The clubroom door clicked shut behind Grayfia Lucifuge, her rigid posture and flushed face betraying the turmoil beneath her regal exterior. Rin knew his message had been delivered, though the full implications of her unraveling were yet to be seen. He decided not to push it further for now.
"Rin-kun, are you alright?" Rias asked, her voice laced with deep concern, immediately stepping forward to embrace him. Akeno joined her, her violet eyes serious. "Riser is prideful. He might do something rash after this humiliation."
"You should stay here tonight," Rias urged, her gaze pleading. "It's safer. We can keep you protected in the clubroom."
Rin felt a fleeting temptation. Another night of "bonding" with his two beautiful devils was a tantalizing prospect. But he had a plan, a new narrative he wanted to weave. He needed his appearance of accidentally awakening his supernatural potential to be believable. And that meant being out there, in the world.
"Don't worry about me," Rin said, gently pulling them into a tight embrace. He kissed Rias's forehead, then Akeno's. "I can handle myself. You two are far too precious for me to let anything happen to you." His words, imbued with the system's power, washed over them like a warm, comforting wave.
Rias and Akeno sighed, the lingering sadness of his rejection melting away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of being cherished. He truly loves us! Rias thought, her heart swelling. His heart is so vast, so generous! Akeno, too, felt a profound contentment. They understood now. Rin's heart was simply too big for only two girls to occupy. They would let fate, and Rin's undeniable charm, decide their future with him. For now, being loved by him, by their Rin, was more than enough.
It was still afternoon, the sun casting long shadows as Rin left the school. He decided a change of pace was in order. He had been so focused on navigating his new life, on manipulating relationships and uncovering secrets, that he had neglected a fundamental part of himself: the otaku who loved anime, manga, and, most importantly, video games. His previous life as a dropout orphan had offered few opportunities for leisure; every moment was spent chasing money. Now, that was no longer a concern.
He made his way to the nearest plaza, a lively hub of shops and entertainment. His destination: the arcade. He chuckled, thinking of the era he'd left behind. In his old world, touch-screen smartphones were ubiquitous, but here in Japan, it was a curious blend of advanced smartphones and the ever-popular flip phones, clutched in many hands. He could buy a console later, he decided, a luxurious thought that brought a genuine smile to his face. Sex and pleasure were good, yes, but he mustn't forget who he truly was. This blend of the mundane and the supernatural, the real and the fantastical, was part of what made his new life so strangely compelling.
He pushed through the arcade doors, the cacophony of flashing lights, buzzing machines, and synthesized music immediately assaulting his senses. The colorful crane games were the first thing to greet him, their tempting plush prizes beckoning. He walked deeper, past rows of intense fighting game cabinets, the rhythmic thud of shooting games, and the hypnotic beat of rhythm games, until he finally reached the token machine. His wallet, as usual, held no cash, but his credit card was readily accepted. He input the desired number of tokens, and after a few moments of bank processing, the satisfying clunk-clunk-clunk of coins filled the dispenser. He picked up the small cup, barely larger than a teacup, brimming with shiny tokens.
Rin began to play. He started with a classic shooting game, then moved to the basketball hoop challenge, a round of virtual bowling, and the mesmerizing coin drop game. Each activity was a nostalgic trip, a forgotten pleasure. He played with a casual skill, not aiming for high scores, but simply enjoying the sheer act of playing. It had been far too long since he'd allowed himself such simple, unburdened enjoyment.
After nearly an hour of gaming, feeling thoroughly relaxed and rejuvenated, Rin decided to head to the bookstore. He was curious to see what kind of manga and light novels existed in this world. He browsed the shelves, a mixture of excitement and anticipation bubbling within him. To his delight, he found several series that were identical to those from his previous life, comforting and familiar. But the majority of the books were entirely new, titles he'd never heard of, their premises a mystery. This made him even more excited.
He reached for a thick, promising-looking light novel with intriguing cover art, his fingers brushing against its spine. At the exact same moment, another hand reached for the very same book, her fingers touching his.
Rin's gaze flicked up, feigning surprise. Standing opposite him was a familiar face, one he had observed with great interest: Aika Kiryuu. He kept his expression carefully neutral, betraying no prior knowledge.
Kiryuu, seeing their hands touch, immediately withdrew hers. "Oh, I'm sorry!" she said, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "You can have it." She then reached for another copy of the identical book on the shelf.
Perfect timing, Rin thought, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. He subtly accessed her status, his intent clear. Aika Kiryuu: Trust (towards Rin Takakura) -> 90/100. Curiosity (towards Rin Takakura) -> 75/100.
"It's fine," Rin said, his voice calm. "No need to apologize, Kiryuu-san."
Aika Kiryuu froze, her hand still hovering over the books. Her intelligent golden eyes widened behind her spectacles. She knew Rin. He was one of Kuoh Academy's more handsome students, known for his somewhat aloof demeanor. But she held no special feelings for him beyond a casual awareness. He knows my name? she thought, a flicker of genuine surprise in her mind.
"Excuse me," Kiryuu said, her usual teasing confidence momentarily faltering. "How do you know my name?"