"Don't worry about it. " He said while offering a smile.
"It's not something out of the ordinary to me for people asking why I live alone, so don't think too much about it. And, to be honest, I think of all of them as my family.
"
"Ok, I'll take you on that. " The raven haired girl responded.
As they returned to their peaceful walk to school, Shinji gazed at the sky again. Even if he wasn't fond of being silent with company, he walks with Issei who normally is chased by girls or shouts he likes breasts like a maniac, or Momo who always ends up discussing with him, this was a nice change of pace.
"Kouki-kun. " A voice snapped him out of his thoughts again.
"I've been thinking about this lately. But when the Stray launched herself to finish me, why did you jump and receive the attack instead?"
Shinji was taken back by her sudden question. Sure he did a reckless move to save his friend, but why didn't he just push her instead of getting impaled again? His recklessness got the best of him at that critical time.
"To be honest, I don't know. " He said while he sighed.
"The moment I saw that thing trying to kill you I just ran to stop it. "
"But you almost got killed because of it, Kouki-kun. " The girl said back, her gaze lowering as she spoke.
"Because of my recklessness one of our teammates almost died, we also lost the Stray. Even after all we did to stop her, she fled before we could capture her.
"
"Hey. " The teenager stopped her, as she looked up she saw him putting a hand on her shoulder, a smile present on his face.
"Look, don't think too much about it, okay?"
The raven haired girl just stared at him, unable to understand what he meant. "I-I mean-" He coughed on his hand and resumed his speech, "-You are my friend Himejima-san, the moment I saw that thing trying to impale you I didn't think.
I just did what I'm the best at, jumping like an idiot to face the problem. "
The girl giggled a little at his sudden comment.
"But don't let that bother you. Look, if she escaped then all we need to do is face her as soon as Rias has her location again, we can't let her keep murdering innocents like this.
" He smiled as he looked at her eyes again, violet orbs meeting black ones. "Don't blame yourself for this, ok? You saved my life last night with that healing of yours, so I should be thanking you instead of you thanking me.
"
As Shinji finished, two hands threw themselves to the young man, a girl leaning in and hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Kouki-kun.
I needed that. " She simply said.
"Y-Yeah. " He tried not to blush at the girl's sudden action, but it was hard for him.
"Hey, Himejima-san. "
"Hmm?" She simply said as her hold on the boy got weaker, standing straight again and looking at the teenager.
"Just call me Shinji, okay? No need for formalities. " He smiled as he scratched the back of his neck.
"We are a team after all. "
Akeno blinked a couple of times, taken back by the sudden request of the boy in front of her, she closed her eyes and a smile appeared on her face as she opened them again. "Okay, Shinji-" She simply said, "-But only on one condition.
"
He was curious by her comment. "Sure, ask away.
"
"You call me Akeno from now on. "
The teen smiled as he scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, I can do that". He resumed his walk to school.
"Alright Hime-Akeno, should we go to school now? Momo will kill me if she finds out I'm late again. "
The raven haired girl giggled as she tagged along with him, her elegant stance returning to her persona. "Yeah, let's.
"
As the pair made their way to Kuoh Academy, two certain teenagers caught a glimpse of them.
"Check. "
"Damn, let's see. .
. try this.
"
"Nice move Shinji, but not good enough. Check.
"
"Ah, where did that come from!? Take this. "
"Close, you almost got me. Sadly Kouki-kun, this is the end.
Checkmate. "
As a bishop blocked a black King piece from moving, Shinji reclined on his chair, sighing heavily and closing his eyes. "What's the score now?"
"Ten-nil. " Rias simply said as she sipped from the cup her Queen served for her.
"Senpai's a loser. " A voice from a certain white haired loli made herself present.
The same girl was currently sitting in one of the couches in the room while munching her favorite snacks, her eyes not leaving them as she spoke.
"Thanks for your support, Toujou-san. " His eye twitched comically as he heard the compliment his colleague said.
"Don't be so down, Shinji. Rias-Bouchou can be a tough opponent when it comes to chess.
" Akeno spoke as she walked next to the black haired teen, offering a cup of tea she was preparing while the teenager had his butt kicked several times by her King.
"Thanks, Akeno-san. " As he sipped from his cup, Shinji's mind calmed while flavoring the sweet taste and relaxed while smelling the strong, yet refreshing essence the cup of tea emitted.
"Wow, Akeno-san, this is really good".
"Ara ara, thank you for the compliment Shinji-kun. " Exclaimed the raven haired girl as she giggled at his partner's compliment.
"It's good to see you're bonding already with your teammates, Shinji. Although you complained about every single thing first, you are now a little bit different.
" The red haired girl commented as she saw the small talk his queen had with the teenager.
"Hey, getting stabbed for a second time can make someone change their mind. " He retorted.
"That aside, you seem to be in a good mood today, Rias-san, something good happened to you?"
"Yeah, you can say that. " She drew a small smile while he looked at his servant.