Yuuto stood outside the café, hands tucked into his pockets as the morning breeze carried the scent of freshly ground coffee through the air.
'A date huh? I guess I've officially broken the mythical curse of not seeing this day as a certified loner in my past life'
His pulse quickened, but not from fear. He'd faced Cadres without flinching, but this? This was unfamiliar territory. Dating. Romance. Things he'd never had time for when survival consumed every waking moment.
'Does the dinner with Roygun count?' The question nagged at him. That evening had been business wrapped in seduction, politics with a side of flirtation.
He'd chosen dark fitted jeans, a charcoal henley that brought out the amber in his eyes, and a light gray jacket left unbuttoned. Simple and Classy for appearing more Confident without trying too hard.
A group of college-aged girls passed by, their conversation dying mid-sentence. Their eyes lingered, obvious interest written across their faces. One whispered to her friend, both glancing back with flushed cheeks.
Through the café window, a woman stared over her coffee cup, her gaze appreciative and unsubtle.
Yuuto remained unbothered, gaze fixed down the street.
'Being good looking is blessing and a curse.' The thought carried familiar weight. 'Are they interested in you, or just the face? The fantasy they can project onto you?'
'As a person, who lived as good looking and 'not good looking', I can say with certainty that Looks do matter'
"Yuuto-kun~"
The voice came from behind, warm and teasing with that particular musical quality that was uniquely Akeno's.
He turned.
Akeno stood there, one hand still raised from tapping his shoulder, her violet eyes bright and sparkling. She wore a burgundy sundress with delicate floral patterns flowing to just above her knees, a cream cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in glossy waves that caught the morning sunlight. Simple heels brought her nearly eye-level with him.
'Well, there are some who love me for me, not for my looks.'
The thought settled warmly as he smiled, genuine and easy.
"You look beautiful, Akeno. That dress suits you perfectly."
Her smile brightened, a faint blush coloring her cheeks despite her usual confidence. "Ara ara~ You clean up quite nicely yourself, Yuuto-kun." Her eyes traveled appreciatively over his outfit before meeting his gaze. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long?"
"Not at all." He extended his hand, palm up.
Akeno's fingers slipped into his without hesitation. Her smile turned radiant as she squeezed his hand.
"Then let's make today memorable."
---
They spent the morning wandering through Kuoh Town's shopping district. Akeno pulled him into a bookstore where she examined cookbooks with genuine interest, then a small boutique where she insisted on buying matching phone charms—"For luck, Yuuto-kun~"
Lunch was at a cozy ramen shop tucked into a side street. Akeno ordered spicy miso with extra chashu, her enthusiasm infectious as she dove in with unabashed enjoyment.
After lunch, they walked through the park. Akeno suddenly tugged him toward a photo booth near the entrance.
The space was cramped, forcing them close. Akeno's warmth pressed against his side, her perfume—something floral and sweet—filling his senses. The camera flashed three times.
For the fourth shot, Akeno turned and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
Flash.
Heat spread across Yuuto's face as Akeno giggled, clearly pleased with herself.
"Ara~ ara"
"That's not fair," he said, though his smile betrayed his words.
"All's fair in love and war." She grabbed the photo strips as they printed, examining them with delight. "Perfect! I'm keeping this one, and you get this one."
Yuuto carefully tucked his strip into his wallet, the warmth in his chest expanding.
"So..." Akeno's eyes sparkled with mischief. "There's a karaoke place nearby. Want to go?"
'Doom.'
The word resonated through his mind. He could still see Koneko's horror-stricken face, her small hands clapping over her ears. Asia's frozen smile as she prayed for it to end. His singing had been called "a crime against sound itself."
'I've brought doom upon Koneko and Asia. Their dreadful expressions still haunt me.'
But Akeno's excitement was genuine, her hope bright.
'How can I say no?'
"Sure. Sounds fun."
Her delighted laugh rang clear and joyful.
---
The karaoke box was small and intimate. Akeno sang first—her voice beautiful, melodious, hitting every note with precision. When she handed him the microphone, disaster struck immediately.
Akeno's expression shifted through surprise and barely contained amusement. To her credit, she didn't laugh, instead joining the chorus to help cover his off-key notes.
"Ara ara~ Everyone has their strengths. Yours just happen to lie elsewhere." Her smile turned warm. "Besides, I think it's endearing."
They continued for another hour. Somewhere in the middle, they ended up pressed close on the small couch, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Yuuto-kun," Akeno said softly between songs.
"Mm?"
"Thank you for today. For spending time with me like this." She looked up through her lashes. "Not as peerage members, but as... us."
Her vulnerability struck something deep. This wasn't the teasing Akeno or the battle-ready Queen.
His arm settled around her shoulders naturally. "I should be thanking you. Today has been perfect."
For a long moment, they sat in the dim light, the screen cycling through colorful patterns. Then Akeno tilted her head up, violet eyes meeting his. Her gaze dropped to his lips, then back—a silent question.
Yuuto answered by closing the distance.
The kiss was soft, then deepening as Akeno pressed closer, her fingers curling into his shirt. When they pulled apart, both slightly breathless, her cheeks were flushed.
"Ara ara~ I've wanted to do that for a while now, Yuuto-kun."
"Me too," he admitted.
"Well, now you do" She settled back against his side, fingers intertwining with his.
---
[ Occult Club Room ]
The familiar scent of old books and polish filled the air as Yuuto entered the clubroom. The setting sun cast long shadows across the wooden floor. He arrived just as Koneko padded in, already working on a chocolate bar.
Akeno entered moments later, her eyes finding his immediately. A small, private smile passed between them—the kind that carried shared secrets and new beginnings. She settled beside Rias's desk, but her gaze kept drifting back to him.
Asia arrived in a flutter of blonde hair, hands clasped in front of her. "Good evening, everyone!"
The door opened, and Rias swept in, crimson hair flowing behind her. Her blue-green eyes were serious, posture radiating authority. She moved directly to her desk, fingers steepling as she surveyed her peerage.
Yuuto straightened instinctively.
"Thank you all for coming," Rias began, her voice carrying weight. She took a breath, then smiled—genuine but with an undercurrent of excitement. "I have news regarding our departure to the Underworld."
The air shifted, tension coiling beneath the calm.
"We'll be leaving tomorrow evening. All of us." Rias rose from her chair with fluid grace. "It's time for Yuuto to receive his Evil Pieces and officially establish his own peerage."
The words hit Yuuto like cold water.
'Wait. No peace treaty?'
His mind raced. Kokabiel's attack should have triggered the three-faction meeting. The historic peace treaty. But he'd stopped Kokabiel before a Grigori member arrived, before the carefully orchestrated crisis could play out.
'Butterfly effect? My interference changed the timeline.'
Every action rippled outward. He'd been so focused on protecting Kuoh Town that he hadn't considered broader consequences.
'What else have I changed?'
"Is it necessary for everyone to go?" Yuuto asked carefully. "Just for my Evil Pieces?"
Rias's expression softened, pride flickering in her eyes. She straightened, puffing her chest slightly in that particular way she did when feeling especially confident.
"This is an important moment, Yuuto. When a reincarnated devil receives their Evil Pieces and becomes a King, their original King should be present to witness it." Her smile turned warmer. "Besides, my brother has been looking forward to meeting everyone. Especially you."
'Of course he has.'
Sirzechs Lucifer wanted to meet the knight who'd nearly killed a Phenex heir and then took down a Cadre. Not to mention, the late night training sessions during the Rating Game preparations
"When do we leave?" Yuuto asked.
"Tomorrow evening at six." Rias settled back into her chair. "Pack lightly—we won't be gone long. Three days at most."
Yuuto stood slowly, chair scraping softly against wood.
Everyone's attention shifted to him instantly.
The room quieted. Rias tilted her head, curious. Akeno's eyes softened with understanding. Even Koneko looked up from her chocolate.
'Now or never.'
"Before we go," Yuuto said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of emotion, "I need to say something."
Rias gestured for him to continue.
He took a breath, organizing his thoughts. The words had been building inside him for weeks.
"I want to thank all of you for standing beside me through everything we've faced. You're not just my peerage or comrades—you've become people I care about deeply."
His gaze found Rias.
"Rias, you saved me when Valper's experiments should have killed me. When I was nothing but a broken, vengeful boy with no future, you offered me not just a place to live, but a new identity. A new life. A purpose." His voice grew softer. "I was shattered, and you gave me the pieces to rebuild myself."
Rias's eyes glistened with emotion, her hand moving to her chest. She remained silent, letting him continue.
"All of you—Akeno, who challenges and supports me. Koneko, who grounds me with honest perspective. Asia, whose kindness reminds me what I'm fighting for. You've all become precious to me in ways I never thought possible."
He paused, gathering resolve for what came next. His hands clenched slightly, then relaxed.
"That's why I want to abandon the name Yuuto Kiba."
Shocked silence crashed through the room.
Asia gasped softly. Koneko's eyes widened fractionally, Rias straightened, surprise evident.
Akeno remained still, but understanding glimmered in her violet eyes.
"From now on, I want to be called Isaiah." His eyes blazed with conviction. "To honor and remember the ones who helped me survive the Holy Sword Project. The friends who died so I could live." His voice carried the weight of memory and loss. "They deserve to be remembered. Their sacrifices shouldn't fade into nothing. They gave me their hope, their strength. The least I can do is carry their memory forward."
The silence stretched.
"Isaiah..." Rias repeated softly, testing the name. Her expression shifted through surprise, comprehension, and finally—profound respect. Her eyes glistened but she smiled, genuine and warm. "That's beautiful. It's a perfect way to honor them."
"Isaiah-san" Asia whispered, her smile radiant with acceptance. "It's a wonderful name."
"Isaiah senpai" Koneko said simply, her voice carrying more weight than usual. She nodded once, firmly. "Good name."
Akeno's smile was radiant, proud and warm. "It suits you perfectly, Isaiah-kun. Your friends would be honored."
'It's about time.'
The thought echoed with crystal clarity, as he clenched his fists slightly.
'To stop being just Rias Gremory's Knight. Time to forge my own path, build my own strength with my peerage and create my own legacy'
'To take my first step to rule the Underworld'
The ambition no longer felt distant. It felt real, tangible, within reach.
. . .
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