6. Yamato Nadeshiko
Night has passed and daylight creeps over the horizon. Morning has come, and in the mere few moments after the sun rises; Anos wakes.
The night was kind to him and sleep had come easily enough. He remembered not a single dream. If he had any of course. Anos wasn't a dreamer like most.
Dreams were the ultimate form of delusion— that is, until you force them into fruition.
Getting out of bed and sliding his room door open, Anos starts the new day. Though, while not completely spurning the prior line of thought, he does not dwell on it any more than necessary.
A short shower does allow for one to clear a cloudy head and a good breakfast evens out the rest. Anos enjoys the benefits of both. After which, he clothed, and set off for school.
Attending Kuoh Academy now was just a formality. A way to watch the little devils.
Back then, his reasoning for continuing a school life in this world simply came down to being something he had never done before. Still is, to a point.
Choosing to walk at a turtles pace, it takes a little longer than usual before Anos passes the familiar gates of Kuoh Academy and slips into school. Through the flowing students walking with gusto, only one sticks out to him.
Issei Hyoudou.
The chocolate haired boy often seen with his two posse of perverts in their infamous trio. The same boy was running around the place with a goofy smile as if to pester the world with his excitement. So true to Rias' word, she brought him back to life. As a devil.
Anos noted that while Issei now held a devil's signature, he still had another. There was something else painted between the white and black. There was red. It felt akin to Ophis' draconic nature, even more so than the night at the park.
It was clear to Anos, the boy did indeed have a Sacred Gear. A slight cause for this little feud between the devils and the fallen.
Potentially, a war.
But Anos was sure the devils could handle it. They wouldn't be in charge of this territory if they were fools in management. Their long gone meeting proved that much true.
However, if they were to fail, then he supposes he could pick up the slack; if only to quell the dormant signs of a war from getting a much unneeded foothold.
Finally passing through the English class' door, Anos made his way towards the far left side of the room, to his seat. A few ogles from the females, a few glares from the males. Nothing of importance.
Rias however, didn't take this class, at least not on the same day as Anos. Differing in schedules and all that. Some days she and he shared classes, other days they would not see each other even once.
It hardly mattered to Anos. Though admittedly, a stray thought for the young she-devil was spared.
—————
A cute yawn left her lips just under the sounds of running water. Tufts of steam clouds fogging the small showering room of the ORC.
Rias had many guilty pleasures, one such came in the form of warm flowing water. It served to ease her fatigue, while at the same time, caressing her flawless skin in a soothing therapeutic relief.
One of life's often overlooked moments. And something Rias needed dearly. She didn't get a lot of sleep at the Hyodou residence. It was a miracle she was able to uphold a prim, proper and slightly alluring visage when operating on a measly three hours of sleep.
Her thoughts were preoccupied during the waking hours of the night. Still, she did not waver, playing her elegant persona well. Issei; and by extension, his parents— ate it up. A little magic didn't hurt either.
All in all; her short time served its purpose and the unorthodox recruitment of her Pawn would officially be settled later today.
After turning the warm water off and getting out, Rias grabbed two towels. One for her scarlet hair and the other for her mature body. Ringing out the soaking locks that stuck itself to her skin, Rias dried the rest of herself off before slipping into her Kuoh academy uniform.
The fatigue had vanished and she felt much better, lighter even.
Opening the room's door to the main setting of the ORC and humming to herself, Rias smiled placidly. Walking her way to her work desk, she sat in the leathery office chair.
She would have made some tea to accompany her jubilant mood but her Queen would be coming any moment now.
She did not wish to offend her best friend with her own brew; the violet eyed beauty had a strange passion for such simple things.
Leaning forward in her chair, Rias softly presses an enclosed fist into the left side of her cheek. Mimicking an action of a certain someone she'd become loosely acquainted with. A regal look that he had done so many times in their shared class. It was as if he were a king in a past life.
With a heavy sigh, Rias cursed her inability to get the man out of her head. Glancing at her desk, she tapped her fingers over his name: Anos Voldigoad.
Her desk is crowded in his name with his files and records. He was, after all, a person of great interest.
Zeroing in on anything of substance, there was just something about him. It was only when someone knocked on the door that Rias pulls away from her thoughts. She took a moment to gather all the papers, "Come in."
Seconds later, Akeno steps inside with her soft eyes and infectious smile.
Rias offered the black haired beauty a smile in return. The door softly closing behind her. Akeno moves into the room, and with cordial grace, she walks past Rias, "Tea?" She asks.
"Yes, of course," Rias responds right away, just after organizing the papers and herself.
Akeno nods. Rias watches her Queen briefly disappear into the other room, the redhead leans back in her chair with a small breath.
Hopefully she didn't look too suspicious just now. Rias could only think this for so long before Akeno shortly came back to her, setting the chinaware down on her desk.
Akeno took the cups and poured them until they were nearly full. The Queen blew on the twin teacups once, twice, and thrice before pushing one over to her King.
Rias took a sip. Like always, Akeno's tea was delicious. Given the perfect amount of sugar, milk and honey.
The Queen joins her King with a sip of her own. Her eyes lingering to Rias' desk, to the papers. With the taste of tea fresh on her tongue, the black haired beauty resolved to take the moment and figure things out.
"Buchou," Akeno spoke, eliciting a more than content hum out of her King, "what's with these papers?"
Rias looked at Akeno who held her gaze onto her desk as if searching for meaning in its contents. She even took a paper in hand to study its significance. Her amethyst eyes held a glint of mischief— Rias could tell— and she could only imagine what her friend was thinking.
"You can thank Sona for this. These are all the files she could gather on Anos," Rias answers. She took another sip of her tea. The beverage was far too good to ignore even in the midst of conversation.
"That sounds like Sona," Akeno recounted similar experiences the Sitri would get up to, soon a teasing smile took over, "so why do you have them?"
"She wanted me to look them over. Yesterday's events threw me in for a loop so I didn't get the chance until now." Rias' words are technically true. Technically. Specifics aside.
Akeno had to agree. With what happened to Issei, anyone could see how it would slip Rias' mind.
Akeno also looked thoughtful about the Pawn, "How is Hyoudou doing by the way?"
The Queen was very certain that two unprompted attacks from those filthy fallen creatures wasn't at all healthy for the reincarnated devil. Hopefully it didn't deter the boy from accepting the ORC.
"He's holding on. Shaken, but he'll live. I'll have Kiba fetch him soon," Rias said, finishing her tea.
Akeno took it upon herself to refill the cup, "Did you find anything?"
"No, everything checked out," Rias drummed her fingers onto her desk, "Sona didn't find anything herself. She said she only gave these to me for caution's sake but I feel she just needs to get to know him a little."
"Anos does have that effect on..." The Queen briefly froze, catching herself too late, "...people." She now felt the gaze of Rias focused intensely on her.
It made her squirm. And not in her preferred way either. Akeno almost regretted her words. Mentally berating herself for such a callous slip of the tongue.
"What?" She hears Rias ask.
Akeno pauses, as if weighing her options. Honesty triumphed, "You're not the only one who's taken an interest in him."
Once those words left her lips, Akeno suddenly felt Rias' hold on her hand. Her King's hand was softer and more dainty than hers. It was warmer too. Rias faces up at her with an expression of expectancy.
"Anos and I have talked a few times." Akeno clarified further. Rias' hand twitched. Her lips pursed as if to communicate her disapproval of not telling her sooner.
Not that Akeno deserved it. She couldn't know how much of an impact these recent events had on Rias.
"Akeno," Rias paused, "what do you know about Anos?"
—————
Akeno Himejima prided herself on many things. One such thing was her near flawless visage. Dubbed the, "Yamato Nadeshiko" by many.
She was loved and revered as one of two Great Ladies of Kuoh along with her best friend, Rias Gremory.
Yes, it was not much of a surprise when the students of Kuoh flocked to her like a thirsty man to his water. Hordes of students; boys and girls. They all showered her in praise, adoration and worship.
As far as they were concerned. She was a gift to humanity. Such a prospect was one Akeno had come to expect. It became the usual song and dance— one that she could rarely tire from.
How could she? Her peers did not overstep their boundaries, and their vocal praises were just that, vocal praises. Pleasing words to the ears, so to speak.
Akeno was not vain enough to think of herself as superior to anyone. Let them think what they want was a personal opinion she held; and at the end of the day, it was a harmless gesture.
One that didn't amount to much. It should've meant nothing. It should've, in all likelihood, just be the usual tune that never tried to change itself for her. Until today.
The first thing she noted about this person was his eyes; beautiful deep cherry red, solid like diamond and absolute. Something that made her shiver in their gaze.
Then his face, oh his face. A pleasure to her eyes. A gift for women no doubt. His pitch-black hair complimented her own curtain of lengthy locks. He had this sort of roguish smile that was somehow more honest than any other. Especially when compared to her own.
These features robbed her attention, and her eyes could not tear away. Akeno knew who he was, it was only by word of mouth but she had the basic idea pat down. He was the talk of Kuoh Academy after all, even surpassing Yuuto Kiba.
"Hello, Voldigoad." Akeno made sure her voice sounded as if dipped in milk and honey. Alluring, yet fleeting. Regal, yet wild. A fruit that he could not taste.
That said, this display Akeno was putting on amounted to nothing at all. It wasn't amusing, it was needless. To Anos, it was to be ignored.
Try as she might, Akeno was no different to everyone else. Being a devil meant nothing to the former king of tyranny. It didn't help that she had caught him here in the halls— during the start of his lunch break of all things. His mushroom gratin bento was practically screaming for him to take it.
So, Anos resolved to treat her the same as he did the rest.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Anos kept his greeting tight-lipped. His eyes easily moved away from her to look at the clock in the hallway. He'd make good time only if this conversation came to a quick end.
Akeno herself looked as if a bit of her pride had folded. She was mildly offended even. What kind of greeting was that? And why had he given up only a glance for her? Did she catch him at a bad time?
He must be feigning ignorance. That or he just must be extremely unaware, "Ara ara, Voldigoad. Do you treat every girl with such contemptuous greetings? Something will have to be done about that." It was her signature teasing coupled with a very slight but well hidden agitation in her voice and smile.
She was not like any other girl. She was unique, there was only one Akeno Himejima and she could not be easily understood.
Unfortunately, it still meant nothing to Anos. Turning his head in her direction again, Anos slowly looked her up and down. His eyes took in every detail of her mature face to her shapely figure. It wasn't a lecherous gaze, mind you, but the focused look made her pleasantly shiver again.
"My apologies. You speak as if I'm supposed to know you. Evidently, I do not." Anos replies this with a bluntness that would leave a certain Nekoshou interested.
His next words marked her deeply. "Who are you again?"
A silence passed. Akeno looked stunned. Her eyes narrowed slightly after a few wordless blinks. For the first time in a long time, the amethyst eyed beauty was at a loss for words. What a strange afternoon it had become.
"You don't know who I am?" Akeno finally asked. Completely dropping her earlier act.
Ah, there was the genuine reaction Anos was looking for.
Of course he knew who she was. Her popularity was not something that could be dashed aside so easily, and he had already known she was one of the few devils at the academy.
"I think you heard me just fine."
He just wasn't kind enough to entertain the whims of a less than genuine girl.
Though, it seems Akeno had gotten a better handle of the situation. She gathered herself, "My name is Himejima Akeno. It's nice to finally meet you, Voldigoad."
"You're much too formal, call me Anos," He finally gave her his full attention, his smile, all for her. "It's nice to meet you too, Himejima. You have a lovely name. Forgive my earlier blunder."
Akeno was pleasantly surprised by the sudden shift. His response was authentic. Completely unexpected. She'd misjudged him for the disrespectful delinquent type it seemed. But did he really not now?
Little did she realize, when facing Anos in any way, one should know that only one hundred percent of one's genuine self would suffice. If not, then he'd pick you apart and rip the mask off himself.
"You don't have to apologize for anything. The blame is with me," Akeno said, not long after the apology.
Anos had already known that; he was just being nice this time around.
"Still," Anos reached into his bag, Akeno watched him as if he were in a movie, "you looked quite shaken a moment ago. Let me make it up to you."
Suddenly a wealth of delicious scents hit Akeno all at once. The cause was a bento box, wrapped neatly with a handkerchief in Anos' hand. The aroma was far too intoxicating and enticing. It rivaled her own cooking.
Taking a subtle sniff, Akeno pondered what it was. It smelled like— "Mushroom gratin, one of my favorites," Anos offered Akeno the box, "I made too much so I have a second to spare."
"Are you sure?" Akeno hoped he said yes but she didn't need to look desperate. She couldn't see her own face but hopefully she appeared calm and collected on the outside. She didn't, but Anos didn't mind.
"I'm the one asking you," Anos offered a well placed smile that could even distract Akeno from the mouth-watering dish.
She flushed, just a little. And then a lot.
"Everything alright?"
Akeno was getting an increasingly red face, and Anos wasn't all too familiar with devil physiology yet, so he assumed she might not be feeling well.
"I'm alright. Thank you," Akeno took the box with less than ideal grace. Anos nods and begins to walk away... in the opposite direction of the cafeteria.
"Anos," Akeno calls out, "where are you going?"
"I often eat on the roof," Anos answers, not bothering to turn around, "You should join me some time."
And in that moment, Anos felt the sudden brush of a hand against his back. He lingered his gaze to Akeno once more.
"You can't offer a girl something like that and have your back turned to her," Akeno spoke and it was the strangest thing to him. Her eyes were as if she was being pleasured, and she looked ready to moan at any moment.
"Is that so?" Anos replies.
"Yes," Akeno walked with him, side by side, "I'll have to punish you when we eat together next time."
Her? Punish him? Next time? What a crazy girl.
Anos' smile grew, he was very much amused by her. He opened the door leading to the roof for Akeno, "You're welcome to try."
With that, the demon and devil took a chance in each other's company.
—————
"How come this is the first time I'm hearing about this?" Rias voiced her inquiry.
Akeno would have answered her King right away, but Rias sounded off. Was that... envy in her voice? No, it was deeper than that. It was jealousy. That was certainly interesting to the Queen.
"We just ate together on the roof, it's not a big deal," Akeno had a hand snake up to her face, cheek in palm with a disappointed look, "And it's not like I could bring him here in the ORC. That wasn't an option back then."
Rias felt her eye twitch, the implications were not lost on her, "Are you meaning to invite him to the ORC for lunch from now on?"
"Not all the time. At least when nothing important is going on..." Akeno trails off after taking in Rias' expression. The redhead looked positively livid.
"Rias, does that bother you?"
"No." It did bother her, yes.
Akeno kept silent.
Rias leaned back in her chair, suddenly feeling very very tired, "You do seem interested in him. D-Do you... like him?"
Lucifer Morningstar. Did Rias actually stutter? Over a guy no less?
"Yes, I do." Akeno admitted, Rias' face quickly became unreadable, the mask was on now. Like a shadow over one's eyes. Even still, Akeno recognized something about her King— her best friend; a sister in ways.
Rias had a crush. Akeno nearly gushed openly before it really nested in her mind.
Oh sweet Satan, Rias had a crush.
At the sudden notice, the noise of the room's doors opening distracted them both. Kiba and Koneko came walking in, the former looking sheepish and the latter looking monotonous as ever.
"Sorry I'm a little late, Buchou," Kiba brushes a bashful hand behind his neck, "traffic was terrible."
Rias felt herself drop out of her dreary mood before giving a glance at Akeno. She had a look that if translated into English would be along the lines of, we'll talk about this later.
Now focusing on Kiba, Rias could excuse the Knight's tardiness. It's not like the redhead didn't understand where Kiba was coming from, being charming and good looking had its disadvantages along with its benefits.
"No need to apologize for a minor thing like that. But if you want to make it up, I do require you to fetch a certain someone from Class 3-B," Rias says this and Kiba knows what is being asked of him.
He bows as he nods, and he turns on his heel, heading out the door as quickly as he had come.
Meanwhile, Akeno excused herself to the other room and Koneko simply went to the sofa and tore open a bag of macarons without regard for any proper decorum.
As for Rias, she leans back in her chair.
She has work to do.