Japan was way too quiet at night.
Lock lay flat on his bed, staring at the ceiling, bored out of his mind. Homework here was a joke—barely enough to count as a warm-up.
He turned his head toward the window, then checked his phone.
"…What the hell, it's only eight?"
For someone who absolutely did not sleep early, this was torture.
He rolled over, then rolled back.
The original owner of this body had no such problem—pulling all-nighters like it was a sacred ritual, faithfully walking the so-called "Path of Manliness" every single night.
Just him and his mom lived here, yet the house was fully furnished and suspiciously nice. No sign of a father anywhere. Lock didn't know the details, only that he took his mother's surname and never questioned it.
Allowance? Generous.
Friends? Almost none.
Apparently, the old him was good-looking and distant. A deadly combo.
Being handsome really was a curse.
Probably.
"Ding."
A message popped up.
Issei.
Lock-kun! Want to explore the Path of Manliness together?
Motohama's hosting tonight! Rare collector DVDs!!
A smiling emoji followed.
This is respect! Please guide us, Lock-kun!
Lock stared at the screen.
Then slowly set the phone face down.
"…Absolutely not."
He closed his eyes.
Sleep came quicker than expected.
And when it did, something else stirred.
Red light flickered around his left arm.
Black shadows pulsed faintly over his chest.
The dream world was empty.
Pitch-black.
A massive presence churned within the darkness, restrained, furious.
A blood-red glow flared—then was swallowed whole.
"Tch… again?"
A deep, furious voice echoed.
"Am I really going to be crushed again—just like back then?!"
The roar shook the void.
"Do not underestimate me! I am the embodiment of domination and power—one of the Two Heavenly Dragons!"
The red light surged.
"Ddraig. The Red Dragon Emperor!"
Another presence laughed coldly.
"Struggle all you want. Every time you grow stronger, you only become my nourishment."
A crushing pressure descended.
"After your fall, even the White Dragon followed. How disappointing."
"I acknowledge only two existences above me—Great Red… and Ophis."
The darkness tightened.
"Young human. My current host."
The voice softened, almost amused.
"We will meet again."
Then—
Silence.
The connection snapped.
In the real world, Lock's body twitched. The light vanished as if it had never existed.
Across the room, a woman sat on the sofa, legs crossed, coffee steaming gently in her hand.
She smiled faintly.
"Oh?"
Her eyes glimmered as she glanced toward Lock's room.
"That wasn't a full awakening… the seal is still intact."
She took a sip.
"But that was a Sacred Gear reaction. Interesting."
The night breeze slipped through the open window, brushing her long hair back. Moonlight traced the outline of her figure.
"…He actually stayed home tonight," she muttered. "That's new."
A small sigh.
"I'm always the one cleaning up his messes."
Morning sunlight hit Lock square in the face.
He sat up with a massive yawn.
"…What?"
He blinked.
His body felt good.
Too good.
Well-rested. Energized. Like he could sprint a marathon and still complain it was boring.
"That's weird…"
"Lock! Get up!"
His mom's voice drifted up the stairs.
"If you don't get up right now, I'm coming up there myself!"
Instant death threat.
"I'm up! I'm up!"
Breakfast happened fast.
"Eat this. Drink this. Finish everything."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Nagging: survived.
He grabbed his bag and stepped outside—
"Good morning, Lock-sama!"
A familiar voice.
Aika appeared like she'd been waiting there the whole time.
"…Morning. You're early."
"W-Would you like to walk together?"
He extended his hand.
Contact.
Soft.
Warm.
Aika froze.
Her face turned bright red.
(He—he's holding my hand?! Morning walks—eating together—marriage—!)
"Aika?" Lock tilted his head. "You're steaming."
"I—I'm fine!"
"Good. Let's go."
He smiled.
The lethal kind.
Behind them—
"HEY! You H-GIRL!"
Issei appeared, pointing dramatically.
"Already getting handsy this early?! Let go of my best friend!"
Aika snapped back instantly.
"Shut up, you filthy pervert! I will protect Lock-sama's future!"
"…Both of you, calm down," Lock sighed. "This is exhausting."
The school gates came into view.
And then—
Screaming.
A tidal wave of voices.
"Rias-senpai!!!"
The crowd parted.
Wine-red hair. Elegant posture. Impossible presence.
Lock stopped dead.
"…Oh."
Yeah.
Her.
Even he couldn't deny it—she was stunning.
Rias glanced over briefly, smiling politely, then continued on her way.
Issei stared like his soul had left his body.
"She's… incredible…"
"Pervert!"
"Scum!"
"Protect Rias-senpai!"
The mob energy shifted instantly.
"RUN!" Issei grabbed Lock's arm.
They bolted.
"WAIT!" Aika chased after them, furious.
"ISSEI! LET GO OF MY LOCK-SAMA!"
Chaos erupted behind them.
Lock sighed as he ran.
"…Yeah."
This school was definitely not normal.
---
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