Chapter 16: The King's Ransom and the Pawn's Reward
The week-long vacation was, in a word, glorious.
While the "Canon" was likely panicking in the background, I was busy being a tourist in my own life. I rode trains to nowhere, ate street food until my stomach complained, and traded insults with the ancient dragon in my head.
Motohama: (Thinking) Crom thinks I'm just a 'peasant' with an identity crisis. He has no idea I'm a reincarnator who knows his boss's boss. Let him keep mocking; it's funnier that way.
I even spent a day with the "Trio + 1." We hunted down a limited-edition chocolate for Koneko. Issei and I fought through a crowd of hungry housewives like we were in a Rating Game.
Koneko: [Accepting the chocolate with a rare, tiny nod] "Issei-senpai is Pervert No. 1. Dirty Pervert. Motohamaru-senpai is Pervert No. 2... Refined Pervert."
Issei: "Hey! Why is he 'Refined'?! We were both looking at the same posters in the shop window!"
Motohama: "It's all in the glasses, Issei. Presentation is everything."
Rias watched from the school balcony, her fingers gripping the stone railing. She saw me laughing with Akeno. She saw the other girls in the hallway whispering about my "Glow-up." Most importantly, she saw that I wasn't looking for her.
The Return of the Anchor
When my leave ended, I walked into the ORC like I'd never left. I took my usual seat next to Akeno.
Motohama: "Miss me, Senpai?"
Akeno: "Ara, ara~ The room feels much more... pressurized with you back. I might need more tea to cope."
Midway through the meeting, I started to doze off. The week of relaxation had made me soft. Suddenly, I felt a familiar weight against my shoulder. I opened one eye to see a sea of crimson hair. Rias had leaned against me, pretending to read a report, though she hadn't turned the page in ten minutes.
She didn't explain. She didn't move. She just claimed her spot.
Later that night, the club was empty except for the two of us. Rias was buried under a mountain of Phoenix-related paperwork, her eyes bloodshot, her aura flickering with exhaustion.
I stood up, walked over to her desk, and placed a single finger over her lips, silencing her mid-sentence.
Motohama: "You're stopping the work now, or I'm leaving this room."
Rias: [Eyes widening, her voice muffled against my finger] "So... this is how a Pawn behaves toward his King now?"
Motohama: [Leaning back, arms crossed] "Well, a neglected Pawn tends to develop a mind of his own. You haven't slept in forty-eight hours, Rias."
Rias: "I am not neglecting you! I was just... busy."
I sighed and placed a hand on her cheek. Her skin was warm, and she leaned into my palm almost instinctively.
Motohama: "I'm not angry. And about what you said back in the Underworld... that confession? I accept it."
Rias froze. The air in the room grew heavy and sweet. I didn't repeat her words; I didn't need to. We both knew the weight of that kiss.
Motohama: "Now, go to sleep. Don't overexert yourself. Listen to me just this once. I'm not being arrogant; I'm being practical."
Rias: [Teasingly, her eyes regaining a bit of their spark] "You've changed since the wedding. Are you looking for a special reward, my bold Pawn?"
Motohama: "I'm still missing my 'Special Reward' for saving you. Don't think I've forgotten."
Rias: [Blushing but smirking] "Fine. You'll get your reward tomorrow morning. But only in private... you can call me 'Rias' when we're alone. Never in public."
The Morning Surprise
The next morning, I woke up feeling a very heavy, very warm presence. My bed, which was usually too big for one person, was currently at maximum capacity.
I looked down. Rias was fast asleep, her arms wrapped around my waist, her head tucked under my chin. The scent of roses was everywhere.
Motohama: (Thinking) So this is the special gift. I'm definitely not complaining.
I pulled her closer, burying my face in her chest for a moment.
Motohama: "Five more minutes..."
Rias: [Her voice sleepy and muffled] "Shameless..."
Motohama: "Yes, I am. Totally shameless."
Rias: [A soft giggle escaping her] "But you are my shameless Pawn. Thank you, Motohamaru."
Motohama: "Should I say 'You're welcome'? Or 'Thank you, Rias'?"
Rias: "Either is fine. But..." [She suddenly sat up, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at me] "What exactly were you and Akeno talking about in that café for so long the other day?"
A cold bead of sweat ran down my spine. The jealousy of a Gremory was a force of nature even Crom Cruach wouldn't touch.
Crom Cruach: [In a panicked whisper] "Abort! Abort the mission, boy! This is a trap!"
I didn't say a word. I just pulled the covers over our heads, hugged her tightly, and pretended to fall back into a deep, coma-like sleep.
Motohama: "Zzzzz... so tired... magic exhaustion... zzzzz..."
Rias: "Don't you dare play dead with me!"
Mystery" starts to show its first real clues?