A wave of energy burst through the air, echoing across the sky like a thunderclap.

Within the training arena, two figures clashed fiercely, their silhouettes flickering and colliding at blinding speed.

One of them was Akira, clad in pristine white—an odd contrast to the fierce battlefield aura around him.

His opponent was Koneko Tōjou, now in her awakened Nekomata form, having tapped into the primal power deep within her. Her white hair flowed like a ghostly flame, and her eyes gleamed with the raw, untamed energy of life—Youki.

But she was still young. Despite awakening her Senjutsu abilities, Koneko hadn't yet fully grasped how to control the life force surging through her. She had the instincts but not the mastery.

Only recently had she come to terms with the trauma that once chained her heart—finally choosing to embrace the power she'd sealed away long ago.

And for that journey, Akira had become her perfect sparring partner.

Which led to this moment—countless mock battles that slowly but surely helped Koneko sharpen her understanding of Senjutsu.

Still, to truly grow stronger, what she needed wasn't just a partner—but a proper teacher. Someone who had truly mastered the art of Youki and its complex flow.

Akira, while incredibly strong, simply wasn't built for that role. Their systems of power were fundamentally different. He could guide her to a point, but not beyond it.

There was only one person truly suited for that position—Kuroka, Koneko's older sister.

Currently under Vali Lucifer's banner, Kuroka had grown into a terrifying force in her own right—her power now vast and immeasurable.

"She looks... happy, doesn't she, Rias?"

From the sidelines of the arena, two girls stood watching the duel. One of them, Akeno Himejima, stared at Koneko with a bittersweet expression.

Koneko had found a way to emerge from the darkness of her past.

But what about her?

Akeno had opened up once—shared her pain with Akira, bared her wounds. But that didn't mean her burdens had been lifted. Not completely.

She still loathed the fallen angel blood flowing through her veins.

Even now, she rejected the power inherited from her lineage. If given the choice, she would rather die than accept that side of herself.

"It's been years, Akeno," Rias Gremory said quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Even Koneko's finally made peace with herself. So what about you?"

Rias's eyes flicked to her childhood friend.

In truth, her entire peerage felt like a collection of wounded souls.

Koneko, once cold and distant, had refused to trust anyone outside a select few. She'd locked herself away in silence, and even now, traces of that past lingered.

Then there was Akeno—the one Rias knew best.

Her pain wasn't a mystery. Akeno herself knew that her father had always loved her deeply.

But that didn't erase the fact that her mother had died while her father wasn't there. That loss had carved a deep scar in her heart, one that had never fully healed.

And it wasn't just Akeno.

Yuuto Kiba still carried the bitter memories of betrayal and death. He wore his smile like armor, but Rias knew the sorrow hidden beneath it.

And Gasper Vladi—a Dhampir who had been sealed for years. A socially anxious shut-in, with a tendency to crossdress so convincingly, even the other guys had to look twice.

Thinking about all of them made Rias's head throb. Was this really good fortune... or a curse in disguise?

"Akeno..." Rias started gently.

"Hm?"

"Do you think you can still be saved... like Koneko-chan?"

There was a pause before Akeno replied. "You mean... by him?"

She glanced toward Akira, who was still in the middle of training Koneko.

He looked at her with such gentle eyes. Like an older brother doting on his precious little sister.

Especially now, with Koneko in her adorable catgirl form, Akira never seemed able to say no to her.

"He can," Rias said firmly. "You've already taken the first step, haven't you? Out of the darkness."

"The first step, huh..."

Akeno's thoughts drifted to that day.

Her black wings—the very thing she had always hated. And yet, Akira hadn't recoiled.

He had called them beautiful.

Just a few simple words—but somehow, they had stirred something in her heart. Something she had never allowed herself to feel before.

Was her heart... really that easy to sway?

And more importantly—did she even deserve this kind of happiness?

"What are you thinking about?"

Rias's voice cut through her silence.

"Akeno?"

"…If Akira wins the next Rating Game," Akeno said quietly, "can I ask you for one thing?"

Rias blinked. "What kind of request?"

"Before I regret it… please win over his heart—and his body—for me."

"…What?"

Rias's voice came out flat. Calm, but laced with suspicion.

"I'm just trying to push you forward," Akeno replied with a faint smile. "To stop you from holding back."

"Funny. I remember someone sneaking into my room late at night just to show me something. And now you're cheering me on?"

"Because to a man," Akeno said, voice low and wistful, "his first woman will always hold a special place in his heart."

"Then why haven't you…?"

Rias stopped herself mid-sentence.

Because in love, everyone was selfish—herself included.

But there was something strange about Akeno today. It felt like she was saying goodbye. Maybe it was just a hunch—but that feeling clung stubbornly in Rias's chest.

"You're better for him than I am," Akeno said, her smile now tinged with sorrow. "You're his master. The future head of House Gremory. In every way that matters... it should be you."

"So you're content being second place? Akeno, is that really how low you think of yourself?"

"I don't have a choice. I've always been... tainted from the beginning."

Her voice was calm—but every word stabbed like a knife.

"Akeno... why would you think that? Your father is—"

"Don't say his name, Rias!"

The words came sharp—explosive.

Akeno's whole body tensed, her rage flaring up like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.

Rias went silent. Then, slowly, she nodded and let out a deep sigh. She'd crossed a line—and she knew it.

When it came to Akeno... she was out of answers.

Her gaze wandered back to Akira.

Perhaps... he was the only one who could reach her.

The only one who might be able to heal that wound.

Unaware of the heavy conversation happening nearby, Akira continued his spar with Koneko. From his perspective, it was less of a battle and more like an enjoyable little game.

Eventually, with a soft thud, they broke apart.

"That's enough for today, Koneko-chan. You've got to know your limits."

"…Okay."

Koneko nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow and breathing steadily.

Thanks to her activated Youki, her strength had improved immensely—especially in stamina and energy output.

Senjutsu wasn't just physical combat—it was the art of syncing with the natural world. Drawing energy from the surroundings to empower the body and spirit.

And for a born Nekomata like Koneko, her talent was undeniable. Her affinity for Senjutsu was off the charts.

She was still young, but someday—once she hit her prime—she would be unstoppable.

Beside her, Akira gently patted her head, his fingers softly brushing through her hair like he was stroking a cat.

Koneko's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. But she didn't resist. In fact, she inched closer—just a little.

Ever since the day Akira helped her face the truth she'd been denying, her feelings for him had shot through the roof—like a rocket into the sky.

Now, in front of him, Koneko was like a cuddly kitten—quietly basking in his affection, never pulling away.

And for Akira, petting her had become a kind of habit. A quiet ritual. Like therapy—for both of them.

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