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A few days later.
Rias Gremory stood quietly on the rooftop of Kuoh Academy, the afternoon sun bathing her crimson hair in warm light.
Her emerald eyes followed a familiar figure walking along the street below.
Golden hair.
Straight posture.
Unshakable presence.
"So… it really is him."
Her voice was soft, almost distant.
Beside her, Sona Sitri adjusted her glasses.
"Yes. Gilgamesh."
Sona's gaze was sharp, analytical, as always.
"His magical aura is quite refined. Subtle, controlled—yet dense. Strong enough that he's already aware something is wrong with us. He's highly skilled in kendo and archery, though he stopped attending clubs for reasons I haven't uncovered yet. His academic performance places him first in the entire school."
Sona paused.
There was a faint irritation in her voice.
"Which displaced me."
Rias gave a small, awkward smile.
Sona continued.
"He's also gained several titles among the students. 'King of Kuoh Academy.' 'Golden Lion of Kuoh Academy.'"
Rias tilted her head.
"Koneko also sensed something inside him," she added quietly. "Something powerful… ancient. It wouldn't surprise me if he possesses a Sacred Gear. Or perhaps… he's descended from a legendary hero."
Sona nodded slowly.
"He probably is."
Rias hummed.
"But why 'Lion'?" she asked. "I still don't quite understand that part."
Sona folded her arms.
"Because he isn't wild," she said calmly. "He doesn't lash out. He doesn't posture. He doesn't seek attention."
She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"Lions don't attack unless necessary. They observe. They measure. They wait. Gilgamesh does the same. He moves only when it matters. He's intelligent, composed… and naturally above the rest."
Rias let out a soft laugh.
"That was surprisingly poetic, Sona."
Sona didn't reply.
Her eyes had drifted to several female students approaching Gilgamesh, laughing nervously as they tried to start a conversation.
Her expression hardened.
Then she spoke.
"I want him."
Rias froze.
"He's ideal for my Student Council," Sona continued without hesitation. "Intelligent. Responsible. Charismatic. His reputation would strengthen our influence, and he's more than capable of contributing meaningfully. I still have several Evil Pieces available."
She exhaled slowly.
"The only reason I haven't recruited him already is because of you, Rias."
Rias said nothing.
"If Gilgamesh truly has hidden potential," Sona went on, "then he would be invaluable to your Peerage against Riser."
Silence stretched between them.
Rias already knew.
Gilgamesh wasn't just popular.
He helped struggling students.
He repaired broken equipment.
He solved logistical problems that normally required staff intervention.
He carried himself like someone accustomed to responsibility.
Sona had planned to recruit him eventually.
She wanted to observe him longer.
Study his habits.
Measure his growth.
But everything changed when Rias' engagement was suddenly accelerated.
Her father refused to explain.
Sirzechs avoided the subject.
Desperate, Rias had turned to Sona.
If Gilgamesh was truly special… then maybe he could become her escape.
Sona hadn't been happy.
To her, it felt like cultivating a rare flower for months—only for someone else to arrive just before it bloomed.
If it had been anyone else, she would have fought.
But Rias was her closest friend.
Her rival.
Her sister in everything but blood.
So she yielded.
Once.
If Rias failed, there would be no second chance.
"Don't worry," Rias said softly. "When I bring Gilgamesh in, I'll make sure he visits the Student Council too."
Sona nodded.
But internally, she scoffed.
When.
Not if.
She understood Rias perfectly.
"The Fallen Angels have already begun moving, just like you predicted," Sona said calmly. "I hope you get what you want."
Rias clenched her fists.
"I must," she whispered. "For the sake of my dream… I must."
Neither of them noticed the small ladybug perched on the railing.
Watching.
Listening.
Reporting.
.............
With Gilgamesh
It had been weeks since Gilgamesh relocated to Kuoh City.
Long enough for routines to settle.
Long enough for rumors to spread.
Valerie's training with Sephiroth Graal had advanced steadily. Her control had improved dramatically, though Gilgamesh still refused to let her push too far.
At school, devils continued to approach him in subtle ways.
He ignored them all.
Somehow, he had gained titles.
King of Kuoh Academy.
Golden Lion of Kuoh Academy.
He had never asked how.
Mordred had gained one too.
"Princess of Kuoh Academy."
She despised it.
She had also joined the Kendo Club.
Within three days, she became captain.
Not through votes.
Through violence.
Both she and Gilgamesh wore suppression necklaces.
Gilgamesh could remove the limiter whenever he wished.
That afternoon, they exited the school gates together.
"Master. Look."
Mordred pointed.
Gilgamesh followed her gaze.
Issei Hyoudou stood nearby, talking animatedly with a girl.
Violet eyes.
Long black hair.
A dark red jacket with a golden "P."
Fallen Angel energy leaked subtly from her body.
Gilgamesh immediately recognized it.
Raynare.
Which meant only one thing.
The story had begun.
A slow smile formed on his lips.
.............
With Rias
"Akeno, is everything prepared?"
"Of course, President."
They stood inside the Occult Research Club.
Koneko was running errands.
Kiba had been dispatched.
It was the weekend.
The day Issei would be betrayed.
The day Fallen Angels would attempt to move on Gilgamesh.
The day Rias intended to expand her Peerage.
Or at least…
That was the plan.
Akeno turned to her.
"Rias… are you absolutely certain about this?"