Chapter [57]

Occult Research Club

Kaito entered the club.

Rias and Akeno were sitting on a sofa, talking quietly.

Rias, seeing Kaito enter, stood up and gave a warm smile. "Kaito, I'm glad you came. We need to discuss some important things."

Akeno, with her characteristic smile, waved at Kaito. "Welcome, Kaito. Have a seat with us."

Kaito sat in an armchair next to the sofa, observing the two with a serious expression. "Rias, I need to talk to you about something important. I've decided that I won't attend classes anymore. With my powers, I can ensure everything I need, and I have other responsibilities that require my attention."

Rias frowned, concerned.

"Kaito, school is important. It's not just about learning subjects but also about experiencing life, making friends, and growing as a person. Dropping out of school may seem like an easy solution, but you'll miss out on much more than you realize."

Kaito shook his head, determined. "Rias, I understand the importance of school for most people. But my life is not ordinary. I need to focus on my abilities and supernatural responsibilities. I want you to handle the bureaucratic side and help me deal with the school administration."

Rias sighed, trying to find the right words. "I understand your perspective, Kaito. But school is also a place where you can learn about relationships, life's dramas, revenge, and love. These experiences shape who we are."

Akeno stood up and went to the tea table, starting to prepare a tray.

Kaito listened to Rias's words, but his mind was clear. "Rias, I understand what you're trying to say, but just like me, you also don't care about school. All you really want is to live out an anime romance," he said bluntly.

Akeno returned with the tea tray, serving a cup for Kaito.

"Fufufufu," she laughed softly, agreeing with him. "Kaito is right, Rias. Sometimes it seems you're more interested in a dramatic romance than anything else."

Rias didn't like Akeno's laugh nor Kaito's comments. She crossed her arms, a displeased expression on her face.

"That's not true! I care about all of you and want the best for each of you. And yes, I believe love is important, but that doesn't mean I see life as an anime romance."

Kaito, sensing the tension, decided to change the tone of the conversation. "Let's act out a scenario to prove my point," he said, standing up and taking Akeno's hand. "Akeno, you're my new girlfriend, and Rias, you're my ex-girlfriend who was replaced."

Akeno, always willing to have fun, joined the game. She approached Kaito, holding his hand and looking into his eyes with an exaggeratedly sweet smile. "Oh, Kaito, I'm so happy we're together now," she said, her voice full of exaggerated sweetness.

Kaito returned the look, pretending a passionate expression. "Me too, Akeno. You're everything I've ever wanted."

Rias watched the scene with a growing expression of anger, her fists clenched at her sides. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, clearly irritated.

Akeno continued, her voice full of false innocence. "Kaito, how could you stay with Rias for so long? She never understood you like I do."

Kaito smiled, playing along. "I know, Akeno. Now I realize I made a mistake. You're the one for me."

Rias couldn't hold back her anger any longer. "Enough! This doesn't prove anything," she shouted, her voice full of frustration. "You two are just playing with my feelings!"

Akeno and Kaito exchanged a conspiratorial look before stepping back, still laughing. "Sorry, Rias," said Akeno, trying to calm her friend. "It was just a joke."

Rias took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Okay. Just don't do it again."

Kaito looked at Rias, serious. "Rias, I respect your opinion and your feelings, but my decision is made. I hope you can take care of the bureaucratic side for me."

Rias, though still irritated, reluctantly nodded. "Okay, Kaito. I'll take care of it. But remember, you can always count on us, regardless of your decisions."

Kaito thanked her with a nod, feeling a bit lighter. "Thank you, Rias. I appreciate it."

Akeno, still smiling, served more tea for everyone, trying to ease the remaining tension. "Come on, everyone. Let's enjoy the tea and relax a bit."

As everyone drank the tea, the atmosphere in the room began to calm down. Kaito, sitting comfortably in the armchair, decided to mention something he had been keeping to himself.

"Oh, by the way, I have a way to defeat immortals," he said casually, as if discussing the weather.

Rias, who was taking a sip of tea, immediately choked.

"COUGH COUGH!"

Akeno, with quick reflexes, patted Rias's back, helping her catch her breath.

"Calm down, Rias."

Rias looked at Kaito, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement. "Are you serious, Kaito? You really know how to defeat immortals?"

Kaito gave a slight smile, nodding affirmatively. "Yes, I have no reason to lie about it. It's an ability I acquired recently."

Rias's mind flooded with thoughts, especially related to Riser, her fiancé. The possibility of breaking the marriage contract and finally getting rid of this obligation made her extremely happy.

'If Kaito can really defeat immortals, that means I can free myself from Riser!' she thought, a sense of hope growing in her chest.

She looked at Kaito, a radiant smile on her face. "Kaito, I'm so happy about this that I could even give you a kiss!"

Kaito, remembering the earlier scenario, laughed and responded playfully. "Rias, it would be wrong to kiss the ex in front of the current girlfriend," he said, looking at Akeno with a conspiratorial smile.

Akeno immediately joined the joke. "That's true, Rias. It seems you have no shame," she said, pretending a disappointed expression while shaking her head.

Rias blushed as red as her hair, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "Stop it, you two!" she exclaimed, trying to maintain her composure.

"It's not fair!"

Kaito and Akeno laughed, feeling the tension completely dissipate. "Sorry, Rias," said Kaito, still smiling. "We're just playing."

Rias took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Okay. Just don't do it again," she said, still a bit red.

Rias then remembered something important, and her expression became serious again. "Kaito, we have a problem. For you to participate in the Rating Game as a mercenary, I need to convince Riser to allow it."

Kaito frowned, confused. "But why is that? Aren't mercenaries allowed?"

Akeno took a sip of tea before responding. "They are allowed, but the opponent has to agree to the mercenary's participation. Without Riser's approval, you can't participate."

Rias nodded, her expression showing the difficulty of the situation. "It would be unfair to bring someone who is not part of my Peerage into the Rating Game without the opponent's knowledge. If it were that easy, I would have already asked my sister-in-law to join us."

Kaito pondered for a moment before asking. "So, how do I get your... how do I get Riser to accept my participation?"

Rias responded angrily, her voice rising a bit. "He is not my fiancé!"

Kaito raised his hands in a gesture of apology. "Okay, I'm sorry."

Rias took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Sorry, Kaito. It's a sensitive topic. It would be easier if you came back to my Peerage."

Kaito shook his head negatively. "That's not going to happen, Rias. But tell me, what is he like?"

Rias sighed, frustrated by Kaito's refusal. "Riser is arrogant, egotistical, and lazy," she began, her voice filled with disdain.

Akeno added, with a touch of arrogance in her voice. "And also greedy, lustful, envious, wrathful, proud."

Kaito listened as Rias practically listed the seven deadly sins to describe Riser.

'Seems like Riser is a typical Devil,' Kaito thought, but he kept this thought to himself, not wanting to inflame Rias's anger further.

Rias looked at Kaito, waiting for a response. "So, what are we going to do?"

Kaito, reflecting on Riser's description, thought of a way to approach the situation. He knew he would need to touch Riser's pride to get him to accept participation in the Rating Game.

"Rias, if Riser is so arrogant and proud, maybe we can use that against him. We can do something that directly affects his pride, something he can't ignore."

Rias looked curiously at Kaito. "What do you suggest?"

Kaito smiled, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "We can show him that you are happy and confident without him. Someone like Riser wouldn't be able to stand seeing you happy with someone else, especially if that person is someone he considers inferior."

Akeno, who was observing the conversation, frowned, thinking about the change in Kaito's attitude. 'He's much bolder and more confident than the boy I met,' she thought. 'But I like this new Kaito. He's willing to face any challenge.'

Rias considered Kaito's idea, her expression softening. "This might work, Kaito. But what exactly do you have in mind?"

Kaito approached Rias, taking her hand and gently pulling her to sit on his lap. Rias, surprised by the gesture, blushed slightly but did not resist. She settled on Kaito's lap, feeling a mix of comfort and excitement.

Kaito looked into Rias's eyes, his voice soft but firm. "We need to show Riser that you are happy and confident with me. This will affect his pride."

Rias felt her heart race, but she liked the idea. "Yes, this might work," she said, a smile forming on her face. "Let's do it."

Akeno, watching the scene, felt a twinge of jealousy but also growing admiration for Kaito. 'He really knows how to handle situations,' she thought. 'This new Kaito is much more interesting.'

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