Chapter 42: Contract

Compared to Himejima Akeno, who was too embarrassed to face anyone, Qingqiu looked every bit the post-incident playboy. Not only was he unashamed of being caught, if possible, he would've invited Koneko and Rias to join in. Alas, it remained a mere fantasy. Without sufficient strength, suggesting such a thing would likely get him beaten.

Qingqiu wasn't embarrassed, so Rias and the others were. After a brief silence, Himejima Akeno finally composed herself, though she remained curled up, wearing only her sheer black stockings. Her sleek, single ponytail hung to her waist, her elegant, bare back half-exposed, adding a unique allure.

"Little Aki, turn around..." Himejima Akeno lifted her head, her flushed face softening her usual assertiveness.

Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, "Didn't I already see everything..."

"Little Aki, good children listen," Himejima Akeno smiled gently, her tone sweet but carrying the undertone of a devil's whisper.

As a reincarnated devil serving Rias, Himejima Akeno indeed had demonic blood.

Qingqiu chuckled awkwardly, retreating a few steps, conceding. Continuing to push his luck might mean he wouldn't leave the clubroom on his own two feet.

Once Qingqiu was facing the corner, Himejima Akeno slowly stood up. She lifted her leg, slipping off her backward panties. Seeing the damp spot at the center, she suppressed a wave of embarrassment and annoyance.

"President, I'll head to the bathroom first. Could you bring me a fresh set of underwear?"

Feeling the slick residue on her thighs, Himejima Akeno turned toward the bathroom. Rias, Himejima Akeno, and Koneko all kept several sets of underwear and uniforms in the Occult Research Club. It served as their base of operations, or rather, home. Rias had also invited Yuuto Kiba, but he declined.

Possibility of being gay: ↑

Threat level as a blonde: ↓

Chances of being a cross-dresser: ↑

Though disappointed, Rias respected Yuuto Kiba's decision.

After delivering the new clothes to the bathroom, Rias returned to the scene. She smiled at Qingqiu, who was facing the wall. Their progress was unexpectedly swift, but not entirely unwelcome. While Himejima Akeno appeared upset, Rias knew her too well to be fooled. If Himejima Akeno had no feelings for Qingqiu, she would've opposed the recruitment plan from the start. Today's incident seemed more like an unexpected accident. It wasn't as if Himejima Akeno had tipped her off for a 'caught in the act' moment. Had she truly been unwilling, a simple spell would've ended things.

Choosing to forget the incident, Rias patted the couch, "Little Aki, come sit."

Qingqiu, his clothes untidy and expression pained, appeared more roguishly handsome than usual. Despite the change in demeanor, he couldn't ignore the fact that he couldn't best Rias. So, Qingqiu obediently returned to the couch. He was obedient, but Little Qingqiu was not. Despite the time that had passed, it remained defiant, visibly tenting his pants.

It wasn't his fault; anyone in his situation would be fuming. Rias opted for selective blindness, choosing to ignore the situation entirely. Meanwhile, Koneko curiously watched, occasionally sneaking glances at the tent while licking a pink popsicle.

As a cat youkai by nature, Koneko's curiosity was strong, especially toward things with a certain scent. Even as a demon, that hadn't changed.

"Little Aki, Akeno said you agreed. Is that true?"

Rias trusted Himejima Akeno wouldn't joke about this, but she preferred to confirm personally.

"Mm."

Qingqiu nodded, his expression one of resigned frustration. Let's skip the pleasantries and get on with the transformation, so he could head home and let the Takamine sisters soothe his angered Little Qingqiu. As for the thwarted opportunity, it didn't bother him much. Intimate moments with Himejima Akeno were a matter of time; Rias couldn't always arrive at such inconvenient times. Even if she did, Qingqiu vowed not to miss next time.

"Little Aki, are you uncomfortable?" Rias asked, curious about Qingqiu's unusual expression.

Qingqiu glared at the teasing pair of rabbits before him, replying irritably, "If you stepped back, President, I'd feel better."

"Or..." Rias offered an apologetic smile, "You could continue with Akeno in the bathroom, or find another way to relieve it..."

Though inexperienced, her theoretical knowledge was sound.

"President, if you want me carried out, just say so."

Qingqiu rolled his eyes. "Why didn't you take a few seconds longer to arrive, or just silently watch?"

Would nothing really happen? Or would everything have happened?

Rias felt equally innocent; she hadn't meant to intrude. Upon teleporting back, the first sight was a bare couple. As a seventeen-year-old pure-blood high-class devil, she'd never encountered such a scene. Instinctively, she'd called out...

Qingqiu was impatient, especially with Rias so close. Her delicate face, shapely figure, subtle fragrance, and noble aura—all were challenges to his restraint.

"President, are we going through with the transformation now?"

Qingqiu got straight to the point. "If not, I'll head home. Let me know when you're ready."

There was no special preparation needed for the servant transformation, just the devil piece. To avoid unnecessary delay, Rias agreed to proceed immediately. Himejima Akeno had already informed her of Qingqiu's conditions.

Rias took out a devil piece identical to Koneko's Rook. Unfurling her wings to reveal her devil form, her magic surged. As a pentagram magic circle appeared at Qingqiu's feet, the black devil piece in her hand slowly merged into his body. Once the last bit of the piece vanished into Qingqiu's chest, Rias beamed with delight.

"Little Aki, from now on, we're..."

Just as Rias prepared for a celebratory embrace, the magic circle's glow dimmed. Simultaneously, a point of darkness gathered before Qingqiu's chest. Within seconds, the darkness solidified into a fortress-shaped piece, reappearing on the table.

Clang—

The piece clattered onto the table, its crisp sound echoing in Rias's ears.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.