The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the old building in hues of orange and gold. As Blake walked down the quiet hallway, his footsteps echoed faintly against the wooden floor. He reached the door of the Occult Research Club, inhaled softly, and pushed it open.
The door swung inward with ease, revealing the familiar room. The air was warm, carrying the scent of tea and a faint trace of something floral.
"Blake-kun, welcome to the club~"
"Welcome, Blake-senpai."
Three voices greeted him simultaneously. Rias, ever the charismatic leader, smiled brightly. Akeno, her teasing tone laced with amusement, poured tea with her usual grace. Koneko, as stoic as ever, merely gave him a small nod.
Blake smirked, stepping fully into the room. "You're all so welcoming. I might just get embarrassed."
Akeno giggled. "Embarrassed? You? I'd love to see that."
Blake took the tea Akeno handed him, nodding in thanks. "By the way, just call me Blake. I've been here long enough, and all this formality still feels odd."
"Blake, huh? Alright." Rias leaned forward slightly, her crimson locks cascading over her shoulders. Her deep blue eyes shimmered with curiosity. "You've hidden yourself well, you know. Even from us."
Blake chuckled. "No choice. I like my peace."
Koneko, who had been silently watching him, narrowed her golden eyes. She had always been intrigued by him—someone who carried a weight similar to hers yet still managed to maintain a composed, even gentle, demeanor.
"Blake," Rias suddenly spoke, crossing her legs and fixing him with a determined gaze. "Join me. Become one of my servants."
Blake stilled, his fingers tightening slightly around the teacup. He set it down, meeting her gaze with a serious expression.
Blake exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "You do realize the consequences, right? Even if I'm the abandoned son of the Silva family, that title still holds weight. They won't take kindly to this."
Rias smiled, unwavering. "I'm Rias Gremory. I don't answer to them."
Blake studied her for a long moment, a faint warmth spreading through his chest. He could see it—her genuine desire to protect him. By becoming her servant, he'd gain her protection, her backing. It was a tempting offer.
Silence fell over the room.
Rias blinked, her confident smile faltering. Akeno raised an eyebrow, while Koneko tilted her head slightly. None of them had expected that.
"...Can I ask why?" Rias finally spoke, her tone softer.
Blake smiled, though this time, it was different—more personal, more direct. "Because I don't want to be your servant, Rias. I want to be your boyfriend."
Rias's breath hitched.
Blake leaned forward, his blue eyes locked onto hers. "I may not have known you for long, but I've already fallen for you. Your strength, your kindness, your beauty—it's hard not to."
Akeno's amused hum broke the silence. "Oh my, what an unexpected turn. I think I'm a little jealous."
Koneko's usual expressionless face flickered with the faintest hint of pink.
Rias, on the other hand, stared at him, her cheeks flushing. "Blake... you shouldn't joke about things ."
"I'm not joking." His voice was steady.
Rias swallowed, suddenly feeling as if the air in the room had thickened. She had always been surrounded by admirers, but this was different. Blake wasn't worshiping her from a distance—he was standing at her level, looking her straight in the eye, challenging her.
She didn't dislike it.
Blake's smile faded slightly, his tone more serious now. "How about this? Give me six months. If I can't make you fall for me, I'll drop it and take the role of your knight instead."
Rias studied him, her fingers brushing against her sleeve as she considered.
The idea of being pursued so openly... it was bold. Unexpected. And oddly thrilling.
She exhaled, smiling despite herself. "Alright. Let's see if you can win the heart of Rias Gremory."
Blake smirked. "Then, I'll be in your care."
Just as Rias was about to respond, the door swung open.
A disheveled Kiba stepped inside.
The moment his eyes landed on Blake, panic flashed across his face. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted.
"Oi, Kiba, wait—" Blake called after him, but the so-called 'Prince of Kuoh' was already halfway down the hall.
Blake sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "Guess I left too strong of an impression."
Rias covered her mouth, laughing. "You did nearly break him yesterday."
Moments later, Kiba cautiously reentered, his expression unreadable. He exhaled slowly before bowing his head. "I apologize for attacking you."
Blake waved it off. "No hard feelings. Rias and Akeno already apologized."
Kiba nodded, visibly relieved. "You're... surprisingly understanding."
"Surprisingly?" Blake raised an eyebrow. "Do I not seem like a reasonable guy?"
Kiba chuckled. "After seeing what you did with a sword, I half-expected you to be a war god."
Blake grinned. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment."
Rias, Akeno, and Koneko exchanged glances. The air of tension that had existed between Blake and Kiba seemed to dissolve in an instant.
It was an oddly amusing sight—two of Kuoh Academy's 'princes' standing there, exchanging what was essentially businesslike flattery.
"This is just... weird," Koneko muttered under her breath.
Rias smiled. "You'll get used to it."
To celebrate Blake's official induction into the club—not as a servant, but as something more—the group decided to go out.
The sight of Kuoh Academy's most popular students walking together was enough to cause a stir. Beautiful women, a strikingly handsome swordsman, a perfect knight, and a tiny but fierce mascot. Whispers followed them wherever they went.
But none of them paid it any mind.
For the first time in a long while, they simply enjoyed themselves.
Blake, however, had something else on his mind.
Saturday Morning – Departure Day
Dressed and ready, he finished his breakfast, stretching his shoulders. "Sia, is the travel system reset?"
"Yup! You can enter a new world anytime now~ Also, your plundering ability has four uses currently, and it'll reset after time travel, so you get five total!"
Blake smirked. "Perfect."
His leave from school had been handled. There was nothing tying him down.
With a deep breath, he gave the order.
A golden light engulfed him.
And in the next instant—he was gone.