Chapter 9: Meeting Rias Seems Inevitable
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**Zane POV**
Rias' magic pulsed in the air—thick, cloying, like burnt sugar. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she leaned over the arcade cabinet, cleavage strategically angled. I didn't blink. Six Eyes dissected her power threads: *Demonic energy, 34% concentrated in the chest region. Pathetic.*
"You're the transfer student avoiding me," she purred, nails tapping the screen. "Must admit, you're… *handsome.*"
I paused *Devil May Cry*, Dante's sword mid-swing. "I'm taken."
Her grin sharpened. "No one's ever refused me."
"First time for everything, Gremory." I teleported to the opposite side of the room. "Let's recap: One, I don't know you. Two, your fan club wants me dead. Three—"
"Three," she interrupted, materializing inches away, "you're *lying.*" Her finger traced my jawline. "Everyone wants a taste of—"
The door slammed open. Frost crackled across the floorboards as Nana strode in, glasses gleaming with murderous intent.
"Rias," she said, voice colder than Styx's depths. "Explain."
I ducked behind her, clutching her shoulders like a shield. "Nana! Save me from this… this *seaweed-haired succubus!*"
Rias' magic flared. "*Seaweed—?*"
"He's *mine,*" Nana hissed, ice shards crystallizing in her palm. "Touch him again, and I'll mail your brother pieces of your *precious* Rating Game trophies."
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**Magic Lockdown**
Rias' Power of Destruction swirled—a miniature supernova in her hand. "You think *ice* scares me, Sitri?"
I sighed. *Time to intervene.*
A snap. The room shuddered as violet chains erupted from the floor, binding Rias' magic mid-eruption. Her eyes widened.
"What… what *are* you?"
"Annoyed." I flicked the chains; they dissolved, taking her spell with them. "You'll get your parlor tricks back when you learn manners."
Nana gripped my arm, her devil crest glowing. "Zane. *Now.*"
We teleported to the rooftop. Below, Rias' enraged scream shook the ORC building.
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**Aftermath: Domestic Fluff & Foreshadowing**
Nana's hands trembled. Not from fear—*fury.*
"You didn't tell me she—"
"Would pull that?" I pulled her close, Six Eyes softening to lavender. "Didn't wanna worry you."
She yanked my collar, forcing me to meet her gaze. "I'm not fragile."
"Never said you were." My thumb brushed her devil crest, icy to the touch. "But watching you defend my honor? *Hot.*"
Her blush rivaled Rias' hair. "Idiot."
We stayed there until sunset, her head on my shoulder, as Kuoh's shadows stretched like claws.
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**Rias Gremory POV (Post-Credits Scene)**
The magic suppression lasted *hours.*
"President?" Kiba peered into her darkened room. "Your chessboard is… smoking."
Rias didn't turn from the window. "Kiba."
"Yes?"
"Find me *everything* on that transfer student. *Everything.*"
Her knight hesitated. "Sona Sitri's territory—"
"**Now.**"
The door closed. Outside, a crow cawed—or was it laughter?
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