The next evening, just after sunset painted the sky in deep crimson and violet, Akari Hayashi stood in front of the old school building behind Kuoh Academy.
The wooden structure looked almost abandoned from the outside — ivy climbing the walls, windows dark — but she knew exactly what it was. The hidden headquarters of the Occult Research Club. Rias Gremory's territory.
She had come here on purpose.
After selling Issei's child the night before and capturing Kalawarner in the Fallen Ball, Akari felt a strange restlessness. The board was shifting fast. Raynare's entire group was gone. Asia was safe in her house. She had 24.8 million points and more power than most low-class devils could dream of.
But Rias was starting to circle. The brief encounter with Akeno had been too convenient, too curious. Akari decided it was better to walk into the lion's den on her own terms than wait for them to come knocking.
She climbed the short flight of stairs and knocked firmly on the heavy wooden door.
It opened almost immediately.
Akeno Himejima stood there in her school uniform, long black ponytail swaying, the usual teasing smile on her lips.
"Hey, Akari-kun," she said warmly, as if they were old friends. "Long time no see."
Akari returned the smile, but she noticed the subtle shift in Akeno's violet eyes. The half-fallen devil was scanning her — not hostile, but definitely sensing something.
Something powerful was leaking through Akari's control, and Akeno could feel it.
Akeno tilted her head, smile never fading.
"Wait here, Akari-kun. I'll be right back."
She closed the door gently.
Akari waited on the steps, hands in her shorts pockets, exposed midriff catching the cool evening breeze. Ten minutes passed before the door opened again.
Akeno's smile was brighter this time.
"Why don't you come in, Akari-kun?"
Akari stepped inside.
The clubroom was exactly as she remembered from the anime and light novels — elegant antique furniture, a large central table, bookshelves lined with occult texts, and the soft glow of magical lamps. Three people were already waiting.
Rias Gremory sat at the head of the table like a queen on her throne, crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, blue-green eyes sharp and assessing.
Koneko Toujou stood silently to her right, small and stoic, golden eyes watching Akari with cool detachment.
Kiba Yuuto leaned against the bookshelf on the left, ever the perfect gentleman, offering a polite smile.
Akari gave a small wave.
"Hello everyone. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important. But what should I call you three? Since I already know Akeno."
Rias leaned forward slightly, smiling with perfect noble grace.
"Well, Akari-kun, I'm Rias Gremory. You can call me Rias if my name is too long for you to remember."
Koneko's voice was flat and cold.
"I'm Koneko. Nice to meet you."
Kiba gave a cheerful bow.
"I'm Kiba. Nice to meet you too."
Akari nodded to each of them, keeping her expression friendly and slightly clueless.
Rias folded her hands on the table.
"Do you believe in the Supernatural, Akari-kun?"
Akari pretended to think for a moment, tilting her head.
"Well… I do believe that most of the bedtime stories related to the supernatural are possibly facts. But I haven't seen them yet. And if they do exist, then yeah, I do."
Rias's smile widened, satisfied.
"Well, since you believe it in a way… I'll prove it to you."
She gave a quick wink to her peerage.
In perfect sync, Rias, Koneko, and Kiba unfurled their devil wings — leathery, bat-like, deep crimson and black. Akeno stayed seated, wings hidden. She never revealed her fallen heritage willingly.
Akari stepped closer to Rias, eyes wide with feigned curiosity.
She reached out and ran her fingers slowly along the edge of Rias's left wing — deliberately slow, deliberately sensual, tracing the sensitive membrane like she was stroking something far more intimate.
Rias's breath hitched.
A loud, involuntary moan escaped her lips — rich, throaty, and completely unfiltered.
"Ah…!"
The room went dead silent for a second.
Rias's cheeks flushed bright red. She pulled her wing back slightly, laughing nervously.
"Maybe… don't touch my wings in that way, hehehehe."
Koneko's golden eyes narrowed.
"What a pervert."
Akari pouted cutely at Koneko, then turned to Akeno. She stepped close, voice soft and sincere.
"It's okay if you don't want to reveal your wings to me. But remember — they are a part of you. Instead of ignoring them or any other parts of you… you should accept them."
Akeno's eyes widened for a fraction of a second. Something vulnerable flickered behind her usual teasing mask. She gave a small nod.
"I'll… keep that in mind."
Rias cleared her throat loudly, regaining control of the room.
"Okay. The main reason we asked you about the supernatural and showed you our true forms… is because we sensed something powerful inside you. Possibly a Sacred Gear?"
Akari blinked innocently, playing dumb.
"Sacred Gear?"
Rias nodded, launching into her explanation.
"Sacred Gears are powerful, unique items bestowed upon humans by the Biblical God. Ouch — man, I gotta be careful when mentioning his name. Anyway, they reside within the user's body and possess diverse magical abilities, ranging from elemental manipulation and healing to reality-warping powers known as Longinus."
Akari tilted her head, still pretending mild confusion.
"Well… I do have something which is possibly a Sacred Gear. Not sure how powerful it is."
She raised her left arm.
Crimson gauntlet materialized with a heavy metallic clang — the Boosted Gear locking into place, red dragon-scale armor gleaming under the magical lights.
Rias's eyes went wide.
Her voice came out almost breathless.
"Is this… the Sacred Gear: Boosted Gear?"
Akari nodded.
"Yes."
Rias's mind raced behind her composed expression.
"Wow… I must be super lucky. I found someone who possesses the Boosted Gear — a genuine Longinus — with Ddraig, the Heavenly Dragon, inside it. If I can get her into my peerage… I can finally be free from my engagement with Riser Phenex."
She summoned a single Pawn Evil Piece from her pocket — glowing red, pulsing with power.
"You know, Akari… I want you to be in my peerage as a devil. All it requires is for you to accept it. After that, I will place this Evil Piece near your chest. It will be accepted by your soul. What do you say?"
Akari looked at the piece, then back at Rias.
"No."
Rias blinked, surprised.
"Why, it comes with benefits & they are:
1. Enhanced Physicality: Even a low-level Devil has strength, speed, and durability far beyond a normal human
2. Magic Proficiency: You gain the ability to use Magic Circles for teleportation, offensive spells, and communication.
3. Piece-Specific Buffs: You inherit the specialized traits of your chess piece (e.g., a Rook's extreme defense or a Knight's god-like speed).
4. Longevity: Devils live for thousands of years, effectively granting you a near-immortal lifespan
5. The Peerage System: You gain an instant "family" and protection. Being part of a high-ranking house like Gremory provides political immunity and resources.
6. Promotion: If you are a Pawn, you can "Promote" in enemy territory to gain the abilities of a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop on the fly.
7. Career Growth: Low-class Devils can rise through the ranks to become Middle-class or High-class through merit and Rating Games, eventually earning their own set of Evil Pieces"
She says "Being a devil does sound good with all the benefits you listed — enhanced strength, magic, longevity, promotion, family, political protection… but I'll still say no. Because devils have a very big weakness to Holy and Light energy. Holy Swords, Holy Water, Blessed Silver… all of that."
Rias's face went pale but was shocked by the knowledge Akari had as well
"How the hell does she know about the weakness of a devil?"
She leaned forward, voice careful.
"How do you know about our weakness?"
Akari realized she had slipped — too much meta-knowledge had leaked out. She shrugged, keeping her tone light but firm.
"I just know. And I'm not telling you how."
The room tensed for a moment.
Then Akari smiled again.
"Although I can't accept being your subordinate… I can be your ally if you ever need my help."
Before anyone could respond, Akari stepped over to Akeno. She cupped the older girl's face gently, leaned in, and kissed her deeply — tongue sliding into Akeno's mouth in a slow, sensual tangle. Akeno's eyes flew wide, cheeks flushing darker than Rias's hair. A soft, surprised moan vibrated against Akari's lips.
Akari pulled back after several long seconds, licking her own lips once.
"Well… it was nice meeting you all. And Kiba — don't let the hatred in you consume you, okay?"
She gave a casual wave, turned, and walked out of the clubroom without waiting for a reply.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko stared at the closed door in stunned silence.
Akari strolled home under the streetlights, hands in her pockets, a small satisfied smirk on her face.
The first meeting was done.