Maybe it was the unconscious movement of Genichi's fingers, or maybe it was the shift in his breathing, but Rias Gremory slowly stirred awake beside him.
Those ruby-red eyes of hers were hazy with sleep at first. The moment she focused on Genichi—fully awake now, lying there quietly—a gentle, radiant smile spread across her gaze, like sunlight breaking through morning mist.
"Good morning, Genichi-kun."
Her voice carried that soft, slightly husky quality of someone freshly awake, yet it still sounded clear and pleasant.
As she spoke, she lazily sat up and stretched with a long, unrestrained yawn.
Morning light slipped through a gap in the curtains, outlining the graceful rise and fall of her body. Her milk-white skin seemed to hold a faint glow under the light, and her crimson hair spilled like a waterfall over her shoulders and down her smooth back.
Genichi's eyes landed on her before he could stop them. His throat bobbed once, and for a moment he couldn't look away.
Last night's memories were chaotic, but the impact of what was in front of him—undeniably real—hit hard all the same.
Rias noticed exactly where his eyes had gone. Instead of acting shy or covering herself, she turned to him openly, a teasing yet warm smile on her lips, and introduced herself properly.
"I'm Rias Gremory. As you can see, I'm a devil."
She paused, then added in the same natural tone, like she was stating something completely ordinary:
"And I'm also your master. It's a pleasure, Genichi-kun."
Her gaze drifted over him once… and then settled decisively below his waist.
Her smile deepened, laced with knowing amusement.
"You're certainly lively this morning, Genichi-kun."
Genichi blinked, followed her gaze downward, and immediately understood what she meant. Heat rushed into his face in a wave of pure embarrassment.
He turned away at once, cleared his throat, and forced himself upright, walking quickly to the wardrobe on the side of the room.
When he opened it, there were men's clothes inside—neatly hung and folded, from underwear to outerwear—everything in his size, simple and comfortable.
He grabbed a set and dressed fast with his back to Rias, movements a little too hurried, doing his best to bury that moment of mortification.
Watching his flustered attempt at composure, Rias's smile only grew.
She didn't keep teasing him. Instead, she lifted the blanket with effortless elegance, stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, and picked up the clothes folded neatly on the chair beside the bed—a set of delicate lingerie and Kuoh Academy's girls' uniform.
She began putting them on at an unhurried pace, smooth and natural.
As she slipped into her shirt, she spoke like it was casual conversation.
"Still, it really is surprising. Your injury last night was so severe—your abdomen was almost completely pierced by that spear of light. Under normal circumstances, you probably…"
She let the implication hang for a beat, then continued.
"But after only one night of treatment, you're completely recovered. And you look like you're in quite good shape."
"Treatment?"
Genichi had already pulled on his pants and was buttoning his shirt. He paused mid-motion and turned to look at her.
"Mm." Rias nodded. She lifted one leg to step into her underwear, then—still with her back to him—spoke quietly.
"I continuously infused part of my demonic power into your body. It accelerated the repair of the organs damaged by holy power, and helped restore what was eroded."
Then she picked up her bra.
After a brief hesitation, she asked in the same matter-of-fact tone:
"Can you hook the clasp in the back for me? It's a little hard on my own."
Genichi didn't refuse. He was already mostly dressed.
He walked behind her. In front of him was the smooth line of her back and the thin piece of fabric waiting to be fastened.
His fingers touched fine skin and soft cloth. He kept his movements steady and careful, and quickly secured the clasp.
In the process, he could clearly feel her warmth—along with a faint, calm, powerful pulse of energy. That had to be the demonic power she'd mentioned.
After that, Genichi picked up the rest of her clothes and, without thinking too hard about it, helped her get dressed.
Rias glanced at him, a little surprised, and then continued.
"The reason I had to do it that way…"
She turned to face him, letting him button the front of her uniform jacket while she explained calmly.
"The efficiency of power transfer is directly related to physical contact. The fewer the barriers, and the larger the contact area, the smoother the flow. Last night, to stabilize your condition as quickly as possible, that was the most effective method."
Genichi listened without interrupting. His hands never stopped, straightening her collar afterward. Then he nodded once, indicating he understood.
He was remarkably composed now—so composed it contrasted sharply with the instinctive panic from when he first woke up, and even with the embarrassment a moment ago.
Rias tilted her head slightly, studying his expression. A flicker of curiosity passed through her red eyes.
"You're different from what I expected."
She spoke plainly.
"Too calm. Not at all like what the information said. How should I put it… you don't seem like the same kind of pervert you used to be."
Her tone wasn't accusatory—more like genuine curiosity.
Genichi didn't answer her directly.
He smoothed the last wrinkle in her uniform, stepped back to create a polite distance, and looked at her with steady eyes. Then he asked the more important question.
"You said you're a devil, and you're also my master. What do those two things actually mean?"
That clearly hit the core.
The easy smile on Rias's face faded a little, replaced by something more serious.
She looked at Genichi as if weighing his mindset—how much he could take, and how quickly.
"About that…"
She paused, organizing her thoughts.
"It will take some time to explain properly. And what it involves is… probably more than you're imagining. This isn't the best place for it, and it's almost time for school."
She glanced at the clock on the wall, then looked back at him.
"How about this: during lunch break, come to the 'Occult Research Club' on the third floor of the old school building."
Her voice was gentle, but carried a certainty that didn't invite refusal.
"When you come, I'll explain everything you want to know—about devils, about your current situation, and about what your future could look like."
Genichi held her gaze for a few seconds and saw sincerity and focus there.
He nodded.
"Alright. I'll come during lunch."
[1 Of 3 New Fanfics For The Poll Event!!]
[Use Your Power Stones On Your Favorite For It To Be Picked UP!!]
[Power Stones+Reviews Are Counted!!]
[Comments On Chapters Are Also Counted!!]
[Thanks For Your Support!!]