Kuoh Town, same time.
After teleporting back home via magic circle, Roy found Rias in the second-floor bedroom.
She was chatting with Shoko.
Unlike her usual maid outfit, Shoko wore casual clothes today: a white blouse, a light green midi skirt, and a brown shoulder bag, radiating youthful energy.
Seeing Roy, both paused and looked over.
"Roy, perfect timing," Rias said. "Shoko wants to take a day off."
"A day off? That's rare."
Roy raised an eyebrow, surprised.
It'd been nearly two months since Shoko started as his maid.
Thinking back, this was her first time asking for leave.
"Run into trouble?"
"No, just a friend who's back in town. She texted to meet for lunch."
"For something like that, just shoot me a text next time. No need to come in person."
Roy thought for a moment, pulling two tickets from his pocket. "Here, aquarium tickets. Take your friend there after lunch."
"Huh? Is that okay?"
Shoko hesitated, glancing at Rias.
Roy wasn't a fortune-teller; he wouldn't have tickets ready for her.
These were likely for him and Rias.
"No worries, we've got other plans this afternoon," Rias said.
"…Then I'll take them. Thanks."
Shoko pocketed the tickets, thanked him, and left.
Watching her go, Rias turned to Roy with a knowing look. "Those tickets were for who?"
"Koneko mentioned an aquarium event a few days ago. She wanted to try for a limited-edition figure."
"Knew it. Need me to get you new ones?"
"Nah, I've got spares."
Roy pulled another pair of tickets from his pocket.
"After the movie, wanna hit the aquarium area to search for our target?"
Rias: "?"
I'm more curious what scenario you planned for to have backup tickets.
Taking the tickets with a wry smile, Rias headed out with Roy toward the cinema.
"By the way, Rias," Roy said. "Forgot to mention, I've started recruiting for Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?"
"The group I made up to lure Meredith into working for me."
"Oh, that."
Rias blinked. "Weren't you gonna stuff it with Gremory devils for show? Why the change?"
Roy: "While out on that commission, I met some decently strong espers. Thought they'd fit, so I recruited them."
There were other reasons too.
Until today, Roy didn't know Meredith had a dangerous [Blackening] entry.
His original plan was to half-ass the facade and explain if caught.
But now, he had to take it seriously.
Anything that could upgrade her [Blackening] entry had to be avoided.
After summarizing the Claw situation, Roy added, "I'm planning to hit Claw's headquarters soon, take them all out."
"Confident?"
"Unless a god pops up, I could let them have one hand and still win."
"Good enough."
Rias nodded, not pressing further.
Unlike Jujutsu High, Claw was a terrorist group.
As long as Roy didn't cause a massive scene—like blowing up a city—wiping out Claw wouldn't draw other factions' ire.
"Oh, Roy," Rias said. "Sona just messaged. The Church's holy sword wielders are in Kuoh Town."
"Holy sword wielders?"
"Yeah, here for a mission, but they'll meet us first to negotiate."
Post-Trihexa War, Church-devil relations had thawed somewhat.
Though still hostile, they no longer fought to the death on sight.
Negotiations like this, when operating in each other's territory, happened occasionally.
"Their strength's unclear, but they probably can't beat you."
"Tomorrow night at the meeting, give them a little scare."
"No problem."
Roy flashed an OK sign.
Intimidation? He was a pro.
Unleashing Senjutsu to scan the area, Roy and Rias headed to the cinema, keeping an eye out for suspicious targets.
Meanwhile, western Kuoh Town.
Freshly granted her day off, Shoko entered a café and sat in a corner.
Moments later, two girls in white robes, crosses hanging from their necks, walked in.
"Found her!"
A chestnut-haired girl's eyes lit up, hurrying to Shoko. "Long time no see, Shoko!"
"Good to see you, Irina."
Shoko nodded, then glanced at the blue-haired girl behind her. "Your friend?"
"Yup, this is Xenovia Quarta, a Church… believer, like me."
"Irina, no need to hide it," Xenovia interjected.
Eyeing Shoko, she made a firm judgment. "Your friend's got a problem. She's steeped in devil aura."
"I can tell that much," Irina shrugged, looking at Shoko, who seemed clueless.
"Shoko, are you secretly dealing with devils?"
"…That's private."
Shoko paused before answering.
Her family's fall and anything about Roy were her secrets.
Unsure of the situation, she wasn't spilling.
"No need to tense up."
Irina sat across from her. "Xenovia and I are on a mission. We won't clash with this town's devils."
Curious, Shoko asked, "Irina, have you always known about the world's truth?"
"Which part?"
"Devils and stuff."
"Yup, always."
Irina nodded. "My dad's a holy sword wielder for the Church. I've trained and studied this stuff since I was a kid."
"No wonder your stamina was nuts back then," Shoko said, her expression odd.
Her family's faith led her to church often as a kid.
Irina's father worked there, and Irina frequently visited.
They met, became friends, and ran around together.
In Shoko's memories, Irina's stamina was monstrous, never tiring.
Now it made sense—she'd shown superhuman traits even then.
"You mentioned a mission. Fighting dangerous monsters?"
"Sorry, can't say," Irina replied, crossing her arms in a big X. "Like you, I've got my privacy."
"…"
"Let's drop that. I'm here to catch up with an old friend."
Sensing the heavy mood, Irina changed topics. "Free this afternoon? I need a guide to explore town."
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