As Riser Phenex and his bewildered peerage departed, the tense silence in the Occult Research Club room was broken only by the soft click of the door closing behind them. Grayfia Lucifuge, her silver eyes piercing, turned to Rias. "Rias Gremory," she began, her voice cool and authoritative, "I require an explanation for this… disgraceful behavior."
Rias flinched, but before she could speak, Grayfia shook her head. "No. On second thought, I don't care for your immediate excuses. This situation has been… complicated enough without a human male making baseless declarations." Her expression, however, remained stern, her gaze lingering on Rin.
"Grayfia-san," Rias interjected, her voice firm, "I wish to be with Rin. My feelings are genuine."
Grayfia repeated Rin's name, a low, almost weary sigh escaping her lips. "Are you certain of this decision, Lady Rias?"
"Yes," Rias affirmed, her chin lifting defiantly.
Rin, listening to their every thought, knew the truth. Rias had decided. She would demand a Rating Game to annul her engagement to Riser. He could hear the desperate hope, the fierce determination in her mind. He chose not to voice his knowledge, preferring to let Rias declare it in her own time.
Slowly, the rest of the Occult Research Club members began to filter out of the room, sensing the need for privacy. Kiba offered a polite nod, Koneko gave Rin a surprisingly contemplative look, and Asia, ever gentle, smiled shyly at him before following. Issei, however, paused at the doorway, a visible scowl on his face, a raw, undeniable jealousy radiating from him. Rin noted it, a faint smirk touching his lips.
Time for some adjustments, Rin thought. He subtly activated his system, focusing on Issei. Romantic Love (for Rias Gremory) -> 0. Romantic Love (for Akeno Himejima) -> 0. A sudden wave of confusion washed over Issei as he walked away, the intense jealousy he'd felt moments ago dissolving into a vague sense of unease he couldn't quite pinpoint. His romantic feelings for Rias and Akeno, while never as high as for Asia, had been present. Now, they were gone, replaced by a singular, overwhelming devotion to Asia. Sexual Interest (for Asia Argento) -> 100. Issei's step faltered, a new, intense focus on Asia blooming in his mind. Rin had no idea the profound impact this manipulation would have on Issei and Asia's relationship, solidifying their bond in ways he could barely imagine.
Meanwhile, Rin wasn't taking any chances. He turned his attention to Rias and Akeno. Romantic Love (for Issei Hyoudou) -> 0. Their feelings for Issei were already low, but he made absolutely certain they were eradicated. The 'Romantic Love (for Issei)' status completely vanished from their panels. Rin didn't quite understand the intricacies of his system's internal workings, but he trusted its results. He refocused on the two beautiful devils standing before him.
"Alright," Rin said, stepping closer to Rias and Akeno, his expression shifting to one of innocent concern. "Now that we're alone, what's wrong with you two? You seem very upset."
Rias hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. Telling him the truth about her background, her demonic nature, was terrifying. She feared he would recoil, leave her. Akeno, sensing her Buchou's struggle, gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. The silent strength of their sisterly bond flowed between them, giving Rias the courage she needed.
Rias took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Rin's. "Rin-kun," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "the truth is… Akeno and I… we are devils."
She proceeded to explain everything. Her heritage as a devil of the Gremory House, the intricate hierarchy of the Underworld, the concept of peerages, and the true purpose of the Occult Research Club. She spoke of the arranged marriage, of Riser Phenex being her intended, and the archaic traditions she was forced to endure. She confessed her fears, her desire to choose her own path, and the unfairness of her situation. As she spoke, her eyes began to well with tears, the raw emotion pouring out of her.
"I didn't mean to hide this from you for so long," Rias choked out, her voice thick with unshed tears, "I truly wanted to tell you sooner. But… but I was so scared. I thought… I thought you would leave me if you knew." She finished her explanation, her voice breaking, and then, with a choked sob, she threw her arms around Rin, burying her face in his chest as she wept.
Akeno watched, her heart aching for Rias. She longed to reach out, to comfort her beloved Buchou, but she knew, with a certainty that transcended logic, that only Rin could truly soothe Rias in this moment.
Rin held the crying Rias, letting her tears soak into his shirt. He feigned a moment of silent contemplation, as if slowly processing the shocking information he had just received. Then, with a slow, deliberate sigh, he tightened his embrace. He pulled Akeno into the hug as well, wrapping his arms around both of them.
"Rias," he murmured, his voice soft, filled with genuine affection that resonated with the system's manipulations, "and Akeno. My beautiful, brave girls." He kissed the top of Rias's head, then Akeno's. "Nothing you could ever tell me would make me leave you. I love you both. And I accept every single part of you. Your past, your present, and your future. Everything."
Rias stiffened, then slowly, miraculously, her sobs began to subside. She looked up at Rin, her tear-streaked face radiant with a mixture of relief and overwhelming love. "Rin-kun…" she whispered, then leaned in, her lips finding his in a desperate, hungry kiss.
The kiss deepened, Rias's passion overwhelming, pushing Rin backward until they tumbled onto the floor, Rias landing on top of him. Akeno, watching the scene, sighed, a soft, knowing sound. Of course. She understood the desperate, consuming need to give oneself entirely to the one you loved.
Rias, without breaking the kiss, began fumbling with the buttons of her school uniform. Akeno, a mischievous glint in her eyes, started to unbutton her own uniform as well.
"Are you two sure about this?" Rin asked, his voice husky, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Right here? The club members are just outside, you know. Someone might… hear our 'bonding time'."
"Yes!" Rias gasped, her eyes burning with a fierce resolve. "I want you, Rin-kun! Right now!"
Just as Akeno's uniform slipped off one shoulder, the clubroom door suddenly burst open. Grayfia Lucifuge stood there, her silver eyes wide, her elegant face frozen in an expression of disbelief.
"My Lady Rias!" Grayfia exclaimed, her voice sharp with a mix of shock and disapproval. "You cannot possibly engage in such antics here! Not while I am present!"
Rin felt a flicker of annoyance. Damn it, Grayfia. He briefly considered simply ignoring her, pushing his manipulation to sweep her away. But a thought stopped him. Grayfia is Sirzechs's wife. She's Rias's sister-in-law. There's a line I shouldn't cross, a political consequence I should avoid. But then, a colder, more calculating thought emerged. She needs to understand. She needs to know why Rias and Akeno are acting this way, why they've fallen for me so completely. A slow, predatory smile touched Rin's lips. And perhaps, in understanding, she will fall as well.
Rin made his decision. Grayfia Lucifuge. His next target.