Chapter 5 - Souvenir From The Underworld
Rias smiled and nodded.
As the overseer of Kuoh Town, she couldn't allow a murderer to roam freely.
"And because of this, I have a proposal you might find interesting," Rias continued.
"Go on," Evan said.
"Remember when I had Koneko invite you to join my peerage? You declined, and I reflected on it. Not everyone needs to become a devil, so I let it go," Rias said solemnly.
Evan's pride, though unspoken, was evident. An all-round talent like him wouldn't join her peerage without compelling reason.
"A wise choice," Evan replied calmly. "If you'd asked again today, we likely wouldn't meet in the future."
Rias's heart tightened. She had considered renewing her offer, but Evan's words made her abandon the idea. Unlike her peerage, who joined due to homelessness or vendettas—Evan was different. Powerful, wealthy, and living in a spacious villa, he lacked the desires that made others receptive to her invitations.
Akeno and Koneko remained silent, familiar with Evan's character and his lack of malice.
"Here's my proposal: we'd like to collaborate with you," Rias said, clearing her throat.
"As the lord of Kuoh Town, I'm responsible for its safety. But for reasons unknown, crime has surged over the past two and a half years. Ghouls, cursed spirits, stray exorcists, and stray devils are reported every few days. My peerage is stretched thin just monitoring angels and fallen angels. Even splitting our efforts, we're barely managing. I'd like your assistance on the side."
"What are the specifics?" Evan asked, intrigued. This aligned with his own intentions.
Rias produced an obsidian badge engraved with the Gremory Clan crest. "This is a communication tool. If an emergency arises, a familiar will contact you. You're free to accept or decline. If you complete a task, we'll compensate you—monetarily or with other rewards, if you prefer."
Evan nodded. "Alright, I'll take it."
Rias's face lit up. His acceptance addressed her pressing need. Her request was purely professional, devoid of any intent to recruit him into her peerage.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going," Evan said.
"Oh, wait—one more thing," Rias added. "A gift for little Est. Please accept it."
Evan hadn't concealed Est's existence, so Rias, Sona Sitri, and others knew he had a sword spirit that could take human form—a rather adorable one.
"I'll thank you on Est's behalf," Evan said, accepting the gift without hesitation.
He stood and left. Koneko, catching Rias's subtle glance, followed him out.
As the door closed, Akeno narrowed her eyes, smiling at the visibly tired Rias. "Have you truly given up, Rias?"
"What else can I do?" Rias sighed, slumping onto the sofa, her chest swaying noticeably. "No matter how generous my offer, Evan won't budge. I'd do the same in his position."
"You've matured, Rias," Akeno said warmly. "The old you would've kept pushing to recruit him."
"I'm retreating to advance," Rias admitted. "Forcing him would only backfire, and I'd rather not sour things with him."
"He's exceptional, even beyond his combat skills," Akeno noted.
"I have an idea," Akeno added mischievously. "Propose marriage, Rias. Pillow talk is persuasive, and as the Gremory son-in-law, he'd stand by you without a vassal contract."
"That's not funny, Akeno," Rias said, rolling her eyes.
Yet, she couldn't deny the idea's potential. The cost, however—herself—was steep.
---
Outside the campus, Koneko and Evan walked side by side.
"Evan, don't you like the President?" Koneko asked abruptly.
"There are many kinds of liking," Evan countered. "Which do you mean?"
"Just general impression—good or bad," Koneko clarified. "The President means no harm. She's… immature, but she'll grow into an exceptional high-class devil and family head."
Evan reached out, ruffling Koneko's hair. "Maturity's not a word for you yet, Koneko."
"I know," she said, unfazed. "But the President's trying hard. I just hope you don't dislike her."
"Alright, I can agree to that," Evan said, then smirked. "But have you been playing Cyberpunk 2077 too much? Who'd you pick this up from?"
Koneko fell silent, caught off guard. As a seasoned gamer, she'd mimicked a character's behavior after binging the game, a habit that typically faded in a week. Reality, after all, differed from games.
"By the way, did you know it has a spin-off anime?" Evan asked.
They neared the school gate, the area quiet after his meeting with Rias.
"Evan… do you have it?" Koneko's eyes sparkled. "I missed the early release."
"It's at home. Want to come get it?"
"Yes!" Koneko agreed instantly, no hesitation.
In the old school building, Akeno watched their departing figures, then turned to Rias with a teasing smile. "Seems even Koneko's charm outshines ours."
"Koneko's so pure," Rias mumbled, half her face peeking over the table. "Few boys could resist a cute girl like her."
She sighed, murmuring, "I'm jealous."
Thoughts of her lingering engagement weighed on her, deepening her melancholy.
---
At Evan's villa, Koneko removed her school-issued leather shoes at the entrance, revealing small feet in white socks, and slipped into indoor slippers. She followed Evan into the living room.
"Make yourself at home," Evan said. "I'll grab the disc. We'll eat here tonight."
"Alright," Koneko replied, setting her schoolbag down. She sank into the living room sofa, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV with practiced ease.
A faint, otherworldly presence stirred, making Koneko's heart skip. A silver-haired sword spirit, Est, materialized behind her, her violet eyes blank yet piercing, her petite frame like a doll's.
"Here to play today?" Est asked, her voice monotone.
"Mm," Koneko nodded, her own expression reverting to its usual stoicism, mirroring Est's.
Since bonding with Evan, Koneko had grown close to Est. Est's human form, limited by an incomplete contract, appeared only at home or in combat, her energy conserved through rest in her sword form, Terminus Est.
"This is a souvenir from the Underworld," Koneko said, offering a gift—a popular Underworld snack, classic and sweet.
Est's eyes lingered on the package, a faint drool escaping her lips. After sleeping most of the day in sword form, she was hungry.
When Evan returned, he found the two near-expressionless girls munching snacks, their stoic facades almost comically alike.