[Yuuto's POV]
"Well, this is not how I imagined my morning to start"
I blinked, my vision clearing enough to process what exactly was happening. Soft breathing tickled my right ear. More soft breathing ghosted across my left collarbone. And the weight of two very naked female bodies pressed against me from both sides.
Rias's crimson hair spilled across my right shoulder her face peaceful in sleep, one arm thrown possessively across my chest. On my left, Akeno's violet-black locks created a dark waterfall that pooled on the pillow, her leg hooked over mine in a way that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.
And we were all naked.
Right now, I was sandwiched between Rias and Akeno's naked bodies as they held me like we'd completed a lifelong quest and finally achieved peace in our world. I'd never be more happy than waking up every day like this—first Roygun, and now Rias and Akeno at once.
Life is good. Life is very, very good.
As if my thoughts were heard by Rias, her eyes twitched. I adjusted myself slightly, trying to give her some space.
"Hm... Good morning, Yuuto." Rias mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she groggily woke up.
"Morning, Buchou" I managed, my voice coming out rougher than I'd intended. I tried to shift again, to maybe salvage what remained of my dignity and sanity.
Akeno's arm tightened around my waist like a steel vice.
No escape then.
"So, Buchou" I cleared my throat, aiming for casual and probably landing somewhere around 'mildly surprised' "Why are you both in my bed? Naked?"
Rias propped herself up on one elbow, apparently completely unbothered by the situation or her lack of clothing. The sheet slipped dangerously low, and I took the gracious view of her beautiful curvaceous figure.
"Ah, right" she said, a small smile playing at her lips "I came to give you good news. Your application for promotion to High-Class Devil has been approved."
I blinked.
Processed.
Blinked again.
"Wait, seriously?" I sat up slightly, momentarily forgetting the nakedness situation in my surprise "Already?"
That was... fast..
I'd expected at least a few more weeks of bureaucratic hell before the Underworld's administration pulled their heads out of their collective asses and processed my paperwork. I didn't expect for the Devil nobility to be as speedy decision-making.
Still, not complaining. High-Class Devil meant my own peerage. My own pieces to hand out. The beginning of building my own power base independent of Rias's protection.
Finally, I can start adding my own chess pieces with powerful individuals.
My chest bubbled with genuine excitement. This was a major step in stepping up my position in Devil Society and this world. With my own peerage, I could start implementing plans for the future events, that would've been impossible as just a member of Rias's group.
"When do I head to the Underworld for the ceremony?" I asked, already running through mental calculations. I'd need to prepare, make sure my affairs here were in order, maybe scout out potential peerage members—
"It would be Next week" Rias said, her smile widening at my enthusiasm.
Next week.
Right
I kept my expression neutral, nodding like that made perfect sense, even as my brain screamed, 'Yeah, that's not happening anytime soon'
The Three Faction meeting was coming up. I knew the canon timeline well enough to know that particular clusterfuck was right around the corner. Kokabiel would make his dramatic entrance and everything would go to shit in spectacular way.
Kuoh Academy would become a central location for peace treaty between Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels. There'd be fighting, drama, some buildings getting destroyed, and definitely no time for a casual trip to the Underworld for a promotion ceremony.
Next week? More like next month, if we were lucky.
But I just smiled and nodded, keeping my thoughts to myself "Sounds good, Buchou. I can't wait to get my own Evil Pieces"
Then I asked the million-dollar question that had been itching in my brain since I woke up "So... that still doesn't explain why you and Akeno are lying naked in my bed?"
Rias had the decency to look slightly embarrassed, knowing her it was due to the reason not due to us being naked. A faint blush dusting her cheeks like rose petals on snow. She pressed her fingers to her temple, sighing in that particular way that suggested she was regretting several life choices.
"I was about to give you this information," she began, her voice taking on that slightly defensive tone people get when they know they're about to explain something ridiculous "But Akeno insisted on coming along to deliver the information together"
"Ara ara~" Akeno's voice joined us with amusement. Her eyes fluttered open, violet depths sparkling with mischief "I couldn't let Yuuto-kun hear such wonderful news by Buchou, all alone, Can I?"
"When we arrived, you were already asleep," Rias continued "And then... one thing led to another..."
Rias sighed again, this time with a note of resignation "We ended up agreeing on using one of your arms as a body pillow. You don't mind us doing this, do you?"
I glanced down at Akeno, who was now smiling at me. Then at Rias, who looked equal parts embarrassed and defiant, daring me to make this weird.
"Not at all" I said, probably too quickly.
This was every guy's dream. Living the harem protagonist life. Thank you, System, for this blessing. Thank you, universe, for being occasionally generous.
My mind drifted back to yesterday's events. The spar. Xenovia's shattered sword. The look of absolute devastation on her face as her holy weapon exploded into broken fragments.
And here I thought she'd still be angry with me for yesterday's mishap.
Though calling it a "mishap" felt generous. Should I even consider that as a mishap?
Mishaps were spilling coffee on your shirt or forgetting someone's birthday. Destroying one of the fragments of Excalibur was more in the realm of mildly surprising but not enough to start a war between the factions.
It's not like I intended on destroying one of the Excaliburs when I challenged her for a spar.
Destroying her ego? Absolutely. That was the whole point, knock the self-righteous Church warrior down a few pegs, make her question her superiority complex, maybe teach her some humility.
But the Excalibur? Hell no. That was just collateral damage.
Oh well. Not like she needs it anyway.
Even without Excalibur Destruction, she still had Durandal.
She'd be fine completing her mission. If her so-called plan goes well, She'd manage to 'defeat' the leader of Grigori.
Eh, she'll figure it out.
"Yuuto"
Rias's voice cut through my internal rambling. I turned to find her staring at me, arms crossed under her chest in a way that was both distracting and vaguely threatening.
"Hm?"
Don't tell me I'll be getting a thousand spankings for that?
The thought flashed through my mind with genuine concern. Rias had a different side when it came to punishments, and I wasn't entirely sure my demonic constitution and my ego could handle—
Wait. If that's the case, I better switch myself with my clone.*
Yeah. That was a solid plan. Let the clone take the punishment while I conveniently had urgent business elsewhere. It's what clones were for, right? Taking bullets. Or in this case, spanks.
But to my relief—and surprise—Rias wasn't gearing up to lecture me about it.
Instead, she was reversing the roles on us.
Her blue-green eyes narrowed slightly, studying my face "Is it true... you're taking Akeno on a date?"
I could feel Akeno's smile widen against my shoulder, her amusement practically radiating off her in waves. She was enjoying this way too much.
"She seemed to be in conflict about her feelings for me, Buchou," I explained carefully, like I was defusing a bomb. Which, in a way, I was "So I offered to spend some time together to see if it's true or not."
It wasn't a lie. Akeno had been wrestling with her feelings—the whole fallen angel heritage thing, her complicated relationship with her father, the trauma, all of it. A date seemed like a good way to give her space to figure things out.
And if it happens to be enjoyable, well, that's just a bonus.
"I see" Rias's expression was unreadable, her voice carefully neutral.
For a moment, I thought that was it. Crisis averted. We'd move on, have breakfast, maybe they'd put on some clothes—
Then she moved closer.
Rias shifted her weight until she was practically in my lap, her face inches from mine. Her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that could have melted steel, her crimson hair falling around us like a curtain, blocking out the rest of the world.
"What about us, Yuuto?" Her voice was soft, vulnerable in a way I rarely heard from her "Didn't we have our first kiss with each other?"
Too close.
Memories flooded back—the softness of her lips, the taste of strawberries, the way her fingers had tangled in my hair, the moment when everything seemed perfect and terrifying and right all at once.
Our first kiss.
Rias's eyes searched mine, looking for something, reassurance, maybe. Confirmation that it had meant something. That she wasn't just another name on a list.
Shit. What do I even say to that?
The honest answer was complicated. Yes, the kiss meant something. Yes, I cared about Rias, she was important to me, not just as my King but as someone I genuinely gave a damn about.
But I was also navigating an increasingly complicated web of relationships, feelings, and harem protagonist nonsense that would make a soap opera writer weep with joy.
This is what I get for living in a universe that runs on harem logic.
"Let's go on a date, Buchou"
---
[Later That Afternoon]
*[You've assimilated Ultear Milkovich]*
The memories flooded in like a dam breaking—years of magical theory, combat experience, emotional trauma that wasn't mine but felt real enough to sting. All of it pouring into my brain in a torrent of information that should have been overwhelming but felt as natural as breathing.
All of it. All of hers. Now mine.
There's no argument that she was a better choice to assimilate than Raynare's character card.
Raynare—the fallen angel who'd tried to kill Asia. Her skill set had been... limited. Fly around. Throw light spears. Look menacing. Seduce clueless humans. Useful for aerial combat and intimidation, sure, but not exactly gamechanging.
And honestly? After what she tried to do? I didn't feel bad about ending her. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
But getting Ultear's card instead? That was a fucking jackpot.
Time magic, though? That was the kind of bullshit hax ability that could turn the tide of a battle. That could undo mistakes. That could—
I needed to test this. Right now.
I extended my right arm, palm facing the stone wall of the mansion about twenty meters away.
I channeled fire magic—basic, elemental, the kind of spell that was Devil Magic 101. The magic circle flared bright, and a massive fireball erupted from my palm like a miniature sun being born.
*FWOOOOSH!*
The fireball screamed across the yard, a comet of orange and red that left a trail of scorched air in its wake. The heat was intense enough that I felt it even from this distance, hot enough to make the air shimmer and warp.
It hit the wall with apocalyptic force.
*KRA-KOOOOOM!*
The explosion was deafening—a thunderclap of destruction that echoed across the grounds and probably woke up half the neighborhood. Stone and mortar disintegrated, vaporized by the heat and force. Chunks of rubble flew outward like shrapnel, embedding themselves in the grass.
When the smoke cleared, a gaping hole had been carved into the mansion's exterior—easily three meters wide and two meters tall, the edges still glowing cherry-red from the heat. The interior rooms were visible through the gap, furniture and wallpaper exposed to the evening air.
Oops. That's... that's more damage than I intended.
I raised my left hand toward the destroyed section of wall. My left eye flared crimson. The crimson of time itself bending to my will.
The sensation was strange, like reaching into the fabric of reality and finding threads I could pull. I could feel the wall's history—its construction, its age, every moment of its existence stretching back like a timeline I could navigate.
*"Arc of Time: Restore."*
The words left my lips in a whisper, but the effect was immediate and spectacular. A magic circle—this one purple-pink and infinitely complex, filled with gears and clockwork patterns—expanded from my palm like a blooming flower. It washed over the destroyed section of wall like a wave of liquid light.
And the wall...was back at it.
Stone flowed back into place like water running in reverse, defying gravity and logic. Mortar knit itself together, cracks sealing, char marks vanishing as if they'd never existed. Chunks of rubble lifted from the grass and flew back to their original positions, fitting together like puzzle pieces guided by an invisible hand.
In less than three seconds, the wall was perfect again—pristine, undamaged, looking exactly as it had before my fireball had introduced it to the concept of destruction.
This is incredible!.
Broken weapons? Restore them. Destroyed buildings? Fix them.
*FWOOSH!*
The sound of a teleportation circle activating pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see the crimson glow of Gremory magic blazing to life on the grass behind me.
Asia and Koneko materialized as the magic faded, both looking around the backyard with varying degrees of confusion.
Asia smiled, warm and bright as always, her green eyes sparkling in the golden afternoon light. "Good evening, Yuuto-san!"
Koneko just stared, her golden cat-like eyes unblinking, her expression as neutral as ever. "...Senpai."
"Evening, you two," I greeted, walking over with what I hoped was a casual smile and not the manic grin of someone who'd just discovered they could bend time. "How'd your contracts go today?"
Asia clasped her hands together, her enthusiasm infectious and borderline contagious. "It went very well! The client was an elderly woman who needed healing for her joint pain. She was so kind and grateful—she even gave me extra payment and homemade cookies!"
Of course she did. Because Asia is too pure for this world and people naturally want to give her things.
"That's great, Asia. Glad to hear it." I turned to Koneko "What about you?"
"Fine." Koneko's response was characteristically brief "Contract was easy. Old man wanted furniture moved. Did it. Got paid."
The Koneko method of storytelling: maximum efficiency, minimum words.
"Sounds like you both had fun"
Koneko's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze sweeping across the backyard—taking in the grass, the trees, the mansion, the very spot where we stood.
"Senpai." Her voice was flat, but there was a question buried in that single word. "Why did you ask us to come here?"
She remembered. Of course she remembered. This was the place where we'd trained for the Rating Game against Riser.
I reached for my bag, which I'd dropped on the grass earlier and pulling out a leather-bound notebook. The cover was worn but well-maintained, filled with pages of notes, diagrams, and detailed instructions I'd spent the last few days compiling.
Both girls looked at the notebook with curiosity.
Koneko's deadpan voice cut through the evening air like a knife "...Senpai. You want us to do your homework?"
"What? No. Hell no."
I have clones for that kind of menial shit. Why would I waste my time on calculus when I can literally create a copy of myself to suffer through it?
I held out the notebook toward Asia. "This is for you."
Asia blinked, confusion written across her delicate features. "For... me?"
"It's a sword style," I explained, watching as she carefully took the notebook from my hands like it was made of glass. "One I created specifically for you."
Her green eyes widened, scanning the first few pages—forms, breathing techniques, diagrams showing proper stance and movement. Her expression shifted from confusion to shock to something that looked like it might become tears.
"F-for me? But Yuuto-san, I don't know how to fight—I've never even held a sword properly—"
"Don't worry about it, Asia" I turned to Koneko, who was watching the exchange with her usual inscrutability "Koneko-chan, will provide the help you need to learn it."
The petite Rook tilted her head slightly "...Help?"
I nodded "You're a solid combatant, Koneko chan. You've got the fundamentals down better than anyone in the peerage except maybe Akeno. You understand body mechanics, how to move efficiently, how to read an opponent."
Koneko's expression didn't change, but I caught the slight flicker of pride in her golden eyes.
"Asia has..." I paused, choosing my words carefully to avoid hurting her feelings. "Almost no combat skill or reflexes. She needs someone to help her build a solid foundation, someone who understands the basics inside and out"
Asia looked down at the notebook again, her fingers tracing over the hand-drawn diagrams and carefully written instructions. I could see the wheels turning in her head, doubt warring with determination.
The Insect Breathing style from Demon Slayer—specifically, Shinobu Kocho's technique—was perfect for Asia. It emphasized speed, precision, and using an opponent's momentum against them. It didn't require brute strength or overwhelming power. Just technique, timing, and the willingness to strike at vital points.
And most importantly, it could be adapted to work with her healing abilities. Imagine a healer who could defend herself, who could disable an enemy without killing them, who could protect her allies while still fulfilling her primary role.
That's the goal I was building for.
"I..." Asia looked up at me, and her eyes were shining with unshed tears—the good kind, the emotional kind. "I'll do my best to learn it!"
All according to the plan.
"I know you will," I said with a genuine smile, the kind that came from actual pride rather than manipulation. "And Koneko-chan will have you combat-ready in no time. Plus, starting Monday, I'll be joining you for training sessions too, so you won't be alone in this."
Asia beamed, clutching the notebook to her chest like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Koneko's eyes narrowed slightly, her cat-like gaze focusing on me with laser precision "...Where are you going to be tomorrow?"
Ah. Right. Tomorrow.
"I've got a date with Akeno tomorrow," I said casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Just a casual date with the Queen of the Gremory peerage who also happened to be a sadistic lightning user with daddy issues. Totally normal. "So I won't be able to join you then. But after that, I'll be regular as usual."
The words hung in the air for a moment.
Koneko's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her golden eyes—surprise, maybe. Or confusion "...Date?"
Asia looked equally confused, tilting her head like a curious puppy trying to understand a new concept "What's a date?"
"It's just two people spending time together and having fun," I explained, keeping it simple and innocent because Asia would probably explode with embarrassment if I got any more specific "Like going to eat somewhere nice, or watching a movie, or just walking around and talking."
Asia's face lit up like a Christmas tree, her eyes sparkling with wonder and excitement "Oh! That sounds wonderful!"
Then, with the enthusiasm only Asia could muster, she clasped her hands together and asked, "Can I go on a date with you too, Yuuto-san?"
She's too pure for this world. Too precious.
Must protect.
"Sure," I said, probably smiling like an idiot because how could I possibly say no to that face? "Why not?"
Asia's smile widened even further and she practically vibrated with joy. "Then I'll work extra hard on learning the sword style you created for me! I'll make you proud, Yuuto-san!"
Mission accomplished. Asia motivated. Check.
I was about to turn back toward the mansion, already thinking about dinner and whether I'd need to explain to Rias about the new sword style I was-
PULL
The sensation was gentle but insistent, like someone tugging on my sleeve with careful determination. I turned to find Koneko's small hand gripping the back of my shirt, her face tilted up toward mine.
There was a very faint, almost imperceptible blush dusting her cheeks.
"Koneko-chan?"
She didn't meet my eyes, instead staring somewhere around my collarbone with intense focus. Her voice came out quieter than usual, almost shy.
"...I want to go on a date with Senpai too."
Brain.exe has stopped working
Koneko. The stoic, emotionless, chocolate-obsessed Rook who barely showed feelings beyond mild approval or irritation. Who communicated primarily in single words and blank stares. Who I was pretty sure didn't experience normal human emotions.
Was asking me on a date.
While blushing.
Haha. I must be dead right now or else how could I be in heaven right now
"I—uh—yeah!" The words tumbled out before my brain could catch up to my mouth. "Absolutely! We can—yeah! We'll definitely do that!"
Koneko nodded once, releasing my shirt. The blush faded, but the smallest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, so faint it might have been my imagination, but I swear it was there.
She turned her attention back to the notebook Asia was still clutching, apparently satisfied with my response.
I stood there, frozen, as my brain tried to process the situation and failed miserably.
So. Let me get this straight.
I'm being promoted to High-Class Devil. I woke up with two naked women in my bed. I gained time magic that can literally undo reality up to some extent. And now I have date commitments with Akeno, Rias, Asia, and Koneko
Four dates
Is this what winning feels like?
---
After handing the Insect Breathing sword style notebook to Asia—with detailed instructions and encouragement and probably too much enthusiasm—I finally retreated back to my room in the mansion.
The evening had settled in fully now, the last traces of golden light fading into deep purple twilight. My room was quiet, peaceful, a welcome respite from the chaos that seemed to follow me everywhere.
I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.
I was just starting to relax, just beginning to process everything, when—
A notification from my clone pulsed in my mind, not from the system, but from my clone. The sensation was sharp, urgent, demanding immediate attention.
Something was wrong.
My expression darkened immediately, relaxation forgotten. I sat up, every muscle tensing.
Valper.
The clone had finally caught him. The mad priest. The excommunicated scientist who'd tortured children and created synthetic Sacred Gears and was probably going to be a massive pain in my ass if I didn't deal with him now.
BIIIIN!
The world twisted. Reality folded in on itself like origami made of dimensions and bad decisions. My bedroom vanished, replaced by the impossible architecture of the Infinity Castle—endless wooden platforms stretching in directions that shouldn't exist, lit by paper lanterns floating in an infinite void.
The transition was instantaneous and disorienting, but I'd done it enough times now that I barely stumbled.
I walked forward, my footsteps echoing on the wooden floor despite the lack of walls or ceiling to reflect the sound. The Castle shifted around me, paths rearranging themselves to guide me where I needed to go.
There.
A Shoji door materialized ahead of me, sliding into existence like it had always been there. I could sense what was on the other side—rage, confusion, fear. The emotional wreck of a man who'd just been yanked out of reality and dumped into an impossible reality.
I reached for the door handle, my fingers wrapping around the polished wood. Then I slid it open.
The sight on the other side made my fist clench hard enough that my knuckles cracked.
Valper Galilei.
The old bastard looked exactly like I remembered from the anime—elderly, maybe late sixties or early seventies, with wild white hair that stuck out in every direction like he'd been electrocuted. His face was gaunt, angular, with deep lines carved by years of obsession and moral bankruptcy. Wire-rimmed spectacles sat crooked on his nose, magnifying watery gray eyes that darted around the impossible space with growing panic.
He wore the tattered remains of what might have once been priest's robes—dark fabric stained with God-knows-what, hanging off his thin frame like rags on a scarecrow. His hands were gnarled, liver-spotted, trembling slightly as they reached out to grab onto something, anything that made sense.
This was the man who tortured children. Who conducted experiments on innocent kids . Who'd been excommunicated by the Church not because they cared about morality, but because his methods were too extreme even for them.
And that's saying something.
The moment Valper saw me, his panic transformed into desperate aggression. He dashed forward, moving with surprising speed for someone his age, and his gnarled hands shot out to grab my shirt.
His fingers twisted into the fabric, pulling me close enough that I could smell the stale sweat and chemical residue that clung to him like a miasma. His breath was hot and rank, reeking of coffee and decay.
"Where exactly am I?!" His voice was high-pitched, cracking with hysteria. Spittle flew from his lips as he screamed into my face "Tell me! Who are you?! ANSWER ME!"
He shook me, or tried to, but failed miserably.
For a moment, I just stared at him. To let him feel a fraction of the fear and confusion his victims must have felt when they were strapped to his lab tables.
My hands shot up and grabbed his arms. My fingers wrapped around his wrists like steel manacles. Not enough to break bone. Not yet. Just enough to let him know what kind of predicament he was in.
Valper's eyes went wide behind his spectacles. He tried to pull away, but my grip was absolute.
I leaned in close, close enough that he could see his reflection in my eyes...see the darkness that swirled just beneath the surface, the predator that was currently deciding whether he was worth keeping alive.
"Who am I?" My voice came out cold, flat, empty of anything resembling mercy or humanity.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Shadows gathered at the edges of my vision, responding to my mood, coiling like serpents waiting for permission to strike.
Valper's face went pale. His hands started trembling in my grip, his breath turning into panicked gasps.
"You'll know soon enough"
. . . .
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