Aika Kiryuu remained frozen, her mind a beautiful storm of bewildered ecstasy. The sudden kabedon, the close proximity of Rin, his overwhelming handsomeness, and the strange, inexplicable fluttering in her chest – it was all too much. She didn't consciously realize that this newfound affection wasn't entirely her own doing. The truth, of course, lay hidden in the subtle whispers of Rin's system, a gentle nudge of her 'Romantic Love (for Rin Takakura)' status to a respectable 90. He wanted her character to remain, at least in part, authentic, not a mindless puppet.
Rin, acutely aware of the curious stares from other bookstore patrons, didn't press his advantage beyond what was already achieved. He simply leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against hers, a soft, ethereal touch that sent another jolt through Aika. Then, he moved his head, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you around, Kiryuu-san," he murmured, his voice a low, comforting hum.
He left her there, still lost in a world of her own, drowning in the unfamiliar, intoxicating sensation of first love. Rin walked calmly to the cashier, purchased his chosen books, and exited the bookstore, a faint, satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Moments after Rin disappeared through the automatic doors, Aika Kiryuu finally snapped back to reality. The heat rushed to her face, a delayed blush that burned even brighter than before. "Wha... what just happened?" she whispered to herself, touching her lips, then her forehead. A groan escaped her. "Me? Aika Kiryuu? Falling for a popular, rich guy like Rin Takakura?"
Her heart continued its frantic rhythm, but she forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. She, who devoured yaoi and other "degenerate" novels, was now feeling this for a real-life, undeniably straight, perfect-looking male. It was absurd! She, who prided herself on her cynical outlook on real-world romance, especially with popular types. Fortunately, she hadn't given in to the sudden urge to just launch herself at him and kiss him back earlier. The thought alone sent another wave of mortification through her.
Now, a new dilemma presented itself. She had always steered clear of romantic relationships, preferring to live vicariously through her books. But now that she had truly fallen, albeit unexpectedly, would she pursue this love? Or would she retreat, back to the safety of her fictional worlds? Despite her seemingly mature advice to Asia about her relationship with Issei, Aika herself had zero dating experience; all her wisdom came from the pages of manga, anime, and light novels. In the end, she decided to just go home and immerse herself in the new books she had purchased, hoping to process this unprecedented turn of events.
By the time Rin arrived home, twilight had fully settled into night. The mansion, usually a beacon of light and activity, was eerily dark. Not a single lamp glowed. Rin's internal alarms blared. As expected, he thought, a cold certainty settling in his gut. Riser wasn't going to let that public humiliation slide. But this is much faster than I anticipated.
He carefully maneuvered the heavy bags filled with his new console and PC through the front door, the silence of the house amplifying the sense of foreboding. He decided to play along, to walk right into their trap. First, he secured his precious new gaming setup in his room. He noticed Hayasaka wasn't there either, a clear sign that this was a coordinated effort to isolate him. He flipped on the light in his room, finding it empty.
Stepping back into the darkened hallways, Rin began to cautiously explore the mansion. He could feel them now, a handful of eyes fixed on him from the shadows, their presence subtle but undeniable. They're playing with their food before eating it, he mused, a grim smirk touching his lips. They'll regret that.
He thought of Hakurou. The old swordsman hadn't taught him any specific techniques yet, only rigorous physical conditioning. But Rin remembered every precise movement, every flowing arc Hakurou had demonstrated during their training sessions. His current body, even with its Tier I maxed status, couldn't perfectly replicate such intricate movements. He wasn't naturally talented in swordsmanship, and Hakurou's techniques were far too complicated, even for Rin's enhanced intelligence and wisdom. However, his heightened intellect allowed him to dissect and somewhat recreate the core principles, to forge an imperfect, crude imitation of Hakurou's flawless swordsmanship, blended with his own nascent understanding. It was a distorted reflection, but a reflection nonetheless.
Rin's eyes scanned the dark hallways, searching for anything that could serve as a weapon – an iron rod, a sturdy long stick.
Suddenly, a presence surged from the shadows. The assailants, realizing Rin was preparing for a fight and no longer playing their game, moved. One figure lunged, a blur of motion. Rin's pure instinct, born from his maxed Tier I status, screamed a warning. He reacted, blocking the attack with a practiced, almost involuntary parry.
But he didn't remember what happened after that first block.