"Thank you for the meal."
Koneko put down the plate with a satisfied expression and asked, "Tatsuma-senpai, where did you buy this dessert?"
Tatsuma thought for a moment and said, "Go right out of school, two blocks down, Akikubo Sweets Shop."
"I heard the shop owner is a student from Totsuki Academy. If you like it, I'll bring you another one next time."
Koneko shook her head and said, Thank you for your kindness, but that wouldn't be proper."
"As a devil, I cannot ask for too much from my contractor without reason."
Tatsuma shrugged, "There's no need to be so rigid. If not as a contractor, then I'll buy it for you as your senpai. That shouldn't be against the rules, right?"
Koneko was stunned for a moment. "I feel like… you are a bit different from what I've heard in rumors."
"How am I different?"
"…Very friendly?"
"I don't think I've done anything bad, have I?" Tatsuma became a little puzzled.
Before being attacked by the monster, he was considered a standard model student at school. He didn't cause trouble, loved to study, and followed rules.
Aside from being a member of the Going Home Club, he essentially had no flaws.
How did he end up being labeled as 'difficult to get along with' by Koneko?
"I didn't mean that, Tatsuma-senpai, please don't misunderstand."
Koneko hesitated, then explained, "Actually, I heard it from President."
"She said that after you were attacked by a Cursed Spirit, you went to another extreme and started madly pursuing power."
"I originally thought you had become a battle maniac, but now it seems I misunderstood."
Tatsuma said, "Then you didn't misunderstand."
"Eh?"
"Did you forget? I'm the contractor."
Tatsuma picked up the flyer nearby and waved it. "Guess what my purpose in summoning you is."
Koneko finally reacted. "A fight?"
"That's right, come and practice with me."
Tatsuma stood up and said, "Actual combat is the best teacher, I need to digest my recent gains."
Koneko nodded. "No problem."
As a devil, Koneko's strength was naturally not as simple as her appearance suggested. If she got serious, her punches could even break through a wall.
Guiding Tatsuma, an ordinary person, could be said to be more than enough.
After moving the table aside and clearing a sufficiently large area in the living room, Koneko looked forward.
"Tatsuma-senpai, I'm ready."
"If you're fine, let's begin."
"Then I won't hold back."
The moment Tatsuma's voice fell, he took a step and appeared in front of Koneko.
"So fast!"
Koneko let out a gasp of surprise, but still reacted, raising her hand to block Tatsuma's attack.
A thud sounded, followed by a barrage of continuous attacks like a storm.
Relying on her superior physical abilities, Koneko fended off Tatsuma's attacks one by one. However, she, who had originally intended to guide Tatsuma, was now silent.
It seems… there's no problem?
From her perspective, Tatsuma's close-quarters combat could be described as perfect. Not only did it incorporate the advantages of various styles like Judo and Taekwondo, but he had also further improved it by combining it with his own characteristics.
Let alone guiding Tatsuma, Koneko even wanted to become Tatsuma's disciple in reverse and have him teach her.
"Being distracted in battle is not a good thing."
Just then, Tatsuma's voice suddenly rang out.
What followed was a doubled force after a Boost.
A heavy punch landed on Koneko's palm, and she stumbled from the sudden increase in power.
"Oh no!"
Her body instinctively retreated backward, and Koneko, realizing something was wrong, wanted to create distance. But before that, a muffled sound came from the floor as Tatsuma appeared in front of her first. His large hand showed no mercy, grabbing her neck and pushing her backward.
Boom!
Koneko's body hit the wall, and her breathing became difficult.
To break free from the predicament, she raised both hands and attacked the man in front of her but this was just a futile struggle.
Perhaps seeing through her punches, Tatsuma blocked all her attacks with just one hand. Not only that, but during their exchange, his strength received another Boost.
A strong sense of crisis swept over Koneko. Koneko felt her breathing become increasingly difficult, and everything in her vision began to blur.
However, just as Koneko thought it was all over, the hand clamped on her neck suddenly loosened.
"Are you alright?" Tatsuma asked.
How could she be alright?
Sliding down the wall to the floor, Koneko supported herself with both hands and took several heavy breaths.
"...I thought I was going to die."
"Sorry, I didn't realize you were so weak. I thought you were holding back."
"???"
Is he even human?
The blush on Koneko's face grew deeper and began to slowly spread.
Looking up at Tatsuma, Koneko took a deep breath and spoke, "It was my mistake just now. Let's continue."
Tatsuma asked, "Hm? Aren't you going to rest?"
"No need."
Koneko became serious, concentrating all her strength.
Looking at the cat ears that had quietly appeared on Koneko's head, and the tail wagging behind her, Tatsuma, who had already completed the third Boost, nodded slightly and raised his hand, beckoning her.
"Then this time, you go first."
...
Occult Research Club.
A flash of light emanated from the magic circle, and Koneko, with her school uniform tattered, stepped out.
"Hm? Koneko, what happened to you?" Rias, who was handling documents, looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.
From her aura, it seemed Koneko wasn't seriously injured.
But it was just a request, how did she end up so dishevelled?
"President, I..."
Koneko showed a hesitant expression, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
As if she remembered something, the blush on her face, which hadn't completely faded, spread again.
A girl's blush speaks louder than a thousand words.
Looking at her like this, Rias sighed helplessly, walked over, hugged her, and patted her head.
"Rest for a bit. Tell me when you've calmed down."