Gremory Mansion
Sona and Tsubaki materialized at the entrance of the Gremory mansion. The environment was quiet, indicating that most residents were still asleep. They were greeted by one of the maids, a middle-aged woman with a cordial smile on her face.
"Good morning, Sona-sama, Tsubaki-sama," the maid said, bowing slightly in respect. "How can I help you?"
Sona responded with a nod. "Good morning. We need to speak with Rias immediately. It's urgent."
The maid frowned slightly, showing concern. "Rias-sama is still asleep. She usually wakes up a bit later."
Sona sighed, feeling the pressure of the situation. "I understand, but the situation demands her immediate attention. I'll wake her personally."
The maid nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Very well, Sona-sama. I'll take you to Rias-sama's room."
Sona and Tsubaki followed the maid through the mansion's corridors, the atmosphere still filled with morning tranquility. Sona couldn't help but think that Rias should wake up earlier, especially considering her responsibilities.
When they arrived at Rias's room, the maid stopped, looking at Sona. "Here we are. Do you need anything else?"
Sona shook her head. "No, thank you. I'll take it from here."
The maid respectfully stepped back as Sona prepared to enter the room. She knocked lightly on the door before opening it and stepping inside.
Rias's Room
Rias's room was softly illuminated by the first rays of sunlight streaming through the windows. The luxurious and cozy decor created a comfortable atmosphere. In the center of the room, Rias was lying on her large bed, sleeping naked under the red silk sheets. This was not new to Sona, who was already familiar with her friend's habits.
Sona approached the bed with silent steps, trying not to startle Rias with a sudden awakening. She stopped beside the bed and, with a gentle touch on Rias's shoulder, began to wake her.
"Rias, wake up," Sona said softly, her voice calm and gentle.
Rias stirred slightly under the sheets, her face still serene from sleep. After a few seconds, she slowly opened her eyes, blinking to adjust to the soft light entering the room.
"Sona?" Rias murmured, her voice sleepy as she stretched lightly. "What happened?"
"Rias, there was another murder. Another human who made a contract was killed."
Rias woke up completely, sitting up in bed, still covered by the silk sheets. "Another one? That's the third one," she said, worried. "We have to solve this."
Sona nodded. "Yes, and there's more. The victim was a client of Koneko."
Rias's eyes widened, surprised and alarmed. "Koneko? That complicates things even more."
Rias sighed, throwing the sheets aside and getting out of bed. She was completely naked.
"I need to get dressed quickly."
Rias walked to her closet, grabbing clean clothes while Sona looked away for a moment, respecting her friend's privacy.
The sound of Rias's clothes moving and the soft rustling of fabrics filled the room as she dressed quickly. "All those who have died so far made contracts with members of my peerage," Rias said as she put on her underwear and then her usual outfit as the leader of Kuoh Academy.
Sona watched, her face expressing concern. "That means the murders are directly linked to you and your group. Someone is specifically targeting your clients."
Rias adjusted her clothes, now fully dressed, and turned to Sona, her expression serious. "I'll take responsibility for solving this. I can't let more people be victims. We'll investigate thoroughly and find out who's behind these attacks."
Sona nodded, recognizing Rias's determination. "Very well. I'll leave you to handle the murders. If you need any help, I'll be available."
Rias stepped forward and briefly hugged Sona. "Thank you, Sona. I really appreciate your support."
Sona returned the hug, feeling the connection of friendship and trust between them. "You're welcome, Rias. I know you'll handle this in the best way possible."
Rias released the hug and looked directly into Sona's eyes.
Sona nodded one last time before stepping back. "Take care, Rias. Keep me informed about any progress."
Rias watched Sona leave the room, her mind already working on a plan to resolve the situation.
Time Skip
Kaito's Room
Kaito woke up to a noise coming from downstairs. He blinked his eyes, still adjusting to the dawn light streaming through the window. Beside him, Asia was lying, nestled in his arms, breathing softly. The sound of his parents' voices echoed through the house, indicating they were awake and probably preparing breakfast.
Kaito moved carefully not to wake Asia, getting out of bed gently. He stretched, feeling the renewed energy he had gained overnight. He walked silently to the bathroom adjacent to his room to freshen up.
Bathroom
Kaito washed his face, brushed his teeth, and fixed his hair, feeling more awake and ready for the day. He looked at himself in the mirror, reflecting on recent events and the new responsibility he carried with his newly developed powers.
Kaito's Room
When Kaito returned to the room, he found Asia awake. She was sitting on the bed, looking at him with a soft, welcoming smile. Her eyes shone with a mix of joy and sadness.
"Good morning, Kaito," Asia said, her voice soft and affectionate. "Happy birthday."
Kaito smiled, feeling the warmth of her words. "Thank you, Asia. It means a lot to me."
Asia lowered her gaze slightly, a touch of sadness visible in her expression. "I wish I could give you a present, Kaito. But I have nothing to offer."
Kaito smiled gently at Asia, feeling a comforting warmth in his chest. He approached her, sitting beside her on the bed. "Of course, you have something to offer, Asia," he said, his voice full of affection and confidence.
Kaito slowly leaned in, his hands gently holding Asia's face. He looked into her eyes, their faces gradually getting closer. Asia, feeling the proximity, held her breath, her eyes widening slightly.
Kaito closed the distance and kissed her softly, his lips touching hers with tenderness and affection. The kiss was slow and filled with emotion, conveying all the care and gratitude he felt for her. Asia closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, feeling her heart race.
When the kiss ended, Asia was visibly breathless, her cheeks flushed a deep red. She brought her hand to her lips, still feeling Kaito's touch. "K-Kaito..." she murmured, almost out of breath.
Asia quickly got up, still red and breathless, and ran to the bathroom, leaving Kaito with a satisfied smile on his face. He knew the gesture had deeply touched her heart.
Kitchen
Kaito walked down the stairs confidently, feeling renewed and excited for the day. Entering the kitchen, he was greeted by the delicious aroma of breakfast being prepared. His parents, Miki and Gorou, were busy in the kitchen, working in sync to prepare a special meal.
Miki looked at Kaito and smiled broadly. "Good morning, Kaito! Happy birthday, dear."
Gorou nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Congratulations, son. How does it feel to be sixteen?"
Kaito smiled, sitting at the table. "Thank you, Mom, Dad. I feel great. Very excited for today."
Miki brought a tray of pancakes to the table, watching Kaito with affection. The pancakes were stacked high and covered with a generous layer of maple syrup, fresh fruits, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
"You are going to skip school today, dear," Miki said, placing the tray on the table.
Kaito grabbed a pancake, already preparing to eat, and shook his head. "No, Mom, I'm not skipping school. I need to go."
Miki sighed, sitting beside Kaito. "I understand, but there's something important I need to talk to you about."
Before Miki could continue, Kaito's phone buzzed with a new message. He picked it up and saw it was from Rias. The message was brief but clear: "Kaito, I need to talk to you. Come to my house as soon as possible."
'What does that spoiled girl want? Well, I have to tell her that I have a way to defeat Riser. Better see what she wants.'
Kaito put his phone away and looked at Miki. "Mom, I think you should have a girl talk with Asia."
Miki frowned, confused. "A girl talk? Why now?"
Kaito finished his pancake, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I kissed her, Mom. I think she might be feeling a bit confused."
Miki was momentarily speechless, processing the information. "You kissed Asia?"
Kaito stood up from the table, grabbing his backpack. "Yes, Mom. It was a special moment. But now I need to go to school. I promise we'll talk more about it later."
Before Miki could respond, Kaito left the kitchen and headed for the front door. "I'm going to school now. See you later!" he said, leaving Miki to digest the news about Asia.
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