Somewhat surprisingly—even to herself—Akeno admitted who she was in front of Jun. The confession slipped out just like that, without any careful planning, as if those words had been held back in her chest for far too long.
Jun realized the situation had turned dangerous.
And as always, he chose the safe path.
He pretended to be shocked, slightly exaggerated.
"W–Whaaa, you grew wings!" he exclaimed as he stepped back half a pace, forcing his expression to look as innocent as possible.
Akeno looked at him for a few seconds, then smiled faintly. The same smile as always—gentle, full of secrets. She turned away, though Jun could still see the faint blush at the nape of her neck. Both of her hands reflexively moved to cover her chest, a natural gesture that contradicted the bravery she had just shown.
"Jun," she said softly, but firmly.
"I hope you'll reveal yourself as well."
"W–what do you mean?" Jun asked. This time, his voice sounded more cautious than confused.
Akeno glanced back slightly. Her eyes were half-lidded, scrutinizing Jun's face sharply.
"Didn't you say it yourself—that it's not good to hide your identity from a friend?" she continued. "It's hard for me to act normally while I keep suspecting who you really are."
She took a breath, then added, "Don't worry. For now, I won't tell anyone."
Jun fell silent.
In his mind, the carefully arranged plan he had prepared began to shift. He did intend to reveal who he was—but not now. Not in this quiet shrine. Rather, on the stage of the three-faction conference, when all parties had gathered and there was no path of retreat.
But Akeno's gaze was too serious to avoid.
"Haah…" Jun let out a long sigh. "Cover yourself first."
"No," Akeno shook her head lightly. "Not before you tell the truth."
Silence once again enveloped the room.
At last, Jun shrugged slightly, as if yielding to the current.
"Alright…" he said. "Don't be shocked, okay?"
Akeno swallowed and nodded. Anxiety was clearly visible in her eyes, mixed with a curiosity she couldn't suppress.
Jun closed his eyes for a moment.
Then—he loosened a small seal within himself.
Not completely. Just a tiny gap.
But it was enough.
The air in the room changed instantly. A heavy pressure descended like an invisible curtain, making Akeno's breath catch. Demonic Qi flowed out of Jun's body—dense, cold, and ancient. Not the aura of an ordinary devil. This was something far more primordial, far more savage, yet perfectly controlled.
Akeno reflexively took a step back.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could say anything, the aura vanished. As if it had never been there. Jun opened his eyes again, his expression calm, almost casual.
"S–so you're…" Akeno's voice trembled.
"You can guess it," Jun cut in flatly. "We've met before. Under a different name."
He picked up the cup of matcha tea in front of him and took a slow sip.
"Cheon Ma."
The word struck Akeno's mind like lightning.
Cheon Ma.
Heavenly Demon.
A being whose name circulated through the supernatural world as a dangerous anomaly. An existence that belonged to neither heaven, hell, nor the underworld. A presence whose mere existence was enough to put the leaders of the races on guard.
And now—
He was sitting right in front of her. Sipping the tea she had made herself.
"You look very shocked," Jun said casually, as if he had just confessed to being an old neighbor. "What do you think of me?"
"That…" Akeno opened her mouth, but the words didn't come out immediately.
Not because the Demonic Qi had appeared again.
But because the atmosphere around Jun had completely changed.
It felt—
like standing before a being with status.
Similar.
Very similar.
Like when she stood before Sirzechs Lucifer.
Not simply because of overwhelming power, but because that existence itself seemed to be on a different level.
Akeno realized it only now—Jun had been restraining almost everything this whole time.
And that was precisely what was most terrifying.
She sank into her own thoughts, her breathing slightly uneven. The world around her felt as though it were narrowing, as if the shrine room was no longer a safe, familiar place, but a point where two paths that should never cross had intersected.
Jun noticed the change.
He let out a soft sigh and stepped closer. With a calm—almost gentle—motion, he pulled Akeno's clothing back into place, covering her exposed shoulders. The gesture was simple, yet enough to break the tension for a moment. When he stood beside her, he made sure their eyes met.
"Don't be afraid," Jun said quietly. "I'm not as dangerous as you think."
"But… you…" Akeno tried to speak, but the right words refused to come. Everything in her mind was tangled together: long-held suspicion, relief at finally knowing the truth, and genuine fear.
Jun simplified it for her.
"Shocking?"
Akeno gave a small nod.
Jun smiled faintly—not a teasing smile, nor a cold one. It was the smile of someone who had long since made peace with a bitter reality.
"Sorry for hiding this from you," he said. "Actually, I already know who you are… and who Rias is, and your other friends as well."
Akeno fell silent.
"A white cat that always keeps its distance," Jun continued casually. "A man bound to his own tragic past." He paused for a moment. "And a stubborn fire-breathing lizard."
Akeno knew exactly who he meant.
Koneko.
Kiba.
Issei.
She lowered her head. Her feelings were tangled—part embarrassment that their secrets had not been completely hidden, and confusion over how all of this had escaped her notice until now.
But Jun wasn't finished.
He lifted Akeno's chin with two fingers, forcing her to look back at him. This time, his gaze held no pressure—only bare honesty.
"Akeno," he said softly. "I'm just a lost person who doesn't really know where he belongs."
Akeno remained silent, waiting.
"The reason I've done all of this," Jun continued, "isn't for power. Not for chaos. I'm just… looking for the remnants of my origin."
"Your origin?" Akeno repeated quietly.
Jun nodded.
"Jianshi," he said. "I'm a successor of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
There was a brief pause, as if he were making sure the words landed properly.
"My real name is Seong Ga-u."
The name felt human, yet distant—as if it came from another life that could no longer be touched.
Jun revealed his original name from before his transmigration. He was born and raised in South Korea, living his life as a soldier. A harsh life, filled with orders and loss. But all of that belonged to a past he did not wish to carry into this world.
He didn't want anyone to remind him of that life.
"I think that's enough," Jun continued after a moment of silence. He released his fingers from Akeno's chin and turned away. "Sorry for making you worry."
He sat back down, taking on an attitude as if the conversation were already over.
Akeno, without realizing it, sat down as well. Her legs felt weak, her body moving faster than her thoughts. Her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly, as if she had just emerged from a storm.
"So… are you satisfied?" Jun asked without turning around.
Akeno nodded faintly, purely out of reflex.
"I-if you say so…"
The formal tone slipped out unconsciously.
Jun turned around. His gaze wasn't sharp, but there was something cracked within it.
"Akeno," he said quietly, "please… don't use formal words like that."
He stood up.
"That's the same as saying our relationship as friends is over."
Those words fell heavier than any confession before.
Akeno fell silent. She wanted to say something—anything—but the words caught in her throat. She felt a sudden gap open between them, like a chasm appearing without warning.
Jun felt it too.
He let out a short sigh.
"Sorry."
Just one word.
Then he walked away, leaving the living room, leaving Akeno still drowning in her own thoughts.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
'Ah!'
Akeno's thoughts suddenly cleared.
'He's leaving…'
Her heart pounded hard.
'He's really leaving!'
Panic crept up. Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She sprang to her feet and ran, out of the room, toward the door where Jun was about to leave the house.
"WAIT!!"
The shout escaped her without her realizing it.
In a single impulsive motion, Akeno hugged Jun from behind. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if afraid that if she loosened her grip even a little, he would disappear.
Her breath trembled.
For the first time since the conversation began, Akeno didn't think about race, power, or secrets.
She knew only one thing—
She didn't want to lose him.