Chapter 17: The Chains of Fate Begin to Fracture

The chilly night air brushed against Kevin's face as he walked away from the shrine with Rias and Akeno by his side. His mind swirled with the fragments of memories that felt as real as his own life. Something was clear now: he wasn't just an outsider in this world—he was part of a story that had been told over and over. A story where every choice led him back to the same confrontation.

But this time, something was different. This time, Kevin wasn't following the script laid out for him.

The visions, the strange man's cryptic words—everything pointed toward one truth. Kevin's life had been a loop, a curse that made him live out these events in some form across countless lifetimes. If he wanted to end it, he needed to understand how the Kiryuu Clan fit into it—and what role he had to play.

The morning after the visit to the shrine, Kevin decided to confront Koneko and Kiba at Kuoh Academy. He couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper connected the supernatural world he had fallen into, his reincarnated memories, and the original plotline he was so familiar with.

Koneko sat under a tree during lunch, as quiet and stoic as always, munching on a snack. Kevin approached, lowering himself beside her without saying a word. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye but didn't speak. Koneko had always been reserved, but lately, she had become unusually wary around him.

Kevin let out a sigh. "Koneko, do you feel it too? That something's not right with how things are playing out?"

Koneko's chewing slowed. "...You're acting different."

Kevin smiled bitterly. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"So, this is where you've been."

Kiba strolled up, his usual friendly demeanor masking the curiosity in his gaze. "You've been pretty distant lately, Kevin. Everyone's noticed."

Kevin stood, brushing off his pants. "There's a lot going on, Kiba. Things I need to figure out—things I can't ignore anymore."

Kiba tilted his head. "You've been chasing some answers, haven't you?"

Kevin stared at him, weighing his options. For a moment, he considered brushing it off. But he was tired of holding everything inside.

"Yeah," Kevin admitted. "And I think the Kiryuu Clan has something to do with all of this—why things keep repeating, why I can't remember everything."

Koneko's ears perked up at the mention of the Kiryuu Clan.

"You think they're responsible?" Kiba asked, his expression darkening.

"I don't know for sure," Kevin said. "But they're definitely involved. And that man we saw at the shrine... he knows me."

Koneko and Kiba exchanged glances, their expressions shifting. It was clear they knew more than they were letting on.

"You're not telling me everything, are you?" Kevin asked, his gaze narrowing.

Kiba hesitated before sighing. "We've been keeping an eye on the Kiryuu Clan for a while. They've been moving in the shadows, gathering magical artifacts and trying to break ancient seals. Rias didn't want to involve you until we had more information."

Kevin's fists clenched. "Of course she didn't."

Koneko looked up at him, her voice soft but steady. "You're part of this now. Whether you want to be or not."

Kevin ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He wasn't angry at Rias—he knew she was only trying to protect him. But the time for keeping secrets had passed.

"I'm done sitting on the sidelines," Kevin said. "We need to find out what the Kiryuu Clan is planning—and how it ties into these... loops."

That night, Kevin found himself once again lying awake, staring at the ceiling. Every moment, every choice felt heavier, as if they carried the weight of his previous lifetimes.

His heart was restless, filled with doubts and questions. Why was he the only one cursed with these memories? Was there really no way out of this endless loop?

He clenched his fists. No. This time, things would be different. He wasn't going to play the same role again.

As sleep finally began to pull him under, Kevin heard Rias's voice faintly in his mind. It was as though she was calling to him—not with words, but with feelings.

"Kevin, we're with you. No matter what happens, we'll break this together."

Unbeknownst to him, Rias, lying awake in her own room, heard Kevin's thoughts drifting toward her.

"I won't let this happen again. I'll protect you this time—no matter what it takes."

Rias's eyes widened, a warmth spreading in her chest. He really cares... more than he knows.

The next day, Kevin and Rias gathered the group for an emergency meeting in the Occult Research Clubroom. Kiba, Koneko, Akeno, and even Asia were present. Kevin laid out everything—the visions, the strange man's warnings, the repeating cycle—and his growing belief that the Kiryuu Clan held the key to breaking it.

"I know it sounds insane," Kevin admitted, pacing the room. "But I need to believe there's a way out of this. And if we don't stop whatever they're trying to awaken, we'll all be caught in it."

Kiba leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "It's not the craziest thing we've heard."

Akeno smiled. "We've fought fallen angels, exorcists, and rogue devils. A time loop isn't that far-fetched."

Rias nodded, her gaze steady. "We'll find a way, Kevin. Together."

Kevin felt a weight lift from his chest. For the first time, he wasn't alone in carrying the burden of this endless struggle.

As the meeting wrapped up, Kevin caught Rias's eye. They lingered in the room after the others had left.

"You know," Rias said softly, "you've changed a lot since we met."

Kevin chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I have."

She smiled, a rare softness in her expression. "But it's a good change. You're not the same person you were before—and maybe that's exactly what we need to break this cycle."

Kevin's heart stirred at her words. For the first time in a long while, hope flickered within him. Maybe, just maybe, things really could be different this time.

And with Rias by his side, Kevin knew he had the strength to face whatever came next.