The Kirijo house study had fallen silent after Takeharu's departure, who had retired to rest after finalizing the last details of the plan. In the adjoining room, Daniel and Reynare remained, reviewing the documents one last time, mentally going over the steps of the operation that would commence the next day.
The warm lights of the living room contrasted with the growing tension on Reynare's face. Her gaze, normally haughty or flirtatious, was somber, focused. The profiles were spread out on the table before them, but her eyes were no longer reading them: they were fixed on Daniel.
—Are you sure about this? — she asked quietly, her tone trembling almost imperceptibly.
Daniel looked away from the papers and looked directly at her. He knew she didn't doubt the plan, but the risk it entailed. And not for herself, but for him.
—I am. We have Takeharu, you, me... and if everything goes as it should, we'll catch him before he can react.
Reynare slowly shook her head.
—You don't understand... This man isn't like the enemies you've faced until now. He is Kokabiel's second-in-command, Daniel. Not only is he strong... he's cruel, intelligent, and capable of destroying entire cities just to cover his tracks. If he notices something odd, if he suspects anything, he'll go for the kill without a second thought.
Daniel said nothing. He approached, took her hands, and pulled her toward him. Reynare, as if a wall holding her back had suddenly broken, hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. Her Sacred Gear glowed faintly in Daniel's mental space, as if Ddraig also felt the weight of the moment.
—Promise me you'll come back... alive — she murmured, her voice muffled against his chest—. I don't care if the plan goes wrong. Just promise me you'll come back.
Daniel rested his chin on her head and held her gently in his arms.
—I promise you, Rey. I always come back to you.
Reynare looked up, with held-back tears that didn't quite fall. Daniel smiled at her with that mix of confidence and warmth that had won her over since she met him. Then he kissed her, slowly, as if sealing that promise with something more powerful than words.
When the kiss ended, Reynare closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
—Tomorrow... when all this is over, I owe you a date alone. No traps, no conspiracies, no underworld documents.
Daniel let out a short laugh, easing some of the tension.
—Deal.
Both of them gathered the papers with more lightness now. The plan was in motion, the danger was real... but so was the bond between them. The trap was set. Tomorrow, the enemy would sit in the same room as them, believing himself invincible.
But he didn't know who he was dealing with.
The morning sun filtered through the huge windows of the Kirijo residence, tinting the busy hallways with gold. Mitsuru, impeccably dressed since early, held the phone firmly as the line rang.
—Yes... It's me. My father wishes to have a meeting with you this afternoon. He says it's important, and he'd prefer it to be in person.
The voice on the other end immediately agreed, with a soft and polite tone. Mitsuru hung up.
For a few seconds, she remained silent, looking at the phone as if the words had just left a slight unease etched in the air. She didn't know exactly why, but her father's request seemed... out of place. Too sudden.
Even so, he must know what he's doing, she thought. Perhaps he simply wants to talk about the supernatural world and the future of the engagement...
The morning passed with preparations for a luxury dinner. Lace tablecloths, tall and delicate candles, ceremonial dinnerware, and a selection of dishes normally only seen at diplomatic dinners. The staff worked with Swiss precision, decorating the dining room as if an official engagement were being celebrated.
And Mitsuru, despite everything, couldn't shake a slight tightness in her chest.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Daniel walked through his garden with a serene expression, but his mind was elsewhere. Internally, he had made contact with Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor.
—What do you think, old friend? How much danger does this guy really represent?
The deep and powerful voice of the dragon resonated in his mind with confidence.
—Less than you think. Angra Mainyu was a monster fueled by pure hatred and corruption. Kokabiel at his best might have made you sweat... but his second-in-command? Tsk. Those damned fallen angels are too overconfident. They never train. They think they're invincible with what they have.
—What if he has an ace up his sleeve?
—And you have several. Balance Breaker. Experience. And more importantly, you have a purpose. He only has arrogance.
Daniel smiled faintly. It was true. He wasn't fighting for pride, nor for revenge, not even for glory. He fought to protect what he had built in this world... and for a crimson-haired girl who didn't yet know she was in danger.
—Then let him come. This time, they won't take me by surprise.
From his shoulder, Tamamo — in her spiritual form for now — smiled conspiratorially. She had been listening without interrupting.
—Don't forget you are not alone, my beloved. Whatever the outcome... I'll be by your side to destroy anyone who dares lay a finger on you.
Daniel just nodded. Everything was ready. Now, all that was left was for the special guest to present himself on the board.
The afternoon crept slowly until it stained the sky with amber tones. The Kirijo mansion was impeccable: the lights dim, the candelabras lit, the aroma of a fine dinner floating in the air. Everything seemed part of a perfect picture.
A little after six, Soutarou Kurobane made his appearance. Dark hair, perfectly fitted suit, polite smile, and refined manners. At first glance, he was the ideal son-in-law. But behind that mask, Daniel knew well, hid one of Grigori's most dangerous faces.
—Devils disguised as gentlemen... — Daniel thought from the corner of the adjoining room, hidden with Reynare, watching through a small crack with a concealment spell.
Mitsuru, ever stoic, received him as etiquette dictated.
—Soutarou, welcome. My father is waiting for you.
—Mitsuru, as always, radiant. Thank you for inviting me — he replied softly, kissing her hand with all the theatricality of an aristocrat.
They walked to the dining room. Takeharu Kirijo was at the head of the table, upright with a glass of wine in hand. The atmosphere was cordial... at least on the outside.
Soutarou took a seat across from him. They exchanged formal greetings, chatted about the weather, politics, and the economy. The first phase of the plan was going smoothly.
Mitsuru returned with a tray of glasses and the wine bottle, serving gracefully for the three of them. Just as they had planned.
With a faint smile, Takeharu raised his glass and made a toast.
—To future generations... and to never forgetting where we come from.
—To the future — Soutarou replied, clinking his glass softly.
The dinner began with a light appetizer. Between bites, Takeharu executed the second phase: testing the waters.
—I've been reviewing old Kirijo Group records — he began in a casual tone—. Some employee profiles seemed... interesting.
Soutarou raised an eyebrow with false curiosity.
—What do you mean?
Takeharu narrowed his eyes, as if looking for a specific reaction.
—Some employees have no past record. Others have documents that don't match their faces. I came across names like Kurosaki Ren, Makiba Yuuta, Ena Hoshigami...
Soutarou's fork stopped for an instant before resuming its path to his mouth. A slight grimace, almost imperceptible, formed on his lips. His eyes, which always seemed calm, trembled for a second.
—Oh... Couldn't they be system errors?
Takeharu pretended to nod.
—Could be. Though it's strange that all those names were under the same supervisor. A certain... K.K.. Curious initials, don't you think?
Soutarou now forced a laugh.
—Curious, indeed. Though in such a large conglomerate... it's hard not to find coincidences.
Daniel and Reynare looked at each other from their hiding place. Reynare whispered:
—That was nervousness. He's feeling it. He already knows we suspect.
Daniel nodded. And that leads us to the third phase...
Takeharu set down his fork and crossed his fingers before him.
—Tell me, Soutarou... what do you think about the rumors of supernatural races infiltrating human companies?
Mitsuru looked up, confused. That line wasn't in the plan.
But Soutarou froze.
And for a second, the mask fell.
—What brings on that question, Takeharu-dono?
—Curiosity. Lately I've been receiving... reports. That perhaps, just perhaps, Grigori hasn't completely withdrawn from the human world.
Silence.
A nervous twitch in Soutarou's right eye was all Daniel needed to see.
The man across from Takeharu no longer seemed so polished, so perfect. He was crumbling.
Daniel clenched his fists.
He's almost fallen.
The tension in the dining room could be cut with a knife. Soutarou Kurobane maintained his diplomatic smile, but his jaw was tense. Takeharu watched him with measured calm, a gaze he had used hundreds of times to disarm investors, politicians... and now, a traitor with black wings.
—So... you have nothing more to say — Takeharu murmured, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms.
Soutarou narrowed his eyes.
—I have been patient, respectful, and loyal, Takeharu-dono. I don't understand what you're getting at with all this.
—Oh, I think you do understand. You understand perfectly. I just want you to stop playing — said the Kirijo patriarch harshly—. Drop the damn charade and tell me what a fallen angel is doing in my company... and in the engagement with my daughter.
Soutarou smiled... but it was no longer the pristine smile from before. It was a cold, twisted smile, with a hint of superiority.
—Tch. I suppose there's no point in continuing this.
From his back, a rumble of darkness. Three pairs of black wings unfurled forcefully, filling the air with brutal pressure. The candelabras shook. The lights flickered. Mitsuru took a step back, her eyes wide with shock.
—Soutarou...! — she whispered, her voice breaking.
—My real name is Surgal, second-in-command to Kokabiel, the legitimate lord of war. — His voice grew deeper, more aggressive—. I was sent here with a clear mission: gain influence within the Kirijo family... and then, guide their resources toward our final objective.
—And what is that objective? — Takeharu spat out with contained rage.
—To revive the Fall! To unleash the forbidden power, and use it as a weapon against Nyx, that abomination that waits beyond the eternal night! — he shouted with a gaze full of madness—. Kokabiel saw what humans cannot see! He saw that the true threat is not Heaven, nor Hell... but that goddess of death and void who has already begun to influence this world!
Takeharu paled. Mitsuru took another step back. Daniel, from his magical hiding place, simply pinched the bridge of his nose.
—Nyx? Seriously? What a huge idiot... — he murmured to himself—. Not even fucking Angra Mainyu was that arrogant.
Surgal turned to Mitsuru with a twisted smile.
—I was going to wait until you inherited control of Kirijo. But now that you know the truth... your father must die. You, perhaps, can still be useful. If not, there's always the option of wiping your memory.
—You...! You damn...! — Mitsuru shouted helplessly.
But just as Surgal advanced, confident, a lightning bolt erupted from the shadows.
—RAIKOU!! — a female voice shouted.
Two figures emerged from the gloom of the room: Hikari and Hibiki, their arms wrapped in electricity, their eyes burning with determination. Blue and violet lightning enveloped Surgal, paralyzing him for a few seconds.
—Now, Daniel!! — Hibiki shouted.
From another shadow, Daniel emerged like a projectile. Tamamo leaped beside him, her tail ablaze with spiritual energy. Daniel concentrated his energy, activating the Boosted Gear, with a scarlet glow on his right arm.
—BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! — the Sacred Gear roared.
—Haki... Full Armament! — he said decisively, his arm covering in shining black.
—Fox Fire Barrage! — exclaimed Tamamo, launching a barrage of spiritual flames alongside him.
The combined attack struck Surgal square in the chest, hurling him against the marble wall. An explosion of light and shadows shook the dining room. One of the windows shattered. Silence reigned for an instant.
But it didn't last long.
From within the smoke, Surgal emerged. His elegant suit in tatters, his torso bleeding, but still standing. His wings spread, his gaze now ignited by pure fury.
—You... miserable humans. I'm going to tear your souls out with my own hands.
Daniel retreated slightly, adjusting his stance.
—And we're going to make you swallow every one of your words.
Takeharu, for his part, stayed behind, watching everything with a mix of awe, pride... and a hint of satisfaction.
—So this is the boy everyone talks about...
The air vibrated with electricity. Bolts from Hikari and Hibiki streaked through the destroyed room, striking the floor and walls as they tried to keep the crazed Surgal at bay, who could barely stay on his feet.
On the other side, Daniel advanced step by step, his arm wrapped in Armament Haki, hardened like living obsidian, and the Boosted Gear roaring incessantly.
—BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!
Each boost was a detonation of pure power in his veins. His speed and strength increased stepwise, like an unstoppable avalanche. Beside him, Tamamo, her ceremonial dress torn from the fight, invoked magical circles that enveloped Daniel, strengthening him with spiritual energy, magical acceleration, and physical reinforcement.
—Keep pushing, my beloved! Don't let that worm breathe!
Daniel's attacks fell like lightning upon Surgal's body. The fallen angel could barely defend himself, his black wings torn, his movements slow, his breathing ragged. No trace remained of the arrogant infiltrator.
From a corner, Takeharu Kirijo watched everything with a calculating gaze. The tension in his body had vanished.
—So this is the power Daniel holds... impressive. Beyond any military asset I've ever known.
Beside him, Mitsuru could only watch in awe. Nothing she had seen in her battles against the Shadows compared to this. There was no room for error, no pauses; it was a violent ballet between titans.
Then, in an unexpected move, Daniel stopped dead.
—Reynare, now! — he shouted, raising his left arm with the Boosted Gear glowing.
The accumulated energy flowed like a burning river toward Reynare, who appeared in a blue flash, her black wings unfurled.
—W-what? Me...?
—It's your moment. You deserve this closure — Daniel said with a warm smile.
The Boosts transferred to Reynare, her body trembling as she assimilated the power. Her eyes shone with a fire she hadn't had since her fall.
Surgal looked up, wounded, gasping... and for the first time, fearful.
—Tch... you... you were useless trash...
—And you were my nightmare! — Reynare shouted, tears burning in her eyes as she advanced—. Years enduring your contempt... your threats... your words telling me I'd never be anything!
She struck.
Once, twice, three times.
Each punch carried years of frustration.
Each kick, a piece of her dignity reclaimed.
—And look at me now! LOOK AT ME!
Surgal couldn't even defend himself. His face was a mess of blood and broken bones. Each impact left a small burst in the air. The already destroyed furniture shook with each surge of power. And then, with a final cry of liberation...
—THIS IS FOR EVERYTHING YOU PUT ME THROUGH!!! — Reynare screamed, launching a final punch that slammed Surgal into the floor with devastating force.
Silence.
Surgal no longer moved. Unconscious, unrecognizable. His body defeated, his presence... humiliated.
Reynare panted. The power of the Boosts began to dissipate from her body, but her chest beat strongly, not from exertion... but from emotion.
She turned and ran toward Daniel, who waited with open arms.
—I did it... I did it...! — she sobbed, hugging him with all her strength, her face buried in his chest.
—Yes, you did, Rey. You were incredible — Daniel said, stroking her hair softly.
And then, it happened.
A dark light enveloped Reynare. A new pair of wings sprouted from her back.
She now had four black wings.
She had evolved.
Takeharu noticed it immediately. Mitsuru did too.
—Was that... a rank ascension? — the young Kirijo asked, impressed.
—Yes — Reynare said with a teary smile—. Finally... I am someone.
Daniel hugged her tighter.
—You always were.
The victory was theirs. But so was the liberation.
The Kirijo mansion still smelled of ozone and magical energy after the brutal battle. Surgal's body, bound and defeated, lay on the cold floor, his face so disfigured it could barely be recognized as human.
Daniel, with a sigh, took out his phone and dialed a number he kept only for emergencies.
—This is Daniel. I have a package for you... — he paused briefly and smiled—. His name is Surgal.
On the other end of the line, Azazel, leader of Grigori, fell silent... for just a second.
—Surgal!? — his voice sounded halfway between disbelief and enthusiasm.
A blink later, a burst of energy erupted in the middle of the room. Azazel appeared in person, standing in the middle of the Kirijo hall with a cup of sake in one hand and a rumpled black jacket in the other. Takeharu and Mitsuru went on guard, the presence of such a powerful being making their instincts tremble.
—Easy, I'm just here for some recyclable trash — Azazel joked, raising a friendly hand.
Daniel approached and pointed at Surgal, still unconscious and covered in bruises. Azazel looked at him... and let out a laugh.
—But he looks like he was run over by a train! Who left him like this? You?
—Not exactly — Daniel said with a lopsided smile, pointing beside him.
Reynare, blushing, timidly raised a hand. Azazel looked at her... and noticed the four black wings spread on her back. For a moment, the Grigori leader fell silent.
—Reynare? With four wings? — his tone was between astonishment and pride—. You did this?
She nodded, squeezing Daniel's hand. Azazel laughed heartily.
—Well, well... I certainly didn't expect this. Congratulations, girl! You've moved up a step. And not only that... I lift your punishment. You no longer need to be a maid.
Reynare blinked a couple of times... and then smiled sweetly.
—Thank you, Azazel... but I like being Daniel's maid. It's my way of showing him my affection — she said, hugging Daniel with tenderness and kissing his cheek.
Azazel raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously.
—Hah... I guess everyone has their ways. Just don't spoil him too much, eh? This boy already has the face of a harem king.
The girls present — Hikari, Hibiki, Tamamo, and Mitsuru — immediately reacted with meaningful looks.
Azazel picked up Surgal with one hand as if he were a sack of rice and turned to Daniel.
—Good work, kid. You saved me a huge amount of political trouble. I owe you one. — And with a snap of his fingers, both disappeared in a flash of dark energy.
Silence returned for a few seconds. Until Takeharu, with a serene but solemn expression, addressed Daniel:
—Young Daniel... your courage, power, and loyalty have saved not only my daughter... but the Kirijo legacy. For that, I offer you the most valuable thing I have: Mitsuru's hand in marriage.
Mitsuru, who was already grateful, almost fell over from the shock. Her cheeks turned scarlet instantly.
—Father, please...! — she whispered between her teeth, visibly uncomfortable.
Daniel fell silent for a moment. Then, with a kind smile, he shook his head.
—I thank you for your offer, Takeharu-san. But... Mitsuru doesn't love me. I don't plan to tie her to a marriage she doesn't want.
The silence grew deep... but not tense. It was a silence of revelation.
Mitsuru looked at him with wide eyes, and in her heart, something cracked and rearranged itself. No one had ever said anything like that for her... for what she wanted.
Takeharu watched him... and smiled.
—You are right, young man. Forgive my forwardness. It was just the impulse of a grateful father.
Daniel nodded, while behind him, the girls exchanged glances with mischievous smiles.
—She's fallen — said Hikari, almost in a whisper.
—Totally — added Hibiki with a gleam in her eyes.
—She's on the radar now... — Tamamo hummed.
—Another rival who doesn't know it yet... — sighed Reynare, hugging Daniel tighter.
And so, without meaning to, without even trying, Daniel had won the heart of the Kirijo heiress... simply by telling her she deserved to be free.