[Arto's mansion]
Rias goes into the bathroom to see Akeno, Kuroka, Koneko and Grayfia are already there, bathing after a long day, taking off her clothes, Rias settles down the warm bath with others, Akeno is silent as she keeps reading the e-book Arto handed her this morning, Kuroka is washing Koneko's hair while teasing her and Grayfia is basically taking a nap in the water while floating around.
"Where is Darling?" Akeno asks first, looking up from the e-book "Still working, Simulation Room's research log" Rias splashes water over her face as she settles down till the water hits her neck "His workload is insane this week, managing AFM, Simulation Room, partly Atreides clan, what in the world is he?"
Kuroka's fingers paused mid-scrub in Koneko's hair, her feline ears twitching as she smirked. "Ma~Master is busy this week because Robin, Nami and Albedo are all away, he took the works onto his shoulder so that those 3 largest tendrils in his empire can go adventuring~" Her tail flicked water droplets onto Grayfia's floating form, earning an irritated sigh from the sleeping maid. "Though I still don't get why he didn't just delay those expeditions."
Grayfia's eyes slid open, her body remaining perfectly horizontal in the water. "Because," she murmured without moving her lips, "He wanted data on the searching result of WAH to develop it further to find his home world, and he has been persistent about that....." Grayfia stops floating as she takes the position next to Rias in the tub.
"It's kinda strange, you know? He wanting to return to the place that caused all his pain and agony? What could be left there for him?" Rias asks, churning out the shampoo from the bottle and starts washing her long crimson hair, "Exactly, " Akeno answers "I think there are still things back there for him, you know the Hell Singer bird Radia he bought in summer vacation in Sitri Domain?"
Rias nods "Yeah, that bird is cute, fluffy, round, sings the best melody, but she has migrated to the Underworld to avoid winter and Kuroka" Kuroka gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "Harsh, nya~! I only tried to cuddle her once—"
"Twice," Grayfia corrected without inflection, wringing out her silver hair. "The second attempt involved a net." Akeno's laughter rippled through the steam "Radia's the only creature in this mansion who hisses at you instead of Arto's paperwork." She leaned back against the tiles, tracing the edge of her pendant absently. "That bird is similar to the one on the pendant his necklace, the one with the phrase 'I love you' in his mother tongue carved on its back"
Koneko swims to Akeno after rinsing her hair "What does that mean?" Akeno pulls the white cat girl into a hug "That necklace is the thing he made for his first love, inside the depth of the Abyss after the 2nd Abyssal War, after all 10 millions of his soldiers fell to fight off the Abyss, and he was dragged down the Abyss....that necklace....was like a promise he made to himself that he will come back to give it to his first love himself, but....he couldn't...he died before he could do what he promised"
The bathroom fell silent save for the dripping faucet. Grayfia submerged herself entirely for three seconds before resurfacing, silver hair clinging to her face like liquid mercury. "I see, so he wanted to go back to....complete his promise with his first love?" Akeno nods "Likely, he never explained further than that, he doesn't want his past to affect the happy life he is having now"
Koneko's ears flattened against her head, her tail flicking uneasily through the water. "But… he belongs here now," she muttered, tiny fists clenching against Akeno's shoulder. "Doesn't he?"
Rias reached over, squeezing Koneko's damp foot with a reassuring smile. "Of course he does, kitten. But some promises are like scars—they don't fade just because you've moved on." She flicked a glance at Grayfia, whose expression remained unreadable. "Though I'd bet my inheritance he's not planning to stay there."
Kuroka's mischievous grin returned as she draped herself over the edge of the tub, tail swishing. "Ma~maybe Master's first love is dead, nya~?"
Akeno's pendant flared briefly—a pulse of violet light that made Kuroka yelp and nearly slip into the water. "That's the pain of it, he doesn't know, he died not knowing if those he cares about are okay or not, and if they are still waiting for him." Grayfia exhaled through her nose, fingers tracing the faint scar along her collarbone—a relic from her own wars. "That's worse than knowing," she murmured. "Uncertainty festers."
Rias swirled her finger in the water, watching the ripples distort their reflections. "But he has been wandering in the Void for thousands of years, I don't know if he is truly going to find them in the same state—" The bathroom door slid open with a hiss, steam billowing outward as Arto leaned against the frame, sleeves rolled to his elbows and ink smudged along his jawline.
"Find who is in what state?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at their sudden silence. Kuroka recovered first, slithering through the water to drape herself over the tub's edge with exaggerated innocence. "Nyaa~Master, we were just discussing how much we missed you~"
Arto smiled, plucking a damp towel from the rack to wipe his face. "I miss you all too, that's for sure, missing links made my workload harder, but this is nothing, don't worry" He knelt beside the tub, fingers flicking water at Kuroka's nose. "Though I suspect you weren't just pining for my company, given the silence when I walked in."
Grayfia rose from the water with liquid grace, droplets cascading off her like quicksilver. "We were discussing Radia's migration patterns," she deadpanned, wrapping herself in a robe. "And whether Kuroka will ever stop terrorizing birds."
Koneko seized the diversion, scrambling onto Arto's back like a soaked kitten. "Are you sure you're not overworking yourself, senpai?" Arto reached his hand over his back and petted Koneko's hair "I am sure, this workload is nothing compared to the time I had to manage Abyssgard Legion, keeping 10 millions people alive in the blizzard while negotiating for materials with other factions to fortify infrastructure to face the Abyss, I'm handling everything well"
"Darling, are you sure we can't do anything to help you?" Akeno asks, turning to him with a worried gaze. "Well, I can't expect you to help me right away because you're too young to take those responsibilities on your back, but...." He sits down, letting his feet soak into the warm water "You're assisting in your own way, taking Rias for example...."
Rias arched an eyebrow, soap suds sliding down her collarbone. "Me? What exactly am I assisting with, besides looking devastating in this bath?" Arto flicked water at her nose. "You did flawlessly in the role of my secretary today, you adaptively arranged all the tasks, people, and meetings for me even if today there were many ruckus in AFM and Atreides"
He leaned back, fingers threading through Koneko's damp hair. "Which, by the way—helped us complete all the tasks of today with nothing to worry about by 5:30 p.m, that's what I expected from my secretary" Rias blushes "Well, we've been adapting a lot in Sector 1...."
"Exactly, training in Adaptive Training Ground wasn't just about developing fighting power, but also about adaptability under extreme pressure, you wasn't panic when problem came, you analyzed what you have and what could be done to ensure everything run smoothly, that's exactly the thing I wanted to teach you" Arto smiled, watching Rias' crimson eyes widen with realization.
Koneko's claws pricked lightly against his shoulder as she leaned forward. "So... all those impossible scheduling exercises were preparation?"
Arto chuckled, wincing slightly as Kuroka's tail flicked water into his face. "Life doesn't care if you're ready, kitten. Better to learn how to think while drowning than to panic when the tide comes in." Grayfia made a soft noise of approval.
Akeno set aside her e-book with deliberate care. "Then what about me, how did I help?" Arto points at the e-book "You've been learning, that's help, you're preparing yourself to take specialized tasks with me, so that if anything happened that I wasn't around, you'll be the one knowing what to do while Rias keeping all the gears turning" Akeno's lips curled into a soft smile "I see... then I'll keep studying so that you'll know your investment will pay off spectacularly"
Koneko rubbed her face against Arto's back. "What about me, senpai?" Arto's smile doesn't waver "Well, you're helping us all by keeping the land of Gremory safe via stray hunting" Koneko's tail flicked indignantly, sending droplets flying. "That's everyday work," she huffed. "I mean specifically for you."
Arto's fingers traced the edge of the tub where the steam had condensed into rivulets. "That's exactly it, you're keeping the routine and efficiency in hunting, proving that lands protected by Gremory are utterly safe, stable and....available for business. Investors don't care about theoretical safety—they want proof." He flicked a droplet at Koneko's nose. "Your flawless record at GSHA has sent a clear message: no stray will dare cross our borders. Which means—"
"Which means," Grayfia interjected, toweling her hair with surgical precision, "We can work peacefully on the foundation of safety you built with the rest of the peerage, unlike someone who—" Kuroka's tail lashed the water into froth. "Nya~! I hunt!"
Rias snorted "Yeah, right, you hunted Arto's bird like a daily routine. If it's not for Robin not being home, you won't even get the job of watching the Fallen Angel in this town and only be a pet at best" Kuroka's ears flattened against her skull as she slithered backward into the water, her golden eyes narrowing to slits. "Ma~Master, Rias is being mean to me again—"
Arto pets Kuroka's head to comfort her "I mean, she is pulling her own weight around here, that's something should be appreciated, but Koneko should get her on patrols and stray hunting missions more. Aside from that, she is a really good stress reliever, you have to count that in"
Kuroka preened under his touch, her tail curling possessively around his wrist. "See~? Master values me," she purred, sticking her tongue out at Rias. The crimson-haired heiress rolled her eyes but didn't argue—too busy watching Arto's fingers trace idle patterns on the water's surface. "Anyway, enjoy your bath, another thing we're eating out today because I know all of you are too tired to cook by this point"
Grayfia's fingers paused mid-wring of her silver hair. "You're taking us to that new izakaya near the station?" Her tone was flat, but the way she angled her body toward him betrayed her interest.
Arto grinned, nudging Koneko off his back with practiced ease. "No, just a simple food tour. I'm craving some street food, fine dining is getting on my nerves, the flavor is good, but the volume and price are way too absurd."
Koneko's ears perked up instantly, her earlier sulk forgotten. "Takoyaki?" she asked, eyes gleaming with predatory focus.
"Among other things," Arto conceded, flicking water at her nose. "But we're starting with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki—the layered kind, not that Osaka pancake abomination."
Rias gasped in mock outrage, slapping the water's surface. "Blasphemy! You take that back—" Akeno's laughter cut through the steam as she pressed a finger to Rias' pouting lips. "Darling, you've lived here how long and still can't tell satire from sacrilege?"
Arto chuckled, "Alright, alright, we'll try it all, we have the entire night for ourselves to enjoy what people eat to be full and enjoy, not to feel expensive" he swung the towel over his shoulder, "I'll grab a quick shower before we go, so don on something casual because we are going lowkey today"
The bathroom door clicked shut behind him, leaving the women in a haze of steam and shared amusement. Kuroka wasted no time in launching herself out of the tub, water cascading off her sleek form as she stretched with feline grace. "Nya~finally! Street food means no forks, no rules—just biting," she purred, flicking her tail toward Grayfia's impassive face.
Grayfia caught the offending appendage mid-air without looking, her grip just tight enough to make Kuroka yelp. "And you will use chopsticks," she stated, releasing the tail with a disdainful flick. "Master may indulge your theatrics, but I draw the line at you gnawing on skewers like a raccoon."
Rias emerged from the water with a sigh, rivulets tracing the curves of her body as she reached for a towel. "Honestly, I'm more curious about how the vendors are going to feed all of us" she mused, wrapping the fabric around her torso. "Between Koneko's bottomless stomach and Kuroka's tendency to steal entire vendors' stocks..."
[Timeskip: Brought to you by chibi Koneko ordering food]
The entire family is walking down the street of Kuoh with the ladies walking upfront, Kiba and Arto walking in the back like knights protecting their ladies "Where do you think they are going to take us to?" Arto asks, looking at Kiba who is walking beside him "I think we'll stop at this ramen shop, we used to eat there a lot after late stray hunting missions"
Kiba's prediction proved correct—the group veered toward a modest shop tucked between a pachinko parlor and a shuttered bookstore, its red lanterns casting a warm glow over the cracked pavement. Before Arto could react, Koneko had already shoulder-checked the noren aside with the single-minded intensity of a missile locked onto target. The shop owner—a grizzled man with a tattoo peeking from his rolled-up sleeves—barely blinked as the entire Gremory peerage plus assorted attachments flooded his twelve-seat counter.
"Ah," he grunted, wiping his hands on a towel. "The black hole and her entourage." Koneko planted both palms on the counter "Extra noodles. Extra pork. Extra egg." A beat. "Extra extra."
Arto slid onto a stool beside Grayfia, watching with amusement as the owner's eyebrow crept upward. "The usual, all of you?" He looks from Rias to Akeno, to Kiba like they are his usual customers but with the warmth of an uncle seeing his nephews and nieces coming home after a while, they nodded in unison. "And extra extra for the little devil," he added, nodding toward Koneko, who was already vibrating with anticipation.
He then turns to the 3 new faces, Arto, Kuroka and Grayfia "What about you three? What can I feed you today?"
Grayfia inclined her head slightly, silver hair catching the lamplight. "Tonkotsu. No scallions." The owner scribbled on his notepad without looking up. Kuroka draped herself over the counter like liquid shadow, her grin sharp enough to slice tofu. "Nya~give me whatever's dripping," she purred, the disguised tails and ears almost spunned out of illusion if not for Arto to keep her in place. The owner sighed, jotting down 'extra fatty chashu' with the resignation of a man who'd seen worse.
Arto leaned forward, elbows on the worn counter. "Let's go with your best seller with extra noodles, I'm aiming to be full tonight" The owner grinned, revealing a gold-capped tooth. "Ah, a man who prioritizes volume over finesse. Finally, someone sensible." He vanished into the kitchen with a clatter of pots.
Rias nudged Akeno, nodding toward the wall where polaroids of regulars were pinned beneath laminated menus. "Look, that's us after our first mission as a peerage, the owner's shop was the only one opening to that hour" The photo showed Rias with sauce smeared across her cheek, Kiba mid-sip with noodles dangling, and Koneko glaring at the camera with cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk's. Akeno's fingers hovered over the image—her own absence conspicuous. Grayfia's quiet exhale fogged the glass case displaying handmade pickles. "You've been coming here for years," she observed, not quite a question.
Kiba swirled his chopsticks between his fingers "We made this tradition to eat here whenever we successfully hunted a stray together" Grayfia turns to them "No wonder you didn't come home for dinner from time to time"
The kitchen's rhythmic chopping paused as the owner emerged with a steaming bowl for Koneko, who accepted it with both hands like a sacred relic. Arto watched her inhale the aroma with closed eyes—a ritualistic pause before annihilation—then smirked when she immediately shoveled half the contents into her mouth without chewing. "Slow down," he chided, tapping her forehead with a chopstick. "You'll scare the owner into retirement."
Kuroka's bowl arrived next, the broth so rich it clung to the ceramic like molten gold. She ignored the provided spoon entirely, lifting the bowl to her lips with feline grace—only for Grayfia's hand to intercept mid-tilt. "Chopsticks," the maid reiterated, sliding the utensils into Kuroka's slack fingers with glacial precision.
Rias hid her laughter behind a napkin as Kuroka sulked, tail lashing against the stool. "You're no fun," the nekomata grumbled, though she complied with exaggerated slowness—plucking a single noodle strand with surgical precision.
The owner chuckled, setting down Grayfia's pristine tonkotsu beside Arto's mountainous serving. "Eat up," he urged, wiping his hands on his apron. "The night's young, and I've got a bet running on how many bowls the little one can put away before combusting."
Arto smiles "Thank you, Mr...uhh..." The owner waved a dismissive hand, his gold tooth catching the light again. "Just 'Oyaji' is fine. Been feeding these troublemakers for years—names are overrated." He turned back toward the kitchen, tossing over his shoulder, "Unlike my ramen."
Koneko, cheeks bulging with noodles, mumbled something that might have been agreement or a death threat. Rias delicately wiped broth from her lips, eyeing Arto's bowl with undisguised fascination. "Darling, are you actually going to finish that?"
Arto smirked, twirling a chopstick between his fingers. "I will, itadakimatsu" Arto sends his prayer before putting a chopstick of noodles into his mouth, the sensation of goodness, fullness invade his mouth as he slurps it naturally as it should be, "Oh goodness, this is what I call food~Fuck you, fine dining pieces of overpriced garbage"
After that, Arto looks around to see everyone is looking at him with unreadable gaze, even the owner of the shop, he settles the chopsticks down, his cheek burning with embarrassment "Right, sorry everyone for slurping too loud...." this makes the owner laughs loudly, slapping his knee "Typical foreigner behavior eating ramen for the first time..."
He comes over to pat Arto's back "No, no—that's exactly how it's done!" The owner's laughter boomed through the cramped shop, rattling the stacked bowls behind the counter. "Foreigners always apologize for slurping when they're doing it right for once!"
Grayfia is no less confused by that behavior, but since Arto made the first example, she knows she is allowed to let off the etiquette of devil nobles for once as she takes a chopstick of noodles and slurps them like her Master did, Rias follows immediately, slurping her noodles like a child, Kuroka and Koneko are already slurping loudly, even Kiba and Akeno joined the fun, giving the shop a weird but warm kind of music.
[Timeskip: Brought to you by chibi Arto slurping noodle happily]
Stepping out of the ramen shop, Arto sighs in satisfaction "Oh~Now that's what I call eating~" He leans his head back slightly as he notices Grayfia in front of him, her silver hair slightly disheveled from the steam—the most unkempt he's ever seen her. "I know you like it too, Grayfia, letting yourself go wild for once"
Arto said, nudging her elbow with his. Grayfia responds only with the slightest upward twitch of her lips—a seismic event by her standards. "You're rubbing off on me," she murmurs, adjusting her scarf with precise fingers.
Kuroka drapes herself over Arto's back like a living shawl, her breath warm against his ear. "Nya~Master, next stop is the takoyaki stand, right? The one with extra octopus tentacles sticking out?" Her tail flicks eagerly against his ribs.
Before Arto can answer, Koneko materializes at his other side, her small hand gripping his sleeve with surprising strength. "Senpai," she deadpans, golden eyes gleaming under the streetlights, "If we don't get taiyaki within the next seven minutes, I will perish."
Arto nods "Okay, okay, anything you want tonight, anything at all, I'll treat you to it, because I am too eating for real one time in a long while"
The streetlights flicker as the group spills onto the pavement, Kuroka already dragging Arto toward a neon-lit stall where octopus tentacles curl defiantly from sizzling batter, while Koneko follows them, on their way there, Arto notices a cafe nearby having a discount for couples called 'Valentine Special', he tilts his head, looking back at Rias and Akeno with questioning look, pointing at the word he has never heard before "Uhm, girls, what is Valent....ahhh!" Kuroka and Koneko dragged him ahead, not paying a single mind to his question.
Rias follows his finger towards the cafe "Wait, Valentine is coming already!?" She panicky opens her phone to check, it's 10th of February already "W-what day is today!?" Kiba calmly replies while counting the days "It's February 10th, Valentine is in 4 days" Rias let out a breath "Ohhh, okay, okay" She sighs in relief, Akeno giggles beside her "We still have time to prepare"
"And Darling is oblivious about festivals like usual" Akeno giggles, but her mind is already on what to make for her precious Arto this Valentine "Another first festival, like Christmas" She looks ahead to see Arto is already in excited mode with Kuroka and Koneko waiting for their takoyaki "He is like a kid sometimes" Grayfia comments while looking at him with warmth in her eyes.
"Right?" Rias asks again like a confirmation: "To imagine the bubbling giant kid over there is the same man who managed to survive the Void and created a clan in the Underworld, I can't help but think he is just..." She pauses, searching for words "Special?" Kiba suggests while watching Arto holds Kuroka back so Koneko can take the first bite "I mean, someone have to let loose once in a while" Kiba continues "He might be living under many aliases, but I think he is the happiest when....being with us"
The takoyaki stand sizzles as Kuroka finally wrestles free from Arto's grip, snatching a steaming ball with her bare hands despite Grayfia's warning glare. She tosses it between her palms like a hot coal before popping it whole into her mouth—only to immediately regret it when molten filling scalds her tongue. Her ears flatten as she hops in place, fanning her mouth with exaggerated distress.
Arto laughs, plucking a fresh skewer from the vendor to hand to Koneko. "See? This is why we use tools," he teases, tapping Kuroka's nose with the wooden stick. The nekomata hisses playfully before stealing the skewer from his fingers, licking the remaining sauce with deliberate provocation.
"Oi! Everyone, why are you so slow, come eat!" Arto shouts from the takoyaki stand, waving enthusiastically with one hand while the other holds a skewer of perfectly golden-brown octopus balls. Steam curls from them in tempting spirals, casting shadows across his grinning face.
Kiba chuckles, nudging Rias forward with a gentle hand at her back. "He's right—we're missing the best part." Akeno loops her arm through Rias', her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Darling, we have to get him to try the taiyaki next. Imagine his face when he bites into red bean paste for the first time."
Rias' smirk is pure mischief. "Oh, I'm recording that."
They reach the stand just as Kuroka—having recovered from her scalding—attempts to steal Arto's last takoyaki. He holds it aloft, tauntingly out of reach, only for Koneko to leap onto his shoulders and snatch it midair. The vendor laughs, handing a taiyaki to Arto. "You've got your hands full, son."
"I've handled worse, sir, they are the best part of my life" Arto speaks with the unusual sincerity that is contradicting the chaos at the stand as he bites into the hot fish-like pastry before handing the piece of Koneko, but before the white-haired Nekoshou could bite, Rias took that unintentional indirect kiss as she bit into the taiyaki—eyes widening at the unfamiliar sweetness.
"Ohhh," she hummed, steam escaping her lips. "That's—" He nods "Freaking delicious~crispy outer layer, soft and fluffy inside with that sweet and savory taste of red bean paste, it's warm and full, yet not overwhelming"
Rias swallowed with pure delight as she takes another bite from his taiyaki, and places a kiss on Arto's cheek "Thank you for the kiss, love~" She takes the taiyaki from his hand, leaving him stunned—his fingers still warm from the pastry. Koneko's ears flattened in betrayal. "Senpai," she deadpanned, "That was my bite"
"Buy yours, Koneko-chan~" Rias purrs, flexing the taiyaki back and forth "This one is mine~" She was about to take another bite, Akeno takes another bite on that taiyaki, making Arto sighs with a smile before turning back to the shop owner who has another taiyaki ready for him "Did you add any kind of drug inside this thing, ma'am?" he asks jokingly and takes the taiyaki with both hands, the warmth seeping into his palms.
The elderly vendor cackles, adjusting her hairnet with flour-dusted fingers. "Nope—just sixty years of perfecting the ratio of flour to bean paste." She winks at Koneko, sliding a fresh fish-shaped pastry across the counter. "Here, little one. Extra crispy, just how you like it."
Koneko accepts it with both hands, her usual stoicism cracking as the first bite sends flaky crumbs cascading down her shirt. Her tail sways in slow, contented arcs—a feline metronome keeping time with her chewing.
Grayfia observes the scene with arms crossed, her expression unreadable until Kuroka sidles up with a half-eaten taiyaki extended toward her lips. "Try it~" the nekomata coaxes, wiggling the pastry enticingly. Grayfia's nose wrinkles, but after a beat—and a pointed look from Arto—she leans forward to take a precise bite. Her silver lashes flutter once. "...Acceptable," she concedes, wiping her mouth. Kuroka's grin stretches ear to ear.
While everyone is enjoying the food, Akeno and Rias find private moments as they are sharing one taiyaki "So, what are you going to make for our darling for his first Valentine?" Akeno asks Rias, taking another bite from the pastry, keeping her voice low so Arto wouldn't overhear them talking about it.
Rias hums, licking a stray crumb from her thumb. "Chocolate, obviously—but not the usual boxed kind." Her grin sharpens. "I'm thinking dark chocolate infused with hellfire peppers. Something that'll make him sweat."
Akeno's laughter tinkles like wind chimes. "Oh? Competitive today, are we?" She leans closer, her breath warm against Rias' ear. "I've already sourced vanilla beans from the Southern Isles. Homemade white chocolate with crushed crystalized lightning." Her fingers spark playfully. "Let's see who makes him melt first."
Across the street, Koneko looks at the conversation between Rias and Akeno, 'Amateurs' she mutters while looking at her phone, where the requests of making chocolate are flocking.
[Timeskip: Brought to you by chibi Koneko dragging a wheeled cart with a freezer on it]
On the way to school the next morning, Arto, Rias, Akeno and Kiba notice Koneko is pulling a cart full of chocolate with her to school—the wheeled cooler stacked with precision that suggested military logistics.
Arto blinks. "Uh. Koneko-chan?" The petite nekoshou doesn't break stride. "Valentine chocolates. Orders." Akeno's parasol tilts. "Orders?" She nods gently before..not parting ways with the group to head to Kuoh Junior High...her destination today is Kuoh High.
Pulling the cart past the gate of the school, there are already a lot of people waiting for her, students lining up with cash in hand, waiting for Koneko's legendary Valentine Chocolate Orders, she then puts up a sign saying "Take Orders Here" and begins handing out orders of Valentine chocolate she made.
Each client came and gave her a picture of the thing they wanted to make with chocolate and Koneko searched her cart to find that exact order to hand out, each with a printed invoice "Next!" She shouts with her monotone voice as another student steps forward to claim their chocolate sculpture—some intricately molded into roses, others shaped like cartoon characters with unsettling realism. Arto watches, slack-jawed, as Koneko handles transactions with the efficiency of a Tokyo subway ticketer.
"Wait," Rias whispers, clutching Akeno's sleeve. "Since when does Koneko—" And Kiba replies calmly "Since last summer, Buchou, you remember she spent the entire vacation at Damian's place, right?" Rias blinks as the memories hit her "Oh, the sweet maker cousin of mine, no wonder" She giggles as she takes her phone out and starts recording the petite white-haired girl handing out handmade chocolate to her clients "This is so adorable, Nami would die seeing this, cuteness and money in the same scene"
"So....what is Valentine?" Arto asks out of nowhere, his voice cutting through the morning chatter as Koneko's impromptu chocolate empire continues bustling around them. The abrupt question makes Kiba choke on his coffee mid-sip. Rias and Akeno freeze mid-step—their heels clicking in perfect synchronization against the pavement.
Akeno recovers first, her parasol tilting to shade her widening grin. "Oh, darling," she purrs, stepping closer until her breath ghosts his ear. "It's a very special day where we shower you with...affection." Her fingertips trail down his sleeve, leaving faint static sparks in their wake.
Rias materializes on his other side, her crimson nails tapping his chest. "Specifically, chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate." Her smirk turns predatory. "Homemade, of course. With...creative ingredients."
Arto raises an eyebrow "So it's basically....everyday + chocolate?" Akeno nods, hugging Arto from the side "Yep, everyday + chocolate, you got it right, love~" she whispers before releasing him, as they agreed to not publish their relationship to the whole school who are gathering around Koneko's stall.
Rias laughs, tapping her chin thoughtfully "Though, technically, Valentine's Day in Japan is when girls give chocolate to boys they like. The boys reciprocate on White Day a month later." She winks at Arto, who looks mildly alarmed. "But since you're clueless about traditions, you can always place an order from Koneko-chan—she does emergency batches."
Arto looks over to Koneko's place and sees she is looking at him with a thumb-up, 'ready for business', Arto nods "I see...." before heading into the school with Kiba, Rias and Akeno.
Meanwhile, Issei walks to school to see a clog of people gathering near the entrance of the school gate "What's going on?" He asks himself before pushing his way through the crowd—only to freeze at the sight of an unfamiliar white-haired girl operating her chocolate empire with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. Her golden eyes flick up, meeting his bewildered stare as she mechanically slides a heart-shaped box toward a blushing underclassman.
"Next," she monotones, already reaching for another order as another client came with their order, not minding him a single bit. Issei turns to a girl standing in the line "Hey, what's going on with that white haired girl selling chocolate?"
The girl—a first-year with auburn hair and a Kuoh Academy ribbon—blinks at him like he's just asked why the sky is blue. "You don't know Koneko-chan's Valentine chocolate empire?" She gestures to the cart's handmade banner, which reads Koneko's Konfectionary: Custom Orders Only "It popped up a few days ago in students chat groups, pictures of beautifully sculpted chocolate with a numbers, everyone used it to place orders"
Issei's jaw drops when Koneko hands over a gundam chocolate miniature to an excited upperclassman "What the....?" He stares at the intricate chocolate sculpture—down to the panel lines and weapon detailing—before turning back to the auburn-haired girl. "Since when does Kuoh have a chocolate black market?"
The girl giggles, adjusting her ribbon. "I don't know, maybe from when....you know, when Aruto-senpai went on that student exchange program back in December, the boys those day scrambled to confess to their crushes, creating a huge tide of something they called 'Early Valentine', you don't know? I thought all boys were in that tide"
Issei shuddered a little, last December, when Aruto Abyga was away, that's when he got into the lawsuit with Nami-senpai that made his parents sell their entire livelihood to pay for his mistake "No, I was..occupied with something else, didn't have the mind to join the romantic wave"
The auburn-haired girl—Miyu, according to her nametag—blinked at him with sudden realization. "Oh, you're Issei Hyoudou, no wonder. Well, too bad for you, I guess, at least now you know why this stall pop up, right? Boys and girls finding their girlfriend and boyfriend here and there, and Koneko-chan from Kuoh Junior High popped in with the best gifts possible for Valentine, handmade chocolate for clumsy hands"
Issei could only nod dumbly as another customer—this time a third-year girl with a braid—walked away clutching a chocolate replica of a famous idol's face. The detail was unsettlingly lifelike. "Oh, hi, Issei-kun, what's going on here?" Yuuma appears next to Issei, looking at the buzzing stall also as Koneko's cart slowly running out of stock.
"Chocolate business from a junior of Junior High," Issei muttered, watching as the petite girl exchanged a chocolate dragon for a wad of cash. "Apparently this is...normal now?" Yuuma blinked her pink eyes, tilting her head. "Ohhh~ So this is Valentine's Day in Japan~" she hummed, her fingers tapping her chin.
"You don't know....Valentine?" Issei asks, Yuuma shakes her head in returns "Nope, never experienced it before" She looks at the stall again "But it looks fun!" She giggles before suddenly, Koneko calls out "Sold out" as she pulls down the shutter of her cart, leaving groans of disappointment from the remaining line. "Other orders. Tomorrow. Until 13th of February"
The moment Koneko pulls down her stall and pulls the cart away, Yuuma opens her phone "How do I order a customized chocolate from her?"
Issei scratches his head, watching as Koneko maneuvers her cart through the dispersing crowd with practiced ease. "Uh...There was a girl here said that there was a number to place order on some students group chats and on Facebook..."
Yuuma's fingers fly across her phone screen before pausing abruptly. "Oh! Found it—'Koneko's Konfectionary Order Form'...with dropdown menus for chocolate type, sculpture complexity, and..." She squints at the screen. "'Emergency Surcharge?'"
"Woah, the price is quite...steep based on the complexity of the shape" Issei whistled low, peeking over Yuuma's shoulder at the menu options scrolling past—dark chocolate roses with gold leaf costing more than his weekly allowance.
Yuuma hummed, tapping her lip. "Mmm~ What do you think I should get? Something cute? Or..." Her eyes flickered with sudden intensity as she scrolled past a gallery of Koneko's past works—chocolate knives, a scale model of Kuoh's clock tower, even a perfect replica of an eye-shaped pendant.
Issei swallowed hard when her finger stopped on a particularly intricate design: a winged heart wrapped in thorned vines. The price tag made his knees weak. "Uh, maybe start simple? Like, uh—" He pointed at a basic bear-shaped option.
Yuuma's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, Issei-kun~" She patted his shoulder with glacial gentleness. "When I do something, I commit." Her thumb hovered over the 'emergency rush order' checkbox.
Meanwhile, Koneko hauled her empty cart toward the faculty office, ignoring the whispers trailing her. She steps into the office where the teachers are preparing for their lessons, some are waiting for her "Thank goodness you're here, Koneko-chan" a teacher comes to the girl, showing her the picture of the sculpture he wanted to make with chocolate.
Koneko looks at the picture and searches her cart, finding an order labeled "Tanaka-sensei - Chocolate Venus de Milo - Paid in Full" before handing it over. The teacher clutches the masterpiece with trembling hands. "My wife will finally forgive me for missing our anniversary," he whispers before bowing deeply. Koneko nods once—business complete—then turns toward the faculty lounge where Principal Sakamoto waits with his own request: a chocolate replica of the school building for the 3rd year final parting party.
Seeing Koneko, the principal stands up "Koneko-chan, you're on time" he then gestures to Koneko to follow him to the place where the meeting will be held, "Here" he points at the grand display base at the center of the room. Koneko nods and opens the separate freezer she brought, pulling out buildings of Kuoh Academy—from the main gate to the gymnasium, fully colored—each piece slotting together with architectural precision.
Setting them down once by one on the base, the entire faculty gasped as Koneko assembled Kuoh Academy in miniature—down to the ivy creeping up the clock tower's bricks, rendered in tempered dark chocolate. Principal Sakamoto adjusted his glasses with a shaking hand. "This...this is beyond the budget I allocated."
Koneko wiped her palms on her apron. "I'm studying here next school year, better make impression....Done" she places the last sculptures of students and teachers around the school before coming to the principle for the payment, and he handed her a thick envelop "Thank you so much, Koneko-chan"
She nods "Don't let it melt, okay?" Sakamoto nods vigorously "We'll refrigerate it until the party!" Koneko walks out of the lounge as her phone buzzes with 3 messages, 2 from Rias and Akeno, and one from....Yuuma Amano. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the unfamiliar contact name before opening the message—a photograph of a simple bag of soft chocolate bites: Emergency Rush Order: Can you make this by tomorrow morning? 100 bags this. Paying when delivered
'Simple order on large quantities....weird' Koneko thinks to herself as she opens the requests of Rias and Akeno—both requesting specialized chocolate molds for their "secret Valentine projects." She pockets the phone just as the bell rings, signaling the start of classes.
Meanwhile, Issei is sitting next to Yuuma in class, and the Koneko girl selling chocolate this morning is still bugging him as he turns to Yuuma "What did you order?" he asked. Yuuma smiles innocently while adjusting her pink hair ribbon. "Oh, just some... friendship chocolates!" She hums, tapping her chin. "For the orphanage and nursing home"
Issei's eyes go wide hearing Yuuma is buying chocolate for those elders and youngsters where they have been doing volunteering work for weeks "Are you seriously ordering chocolates for the nursing home and orphanage?"
Yuuma giggles, twirling a strand of pink hair around her finger. "Of course~ They deserve something sweet too, don't they?" Her smile stretches just a fraction too wide—like icing smoothed over a cracked cake.
[Timeskip: Brought to you by chibi Koneko putting on chef attire]
[Simulation Room - Sector 13: Koneko's kitchen]
Rias and Akeno are standing next to Koneko in the simulated kitchen with Grayfia, Kiba and Arto have been locked outside for girls to do girls thing, that is making chocolate, and only wow factor today is the Nekoshou Koneko will be the teacher to her King and Queen in the peerage, Rias and Akeno.
Koneko stood on a stool—her usual deadpan expression somehow even cuter with a chef's hat perched atop her white hair, not mentioning the chef attire she is wearing, making Rias and Akeno can't hold their smiles seeing their little kitty being deadly serious about this kind of craft—as she surveyed Rias' first attempt at tempering chocolate. The Gremory heiress' brow furrowed in concentration, her crimson nails tapping the stainless-steel bowl with increasing frustration. "Why won't it—" Akeno's lightning reflexes caught the spoon Rias nearly flung across the room.
"Patience, Buchou," Koneko intoned, nudging Rias' wrist with a wooden spatula. "Too fast." She demonstrated—slow, deliberate folds—until the chocolate gleamed like liquid satin. Grayfia, sleeves rolled up despite her pristine uniform, arched an eyebrow at her own lumpy mixture. "This is… unexpectedly humbling."
Koneko sniffed. "Foreigners." Grayfia looks at Koneko teaching the other 2 about the craft of sweet making with somewhat a hidden pride before heading back to her own work, she has her own chocolate to make for this special someone.
Koneko peered into Akeno's bowl—where the queen had somehow infused the chocolate with delicate lightning fractals—and nodded approvingly. "Good. Now stir counterclockwise." Akeno blinked. "Does direction matter?" Koneko's tail twitched. "Yes." She didn't elaborate.
Rias groaned as her third attempt seized into a grainy mess. "This is harder than demonic politics." Koneko wordlessly swapped her bowl with a fresh one. "Start over. Faster wrist." Behind them, Grayfia discreetly vaporized her failed batch with a flick of hellfire.
The timer beeped. Koneko inspected their progress—Rias' chocolate now glossy but slightly asymmetrical, Akeno's shimmering with trapped electricity. "Acceptable." She slid two pictures before them, their request for the chocolate treat they wanted to make for Arto, Rias is the shape of Arto in his armor standing proudly with his sword planted before him.
Akeno is something more sophisticated in concept, but no less complicated, a sword planted inside a blue fire, symbolizing Arto's undying Will of Abyssgard—a callback to his legend before he fell into their world. Koneko taps the images with her spatula. "We'll build the base first before coating it with chocolate and start carving the details from there, Senpai will be receiving many chocolate on Valentine day due to his fame at school, so making something coated with chocolate would be a more delicious option, we can start with size first, we need to make it at least 30cm tall—"
She starts sketching the shapes on the white board in the kitchen "with the inside of something that can balance the flavour of chocolate, Buchou's request needs something dense, like peanut butter or caramel" She draws a rough sketch of Rias's order "Akeno-senpai's request is more complex, because of the fire part, we'll need something more fragile, but still dense, like marshmallows, to hold the shape"
Rias leans in, watching Koneko's hands move as she diagrams the internal scaffolding needed for Akeno's flame sculpture. Grayfia, sleeves now dusted with cocoa powder, pauses mid-stir. "You're suggesting structural engineering for confectionery."
Koneko nods without looking up. "Chocolate architecture. Common in competition circuits." She taps the flame portion of Akeno's design. "This part requires isomalt strands—edible glass. Melts at 60°C." Akeno's eyes gleam as she traces the sketch. "So it'll shatter when he bites—"
"—like real flame consuming the sword," Rias finishes, suddenly gripping Akeno's wrist. "That's perfect." Their shared grin borders on frightening. "We can use spells to hold the shape of the sugar glass while waiting for them to cool down,"
Koneko slams a palm against the counter "Let's start with the sword, that's something you both have in common, we'll make it purely chocolate with edible color for painting" She comes to the control panel of the Sector to input her order 'Arto's sword', the Sector receives it and generate 2 metal molds for the sword, while also spawning all ingredients needed for their project.
Rias and Akeno immediately leaned forward to examine the molds—identical recreations of Arto's blade down to the Abyssgard crest etched near the hilt. Grayfia, now thoroughly invested, summoned a spectral ruler to verify the proportions. "Precision casting. Impressive." Koneko shrugged. "Standard procedure."
She demonstrated the pouring technique—tilting the mold just enough to prevent air bubbles—before handing Rias the first batch of tempered dark chocolate. "Slow. Steady." Rias' tongue poked out in concentration as she filled the grooves, her usual regal poise replaced by the frantic energy of a student cramming for exams.
Akeno, meanwhile, had already begun layering colored cocoa butter into her mold with surgical precision. "The fuller needs more silver," she murmured, blending shades with a paintbrush normally reserved for summoning circles. Koneko nodded approvingly. "Good eye."
While the 2 are pouring the chocolate into the mold, Koneko goes to mix the color for paint spraying and she found Grayfia's work, a simple coin-shaped piece of chocolate with delicate symbol of Abyssgard Legion at the front and Lucifuge symbol on the back, her lips twitch slightly, 'something practical for a head maid' she muses before preparing the airbrush.
"He would like it to be more personal, Miss Grayfia" Koneko comments, the head maid turns to her with a questionable look "I mean you should make it more 'Arto and Grayfia' instead of just...'Abyssgard and Lucifuge'. Senpai told me he doesn't have a surname, the name Abyssgard was a title more than a name, bestowed upon him by his Legion after completing a maturing trial, his name is just simply Arto"
Grayfia pauses mid-stroke—her spoon hovering over the molten chocolate—before her usual stoic mask cracks just enough to reveal genuine contemplation. "...Suggestions?" Koneko taps her spatula against the counter thoughtfully. "Incorporate something from your binding ceremony. The sigil you two forged together."
Grayfia's spoon clinks softly against the bowl as she sets it down with uncharacteristic hesitation. Then, with deliberate precision, she traces a new design—a simple tea cup of the tea set they usually drink together, made of white chocolate to mimic the porcelain and filled with the cooler and sweeter version of his favorite tea blend "This would do..." Grayfia said before continuing her work without needing any help from Koneko
Meanwhile, Rias lets out a frustrated noise as her chocolate sword cracks cleanly down the middle upon demolding. "Damn it!" Koneko barely glances up from mixing edible silver pigment. "Too thick. Cooled unevenly." She nudges another pre-warmed mold toward the crimson-haired devil. "Try again."
Akeno, meanwhile, has successfully extracted her own flawless blade—its surface gleaming with meticulously airbrushed metallic sheen. She holds it aloft with the reverence of a sacred relic. "Koneko-chan~ How long until we can start assembling the flame portion?"
"You can start once you're done with the sword, I'll take the coloring, you just need to fill the mold with just right amount of melted sugar, remember not to leave the lumps, they can ruin the entire piece" Koneko instructs as she finishes mixing the paint for Rias's sword—adding a drop of liquid nitrogen to stabilize the pigment before getting them into the painting gun.
She comes to Akeno to check on the sword and nods approvingly—the blade balanced perfectly with its weighted core. "Good. Now the fire." She slides over a syringe filled with liquid isomalt, its crystal blue hue shimmering under the kitchen lights. "Inject slowly. Three-second intervals."
Akeno's fingers tremble slightly—uncharacteristic for the peerage's queen—as she presses the syringe's plunger, watching molten sugar-glass spiral into the flame mold's hollow cavities. The isomalt solidifies almost instantly upon contact with the chilled interior, creating delicate fractal branches that mimic dancing fire. Rias abandons her third sword attempt to gape. "That's...actual sorcery."
"Food science," Koneko corrects, adjusting Akeno's wrist angle. "Five degrees left." The syringe hisses as another burst of blue-tinged syrup joins the sculpture, webbing outward like frozen lightning. Grayfia pauses her own meticulous tea-cup detailing to observe "Fascinating, you're adapting well to this kind of craft, Akeno"
Rias' fourth sword finally emerges intact—its surface gleaming under Koneko's approving nod. The Gremory heiress pumps her fist before freezing mid-celebration. "I still have the entire armor set before me..." She slumps forwards before the choice of her past-self before getting back to her station to make the armor's frame with Koneko's help
Akeno's fingers pause mid-syringe as the flame sculpture wobbles precariously. Koneko's hand darts out, steadying the base with practiced precision. "Too much pressure," she mutters, adjusting Akeno's grip. "Think of it like channeling lightning—gentle, then decisive." Akeno exhales through her nose before resuming—the isomalt strands now flowing in controlled, molten ribbons.
Grayfia's tea cup sets with perfect symmetry, its white chocolate surface smooth as porcelain. She traces the rim with a fingertip—"Perfect" She murmurs before turning back to see Koneko has completed the general sketch for the armor, what she pulled out next is the secret weapon that helped her make the complicated sculpture quickly, a set of....scalpels, but all missing the blade, the handles are connected to thin strings of mana that forming solid blade when active—portable laser cutters modified from Arto's spell diagrams.
Rias nearly drops her half-molded gauntlet. "Are those—"
"Precision tools," Koneko deadpans, activating the mana filaments—their humming edges glows in gentle light of blue "New surgical tools from Sitri R&D Division, using a thin string of mana formed by Stabilizer as the blade, completely sterile, always available, doesn't need maintenance, shared with the precision of an atom"
She flexes the blade "What special about this blade is that it can work to cut from any angle with the partly-activation mode" she made a gentle gesture on the scalpel as the whole blade disappeared, leaving only a fraction of it glowing "can insert and cut from any angle with partial activation" she demonstrated by sliding the inactive portion through a block of chocolate before activating just the tip inside—carving intricate details from difficult angles.
Grayfia leans forward—her tea cup forgotten. "Ingenious adaptation of magic-tech stabilization principles." Koneko nods, adjusting the filament's frequency. "Senpai modified them for delicate work." Her tail flicks toward Rias' half-finished armor mold. "We'll use this carve the details for the armor plates."
Rias hesitates, fingers hovering near the humming mana blade. "Isn't this… dangerous?" Akeno snorts, injecting another ribbon of blue isomalt into her flame sculpture. "More dangerous than you trying to summon a demonic lion in home ec last year?" Rias' cheeks flush crimson. "That was one time—"
Koneko grabs Rias' wrist and guides the filament through the chocolate breastplate—slicing cleanly through to reveal intricate Abyssgard engravings. "Pressure sensitive. Light touch." Rias exhales sharply as the blade glides effortlessly, leaving behind razor-thin filigree resembling Arto's actual armor seams. "Oh… it's like drawing with lightning."
Akeno abandons her syringe to peer over Rias' shoulder. "Mmm~ Can I try?" Koneko slides a second scalpel toward her just as Grayfia's teacup chimes—the white chocolate now bearing delicate gilded cracks mimicking Royal Lucifuge porcelain. The head maid examines Koneko's tools with newfound interest. "These would streamline cake decorating."
Akeno's first attempt sends a chocolate pauldron skittering across the counter. Koneko catches it mid-air with her tail. "Angle the filament." She adjusts Akeno's grip—her small hands surprisingly steady over the queen's trembling fingers. "Like threading a needle." Akeno's next stroke carves a perfect lightning motif along the armor's edge.
[Timeskip: Brought to you by a block of chocolate being carved neatly]
"Hell, that was exhausting" Rias exhales as she deactivates the scalpel and was immediately amazed by the shape it turned out to be, the details are extremely accurate, from the shining armor to the fabric hood over the knight's face, every detail is visible, but the masterpiece isn't complete yet as Koneko prepared the spray gun filled with metallic paint, she taps the chocolate with her finger and nods "Solid enough" before proceeding with the painting.
Akeno carefully lifts her completed flame-wreathed sword—the isomalt strands catching the light like frozen electricity—and presents it to Koneko for inspection. The nekomata sniffs, turning it slowly in her hands before nodding. "Good weight distribution. Won't snap when bitten." Akeno beams, stealing a glance at Grayfia's teacup—now adorned with tiny sugar pearls mimicking steam. "Ohhh, Grayfia-san~ That's lovely!"
Grayfia clears her throat, suddenly engrossed in polishing a nonexistent smudge from her cuff. "Merely... adequate." Rias takes a closer look at the pearl white tea cup "This is a masterpiece, I can imagine his face when seeing us eating the cup" she giggles, her mind is already playing a scene of Arto panicking with first aid kit and healing spells when seeing someone take a bite off the chocolate cup.
Turning back, they see the sculpture of Arto in armor is already done, the armor is posturing with the exact battle worn state of a 3000 years old veteran like Arto, Rias is already imagining his reaction when seeing his own armor turned into chocolate, Akeno's fire-wreathed sword is already finished, the sword planted inside a blue flame, symbolizing Arto's undying Will of Abyssgard—a callback to his legend before he fell into their world.
Grayfia's teacup is already done, the pearl white tea cup is already filled with the cooler and sweeter version of his favorite tea blend, the steam is made of sugar pearls, the cup is already placed on a small plate, the plate is made of chocolate with the symbol of Abyssgard Legion at the front and Lucifuge symbol on the back.
Koneko's own chocolate is already done, a simple chocolate bar with the words "Senpai" written in kanji, the chocolate bar is already wrapped in a simple paper, the paper is already tied with a red ribbon.
"Alright, we're done" Koneko announces, deactivating the mana blade and putting it back into the case, the case is already placed back into the drawer, the drawer is already locked with a simple spell, the spell is already casted by Grayfia.
Rias claps her hands together "Alright, let's store them for Valentine!" she exclaims, putting each one of them into the freezer of the Sector with a few more spells to maintain the temp in case the Simulation Room fluctuated, which isn't likely going to happen, but better safe than sorry. Grayfia nods approvingly "Indeed, though I suggest we prepare the packaging separately—these require specialized insulation."
Koneko pulls out four vacuum-sealed cases from a cabinet—each lined with temperature-regulating runes. "Prepped yesterday," she mutters, sliding the chocolate sculptures into the cases. When she is done "Now, get out of here, I have other orders to make, if you want to stay and help, I am not sharing the money" She states firmly, pointing at the exit.
Rias pouts, but Akeno just laughs and steers her toward the door—though not before sneaking a pinch of leftover chocolate into her mouth. Her eyes widen. "Wait. This is the competition-grade Belgian couverture?" Koneko's tail flicks smugly. "Obtained legally."
Grayfia's lips purse—but she says nothing as she follows them out, pausing only to glance back at Koneko, and come back to kitchen "I'll help you with the rest, both as my duty to Master, also a chance to use those scalpels"
Koneko's ears twitched at Grayfia's unexpected return, her whiskers curling slightly in suspicion. "You're not getting a cut of the profits." Grayfia merely rolled up her sleeves—the pristine maid uniform now speckled with cocoa powder—and activated a mana filament with surgical precision. "Master paid me to help his family, so don't worry...anyway, which sector provide these knives, I want a set"
The nekomata eyed Grayfia for a long moment before shrugging and tossing her a spare scalpel handle. "Senpai said it was from Sector 21: Sitri R&D HQ, branch 'Medical magic-tech/ Surgical/Precision Tools'...But you'll need clearance."
Grayfia heads out of sector 13, down the hall towards Sector 21 and starts accessing the Git system at the entrance of the sector, searching for the branch of 'Medical magic-tech/Surgical/Precision Tools', which leads her to a sub-branch that contains the scientists of Sitri clan working on surgical tools "Lady Grayfia, how can I help you today?" the leading scientist of the sub-branch comes to greet her.
Grayfia nods towards him "Well, I've been hearing about the new scalpel set that works on stabilized mana string, Koneko is currently using them for chocolate sculpting and I must say they're very efficient." She eyes the lab equipment with professional curiosity. "I need a set."
The scientist—Dr. Hikawa—blinks twice before adjusting his glasses. "Ah. The FF-7 'Filament' series. Experimental prototype." He gestures toward a sealed display case where several scalpels hover in stasis fields. "It would be a pleasure to use it to assist you, my lady...."
[Sector 13: Koneko's Kitchen]
The work of the Nekoshou continues as she finished many more sculptures for the orders at school on the high rush of Valentine day, the kitchen is filled with the smell of chocolate and sugar, the air is thick with the scent of cocoa and caramel, the sound of the mana blades humming as they cut through chocolate and sugar glass fills the room.
The only order left for today is of large quantity, 100 bags of choco soft bites from Yuuma Amano—the suspicious Fallen Angel disguised as transfer student—the deadline is set to be delivered tomorrow, she has already finished 50 bags by now, and the remaining 50 bags are neatly arranged in trays, waiting to be packed. Koneko's tail flicks irritably as she double-checks the order form, her nose wrinkling at the generic request. Too simple for such a large quantity.
She pauses mid-pour, ears twitching toward the Sector's entrance. The heavy doors hiss open, revealing Grayfia holding a sleek black case—the FF-7 Filament set glinting under the kitchen lights. "Acquired," the head maid announces, placing it on the counter with uncharacteristic pride. Koneko peers inside—twelve mana scalpels of varying lengths, each humming faintly with stabilized energy. "Took you long enough," she mutters, though her tail betrays a flick of interest.
Grayfia ignores the jab, rolling up her sleeves. "Where do we begin?" Koneko shrugs "None, it's already done, I used time-dilation to finish the work already, just a few more packing and I can call it a day and go take a bath" She takes out the tray of soft chocolate bites and hands it to Grayfi "Overmade, have a taste"
Grayfia accepts the proffered chocolate with a raised eyebrow—her fingers sinking slightly into the still-warm confection. A single bite confirms its quality: rich cocoa tempered by hints of vanilla and something faintly smoky. "That's delicious," she admits, dusting powdered sugar from her gloves. "But why the excess?"
Koneko's ears twitch toward the cooling racks where dozens of identical soft bites sit in perfect rows. "Standard procedure. Always make extras in case of defects." Her tail flicks toward a small waste bin filled with misshapen rejects. "Thirty-seven duds this batch. Higher than usual." She claps her hands and the sector cleans itself before she sets down her simulated apron and leaves the sector "You can feed Kuroka that if you can't finish them" she says before leaving Grayfia behind, walking down the hall toward the mansion above to bath.
[Arto's mansion - Kitchen]
Grayfia comes up from the Simulation Room to see Arto is cooking in the kitchen, the time in Sector 13 made her almost forget that it was dilated and it's only 7:00 pm in the real world. A simple meal made by the owner of this household—beef curry with rice—steams on the counter as he stirs the pot back in rounds while reading the research log of Simulation Room, answering questions from scientists of Gremory-Sitri with such ease that almost makes what he is doing something so common that anyone could do.
Another thing is that Koneko is hanging herself around Arto from behind by wrapping her arms around his neck "Senpai, ask the scientists to make the mana string scalpels into culinary mana knives set"
Arto doesn't even glance up from his research logs, flipping a page with one hand while adjusting the curry's heat with the other. "I'll have them noticed by tomorrow, the changing process is quite easy, but a caution, do keep it in the house, that thing is one atom sharp all the time so it's really dangerous, you should wear a mana shield each time using it" He answers casually while Koneko still hangs onto his back, her tail flicking in satisfaction. "Mn. Will train Grayfia too."
Grayfia comes in and settles the tray of extra choco bites down on the table "Master, my apology for not being present to cook dinner..." she bows herself courtly, knowing too well he doesn't mind her absence to help Koneko—he never complains, never demands, only ever smiles in that quietly pleased way whenever any of them pursue something beyond their assigned roles.
"Don't worry," Arto says, flipping another page with a flick of his wrist—somehow managing to season the curry mid-motion without spilling a single grain of spice. "I can cook too, so if you are busy elsewhere, do be busy elsewhere, I can take care of myself fine, just tell me before hand so that I can rearrange my schedule"
"That's dismissing my role as the head maid of this house, Master. What is my role around here if you can take care of yourself just fine?" She asked as if she was sad about what he said, but Grayfia was actually teasing him—she had learned to loosen up considerably since joining his household.
Arto chuckled, finally looking up from his logs—his mismatched eyes (one violet, one gold) crinkling at the corners. "Your role? Being Grayfia, of course." He tapped the wooden spoon against the pot's rim with practiced ease. "Not just a maid—never just a maid, you're my companion, my book friend, and the calm soul among the chaos of this house, you know I love them too much to not enabling their action no matter how weird it is, but someone needs to be the anchor here"
Grayfia's lips twitched—almost a smile—as she straightened. "Flattery won't excuse you from proper delegation, Master." But her fingers lingered on the tray of chocolates, rearranging them into a neat pyramid. Koneko, still draped over Arto's shoulders like a contented cat, sniffed pointedly. "Senpai, curry, gimme a spoon."
Arto flicked his wrist—a spoonful of steaming curry levitated toward Koneko's waiting mouth. She swallowed it whole, ears flattening at the heat. "Too much cumin," she declared, though her tail curled tighter around his waist. "But delicious" Grayfia looks at the scene before her, it's hard to not imagine a picture of Koneko and Arto as a white cat riding on top of a big gray wolf's back, 'Adorable' She thinks to herself as she assembles the choco bites into a plate for dessert.
[Timeskip: Brought to you by cat Koneko sleeping on stop of wolf Arto's back]
[Kuoh Academy]
The usual delivery of chocolate on the 12th of February is more buzzing than usual since it's Sunday and 2 days away from Valentine's Day—students crowding Koneko's makeshift stall near the school entrance. "Next!" she deadpans, sliding a velvet box toward a first-year whose hands tremble as she accepts the hyper-detailed idol sculpture meant for his crush.
Yuuma and Issei also arrived at school early today to get their big order "Hell, the line is crazy even if we came early" Issei said as he looks ahead of them, the line is already stretching around the corner of the building, students are already lining up for their orders, 100 bags of choco bites for the kids at the orphanage and the elders at the nursing home.
"Are you sure you can afford that much, Yuuma?" Issei repeated, eyeing his fellow volunteer who doesn't seem to faze by after placing the order from Koneko the day before "Don't worry, it's not much, I said it's for orphanage and nursing home so she made a discount for us" Yuuma answers, shifting her bag strap higher while the line crawls forward.
Issei hums, doubtful—but doesn't press further when Yuuma suddenly stiffens beside him. He follows her gaze to where Koneko stands atop a stool, her usual deadpan expression sharpening as she scans the crowd. Her golden eyes lock onto Yuuma for a fraction too long before she resumes boxing orders with mechanical efficiency.
"Next," Koneko calls, sliding two elaborate chocolate boxes toward a pair of giggling second-years. The intricate Gremory and Sitri crests molded into the lids gleam under the morning light—clearly commission pieces for Rias and Sona's fan clubs.
When their turn finally comes, Yuuma steps forward with rehearsed cheerfulness. "The bulk order for—"
"I know." Koneko cuts her off, jerking her chin toward four stacked crates behind the stall. "Check the quality with the samples on the crate, then pay up." Her tone is flatter than usual—the subtle shift only noticeable to those who've endured her scowls during training drills.
Issei and Yuuma follow Koneko's hand directions to the crate she set out for them, on top of it are 4 samples of the soft choco bites they ordered. "Shall we?" Yuuma invites Issei to eat the sample first, her smile tight at the edges as she plucks one from the tray. The chocolate melts instantly—rich and slightly floral, with an aftertaste that lingers like expensive red wine. Issei chews thoughtfully. "Tastes... fancier than I expected for bulk orders."
Koneko's ears twitch toward them as she counts bills for another customer. "Yeah, delicious, now pay up, there are people waiting behind you" She states flatly, not even looking up from the cash register. Yuuma's fingers tighten around her wallet—just for a second—before she pulls out a crisp envelope. "Of course. Here's the agreed amount, plus the rush order fee."
Issei blinks at the thick wad of yen. "Whoa, you really—"
"Business transaction complete," Koneko interrupts, snatching the payment and shoving a receipt at Yuuma. "Carry those yourselves. Next!"
The dismissal is so abrupt that the students behind them shuffle forward eagerly, forcing Issei and Yuuma to haul the heavy crates aside. As they maneuver through the crowd, Issei catches Yuuma glancing back at Koneko—her smile faltering when the nekomata deliberately turns away to serve the next customer.
"I didn't think she could complete it 2 days early..." Yuuma mutters as they leave the crowd "Now where do we store this much chocolate?"
Issei adjusts his grip on the crate, the scent of premium cocoa wafting through the air. "Storage room near the old gym?" he suggests, nodding toward the east wing. "The cleaning staff owes me a favor after I helped haul their equipment last month."
Yuuma's fingers dig into the crate's edges. "Perfect." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes as they navigate the courtyard—past the cherry blossoms already budding despite February's chill. And so they are on their way towards the destination "So, we're handing them out on Valentine?" Issei asks, adjusting his grip on the crate as he turns the corner towards the old gymnasium.
The storage room's rusted hinges scream when Issei shoulders the door open—revealing shelves of outdated volleyball nets and a lingering scent of mildew. Yuuma wrinkles her nose but sets her crate down with surprising care. "Actually," she says, brushing dust off her skirt, "I thought we'd distribute them tonight. It's Sunday so the children are all home, so do the elders, it's just a concern if they can truly eat these"
"I'll ask the nurses about it" Issei says while moving the crates to a cleaner spot in the room's freezer of the storage, getting out of there, he pulls out his phone to make a call to the nursing home to ask the nurse if the elders can eat the choco bites they have here "If they say no, we can....I don't know, sell them online or something, can't let you waste your money like that" He adds while dialing the number.
Yuuma watches Issei's back as he steps outside to make the call—her fingers tracing the edge of the crate lid with deliberate slowness. A flicker of something....conflicting crosses her face, 'Is it safe for me to be here?' Her nails dig into the cardboard as she glances at the freezer's condensation-dripped glass. Inside, rows of innocuous chocolate bags sit wrapped in golden foil—each stamped with Koneko's tiny pawprint logo.
'The military prowess of Gremory and Sitri would be scary enough to....hold them back.....right?' Yuuma asks herself again—something feels off in her guts—she shouldn't be here—she shouldn't have come—she shouldn't have stayed—she shouldn't have....attached....
Issei's voice cuts through her spiral—"Oh wow, that's amazing!"—as he strides back in, grinning. "Head nurse said the elders can eat them no problem—apparently Koneko-san already called ahead to confirm dietary restrictions!" He taps the crate with newfound reverence. "Even adjusted the sugar levels for diabetics. Damn, she's thorough."
Yuuma straightens her spine, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead "That's relieved to hear!" Her voice pitches slightly higher than usual—too bright, too quick. She clears her throat, fingers twitching toward her phone. "Ah, I'll...just message the orphanage director then. Maybe we can get the kids and the elders to gather for a small lovely party"
Without another word, Yuuma barges out of the storage room, leaving Issei wondering where she is going in such a rush. Unbeknownst to him, her phone is vibrating violently in her pocket—three missed calls from an encrypted number—she knows who this is.
"What?" She leans into a dark corner of an alley, clearly annoyed "Your time has run out like I said, Raynare, now tell me, have you specified the Sacred Gear that boy possesses? Or I'll have to gorge your tongue out to make you talk, you fucking snail?"
Raynare's breath hitches on the other end of the line—halfway between a laugh and a whimper. "I told you—he's worthless! Just some pathetic Twice Critical variant!" Her voice pitches higher, tinny with desperation. "Why else would I still be—"
Yuuma's—no, Raynare's knuckles whiten around the phone. "Liar." The word drips like poisoned honey. "If it's that simple, you wouldn't be lingering in that damn town for that long." A cold laugh escapes her phone. "Unless...you've gone native....or the devils have given you a better deal to defect"
"No..." Yuuma protests, the voice cuts in violently "Then tell me, what Sacred Gear does that fucking twat possess?" Raynare's silence stretches too long—long enough for the line to crackle with interference, long enough for Yuuma's stomach to knot itself tighter. When she finally speaks, her voice has shed its desperate edge, turning clinical. "I'll tell you, but you have to promise me one thing—"
A derisive snort cuts her off. "You're in no position to bargain, trash, letting you live another day is the best reward you can get, you annoying bitch." Yuuma's fingers dig into her skirt fabric, her other hand pressing the phone hard against her ear—hard enough that the plastic creaks. The encrypted line buzzes with static, or perhaps it's the tremor in Raynare's exhale.
"Then there won't be any more information handed over, like you could come here wreaking havoc against what Gremory and Sitri are having now." Raynare's voice dropped to a whisper—the kind that slithered between ribs. "Unless you want Azazel finding out about your little scheme" she threatens
A laugh came from the other side "Oh, now you think you can brag around now that you're in their territory, huh? You think they will protect you, Raynare?" It hisses "They will kill you before I could get my hand on you, fucking traitor. And do pray them to kill you first, because if I could get my hand on you...."
Raynare's gaze tremble frantically as her memories about the torture resurfaced, blurring her eyes in tears as phantom pain terrorizing her back "Then you....will....never....know....." she forced those words out, knowing there is no turning back from here, she already crossed the line, there is no redemption anymore, she knew it all too well.
"Heh, you got guts, Raynare, I'll give you that....let's say I'll entertain you, what is your condition?" the voice asks—almost amused—but the undercurrent of menace makes Raynare's breath hitch.
She swallows hard, pressing her back against the alley wall as if it could steady her. "I'll leave Grigori after this, and you must not pursue me or the boy any longer—swear it on Governor's wings." Her demand cracks halfway through, but the silence that follows is worse. Then—laughter. Not the amused kind, but the jagged, scraping sound of a blade being dragged across stone.
"To think that you've grown soft and attached to your target." The voice on the line drips with mock admiration. "How pathetic. Very well—your terms are accepted." The abrupt concession sends an icy jolt down Raynare's spine. "But if you're lying about the Sacred Gear..." A pause, then the sound of metal twisting—like a steel cable being frayed. "Let's just say I'll enjoy skinning that boy alive in front of you."
Raynare's phone screen cracks under her grip. "It's Boosted Gear"