Chapter 10 - Akeno, The First Kiss

"... But I saw what you did, I saw how well you did it, so... what do you think about me rewarding you?"

Hearing this, I couldn't answer anything.

I turned to Akeno and saw her slowly approaching me with her hands hidden behind her back and her long hair tied in a ponytail that swayed with every step. The look on her face was unreadable, and my body stiffened.

I had never imagined that things would change so quickly. Could this be an effect on the hearts I received from her?

The words seemed to escape me and my mind went blank as she stopped right in front of me, close enough for me to smell the faint scent of her perfume.

"Ak-Akeno?" I stammered, feeling my face heat up from being so close to her.

She tilted her head slightly to my side and then planted a soft kiss on my cheek. I froze for a moment and couldn't stop a deep blush from spreading across my face.

I immediately felt like grabbing her around the waist, but my rational side spoke louder and for a few seconds I held back. I really did, so as not to act rashly, but only for a few seconds.

"Don't be discouraged, Leo," she said. "It is normal for some people not to want to sign right away. They usually get back in touch, and sooner or later they give their signature. Don't worry."

Akeno turned away from me. And I think that at that moment, my aura of perversion managed to escape from my body, because she looked back as if she sensed my desire. Our eyes met and there was something in her eyes that encouraged me to act, perhaps a fragility, perhaps an unusual sparkle. Something inexplicable that only I could see at that moment. On an impulse I couldn't contain, I stepped forward and gently grasped her chin. Time stretched as I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers.

The surprise in her eyes was evident during the kiss, but she didn't pull away. The kiss was brief, and I literally felt an electric current running through my body. When I pulled away, her expression was completely different. Akeno, who had always seemed so confident and in control, was now blushing with a look of pure surprise.

My face was flushed too, and I wanted to apologize, but I did not want to be the weak, virginal boy I had been on earth. So I decided to continue being bold.

"A simple kiss on the cheek wouldn't be enough of a reward. That's why I decided to get something extra." I said, but my face was as red with embarrassment as Akeno's.

She remained motionless, her eyes still wide and her face increasingly red. It was clear that I had taken her completely by surprise. As I got on the bike, I turned to look at her one last time before I left.

Akeno stood still, touching her lips. Obviously, she was still processing what had just happened.

"Will I... see you later?" I asked.

"Uhum~"

"Thanks for the reward."

I pedaled fast, feeling the cold night wind in my face, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me.

If I'd known then that it was also Akeno Himejima's first kiss, I would have done more.

[You kissed Akeno Himejima. She's confused about what this means for both of you, but she doesn't disapprove of your action].

[You didn't win any hearts with that kiss.]

Even though the system indicated that nothing had changed, I knew that the kiss had changed something between us. This surprise kiss would have a consequence that even knowing the history of High School DxD, I couldn't predict. Was it too early or too late?

The walk back seemed shorter, maybe because my mind was filled with so many thoughts.

*

The next day, I went to the Occult Research Club early but didn't find Akeno there.

Rias asked me about the details of the mission and I explained that everything went smoothly and that the monk didn't want to give me his signature. Just like Akeno, she told me that this was normal and that I shouldn't get discouraged. So she gave me my second task, which was a little easier. I was to hand out leaflets in the city.

The downtown streets were busy as usual, with the sound of cars passing by and people chatting. This was a small town, very different from Republic City where I used to live.

I walked around for a few blocks, handing out flyers with the Occult Research Club's message and trying to attract 'customers'.

Then, as I turned a corner near the park, I saw a child crying. It was a boy, and he was holding one of his knees where there was a scratch.

I remembered that scene.

Am I there yet?

Without thinking, I approached the little boy, crouched down beside him and asked:

"Hey, what happened, buddy?"

He looked at me with watery eyes and sobbed loudly. "I fell... it hurts a lot! Buéééé!"

Carefully, I looked at the wound. It was a dirt scratch, nothing too alarming, but the blood and pain were enough to frighten a child.

"Use <Melodious Voice>." I mentally said. "It's okay. You're a strong and brave boy. There's no need to cry."

The use of my skill made the boy stop crying immediately. At that moment, I heard light footsteps behind me. When I turned around, I saw a young blonde woman with green eyes who seemed to be worried about the boy.

When I looked at her, I knew. It was Asia Argento.

Asia knelt down beside the boy, her face showing natural concern.

"Excuse me, can I help him?" she asked in a soft voice that sounded more like a whisper.

"Yes, of course." I replied, relieved that I wasn't alone. "He's hurt his knee."

Asia smiled at the boy and put her hands on the wound. A greenish glow emanated from her hands and in a few seconds the cut began to close.

The boy stopped crying and looked at his now-healed knee in amazement.

"Wow, that's better! Thank you!" The little boy exclaimed with a big smile.

Before we could respond, he got up and ran to join his friends playing soccer.

"Thanks for helping," he said sincerely to the blonde girl. "I'm Leonard, by the way."

She smiled shyly. "I'm Asia Argento. It was a pleasure to help. And you did a great job of calming him down. How did you do that?"

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