Chapter 13: Dark Magenta

Why did I think emailing the school was a good idea? The thought nagged at me as I arrived back in Kuoh Town.

Mura wasn't wrong when he warned me about hearts exploding if someone's will is too weak. I learned that the hard way when I asked an older couple during a random stay if they'd seen anything odd. The moment they locked eyes with me, it happened. First, they started coughing up blood. Then, a faint pop—and they collapsed. I couldn't hear their hearts anymore.

I had to figure out how to tone down my bloodlust. Fast. The bloodlust I radiate is tied to my connection with Muramasa, and since drinking from the Blood River, that bond has only gotten deeper. So, just like how you can redirect a stream with a stone, I tried redirecting my bloodlust. Instead of letting it flow around me like a beacon, I directed it into the ground. Turns out the earth acts like a dampener. Is it foolproof? Probably not. But at least I haven't had any more hearts explode, or made people as uneasy except that my appearance made some people nervous.

Now, why does that matter right now? Glasses and Tsubaki Shinra were waiting for me. Plums. Thankfully, I had the sense to stuff Muramasa into a duffel bag.

Tsubaki approaches me, her expression neutral. "Sasaki-san?"

"Sorry, you've got the wrong person." I try to slip past them.

"The principal told us what you look like, Sasaki-san," Glasses says, her tone all business. Damn it.

"School's already started, but you still have time to attend. Follow us, please." With that, Glasses turns and walks away, Tsubaki following like a duckling. This sucks.

I drag my feet as we head toward Kuoh Academy, which seems to annoy them both. Small victories. Eventually, we reach the school, and I'm shown into a changing room, where Glasses tells me to change into the uniform. When I ask if I can keep my bag, they reluctantly agree. Jerks.

After a half-hearted explanation of where my class is, I'm left to find it myself. Nervousness creeps in as I approach the classroom. Why wouldn't it? This place is where everything goes sideways from Angels, Fallen Angels, rogue devils, even gods come here to start trouble with the cast. And now, I'm about to be smack in the middle of it. But with the nerves comes excitement, excitement to test myself, to forge my own path.

I knock on the door, and the class falls silent. The teacher opens it, surprised, and motions for me to enter.

As I walk in and scan the room, my first thought is Plums. Right there, looking out the window, is the Sadist herself. And by the gods, she's beautiful.

"All right, class! We have a new student today. Let him introduce himself," the teacher says. Now, the entire class is staring at me—including the Sadist. And next to her... the Redhead. Gods, they're beautiful.

I don't bow. "I'm Sasaki Ryou. Things I like and things I hate… I don't feel like telling you that." Simple, to the point.

"A-ah, I see. Well, Sasaki-kun, how about you take a seat next to Gremory-san?"

Of course my luck is still down.

I drop into the seat and immediately put my head down on the desk. I haven't slept in days, cut me some slack.

*Cough*

*Cough*

Whoever's doing that is really annoying.

*EHM!*

I slowly turn my head to the left, where Gremory Rias—the Redhead—is forcing a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Ryou-kun. I'm Gremory Rias, but please, call me Rias," she says, still smiling.

I stare at her. For a minute, we just look at each other, her smiling, me expressionless.

Finally, I open my mouth and say, "Can you stop staring at me?"

And internally I enjoy her reaction as I move my head back down to face the desk.

-Rias POV-

I had heard that a new student was supposed to be attending late last year, but I didn't think much of it. My mind was focused on finding out if Issei Hyoudou had a Sacred Gear that could help me. When he finally walked in, I was subtly surprised that he didn't immediately look at me.

That makes me sound like Him.

Instead, he glanced at Akeno first, then finally at me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking—his face was a blank canvas, just a dull stare directed at everything. He reminded me of Koneko-chan but somehow felt so different.

I waited for him to settle at his desk, and to my amusement, he crossed his arms and rested his head down. As I tried to get his attention, I caught Akeno's eye, and it seemed she was enjoying this too. When I finally got his attention, he didn't even glance at my breasts. Am I odd for thinking that, or is he just weird for not looking?

After I introduced myself, we locked eyes, and I could feel Akeno's amusement growing.

"Can you stop staring at me?" he said. Those few words felt like a jab, and he returned to resting his head like nothing had happened. Slowly turning to face Akeno, I saw her smiling.

*Hmph*

"Ara~ Ara~ Rias-chan, it seems like someone didn't want your attention. Maybe he wants mine, fufu~" That's karma for you Ryou-kun, dealing with an intrigued Akeno.

-Ryou POV-

*Shiver*

'I feel like I made a mistake somewhere' was my last thought before I dozed off.

When I woke up, class had just finished. I shot up from my desk, ready to leave as quickly as possible. But as I lifted my head, I was greeted by... legs. I glanced further up flat stomach, then giant boobs, 'plums there big'. My eyes finally met the face of Akeno Himejima. The Sadist herself. Her words sent a shiver from the top of my head down to the lowest point of my toes.

"Ara~ Ara~ Ryou-kun, sleeping in class is bad. Fufu~ Or are you a bad boy, Ryou-kun?" she cooed, her voice dripping with playful amusement.

I don't know what possessed me, but I leaned in slightly and shot back, "Ara~ And who are you to be watching me sleep?"

Akeno froze, and the entire class followed. It was as if someone had hit the pause button. All eyes turned toward me, filled with shock. Did he really say that to her? The disbelief was palpable.

Seeing as Akeno wasn't responding and the atmosphere was thick with tension, I figured it was my cue to leave. Without another word, I walked out of the classroom.

Once outside, I found a tree and sat down beneath it, chuckling to myself. This might actually be fun, I thought. The chaos I'd just caused played through my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction.

But, of course, my luck hadn't turned. Barely thirty seconds had passed when I was met with dull yellow eyes staring down at me.

"You're in my spot," she said, her tone flat.