The taste, horrific and otherworldly, still clung to Rin's tongue. A week in the world of Tensura had flown by, ending abruptly, not with a fortuitous knockout from a powerful monster, but with a single, horrifying spoonful of Shion's cooking. It was, without a doubt, the most effective method of forced unconsciousness he had yet discovered. He could almost feel the psychic residue of flavor searing his very soul, a desperate plea from his system to escape that culinary horror. Truly, despite her ethereal beauty, the Kijin secretary's cooking remained a weapon of mass incapacitation. Perhaps one day, she'll receive a blessing to fix that, Rin mused, recalling the anime's future events, but for now, the thought was a distant, almost painful memory.
He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the familiar, opulent surroundings of his bedroom in the Takakura mansion. Ai was sleeping peacefully beside him, her head nestled on his chest, a soft, contented sigh escaping her lips. It seemed she had missed him. Today was Sunday, a day free from school, and the thought of a proper breakfast after a week of his own rudimentary cooking in Tempest brought a genuine smile to his face. While the peace of Tempest was refreshing, the culinary delights of his current world were undeniably superior.
After a few hours of enthusiastic "morning exercise" with Ai – a delightful reunion that left them both breathless and supremely satisfied – they finally made their way to the dining room for a lavish breakfast prepared by the household staff. The contrast between the delicious, expertly prepared food and Shion's culinary nightmare was stark, a testament to the benefits of his DxD life.
As he savored a piece of perfectly toasted brioche, Rin's thoughts turned to his meta-knowledge. He had tried to stumble into the supernatural world of Kuoh, but fate, or perhaps the narrative, had been stubbornly uncooperative. It was time to make his own move. He wouldn't wait for an "accidental" encounter anymore. He would force the issue.
He reached for his phone, dialing Rias Gremory's number. After a few rings, her melodious voice answered. "Rin-kun? Good morning. Why the sudden call?"
"Good morning, Rias," Rin said, laying on the charm, a subtle boost from his system making his voice even more captivating. "Just wanted to hear your lovely voice and make sure you're doing well. Where are you this fine morning?"
Rias chuckled, a soft, pleasant sound. "Oh, I'm just at the Occult Research Club room. We have some… club matters to attend to. Why do you ask?"
"Club matters, huh?" Rin purred, drawing out the words. "Well, I was just thinking about you. Wishing I could see your beautiful face. Maybe I should just drop by and surprise you." He knew his cheesy lines were working, as he could feel the faint blush radiating from her through his connection to her status. "But I don't want to interrupt anything important."
"N-no, it's fine, Rin-kun," Rias stammered, her voice suddenly flustered. "It's… not that important. Just a regular meeting."
"Alright then, my dear," Rin said, a knowing smirk on his face. "I'll let you get back to it for now. Just wanted to say hello. Have a wonderful day." He ended the call, his plan now in motion.
An hour later, Rin arrived at the old school building, making his way to the Occult Research Club room. The air around the door felt heavy, thick with a palpable tension. He pushed the door open without knocking, stepping inside.
The room, usually filled with the casual chatter of Rias's peerage, was eerily silent. Rias stood stiffly in front of her desk, her expression grim. Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Issei, and Asia were all present, their faces etched with varying degrees of discomfort and apprehension. But it was the two figures seated opposite them that truly commanded attention.
One was a woman of ethereal beauty, with long silver hair cascading down her back, her features sharp and elegant, an aura of undeniable power radiating from her. Grayfia Lucifuge. Rin recognized her instantly. The other was a man with blond hair and a perpetually arrogant smirk, surrounded by a gaggle of beautiful, subservient women. Riser Phenex.
So, it's the arranged marriage arc already, Rin thought, a thrill running through him.
Everyone in the room, caught in the suffocating atmosphere of their negotiations, snapped their heads towards the door, surprised by the unexpected interruption. Rias's eyes widened in alarm, a flash of genuine panic in their depths. Oh no, Rin-kun! If only I hadn't told him where I was! He's walked right into this!
Rin, feigning an innocent cluelessness, stepped further into the room. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry!" he exclaimed, looking around with a puzzled expression. "Did I interrupt something? What's going on here? The atmosphere feels… heavy."
Grayfia Lucifuge sighed, her elegant gaze fixing on Rin. Her thoughts, surprisingly, were already forming a plan: A stray human. Annoying. I can simply render him unconscious and wipe his memory. No harm done. She subtly raised a hand, a flicker of demonic energy gathering at her fingertips.
"Grayfia-san, wait!" Rias cried out, stepping forward, her hand outstretched. She turned to Rin, her expression pleading. "Rin-kun, please, could you just… leave for a moment? This is a private matter."
Rin, however, had no intention of leaving. He had engineered this moment. He didn't need to force Rias to reveal her demonic nature; this situation would do it for him. This was his gateway, his official entry into the supernatural world of DxD.
He smiled, a charming, confident smile that belied his true intentions. He walked past Rias, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. "Rias, darling," he said, his voice carrying clearly through the silent room, "what are you talking about? How can I leave when my girlfriend is clearly in distress?"
A wave of pure, unadulterated shock rippled through the room. Riser Phenex's jaw dropped, his arrogant smirk instantly replaced by a look of utter disgust. My woman? A human dares to call Riser Phenex's fiancée his 'girlfriend'?! The audacity!
Grayfia's hand, poised to strike, froze mid-air. Her cool, collected demeanor fractured as she stared at Rin, then at a blushing Rias, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. What is the meaning of this? Is this why Lady Rias has been… difficult?
Rias herself looked like a deer caught in headlights, her face a fiery crimson. She stammered, "R-Rin-kun! What are you—"
Rin squeezed her hand, cutting her off. "I noticed the atmosphere wasn't very good, my love," he continued, turning his gaze to Riser. "And as Rias's boyfriend, I think I have a right to know what's upsetting her so much." He then turned to Akeno, winking playfully. "And Akeno, too, of course, being another one of my lovely girlfriends. We're all very concerned."
Akeno's eyes widened fractionally, a spark of amusement lighting them. Ara, ara~ So he's finally making it public. I did expect to be a concubine, but 'girlfriend' is even better! Her composure was unwavering, her playful smile deepening, even as Grayfia's glare intensified, fixing on Rin with a chilling intensity. How bold. How utterly audacious for a mere human!
"Silence, human!" Riser finally bellowed, leaping to his feet, his face contorted in a mixture of rage and wounded pride. "You dare to insult Riser Phenex?! These women are—"
"Riser, enough!" Rias commanded, her voice surprisingly firm, her gaze now fixed entirely on Rin. In that moment, with his public declaration, she knew she had to tell him everything. There was no turning back.
Riser glared at Rin, a raw, murderous intent in his eyes. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, human," he snarled, his voice a low growl. "You will regret this. Come, my peerage. This pathetic display is over. Riser will return to collect what is rightfully his." With a flourish, he turned and stalked out of the room, his harem of women following him, their expressions a mix of confusion and disinterest in the human who had dared to challenge their Lord.
Among Riser's departing retinue, one young woman, with long blonde hair and an air of quiet sophistication, cast a fleeting glance back at Rin. Ravel Phenex, Riser's sister, sighed inwardly. Another ignorant human, blocking the path of a devil. He has no idea the danger he's just put himself in. He's going to die.
Rin, of course, heard her perfectly. But instead of fear, a triumphant smirk touched his lips. Let them think that. This is exactly what I wanted.