With club activities suddenly canceled, Bokue Keikain found himself, for once, behaving like a proper "Go-Home Club" member.
Leaving school at barely three in the afternoon—this was a first since transferring to Kuoh Academy.
It reminded him of that saying: "Instead of taking a sure path to a million-yen monthly salary as the acting head of the Keikain clan, you're running around on part-time gigs, working overtime until seven or eight in the evening."
In other words, "Why choose the tough, erratic route instead of a stable one?"—or so he joked to himself.
❁❁❁❁
"Go Home, Go Home~"
Humming that little tune you hear right before a supermarket closes, Bokue left the classroom after bidding Asia farewell.
As he emerged from the academic building and crossed the central pathway toward the school gate, an unexpected figure came into view.
At around 3:00 PM, the school's sports clubs had just started, while the Go-Home club crowd was mass exiting. Some wealthier families also sent drivers to pick their kids up, so the gates were teeming with people—second only to the morning rush.
Even so, the bold Red standing by the gate was impossible to miss, like a pop of color in an otherwise monochrome panel. Anyone scanning the scene would notice her instantly.
It was Rias.
Bokue raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Just minutes ago, Akeno texted him that Rias wasn't feeling well, so club was off.
Now, here she was—why?
It certainly wasn't a coincidence.
Sensing a familiar gaze, Rias—who had been standing there like a statue—blinked, turning her head. The moment she recognized Bokue among the throng, that "frozen rose" demeanor thawed, a soft, gentle smile blooming on her face.
She lifted a hand, beckoning him over.
'…?'
A question mark formed above Bokue's head, but he complied.
"What are you doing here by yourself? Akeno told me you were under the weather… Are you all right?"
"Mmm… well, physically I'm fine. I'm just a little… never mind. More importantly—are you busy right now?"
"Not really. Why?"
It wasn't like he was in a hurry to get home—he'd gained a solid two hours on his usual schedule. Plenty of time.
At his response, a trace of relief and happiness flickered across Rias's face.
"Then, come hang out with me for a bit."
With that, she reached out and grabbed Bokue's hand.
'Huh?'
Now that was unexpected. Sure, going for a walk together was no big deal. But for Rias—one of the top campus idols at Kuoh—to hold hands with Bokue at the crowded front gates right after school?
Wasn't that a bit… explosive?
Single guys may be jokingly called "Dogs," but they're still living human beings.
Displaying such blatant intimacy felt like blinding them with a flashbang.
And indeed, the moment their hands intertwined, the bustling gate area fell silent. Everyone's eyes zeroed in on them.
"Oops… guess this is kind of…"
Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Rias threw Bokue a playful, apologetic look. Then she tossed out a line straight out of a dramatic teen romance:
"We're gonna run—ready?!"
She bolted through the crowd, tugging Bokue—who tried to play it cool by staring off at nothing.
A heartbeat later, the dam broke behind them, unleashing a tidal wave of anguished howls from the many onlookers. The sorrowful cries roared like a funeral dirge, but that was none of Bokue's concern.
They quickly sprinted clear of the campus gates, and the cacophony faded with distance. Eventually, they pulled up in the nearby shopping district.
❁❁❁❁
"Hah… hah… haha—Bokue, did you see their faces…? Priceless…"
Rias leaned over, hands braced on her knees, breathing hard. Her hair tumbled forward as she let out airy chuckles in between ragged breaths.
"Yeah, I saw it."
Bokue patted her back lightly, helping her catch her breath.
"Still, if all you wanted was a stroll, you didn't have to be so dramatic."
"Well, I guess I got carried away. Sorry, sorry."
Once she'd steadied her breathing, Rias grabbed Bokue's hand again.
"All right—let's keep going."
❁❁❁❁
It was still early, so the local shopping street hadn't reached its usual post-school rush. For a while, they walked without speaking, until Bokue broke the silence.
"I asked Asia about you. She said you've seemed really preoccupied these last couple of days."
"Mm, I… guess so."
Rias pursed her lips, seeming indecisive.
"Bokue… remember when you said if we—me, Akeno, and the others—ever needed help, you'd come save us? You still stand by that?"
"Huh? Of course I do. Why? Is somebody after you?"
Bokue frowned.
A direct enemy threat wouldn't normally rattle Rias; she'd just gather her people and handle it. No need for this cloak-and-dagger approach.
"Yeah… you could say I'm being targeted, but… not in that sense…"
Rias's voice trailed off as her steps slowed. She finally halted altogether.
"Anyway… we're here."
"Ah?"
Following her gaze, Bokue looked up.
Somehow, they'd come to a Love Hotel...
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