The school bell rang, and immediately the room filled with noise as all the students began getting ready to leave. Desks instantly turned into springboards toward the freedom that awaited outside.
Issei next to me yawned and stretched before starting to pack his things into his bag, clearly already tired from the day but also tense about something he was undoubtedly planning to do.
"So, Mephisto?" he asked as he lifted his bag. "Going anywhere today?"
"Maybe home. Maybe just for a walk. I like the peace," I replied with a smile, watching how he tried to act normal. I knew he already had something planned because there was a tension in his eyes.
"Fair enough," he said with a shrug as he headed toward the door.
We left the school together. The sun was still shining, and outside there was that typical afternoon bustle – laughter, conversations, the steps of people hurrying home. As we passed through the gate, I noticed Issei slowing down as a girl appeared in front of us. She was beautiful, her smile soft yet intense, and her eyes sparkled with clear interest.
I understood immediately what was happening. The way she approached him wasn't random. There was certainty in her walk – I could feel she had a plan.
"Excuse me, are you Hyoudou Issei?" she asked with a smile that would make any guy feel a wave of nervousness.
Issei turned red to his ears and, looking a little flustered, replied, "Uh… yeah! That's me!"
The girl smiled even more brightly, as if completely satisfied with the confirmation. "I think you're cute. Would you like to go out with me sometime?"
Issei nearly choked. "WHAT?!"
I watched the whole scene with a slight smile but also a sense of tension. I knew who she was. That girl wasn't just some "normal" student. The way she smiled, the tone of her voice... it was a tool, a weapon – and I knew this meeting was no coincidence. That was Raynare. A deceiver with a plan.
"We could go out this Sunday. What do you think?" the girl continued, with a subtle pressure in her voice that easily slipped by unnoticed.
"Uh, yeah, that sounds great," Issei replied, still a little dazed but clearly excited.
I watched the whole thing, my eyes tracking every detail. Issei was thrilled, unaware of what was really going on, while I knew the truth behind it all. They arranged a date for Sunday, and when the girl walked away, Issei just stood there as if reality had only just caught up to him.
"Is this... is this really happening to me?" he whispered to me as she disappeared into the crowd.
"Looks like it," I answered calmly, a bit smugly. "Enjoy it."
"See you tomorrow!" he said as we parted ways.
After saying goodbye to Issei, I headed home. He had a date with Raynare ahead of him, but I knew what was truly hidden behind that encounter. In his eyes, there was only innocent joy and excitement, while I was the one who saw beneath the surface. My view of the world was different from his – and that's what made me stronger. I walked through the city, feeling peace and quiet slowly take hold of me. I was glad to be alone, not relying on anything that would distract me from what really mattered.
The next day after school, I sat in my seat and watched the other students pack up and prepare to leave. Issei was glowing, his eyes still full of joy, like the world belonged to him. But as I was about to leave the classroom, I noticed someone approaching me.
"Mephisto?" a calm, familiar voice called out.
I turned around and saw Kiba. His expression was more serious than usual.
"Do you have a moment?" he asked, his eyes carrying a hidden meaning, suggesting this wouldn't be a regular conversation.
Issei, who was just packing up, turned curiously and watched us. "What's going on, Kiba?" he asked, clearly nervous that I wouldn't be going with him.
Kiba looked at Issei and calmly replied, "Just for a moment. Mephisto, would you follow me?"
Issei looked at me, then at Kiba. It was clear he was curious, but Kiba simply added, "It's nothing bad. Just a small matter."
I looked at Kiba, curiosity in my eyes, but I also knew this was something I wouldn't get an immediate answer to. I could feel Kiba had something important to tell me, but I had to wait.
"Let's go," I said, stood up, and followed him.
The other students started noticing us. Some looked at each other with surprise, others began whispering. It was clear Kiba was leading me somewhere, and no one knew why.
I quickly called out to Issei, "See you later!"
Kiba led the way and I followed, not knowing what to expect.
When we reached the room, he opened the door and we entered. The clubroom was calm, more like a place for serious matters than a typical school room. At the table sat Rias and Akeno, who were chatting. As soon as we entered, both of them looked at me, their expressions shifting to friendly, yet purposeful.
[POV Rias]:
As soon as he entered, the atmosphere changed. Mephisto had a unique calmness, like he already knew where he belonged, even if he hadn't admitted it yet. I had felt before that there was more to him. Something that was just beginning to awaken. He was the type of person who didn't buckle under pressure, but when he chose to act, he did so with conviction. And those were the kind of allies I wanted by my side.
"Hello, Mephisto," I said with a smile. "Glad to see you. We had something we wanted to talk to you about."
Akeno leaned forward, her eyes glittering slightly. "Ara ara, I think you might find it interesting," she said, and I added more seriously, "I'd like to offer you something. But first, let me ask – how do you like our school?"
"Like anyone else, I guess," he replied calmly, keeping a poker face.
"That's good. So, I'd like to offer you a place in our club. Sounds a bit mysterious, right? But trust me, it could be something you'd find… intriguing," I said with a more serious tone.
Kiba stood beside him, ready to support our offer. His face was calm, but his eyes showed this was a truly important step.
"If you don't mind, we'd love to invite you among us," Akeno added with a mischievous smile. "There's a lot of interesting things you could learn and do." Then she licked her lips.
Mephisto looked at us all for a moment, as if weighing us in his mind. His silence wasn't rejection — it was consideration.
"Can I have time to think?" he asked calmly.
"Of course," I replied. "There's no rush. But the decision will be yours."
[MC POV]
After hours of quiet thought during an evening walk around the school grounds, I stopped. The wind gently rustled the trees, and bells could be heard in the distance. Something inside me stirred.
This isn't just some ordinary offer. And they know that. But maybe... that's why it matters. "Alright... I'll join," I muttered to myself. And at that moment, as if fate had heard me, I spotted Akeno standing by the door. She was smiling. Waiting.
[POV Akeno]:
I'd been waiting for him. I didn't know exactly why, but something in me wanted him to come now. And he did. His eyes were different from our first meeting – steadier, more resolved. I liked that. A lot. "I'm glad you came," I said with a smile, and slowly leaned close to his ear. "I didn't know you were so… fascinating."
His reaction was subtle, but attentive. He chuckled.
"I'm just a guy, Akeno."
"Oh, sure... But sometimes you can be more than that, can't you?" I whispered, letting my voice drop just a little, just for him. I felt something shift in him. Not fear. Curiosity. I played with it. Intentionally. And he knew.
"Maybe next time, Akeno," he said as he walked down the hallway. His words weren't rejection — they were a door left ajar. Just how I like it.
[MC POV]
On the way out of school, I caught sight of Sona with a few members of her noble peerage. I greeted them politely, without unnecessary words. Their gazes followed me as I passed, but I didn't stop.
At home, I settled in and slowly prepared for the next day. The decision was made. I closed my eyes and let all thoughts fade. Tomorrow would be different.