Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Student Council office, casting warm patches of light across the floor.
Tsubaki stood behind Sona with a stack of documents in her hands, though her attention wasn't on the paperwork.
She was staring intently at her President. Her gaze was so focused that even Sona sensed something was off.
Being stared at by her own Queen made Sona's skin crawl.
She set down her pen, turned around, and looked at Tsubaki.
"Tsubaki, there's something strange about the way you're looking at me today."
Tsubaki didn't avert her gaze.
Her expression remained calm, but something Sona rarely saw was shining in her eyes.
"President," she began quietly, "don't you think facing both Rias-san and Akeno-senpai by yourself puts you at a considerable disadvantage?"
Sona froze for a moment before realizing what Tsubaki meant.
The corners of her lips curved into a helpless smile.
The Queen who had followed her since childhood had finally been unable to hold herself back any longer.
Sona chuckled.
"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you. I'll create an opportunity for you."
After a brief pause, she added, "Although I probably don't need to arrange anything. If you approach him yourself, I doubt he'll reject you."
Sona hadn't known Genichi for very long, but she could tell that he wasn't the kind of man who would limit his affections to a single woman.
That didn't particularly bother her.
Such arrangements were extremely common among Devils. To preserve their bloodlines, many pure-blood families maintained a principal wife within the household while the men kept numerous lovers elsewhere.
Aside from lacking inheritance rights, their illegitimate children were generally brought back into the family and raised to become part of its backbone.
After all, the Great War among the Three Factions had completely wiped out many families belonging to the Seventy-Two Pillars.
Even most of the surviving families had very few members left.
Therefore, Sona wasn't particularly concerned about Genichi having several women around him.
Tsubaki secretly sighed in relief when Sona agreed.
She had genuinely been afraid Sona would pull herself ashore, only to kick her dear friend back into the water.
Her expression remained composed, but the tension in her eyes visibly eased.
"Thank you, President."
Her voice was quiet but sincere.
Sona waved dismissively.
"What are you thanking me for? We're family."
Tsubaki lowered her head as warmth welled up inside her.
Family.
Ever since Sona had taken her into her peerage, Tsubaki had known that she had finally found somewhere she belonged.
Sona had given her a home, trusted her, and shown her the warmth of a family.
But now, Tsubaki wanted more.
She wanted to stand beside Sona. She wanted to stand beside Genichi. She wanted to become one of them.
She knew her desire was somewhat selfish.
Genichi already had Rias and Akeno, and now he also had Sona.
Would she be unnecessary if she tried to join them as well?
Would he reject her?
Could she end up losing even the place she had now?
She didn't know.
But she did know that if she never tried, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
"President," Tsubaki spoke again. "Do you think Genichi-kun will accept me?"
Sona looked at her and remained silent for a moment before smiling.
"Tsubaki, when did you become so unsure of yourself?"
Tsubaki lowered her head without answering.
It wasn't that she lacked confidence. She simply felt that she wasn't good enough whenever she compared herself to Genichi.
He was the host of the Red Dragon Emperor. He had defeated Riser and attracted the attention of even the Satans.
Meanwhile, she was merely a daughter cast out by an exorcist clan—an outcast whom even her own family had abandoned.
Sona rose, walked over to her, and gently patted her shoulder.
"Tsubaki, listen to me."
Her voice was completely serious.
"You are Tsubaki, the member of my peerage who makes me prouder than anyone else. Your strength, your loyalty, and your beauty are all unique. If Genichi rejects you, then it will be his loss."
Tsubaki raised her head and looked at Sona.
Something shimmered in her eyes.
"President, do you truly believe I can do this?"
"Of course you can," Sona answered firmly. "And I'll help you."
Tsubaki's eyes brightened slightly.
"Really?"
"Really."
Sona nodded.
"But you'll have to promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
The corners of Sona's lips curved into a sly smile.
"Once the two of you are together, don't forget the matchmaker who helped make it happen."
Tsubaki blushed slightly.
"President, what are you saying…?"
Sona's smile widened.
"All right, I'll stop teasing you."
She turned around, returned to her desk, and sat down again.
"Go back and prepare yourself. You're coming with me tonight."
Tsubaki nodded and headed for the door.
Just before leaving, she stopped and looked back at Sona.
"President."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Sona smiled.
"Go on."
Tsubaki opened the door and left.
Her footsteps were noticeably lighter as she walked down the hallway.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing her face in warmth.
She remembered her previous battle with Genichi.
They had still been opponents back then. She had fought with everything she had, while he had handled her with ease.
She lost—completely and utterly.
Yet she hadn't felt frustrated. Instead, she experienced a strange sense of satisfaction.
So someone this powerful truly existed.
She encountered him several more times afterward.
Each time, he found a new way to surprise her.
His strength continued to increase, his repertoire of magic expanded, and his eyes seemed to grow increasingly profound.
She started paying attention to him. Then she began caring about him and searching for ways to get closer to him.
She invented excuses to speak with him, reasons to see him, and opportunities for them to be alone.
Yet his attitude toward her always remained distant and indifferent—neither close nor far, neither cold nor warm.
He rejected her request to train together. He ignored her attempts to express her interest and turned down every opportunity she created to draw closer.
She had assumed he didn't like her.
But now she understood that it wasn't because he disliked her.
He simply hadn't truly noticed her yet.
And now that the President was willing to help her, she finally had a chance.
Tsubaki quickened her pace toward her room.
She needed to prepare herself properly. She wanted to appear before him at her very best.
Sunlight filled the far end of the hallway.
The corners of Tsubaki's lips rose into a smile she hadn't worn in a very long time.
Back inside the Student Council office, Sona sat in her chair and stared out the window, lost in thought.
A faint smile lingered on her lips. It carried relief, anticipation, and a trace of nervousness that even she hadn't noticed.
(End of Chapter)
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