that. People didn't notice him. People didn't care.
He managed a small smile. "Thank you."
Rias smiled back—warm, gentle, almost proud—and pushed open the office door.
---
Paperwork and Pretending
The office smelled like old paper and coffee. A middle‑aged woman behind the desk greeted him with a polite smile and handed him a stack of forms. Chris filled them out quickly, grateful that Alisa had somehow arranged a full identity for him. Birth certificate, transcripts, everything.
He wondered what it cost her.
He wondered why she looked so sad when she sent him here.
He pushed the thought away before it could hurt.
When he finished, the secretary stamped the papers and handed him a schedule.
"Welcome to Kuoh Academy, Mr. Green."
He bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Rias waited for him outside the door, leaning casually against the wall.
"All set?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"Good. Let me show you to your class."
---
A Quiet Moment
They walked in silence for a while. Not awkward—just quiet. Peaceful. Chris found himself watching the way the sunlight caught in Rias's hair, the way she hummed softly under her breath, the way she seemed to radiate warmth.
He wondered if she could sense the heaviness in his chest.
He wondered if she could tell he wasn't supposed to be here.
"Chris?" she said suddenly.
He blinked. "Yeah?"
"You spaced out."
"Sorry. Just… thinking."
"About something sad?"
He froze.
She said it so gently. So casually. Like she wasn't accusing him—just noticing him.
He swallowed. "A little."
Rias didn't push. She didn't pry. She just nodded and kept walking, slowing her pace so he could walk beside her instead of behind.
It was such a small gesture.
But it meant more than she knew.
---
The Classroom
When they reached his classroom, Rias stopped.
"This is you," she said. "If anyone gives you trouble, tell me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why would they?"
She smiled, amused. "You'll see."
Before he could ask what that meant, she opened the door.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him instantly.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Who's that?"
"He's cute…"
"Is he foreign?"
"Look at his eyes—he looks tired."
"No, he looks sad."
Chris forced a polite smile and bowed slightly.
The teacher introduced him, and he took an empty seat near the window. Rias gave him one last reassuring look before leaving.
The class went on.
Math.
History.
English.
Normal things.
But Chris couldn't focus.
He kept thinking about the warmth he felt earlier.
The breeze that felt like a hand.
The whisper he wasn't sure he imagined.
"You deserve this life, Chris."
He stared out the window, watching cherry blossoms drift through the air.
"Alisa…" he murmured under his breath. "Are you watching?"
No answer.
Just sunlight.
Just silence.
But his chest felt warm again.
---
Lunch Break
When the bell rang, Chris stepped into the hallway, unsure where to go. Students streamed past him, laughing, chatting, living their lives like nothing was strange.
He felt out of place.
Like a ghost.
Like someone walking through a world that wasn't meant for him.
Then—
"Chris!"
He turned.
Akeno Himejima approached with a graceful smile, her long black hair flowing behind her like silk. Her violet eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"You're the new transfer student, right?" she said. "Rias told me about you."
He blinked. "She… did?"
"Mhm." Akeno tilted her head. "She said you seemed kind."
His face warmed. "I'm not sure about that."
Akeno's smile softened. "You don't have to be sure. Sometimes others see things we can't."
He didn't know what to say to that.
"Come," she said, gesturing. "Eat with us."
"Us?"
She giggled. "You'll see."
---
The ORC Room
Akeno led him to an old building behind the main school. The Occult Research Club. The place where everything in DxD begins.
Chris hesitated at the door.
Akeno noticed.
"Nervous?" she asked gently.
"A little."
She touched his arm—light, warm, comforting.
"You'll be fine."
He nodded, took a breath, and stepped inside.
The room was warm, filled with the scent of tea and old books. Rias sat on a couch, smiling when she saw him. Koneko munched on snacks in the corner. Kiba offered a polite nod.
It felt… safe.
It felt like the beginning of something.
"Welcome," Rias said softly. "We're glad you're here."
Chris felt that warmth again—stronger this time.
And somewhere far away, in a place he couldn't see, a goddess with sad eyes watched him with a trembling smile.