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In a narrow alley in West Kyoto, the air thick with the scent of street food…
After making a full round of Kyoto's main barrier zones, Ryo brought the two girls here.
"The simmered radish here is pretty good. Takoyaki's decent too. Oh? Grilled oysters? Yeah, I could use those."
With takeaway boxes in both hands and a takoyaki still clamped between his teeth, Ryo stopped in front of a grilled oyster stall and ordered three portions.
Behind him, Rias—arms full of grilled wings, octopus skewers, oden, and more—wore a complicated expression.
"Is he seriously planning to eat his way through the entire street?"
She shot a look at Akeno, who was calmly enjoying a crepe beside her.
To be precise, everything Rias was holding had been handed off to her by Ryo. At this point, she felt less like a date and more like a snack carrier.
Which was… new. And a little frustrating.
Akeno took a delicate bite of her crepe, chewed slowly, then smiled.
"Ara, ara… does our dear President think her charm can't compete with a few grilled oysters?"
"Don't start with me. That's not what I was asking." Rias rolled her eyes and turned back toward Ryo at the stall.
As much as it stung, she honestly felt like his interest in oysters outweighed his interest in her.
Glancing at Akeno—who was happily snacking nonstop—and then at herself, holding food, Rias suddenly felt out of place.
"…I feel kind of unnecessary here."
"Unnecessary? Not at all, Rias."
Akeno raised a brow in surprise, then plucked a grilled wing from Rias's hands.
"At the very least, you're very helpful at carrying snacks."
Rias: "..."
At that moment, Ryo asked for the oyster's price, checked his pockets, then turned back to Rias.
"Got any cash?"
"…Yes."
A faint sense of doom crept into her chest.
"Lend me some. I'm out. Seriously, what kind of big city doesn't even have mobile payments?"
'So now I'm not just a carrier, I'm a wallet too…' Rias grumbled internally, but still pulled out her purse and handed over a few ten-thousand-yen bills.
"Here."
Ryo paid, then, while waiting for the grilled oysters, glanced around and pointed at another stall.
"Want some chocolate-dipped bananas? I hear girls are really into those."
Akeno rested a hand lightly against her cheek and smiled. "Oh my, you guessed right. Rias does quite enjoy eating those."
Ryo instantly got it.
His eyes flicked to Rias's lips for a split second before he looked away, only to meet Akeno's knowing smile. He gave her a flat look.
She's definitely doing this on purpose.
Meanwhile, Rias—who was very much not on that wavelength—looked completely lost.
"Chocolate-dipped what? Since when did I say I liked that?"
"Rias."
Akeno called her name sweetly, her tone layered with meaning. "You'll understand someday."
She paused, then added with a smile. "Though I take it back, you do have your charm."
'At least he actually sees you as a woman…' she thought to herself.
She'd half believed Ryo was one of those hopelessly dense types, but that quick glance at Rias's lips said otherwise.
So he does have some interest. Just… not much. Still, with a little push, things might work out.
"What charm?"
Rias frowned, increasingly confused. "Why do I feel like you're thinking something shady?"
"Am I?" Akeno glanced at Ryo.
He just shrugged, bought two chocolate snacks from the stall, handed one to Akeno, and said. "I don't know about Rias, but I'm pretty sure you will like it."
Akeno froze for a fraction of a second, then recovered with a smile.
"Well, if Rias is willing to let someone have a taste, I wouldn't mind trying."
Something about this felt off to Rias, but she couldn't put her finger on it, so she took their words at face value.
"Akeno, if you like it, go ahead. Don't worry about me."
Akeno's breath hitched.
That broke her.
Completely.
'Rias… that is NOT something you just agree to!'
Even Ryo's expression shifted a few times.
Rias's sensual vibe was all surface-level. Underneath, she was surprisingly clueless about certain things.
As for Akeno… she was exactly as suggestive on the inside as she looked.
Watching Rias, Ryo couldn't help muttering. "Are demons just… poorly educated or something? I thought they were supposed to be pretty open."
"Ryo-san. In a sense, they are. Just not subtle about it. More… direct."
Akeno replied calmly.
Having attended both human schools and a demon noble academy, she knew the difference well.
Humans were subtly suggestive.
Demons? Straightforward to the point of brute force.
If a female demon fancied someone, she'd just take them. And somehow, both sides would call that romantic.
That mindset explained why Rias could boldly crawl into a man's bed… yet still miss every indirect hint and come off as oddly innocent.
A difference in thinking, plain and simple.
"So… subtle versus blunt?" Ryo shrugged.
"That's one way to put it," Akeno sighed.
Rias looked between the two of them, her expression growing increasingly strange.
"I have a feeling you're both talking about me. Right in front of me. Using words I don't understand on purpose."
"In a way, it's a compliment." Ryo smiled as he took the freshly grilled oysters, then added, "In my eyes, Rias, you're basically a bodhisattva."
That… sounded kind of weird.
Rias gave him a suspicious look, but since she didn't catch the implication, she took it as praise. Even if it felt a little off.
"What does that mean?" Akeno asked, curious.
Ryo answered bluntly, "To me, it means showing off your figure, your chest… blessing me by letting me stuff my face in."
He shook his head. "Still, if I'm getting 'blessed,' I'd rather it be the best."
"For example… Miss Gabriel from Heaven."
"Hm?"
A puzzled female voice sounded.
Both Rias and Akeno froze.
They felt it instantly—an overwhelming concentration of holy light.
Not even close to their level.
An angel… and not just any angel.
They turned their heads.
Two figures stood there in white robes, completely out of place—yet somehow blending into the crowd, casually eating takoyaki.
"…So we've been spotted."
The taller one sighed, swallowing his bite.
"Just like Azazel said—you're quite perceptive."
"You've been following us since we left the mountain," Ryo replied with a smile.
Then he turned to the blonde woman holding a box of takoyaki, clearly unsure whether to put it down.
"Good?"
She flushed, still holding a skewer with a takoyaki on it. "It-it's… not bad."
After a pause, she added nervously. "Um… we weren't trying to follow you. We just happened to see you earlier, so…"
Ryo smiled, "I know. Otherwise, why would I bring you all the way to a food street?"
He glanced at her box. "You skipped lunch, didn't you?"
By now, Rias and Akeno had quietly moved behind him, on guard.
"Who are they?"
Being followed this whole time without noticing, it left Rias pale.
If Ryo weren't here, she'd already be thinking about escape.
Angels? Why would beings with such intense holy power target her? Because of Sirzechs was here?
As her thoughts spiraled, the radiant, handsome figure stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"I am Michael, current leader of the Angels."
…Michael?
MICHAEL?!
Rias's eyes widened, and even Akeno looked stunned.
The highest-ranking Angel. God's right hand. Vice-regent of Heaven. King of Angels…
Faced with those titles, Rias's face went white. "Why would the Archangel of Heaven be here?"
Michael simply smiled.
"I've come to see you, Mr. Ryo Yagami."
"Somewhere quieter?" Ryo gestured toward a nearby bench.
Michael nodded, "Yes. Let's talk."
.
.
.