Chapter 89 - Akeno: It's My Job As His Girlfriend!
"It's really rare for Rias to take a leave of absence," Mahiro said, thinking it over.
Rias is definitely a top student, especially when it comes to self-discipline, to the point where she earns everyone's respect.
From her first year of high school to her third, Rias has never missed a day and has always had perfect attendance.
Even when something important comes up, Rias would sort it out in advance so it wouldn't mess with her schedule.
But these past two days, Rias had taken a rare leave of absence.
It was definitely weird.
"Because it was something related to the Gremory Clan and to Rias herself, she had to go back and handle it personally," Akeno explained with a sigh. She knew why Rias left, but it wasn't something she could tell Mahiro.
After all, it was Rias's personal business.
"Related to Gremory Clan!?" Mahiro thought for a moment and quickly guessed why Rias had to go back to the underworld.
Based on what he knew about Rias, there was one thing that could seriously bother her—the engagement that was forced on her.
This marriage contract with the Phenex Clan, shoved down her throat by her family, has always been a source of frustration for Rias.
Rias had been trying to figure out how to break off this engagement.
She'd tried negotiating with her family several times, using different tactics to get out of it, but every time, her efforts got shot down.
"Don't worry, Rias will definitely be able to handle it," Akeno said with a chuckle.
Of course, that was just to comfort him.
Whether it could actually be resolved, she had no clue.
As someone who'd grown up with Rias, Akeno knew all too well what was eating her up and how tough it was.
"After all, she's our President, and there's nothing that can stop her," Koneko added from the side, her words full of trust in Rias.
"Hmm, sure," Mahiro smiled, though he wasn't entirely convinced.
'No point stressing over it now; I'll just wait until Rias gets back.'
"Want some afternoon tea?" Akeno asked with a smile.
"Sure, thanks," Mahiro replied with a smile.
"Hold on," Akeno said as she turned to get the tea.
"Here are some of my new snacks for you," Koneko said, pulling out a tray of snacks from who knows where and offering them to Mahiro and Asia.
"I'm gonna go practice my swordsmanship first. Ever since the last training camp, I feel like I've leveled up," Yuuto said calmly.
Reporting to the ORC every day was a must for them, but since Rias wasn't around today, they focused on their own stuff.
"Mahiro-san, I might ask you to spar with me again soon," Yuuto said, looking a bit embarrassed.
After hitting a wall with his swordsmanship, sparring with a strong opponent is a quick way to break through.
But since Mahiro had just returned today, Yuuto didn't want to ask him to spar right away.
"No problem," Mahiro nodded.
After a while, Akeno came back and poured everyone a cup of tea.
After enjoying a quiet afternoon tea, Mahiro was ready to head home.
"Akeno, your place isn't in this direction, is it?" Mahiro asked as he noticed Akeno following him on the way home.
Was she planning to go home with him?
"I haven't cooked breakfast for you in days. As your girlfriend, I've been really slack, so I'll take care of dinner tonight," Akeno said, holding Mahiro's hand with a smile.
"I just had the dinner you made the day before yesterday," Mahiro said, a bit exasperated.
"That was just hot pot. Anyone can make that, and I didn't even make it alone, so it doesn't count!" Akeno pouted and argued.
"I can cook too. I used to do a lot of cooking when I was in the church," Asia chimed in from the side.
"Asia, it's my job as his girlfriend, you can't take that from me." Akeno said, smiling at Asia like she was saying, 'I'm his girlfriend, so you need to listen to me.'
"I...I just want to do something for Mahiro-kun the best I can," Asia quickly added.
"Let's make dinner together," Akeno said generously. She did like Asia, who was simple and pure.
Mahiro just smiled and let them be.
The three of them went to buy groceries together, then headed home to make dinner.
Mahiro sat in the living room alone, messing around on his phone, while Akeno and Asia were busy in the kitchen.
Suddenly, a magic circle lit up in the living room.
"Huh?" Mahiro put down his phone and looked at the magic circle.
A petite figure with silver-white hair and a cute, expressionless face appeared—it was Koneko.
Mahiro was a bit surprised; he hadn't summoned her today, so why had she suddenly shown up?
"Mahiro, the President is back," Koneko said as she spotted him.
"Oh, it's Koneko-chan. I thought someone else had come," Akeno said as she noticed the magical disturbance. She came out of the kitchen and smiled when she saw it was Koneko.
"Akeno-senpai is here too?" Koneko seemed a bit surprised.
"Yeah, I'm making dinner at Mahiro-kun's place today," Akeno said, shaking the spatula in her hand.
"Koneko-chan, did you come over to play games with Mahiro-kun?" Akeno asked.
"No," Koneko shook her head, "President has returned."
"Rias is back? Hmm, I figured she'd be back around now; she mentioned it to me yesterday," Akeno nodded.
"But..." Koneko's eyes trembled slightly, revealing a hint of hesitation.
"What's wrong? Did something happen to Rias?" Mahiro asked.
"President looked disappointed," Koneko replied.
[A/N: Sorry for the short chapter. I'm all about quality over quantity now, and you've probably noticed the improvements in the last couple of chapters. So...]
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