Chapter 16: Akeno-senpai Arrives!
The next few days passed in relative peace as Akira gradually settled into his new routine.
Each morning, he headed to Kuoh Academy on time. After school, he'd wander leisurely around Kuoh City, casually scouting for ways to earn money.
Of course… getting a part-time job was out of the question.
After barely escaping the soul-crushing grind of corporate life, going back to work in this world would be like living the exact same miserable life all over again.
Besides, he was secretly hoping to stumble upon another Stray Devil like before. Unfortunately, aside from a brief two-day streak, his encounters with Stray Devils seemed purely coincidental.
Even if the number of Stray Devils was on the rise, that didn't mean he could just find them walking around every day.
After all, reincarnated devils required a proper ritual—becoming one wasn't something that happened casually. And it's not like devils defected from their masters every other day.
"Maybe it's time to go back to my old profession?"
That afternoon, after class had ended, Akira quietly made his way to the school rooftop.
Technically, students weren't allowed up here. But Akira had never been the type to follow school rules anyway. He wasn't interested in making friends or mingling with classmates. He preferred to spend his lunch breaks up here—alone.
Lately, he'd been thinking a lot about how to earn money in this world. But no idea had really clicked.
That is, until he passed by a bookstore at the mall a few days ago—and a spark lit in his mind.
Writing a light novel…
This was Japan, after all. The land of otaku culture. 2D media was huge here.
Light novels, manga, anime—they weren't just hobbies; they were industries.
Back in his previous life, Akira had dabbled in writing during college, while working part-time as a coder. None of his works had gone viral, but they earned him enough to live independently. He'd never had to ask for money from home—and still had enough left over to splurge occasionally.
A soft, melodic voice called out, breaking his concentration.
"Good afternoon, Shin-kun~"
When he turned around, a radiant silhouette greeted him against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.
A senior student in Kuoh Academy's uniform, with two dangerously prominent assets that strained against her blouse. Her hair was elegantly tied into a ponytail, exuding the perfect aura of a mature and alluring onee-san.
Akira responded calmly, "Good afternoon, Himejima-senpai."
The girl smiled and shook her head playfully. "Just call me Akeno, Shin-kun~"
He offered a faint nod. "In that case… Akeno-senpai."
"Fufu~ What a polite underclassman you are~"
Akeno smiled as she walked toward him, her every step radiating grace. A soft, floral scent reached his nose—whether it was perfume, cosmetics, or her natural fragrance, he didn't know. But it wasn't unpleasant. In fact… he found it rather comforting.
Akeno caught his expression and let out a gentle chuckle.
Of course, she wasn't here without reason.
She had a mission—establish a connection with Akira, get close to him, and slowly bring him over to their side. It was the classic "get close to the well if you want to drink the water" strategy. All part of Rias's larger plan to recruit him into her peerage.
If Akira had been just another ordinary student, Akeno wouldn't have bothered.
But he wasn't ordinary.
He was one of them.
"Still lunchtime, huh? What brings you all the way up here, Akeno-senpai?" Akira asked, glancing her way.
"I've been waiting these past few days for you to come see me, you know~ But since my dear underclassman never showed up… I just had to come find you myself. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all. If someone as beautiful as Akeno-senpai is looking for me, I consider that a great honor."
"My, my~ You really are sweet~"
She sat down beside him, right on the concrete ledge of the rooftop. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but it was good enough for a casual chat.
Having such a gorgeous girl this close made Akira's heart beat just a little faster.
Even if his current body was shaped by the Enkidu Template—with its green hair, emerald eyes, and increasingly flawless appearance…
…he was still himself. He wasn't Enkidu.
He had simply inherited the form. Deep down, he was just a normal guy.
And when a beautiful girl—especially one who ranked among his 2D waifu list—got this close to him… there was no way he wouldn't react.
Akeno tilted her head and smiled playfully. "Oh my~ It seems Shin-kun is a bit of a naughty boy too~"
Apparently, Akira's eyes had wandered for a second—and she'd caught him red-handed.
He chuckled. "Can't help it. Akeno-senpai is just too alluring. I'm still young and full of energy, you know~"
She leaned in closer, her lips near his ear, her breath warm and dangerously tempting. "Oh? Is that so~? If that's the case… I don't mind at all. In fact… I might even like it."
Even though his heart thumped louder, Akira didn't let it cloud his judgment.
He knew very well—Akeno was Rias's Queen. She wasn't here out of pure personal interest.
This was the classic beauty trap.
One of the oldest and most effective tactics in history.
Many men had fallen prey to it—whether in ancient conspiracies or modern manipulation.
Akira took a deep breath to calm himself. His gaze regained clarity.
"Well then, Akeno-senpai… you should know I have very poor self-control. If I get carried away and do something rash, that might be troublesome~"
The flirtatious smile on Akeno's lips briefly paused.
But only for a moment.
Then her smile returned—brighter than ever, as if she'd just found a brand-new toy.
"Fufu~ Shin-kun is more guarded than I expected~"
"Can you blame me? I'm basically a juicy piece of meat surrounded by a pack of hungry predators."
"Predators, huh~" she echoed, voice low and knowing.
Akeno didn't deny the analogy—because it was true.
Both Rias and Sona were keeping close eyes on Akira.
What Akira didn't know was that the two high-ranking devils were already quietly competing for him behind the scenes.
Akeno had been sent as the beauty trap agent for Rias.
Meanwhile, Sona had already dispatched her own representative.
Then, changing the subject, Akira looked at her with mild curiosity. "By the way, Akeno-senpai… I have a favor to ask."
"Hm~? What is it?" she asked, her tone light and interested.
"Do you happen to know anything about light novel publishers?"
Her eyes blinked once, surprised. "Light novels? Are you planning to write one~?"
"Well, life has to move on. Don't laugh, okay—but right now, I've only got eighty thousand yen left to my name."
Yep. 80,000 yen.
He'd spent 11,000 yen earlier on a laptop—not a fancy one, but decent enough to get started.
That money had come from that blond punk he mugged the other day.
It was his only real capital right now.
Akeno looked at him for a moment, and this time, her smile was gentler. "If Shin-kun needs money… Senpai wouldn't mind helping, you know~"
She said it softly.
This time, it wasn't part of the mission.
It was a genuine impulse—born not from strategy, but from something softer, something… human.
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