Chris woke up feeling like he hadn't slept at all. His body felt heavy. His chest felt warm. His mind felt full. Alisa's voice still echoed faintly in his head. "I didn't want you to suffer…" He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. "Then why does it feel like you're hurting too…?" No answer. Just that soft, aching warmth. He sighed, got dressed, and headed to school.
The moment he stepped onto campus, he felt eyes on him. Whispers. Curiosity. Concern. "Is that the new guy?" "He looks tired…" "No, he looks sad." "Did something happen to him?" He kept walking. He didn't want attention. He didn't want pity. He just wanted— "CHRIS!" Akeno practically teleported to his side, looping her arm through his. "You look even more exhausted today," she said sweetly. "Should I carry you?" He groaned. "Please don't." Akeno pouted. "Rias, he's bullying me again." Rias approached, her expression softening when she saw him. "Chris… are you okay?" He hesitated. "Just tired." Koneko tugged his sleeve. "You forgot breakfast again." He blinked. "How do you always know?" "You look hungry." She handed him another bag of pastries. Chris stared at it. "Koneko… thank you." She shrugged. "Don't faint." Kiba approached next, smiling politely. "Rias wants you in the clubroom after classes. Today is your first real training session." Chris nodded. "I'll be there." Rias's eyes softened. "We'll take it slow. I promise." He smiled weakly. He didn't know why, but her reassurance made his chest feel lighter.
Chris tried to focus in class. He really did. But every time he blinked, he saw the glow on his chest. Every time he breathed, he felt Alisa's warmth. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard her voice. "Please stop…" He didn't understand. Why would she fear her own gift? Why would she sound like she was breaking? Why did her sadness feel like it was inside him? The teacher called his name twice before he realized it. Students whispered. He apologized. He tried to focus. He failed.
Chris sat under the same tree as before, eating the pastries Koneko gave him. They were warm, soft, comforting — and he needed that comfort more than he wanted to admit. He didn't notice Rias until she sat beside him. "You're thinking too much," she said softly. He blinked. "Is it that obvious?" "Yes," she said gently. "You carry everything in your eyes." He looked away. Rias hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. "Chris… whatever Alisa gave you, whatever she meant to you… you don't have to face it alone." He swallowed hard. "I don't want to drag you into something dangerous." Rias smiled faintly. "Chris… I'm a devil. Danger is my job." He laughed — a small, tired laugh — but real. For a moment, everything felt normal. Warm. Safe. Human. Then the bell rang, and the moment ended.
When Chris entered the ORC room, everyone was already waiting. Akeno smiled warmly. Kiba looked focused. Koneko munched a cookie but watched him closely. Rias stood in front of her desk, serious. "Chris," she said gently, "today we begin your training." He nodded nervously. "Okay." Rias gestured to the center of the room. "Stand there." He did. Akeno formed a magic circle. Kiba readied his sword. Koneko crouched slightly, watching him like a cat watching prey. Chris swallowed. "Should I be worried?" "Yes," Koneko said. "No," Rias corrected. "Maybe," Akeno added with a giggle. Chris groaned. "Great."
Rias stepped closer. "Chris, I need you to focus on the warmth in your chest. Slowly. Don't force it." He closed his eyes. The warmth pulsed. Soft. Sad. Familiar. Alisa. He reached for it. The room trembled. A faint glow spread across his chest, forming the same divine symbol as before. Akeno whispered, "It's beautiful…" Kiba frowned. "But unstable." Koneko's ears twitched. "It's crying." Chris's breath hitched. The warmth surged. And then— Pain. Sharp. Sudden. Deep. He gasped, clutching his chest. Rias grabbed him. "Stop! Stop!" The glow vanished. Chris fell forward, breathing hard. Akeno touched his back gently. "It's hurting you." Kiba frowned. "This isn't normal." Koneko whispered, "It's like the power is sad." Chris looked up, voice shaking. "Why does it feel like she's hurting when I use it?" Rias's expression softened painfully. "Chris… I think Alisa gave you something she shouldn't have." He froze. "What do you mean?" Rias hesitated. "Gods aren't supposed to interfere with mortal souls. Not like this. Not directly. Whatever she gave you… it's tied to her. Deeply." Chris's heart pounded. "So when I use it…" Rias nodded slowly. "…she feels it too."
Chris sat on the floor, shaking. "I don't understand any of this," he whispered. "I didn't ask for powers. I didn't ask to be special. I just… I just wanted a second chance." Rias knelt in front of him, eyes soft. "Chris… you're allowed to be scared." He looked at her. She looked back — not as a devil, not as a king, but as a girl who cared. "You're not alone," she whispered. "Not anymore." Akeno placed a hand on his back. Kiba rested a hand on his shoulder. Koneko sat beside him, leaning against him quietly. Warmth surrounded him. Not divine. Not supernatural. Human. And for the first time since he arrived in this world… Chris cried. Not from fear. Not from pain. But from the overwhelming weight of being cared for.
As his tears slowed, the warmth in his chest pulsed again. Soft. Gentle. Apologetic. "Chris… I'm sorry… I didn't want you to suffer…" He closed his eyes. "Alisa… why are you crying?" No answer. Just a fading warmth. Just a quiet ache. Just a goddess who loved him more than she should.
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