Chris didn't sleep that night.
He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the faint glow of the moon casting pale light across his room. His chest still felt warm—too warm—like something inside him was trying to breathe through his skin. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her.
Alisa.
Her trembling silhouette.
Her breaking voice.
Her hand reaching for him before dissolving into light.
He pressed a hand over his heart, fingers trembling. "Why does it feel like you're hurting more than me…?"
The warmth pulsed faintly—soft, apologetic.
He swallowed hard. "I don't want you to suffer because of me."
Silence.
But not empty silence.
A silence full of sadness.
He turned onto his side, pulling the blanket up to his chin. His body was exhausted, but his mind refused to rest. Every moment replayed in his head—the Fallen Angel's attack, the barrier shattering, the pain ripping through him, and then… her.
Her voice.
Her light.
Her fear.
He didn't understand any of it.
Why would a goddess break the rules for him?
Why would she tie her power to his soul?
Why would she cry for him?
He didn't know.
And that terrified him.
Eventually, exhaustion dragged him into a restless sleep.
---
He woke to the sound of birds outside his window. Morning sunlight spilled across his room, warm and gentle. But the warmth in his chest felt heavier today—like a weight pressing down on him.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Another day…"
He got dressed mechanically, barely tasting breakfast, barely hearing the sounds of the world around him. His mind was somewhere else—somewhere far away, where a goddess cried in silence.
When he reached Kuoh Academy, the atmosphere felt different.
Students whispered more than usual.
Teachers looked tense.
The air felt charged.
He walked through the gates, trying to ignore the stares.
"CHRIS!"
Akeno's voice cut through the noise like sunlight through clouds. She rushed toward him, her long black hair flowing behind her.
"You look awful," she said bluntly, though her tone was soft. "Did you sleep at all?"
He shook his head. "Not really."
Akeno frowned, brushing a hand against his cheek. "You're cold."
He forced a smile. "I'm fine."
"You're lying," she said immediately.
Before he could respond, Rias approached, her expression full of worry.
"Chris… your aura is unstable."
He blinked. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Akeno said gently, "that whatever happened yesterday is still affecting you."
Koneko appeared behind him, tugging his sleeve. "You smell sad."
Chris sighed. "Good morning to you too."
Koneko handed him a small bag. "Eat."
He looked inside. More pastries. "Koneko… you don't have to keep doing this."
She shrugged. "I want to."
Kiba approached next, offering a polite nod. "Rias wants you in the clubroom after classes. We need to evaluate your condition."
Chris nodded. "Okay."
Rias placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out."
He swallowed hard. "I hope so."
---
Classes were a blur.
Chris tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting. Every time he blinked, he saw Alisa's fading silhouette. Every time he breathed, he felt her sadness. Every time he touched his chest, the warmth pulsed—soft, trembling.
The teacher called his name three times before he realized it. Students whispered. He apologized. He tried to focus.
He failed.
At lunch, he sat under the same tree as before, staring at the pastries Koneko gave him. He wasn't hungry, but he forced himself to eat. He needed the energy.
Rias sat beside him quietly.
"You're not eating much," she said softly.
He shrugged. "Not hungry."
"You need strength," she said gently. "Especially now."
He looked down. "Rias… what if I'm hurting her?"
Rias hesitated. "You might be."
His chest tightened. "Then what do I do?"
"We find answers," she said firmly. "And we help her."
He blinked. "Help her?"
Rias nodded. "She saved you. She broke rules for you. She's suffering because of you. We can't ignore that."
Chris felt his throat tighten. "Why are you all being so kind to me?"
Rias smiled softly. "Because you deserve kindness."
He shook his head. "I don't know if I do."
Rias placed a hand on his cheek. "Then let us show you."
He felt his eyes sting. "Rias…"
She pulled her hand back gently. "Come to the ORC after school. We'll start there."
He nodded. "Okay."
---
After classes, Chris walked into the ORC room. Everyone was already there.
Akeno smiled warmly.
Kiba looked serious.
Koneko munched a cookie but watched him closely.
Rias stood in front of her desk, expression firm.
"Chris," she said gently, "we're going to examine your aura."
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 gently.
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."
He felt his chest tighten. "Then I can't use it."
Akeno shook her head. "It's not that simple."
Kiba added, "If you don't learn to control it, it could kill you."
Koneko whispered, "And her."
Chris felt his breath catch. "I don't want to hurt her."
Rias knelt in front of him. "Then we'll learn to control it together."
He swallowed hard. "Okay."
Rias stood. "Let's try something different. Instead of summoning the power… try listening to it."
Chris nodded.
He closed his eyes again.
The warmth pulsed.
Soft.
Gentle.
Sad.
He whispered, "Alisa… are you there?"
A faint pulse.
"Are you hurting?"
Another pulse. Stronger.
"Is it because of me?"
Silence.
Then—
A soft, trembling warmth.
Apology.
Chris's breath shook. "I'm sorry too…"
The warmth flickered.
Then faded.
He opened his eyes.
Rias watched him closely. "What happened?"
Chris swallowed. "She's… she's hurting. And she doesn't want me to use the power because it hurts her too."
Akeno's expression softened. "That's… heartbreaking."
Kiba nodded. "It explains the instability."
Koneko whispered, "She loves him."
Chris blinked. "What?"
Koneko shrugged. "She does."
Rias looked at him gently. "Chris… whatever she feels for you, it's strong enough to break divine law."
He felt his chest tighten. "I don't understand why."
Rias placed a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you don't have to understand right now. Maybe you just have to accept that she cares."
He looked down. "I don't know if I deserve that."
Akeno touched his cheek. "You do."
Kiba nodded. "You're a good person."
Koneko leaned against him. "You're warm."
Chris laughed weakly. "Thanks."
Rias smiled softly. "We'll help her. And we'll help you."
He swallowed hard. "Okay."
Rias stood. "Everyone… we need to prepare. The Fallen Angels won't stop."
Akeno nodded. "They're afraid."
Kiba added, "And desperate."
Koneko whispered, "And stupid."
Chris looked up. "What do we do?"
Rias extended her hand. "We train."
He took her hand.
And for the first time since arriving in this world…
He felt ready to fight for something.
Not for himself.
But for her.
For Alisa.
For the goddess who cried for him.
---