Chapter 8: Sona and Rias!
Seeing the two girls suddenly appear before him, Akira felt more than a little confused.
Why are they approaching me out of the blue? He had just arrived in this world, and aside from Koneko, he hadn't really interacted with anyone.
"Shin Akira-kun, the transfer student from China, correct?"
"Yes. May I ask who you are?"
"My name is Souna Shitori, Student Council President of Kuoh Academy."
(Her alias in the human world.)
"Souna-kaichou... is there something you need from me?"
When Akira addressed her by her first name so casually, Sona's brow twitched slightly.
In Japan, unless you were family or very close, calling someone by their given name—especially of the opposite gender—was considered rude.
But knowing Akira was a foreigner, Sona let it slide. Social norms weren't something he could be expected to understand just yet.
"A while ago, our family received a notice from the Chinese side. They said a transfer student would be arriving, and I was personally assigned to look after you."
"Ehh…"
Akira froze on the spot.
There was no mistaking it—this had to be the system's doing.
The problem was that he was an isekai traveler. He'd arrived in this world through... unconventional means. If someone actually investigated his background, they'd find holes all over the place.
"But now that I've seen you in person... I think I understand why."
Sona gave him a thin smile. But to Akira, that smile seemed just a little too suspicious.
He could tell—Sona had likely sensed that he wasn't just some ordinary student. Still, Akira wasn't too worried. He had a cheat-like system, after all. His future was bound to shine.
"In any case, Souna-kaichou, what exactly is your business with me?" (Akira)
"Oh, it's nothing serious. I just wanted to see you for myself. My family instructed me to keep an eye on you. Hmm, you're more interesting than I expected. If you ever have trouble, feel free to come to the Student Council office."
With that, Sona turned around and began walking away.
Shinra Tsubaki lingered for a second, her gaze holding a faint glimmer of curiosity. But she said nothing.
Tap tap tap—
At that moment, three graceful girls exited the main school building.
Crimson hair flowing in the wind.
Their presence immediately caused more than half the students in the courtyard to stop what they were doing and turn their eyes toward the trio.
"That's Rias-senpai! She's insanely beautiful!"
"Rias-sama! Akeno-sama! And Koneko-chan! Uwaaah, I can't handle this!"
"Are Rias-senpai and Souna-kaichou about to square off again?"
"Another round? This is gonna be good!"
In front of the main building, Rias Gremory and Souna Shitori stopped at the exact same time. They locked eyes with a composed, regal confidence.
Even Akeno Himejima and Shinra Tsubaki mirrored each other—two Queens facing off, both loyal to their respective masters, eternal rivals in their own right.
"Good morning, Sona." (Rias)
"Good morning, Rias." (Sona)
No arguing. No snide remarks. Just the kind of refined greetings you'd expect from noblewomen.
"Rias-sama."
Tsubaki gave a polite bow.
"Sona-sama."
"Sona-kaichou."
Akeno and Koneko followed suit with respectful nods toward Sona.
This was the world of devils—hierarchy was strict. Even if someone wasn't part of your own peerage, a high-class devil commanded respect.
"Sona, are you out here this early to welcome the new guy?" (Rias)
"Hm? Don't tell me you're interested in him too, Rias?"
As she said that, Sona glanced back toward Akira. A flicker of surprise and curiosity danced in her eyes.
Rias picked up on it right away—and felt a small wave of relief. So Sona didn't know yet. She hadn't realized that Akira possessed a powerful Sacred Gear.
"I was just wondering why you'd go out of your way to personally greet someone. Could it be he's another candidate for your peerage?" (Rias)
"For now, no. I still need more time to observe him." Sona replied coolly.
As a high-class devil, each of their Evil Pieces was a limited, precious resource. Choosing a peerage member was a lifelong decision.
If you picked the wrong person, you weren't just wasting a piece—you were potentially weakening your team in the future Rating Games.
As heir to the House of Sitri, Sona couldn't afford careless decisions.
"Personally, I think he's quite interesting." (Rias)
"Oh? So you are interested in him." (Sona)
"I just trust your judgment, Sona." (Rias)
"Do what you like. If you're set on recruiting him, I won't stand in your way." (Sona)
"Oh my~ Thank you for your generosity, Sona~"
With a radiant smile, Rias stepped past Sona and began walking toward Akira.
Seeing this, Sona narrowed her eyes slightly.
She knows something I don't.
And that boy… he's clearly not just another transfer student.
Meanwhile, Akira—who now possessed 10% of Enkidu's Template—had senses far sharper than an ordinary human.
Even from a distance, and despite their conversation being quiet, he heard every word.
His expression darkened slightly.
He had just arrived in this world. He hadn't gotten to know anyone. And yet, here he was... being treated like a commodity up for grabs.
Especially from the tone Rias used. As if, so long as Sona didn't claim him, he automatically belonged to her.
It rubbed him the wrong way.
As someone raised with deep pride in his homeland, that kind of attitude didn't sit well with him.
And just then—Rias, Akeno, and Koneko reached him.
"You're Shin Akira-kun, right? Thank you for saving Koneko yesterday." (Rias)
"It was just a coincidence. Besides, thanks to Toujou-san, I got something I was looking for." (Akira)
"Fufu~ you're quite the intriguing one, aren't you?" (Rias)
From Koneko, Rias had already learned a bit about Shin Akira—including his unusually strong fixation on money.
That only made her more confident that she could recruit him. Money? The Gremory family had more than enough of that. It would be child's play.
But Akira glanced toward Koneko. Rias's knowing look made it clear—Koneko had already told them what happened last night.
"Senpai… I'm sorry."
Koneko lowered her head slightly. In a way, she had become a sort of 'informer.'
"Don't worry about it. This is our first official meeting. Sharing info with your own faction is perfectly normal." (Akira)
"…I'm sorry."
Koneko could sense the faint irritation in Akira's voice. As someone deeply sensitive to emotions, she picked up on it right away.
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