Early in the morning, Rias, the Occult Research Club, Kuroka, and Ravel gathered in the basement training room, where Issei's and my chambers had been merged. Ravel had just returned from the Underworld, and Koneko was the first to bring up her name change in front of Rias.
Rias embraced Koneko, tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke:
"Right… I understand now. Though it feels strange not calling you 'Koneko' anymore, if you're stepping forward with this new identity, there's nothing more fulfilling for me. From now on… you're 'Shirone.'"
Koneko replied softly, "Yes, Rias-sama."
Everyone watched them with warm smiles, or quietly wiping their own tears.
Irina even raised her hands in prayer: "What a beautiful sight! Love is always so magnificent. Amen!"
Rias came over to me and whispered, "Yesterday, she seemed tense because of Ravel… but to change so much in just one day. Did you… prove yourself to her?"
I scratched my cheek, barely managing: "Uh… yeah, I guess…"
(I hugged her, kissed her, and confessed, too embarrassing to say aloud!)
Rias chuckled: "Fufu, I might have to quiz her in a girls' talk, once she's ready."
I winced: "Please… don't do that."
A few days later, at breakfast, I explained to my parents how Koneko had become Shirone. Ravel had already left, back to the Underworld to sort out her school transfer, but was due back in the afternoon.
She bid us farewell:
"I'll handle lunch on my own, so please don't worry."
"Take care, Ravel."
"See you, nya~!"
Afterward, Rias asked, "What will you two do now?"
"Continue training, I think."
"I'll train with Shirone," Rias added. "I won't let her surpass me in strength."
We headed back to the basement. There, Xenovia was already focusing her aura into Durandal.
She smiled at Koneko's new name: "Still getting used to it?"
Koneko admitted gently: "Yes... but I like 'Koneko' too. Using one name consistently will help."
Xenovia nodded: "Makes sense."
She explained her training focus: Mentally reviewing Loki's advice, she realized refining power should come first. "After that, finesse." A refreshing, straightforward goal.
"Sounds good!" I declared. "Special Kyoto trip is coming up, I want to get stronger! Arima! Shirone! Let's go!"
We spent the morning training in our unique group.
By afternoon, Ravel returned, teleported in.
"Welcome back!"
"Thanks, everyone."
"I'm back, nya~!"
"We're glad you're back. Did the transfer go smoothly?"
"Yes, everything went well."
She continued, "And… I visited my parents. They asked if my engagement to Ikki-sama, if it's true. I told them yes."
My heart nearly exploded. That's… really serious!
"How did they react?" I asked warily.
Ravel smiled: "My father, mother, and eldest brother Luval all approved. Father regrets pushing Riser and Rias together. Mother respects your abilities. Luval's in a love marriage, so he's totally supportive."
"Huh… That means I might have to face the classic "please give me your daughter" showdown soon?" I muttered, imagining the scene.
Ravel nodded: "My second brother, Lyuze, works in media and was absent, so I just texted him. Riser is still in his room, my servants will update him."
Curious, I concentrated as a presence emerged outside.
"Senior… something's out there."
I motioned. "Let's check with Ravel."
We silently approached the door. There stood Riser, blue-faced, sweating, trembling so hard I thought he'd freeze.
"Bo-brother!? What are you doing here??"
Ravel gasped. Riser stepped forward dramatically:
"I heard you were bewitched by that human, Ikki! I couldn't stay away. Let me protect you, Ravel!" He shook so badly, he could've been a newborn deer.
Despite his human-phobia, he showed up at my doorstep? With those legs? Incredible.
Ravel looked torn, while Riser's words stung. Yet, his presence, even if based on misunderstanding, showed devotion.
Kuroka turned to me, eyes gleaming: [Shall we… stir things up a bit]
I frowned: [What do you have in mind?]
[He came this far trembling, if she tells him "it's fine" and sends him off, that won't fix him. We need to rattle him… it's time for RPG Final Boss mode!]
She shoved me forward.
"All right!" I braced myself, half-crazed.
Riser began: "I-It's not what you think, brother! I came here because, "
Kuroka covered Ravel's mouth and grabbed Riser from behind.
I struck my "villain" stance:
"Welcome, Riser Phenex. This maiden is destined to become my bride. You have courage to seek your sister here. I'll offer you a trial, if you wish to reclaim her, overcome this challenge and return!"
Right then, Kuroka swooped behind him and rendered him unconscious with a senjutsu strike.
Ravel blinked, stunned: "Um… Ikki-sama? What's… happening?"
"I'm sorry, Ravel… I don't fully understand either," I admitted.
Kuroka smirked:
"All right, Riser made an effort. He came trembling, let's squeeze that courage dry! If he throws himself into a challenge, it'll help him forget his fear."
She dragged Riser into the training room.
She literally just found a toy, Kuroka really is mean. But, if it helps Riser, so be it.
Inside, she morphed the room into a vampiric castle. I asked what we'd do next.
"Hold on, I called in a specialist," Kuroka said proudly.
Moments later, Akeno and Issei (carried in arm) burst in:
"I want to lend my evil power? Leave it to me!"
Great…
"Sir? What did you do, Kuroka? And Riser!? Why are you here!?"
No clue.
And that's how Project Riser Recovery: "Wipe the Darkness with Flame!" was launched, overseen by the duo of Kuroka and Akeno.
=====================
Riser awakens in a gothic castle vestibule, strange, but not unfamiliar to his wealthy lineage. He recalls trying to rescue Ravel, when Ikki "invited" him… and bred confusion.
From a grand staircase, the imposing Red Dragon Emperor emerges, and yes, it's Issei, drenched in script.
"Face me if you wish to retrieve your sister!" he barks.
Riser ignites Phenex flames but hesitates, memories of Issei brutally beating him in a Rating Game flood back. Still, he must fight.
He opens a magic circle: "Protect me, my minions!"
But… nothing happens. The call goes unanswered.
The Red Dragon Emperor taunts, "Detect window barriers? Go ahead, flame at them!"
Riser attacks emblazoned windows, but an invisible barrier stops him cold.
"Your walls can't be breached!" the Emperor calls. "This castle resists everything."
He dares Riser again: "Are you too afraid?"
Riser fires a massive flame but holds back. The Emperor sneers: "That's all?"
Riser growls: "Fine! I'll show you… Dragon Balance Breaker!" He summons his might.
A red Phenex and red dragon aura collide midair, scorch the hall, and the Emperor falls, Issei later notes Riser's resilience surprised him.
Raising the challenge: At the top of the stairs is Ikki, dark uniform, an energy surge, a looming robotic overlord: "Maouger." Kuroka enters, piloting it, and Akeno joins later.
Maouger strikes first, a rocket punch, but Riser dodges; the punch slams into the entrance, collapsing part of it.
Akeno shouts: "Jump in, Ikki! Your minion needs you!"
I called back: "You said he should lose! But I'm not just letting a robot do it… System call, manual override!"
I deploy twin photon cannons from my throne: "Beware the light!"
Phasers beam, Maouger hesitates, Riser clenches his flames and moves forward determination.
By the end, Riser stands triumphant. Even if awkward, Kuroka winks: "That was fun, right?"
=====================
Afterward, at home…
Ravel confronts Riser: "You misunderstood Ikki too much!"
Riser nervous: "But humans are weak…"
Ravel retorts: "Ikki's strength is demon-level, he even lives ten thousand years!"
Riser warns: "If he doesn't make you happy… I'll burn his soul."
With that, he teleports home.
Ravel sighs: "He did care enough to face his trauma."
Kuroka flicks me on the shoulder: "Not bad puppet master, right?"
I laugh: "Every time."
We watched Riser leave, then Ravel praised him for fighting for her. Akeno got dragged away in harness, Koneko (Shirone) clung to my lap, and the four of us looked ahead to our upcoming Kyoto trip, a new chapter.
=============
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