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'So, it was Rias who set me up.' Mika, looking at Xenovia's expectant gaze, forced a smile.
'If she had just guided Xenovia properly, this wouldn't have happened. A little nudge in the right direction, and she wouldn't be making such unconventional requests.'
But recriminations wouldn't solve his current predicament.
He had to find a way out of this delicate situation...
While he wasn't opposed to Xenovia's request on a physical level, he wasn't the type to engage in casual relationships, especially not when it involved such a significant commitment.
He had his own principles.
His relationships were selective, based on mutual affection and respect—and while he had encountered countless admirers during his travels, especially during his time as Emperor, he hadn't reciprocated every advance.
To engage in a purely physical relationship, without any emotional connection—that wasn't his style.
He wasn't interested in becoming another Zeus—that wasn't the kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind.
....
"Xenovia, I understand your reasoning. I understand your desire for a new beginning. But such transformations shouldn't be rushed. You're misinterpreting the process. Having a child isn't the goal—it's the result. It's a consequence of love, not the other way around. You don't find someone to have a child with, then fall in love. It should be love first, then... everything else."
"No one should be treated as a mere tool for procreation. I hope you can understand that."
"I don't understand," Xenovia admitted after a moment of silence, her brow furrowing slightly.
Mika's words were beyond her comprehension.
Xenovia hadn't considered such nuances.
"What I mean is... before you even think about having a child, you need to experience love. A romantic relationship. Have you ever been in love, Xenovia?"
"Love…?" Xenovia murmured, then fell silent, lost in thought.
Mika watched her, his expression serious.
"While I don't fully understand, if it's your advice, Mika—I'll accept it." Xenovia's voice was still laced with uncertainty, but her tone was firm, a clear indication of her trust in him.
"Good." Mika breathed a sigh of relief.
However, his relief was short-lived...
"In that case," Xenovia continued, "Perhaps you could… help me with this 'Love' you speak of? After all, you're still my preferred candidate."
"Seriously…?" Mika's earlier exasperation returned.
"I'll be going now," Xenovia said, standing up—her face suddenly flushing crimson.
Clearly, she wasn't as calm as she appeared.
After all, Xenovia was still a young woman, and this was a significant personal decision.
"Wait... you forgot your status sheet." Mika gestured towards the paper he had placed on the table beside him.
But she was already gone, having fled the room in a flustered rush.
Mika shook his head, picked up the paper, and returned to the clubroom.
——
The room was filled with lively chatter as the others discussed their newly acquired abilities.
Rias sat in the center, patiently answering their questions.
Mika's arrival drew their attention.
"Mika, are you finished?" Issei, who had already examined his own status, asked eagerly.
"Yes, all done. How do you feel about your new abilities?"
"Awesome!"
"Good." Mika nodded, pleased, then walked over to Xenovia and handed her the forgotten status sheet. "You left this behind."
"Oh, right! Thank you." Xenovia took the paper, her blush deepening, making it seem as if she were accepting a love letter, rather than her status sheet. She quickly lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Finally finished." Rias, seeing Mika return, stood up and stretched, a relieved smile on her face. "I hope that answers all your questions."
She looked at each of them, her gaze lingering on Xenovia, who avoided her eyes.
"If you have any more questions, you can ask me tomorrow. And if I can't answer them—then ask Mika. After all, I'm still relatively new to…all this," she said, gesturing vaguely, a subtle amusement in her voice.
They all laughed.
With a renewed sense of camaraderie, and their excitement about their new abilities still buzzing, they ended their meeting and returned home.
———
Back at his apartment.
"So, Mika… what did you and Akeno do in that room?"
Rias asked, as they sat together on the sofa, discussing the events of the day.
"What do you think we did?" Mika replied calmly, meeting her gaze. He knew what she was implying, and he was prepared.
"Don't play coy with me. You were in there for quite a while," she countered, a playful glint in her eyes, though her tone was serious.
She didn't want Akeno, her best friend—to steal a march on her.
It was, in a way, a subtle power play.
"We didn't do anything inappropriate. After all, everyone was right next door." he reassured her.
Rias' expression softened slightly, relieved.
"Then why did she take so long?"
"She was admiring my physique. Is that a crime?" Mika chuckled.
"And Xenovia was in your lab for even longer. Yet you seemed completely unconcerned. If Akeno knew how you treated her differently, she'd be heartbroken!" Rias glared at him playfully.
"She wouldn't," Rias retorted. "I know Akeno. She wouldn't be bothered by such trivial matters." Rias' reasoning, however, was more strategic.
Rias understood Akeno's personality.
Unlike Xenovia—who was straightforward and somewhat naive. Akeno was a more complex individual, her actions often driven by hidden motives. Rias had a feeling that Xenovia's request wouldn't be as easily dismissed. She would be more persistent.
"Is that so?" Mika's smile widened.
"Akeno invited me to her house next Saturday."
"Absolutely not!" Rias interrupted, her playful demeanor vanishing.
"She's clearly up to something. And it's Saturday… no way!"
"She said it was business."
"Business? Ah... you mean that?" Rias suddenly understood.
"I know about it. The Archangel Michael wants to meet with you. It's official, but informal. He already contacted my brother."
"Do you know why he wants to see me?"
"I believe he wants to give you something. After the recent battles—the Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels have reached a tentative truce. They've been exchanging gifts, weapons mostly. The Devils have sent out quite a few Demon Swords. Therefore, Michael's visit is likely a similar gesture. After all, you did defeat Kokabiel," Rias explained.
"I see…" Mika nodded, though he suspected there was more to it than a simple exchange of gifts.
After all, Yahweh had already infiltrated Heaven.
With her power, she would have met with Michael by now. Perhaps this meeting was related to her?
'Could she be planning something?'
Mika wasn't concerned about Yahweh's safety or her abilities.
Having absorbed Cosmo and pushed her understanding of the Laws to new heights, she was incredibly powerful now. Her Cosmo had almost reached the Ninth Sense.
At her current level, Mika suspected only Ophis and Great Red could match her.
"No, it doesn't matter. Whatever happens, I'll adapt." He abandoned his speculation.
"I'll go with you tomorrow," Rias said suddenly. It was Friday, and Mika had his date with Akeno scheduled for Saturday.
"With me? Sure." He chuckled. "But I don't think you'll have time—"
"I'll finish my work quickly."
"There's something else you should deal with first."
"What is it?"
"Xenovia." Mika didn't hesitate. He recounted their conversation, letting Rias see the consequences of her irresponsible advice.
"Seriously?" Rias slumped back on the sofa, her earlier amusement vanishing as she realized the implications of her words. She hadn't anticipated Xenovia's reaction.
She had inadvertently created a rival!
"It's my fault. I didn't think she'd take it so literally. I'll talk to her—" Rias's voice trailed off, her earlier excitement about the upcoming meeting with Michael replaced by a sense of dread.
This wasn't the Xenovia she knew. Her usual straightforward, almost naive, demeanor seemed to have changed—as if something within her had shifted.
"You should talk to her. After all, she's your servant. You have to guide her," Mika said seriously. "It's your duty as her King."
Rias nodded slowly. She understood her responsibilities.
Seeing her acceptance, Mika relaxed.
Xenovia's situation was a bit complicated, and he was relieved that Rias had taken on the task of resolving it.
"Perhaps you should wait until I've left before speaking with her. It might be awkward otherwise. That's why I said you might not have time tomorrow," Mika added.
"I understand. This is more important than teasing Akeno," Rias replied.
While Akeno's invitation had been a playful challenge. Xenovia's request was different—It was a genuine desire.
"Having a child—it's a significant decision," Rias murmured, more to herself than to Mika.
It was something she hadn't even considered yet...
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