Chapter 48: Open House - 1
As the morning followed, all students and parents were gathered for the annual open house.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation, as families strolled through the hallways, eager to see the place where their children spent their days.
Raizel stood near the entrance of the main hall, his usual calm demeanor intact, but there was a noticeable change in the air around him. Akeno stood close by, her presence radiating a newfound warmth.
After their date the previous evening, their relationship had subtly but undeniably shifted. The connection between them was now palpable, and anyone who saw them could tell that something had changed.
As they walked together, their closeness didn't go unnoticed. The way they stood, the subtle touches, and the shared glances all spoke volumes about the deepening bond they now shared.
It was clear to anyone watching that they were no longer just friends—they were something more.
Rias, standing nearby with her peerage, couldn't help but smile at the sight of her two friends. "Looks like someone had a successful date," she teased, nudging Akeno gently.
Akeno blushed but didn't deny it. "Maybe," she replied coyly, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "We did have a nice time."
Issei, ever the curious one, noticed the change too. "Hey, what's going on here? You two seem… different," he said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
Kiba chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. "Isn't it obvious, Issei? They're a couple now."
Issei's jaw dropped, his eyes darting between Raizel and Akeno. "Wait, what?! When did this happen? How come nobody told me?"
Akeno giggled, enjoying Issei's flustered reaction. "It's not like we were hiding it," she said playfully. "You just didn't notice."
Raizel remained composed, though a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "We didn't feel the need to make an announcement," he said calmly. "But yes, we're together now."
The rest of the peerage exchanged knowing glances, happy for their friends. It was rare to see Akeno so genuinely content, and Raizel's calm presence seemed to balance her perfectly.
As the day progressed, parents and students alike continued to mill about, visiting classrooms and meeting teachers.
Raizel and Akeno stayed together, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment. They exchanged quiet words, their hands occasionally brushing against each other's, each touch a reminder of the bond they now shared.
During a break in the activities, the group gathered in the courtyard. Akeno leaned slightly against Raizel, her usual playful demeanor softened by the gentle affection she felt for him.
Raizel, in turn, allowed himself to relax, enjoying the peace of the moment.
"Looks like the open house is a success," Rias remarked, looking around at the happy faces of the students and their families.
"It's nice to see everyone enjoying themselves," Kiba added, nodding in agreement.
Issei, still coming to terms with the new dynamic between Raizel and Akeno, couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "I still can't believe it," he muttered. "Raizel and Akeno… who would've thought?"
Akeno smiled, her eyes meeting Raizel's. "Sometimes, the best things are the ones you don't see coming," she said softly.
Raizel nodded, his gaze steady and filled with quiet affection. "Indeed."
---
The peaceful chatter in the courtyard was interrupted by the sudden sound of hurried footsteps and excited voices. The group turned to see a wave of students rushing towards the auditorium, their faces lit with anticipation and curiosity.
"What's happening now?" Issei asked, already intrigued.
"Let's go find out," Rias said, leading the way as the group followed the crowd into the building.
As they entered the auditorium, the room was filled with a buzz of excitement. On stage stood a girl with striking black hair styled in twintails and mesmerizing purple eyes. Her outfit—a vibrant magical girl costume complete with frills, a wand, and a sparkling tiara—immediately caught everyone's attention.
She exuded confidence, her presence captivating the entire audience.
The girl raised her wand and struck a pose, her smile radiant. "Hello everyone! I am Magical Girl Levia-tan!" she announced, her voice ringing with enthusiasm.
The room erupted in cheers and applause, especially from the male students, who were quick to pull out their phones and snap pictures. The flashes of cameras illuminated the stage as Levia-tan basked in the attention.
"Magical Girl… Levia-tan?" Issei repeated, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Is this really happening?"
Rias sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "It seems so. This is quite the spectacle."
Akeno chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "She certainly knows how to make an entrance."
The girl on stage twirled her wand, sending sparkles into the air, further enchanting the audience. "Thank you, everyone, for the warm welcome! I'm here to spread joy and magic to all of you!"
As the applause continued, Raizel remained calm, watching with his usual composed demeanor. His sharp eyes, however, didn't miss the mischievous glint in Levia-tan's eyes.
After the initial excitement died down, Levia-tan scanned the crowd and spotted Rias and her group. Her smile widened as she stepped off the stage, gracefully making her way towards them.
"Rias-chan, it's been too long!" Levia-tan exclaimed, pulling Rias into a warm hug.
Rias returned the embrace, her expression softening. "It has. It's good to see you again, lady leviathan."
Serafall turned her attention to the rest of the group, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And who are these lovely friends of yours?"
Rias gestured towards her companions. "This is Akeno, Kiba, Issei, and Raizel."
-----
As the excitement in the auditorium began to settle, Rias took the opportunity to formally introduce her friends to Levia-tan, also known as Serafall Leviathan, one of the Maou. The crowd around them thinned, allowing for a more personal conversation.
"This is Akeno, Kiba, and Issei" Rias said, gesturing to each member of her group. "They're all part of my peerage, and here is raizel our friend."
Akeno, standing close to Raizel, couldn't help but smile at Serafall's infectious energy. She leaned in slightly, towards Raizel.
Serafall clapped her hands together, her excitement bubbling over once more. "Well, since I'm here, how about we make the most of it? I'd love to get to know all of you better. Maybe we can have a little magic demonstration later!"
The group exchanged amused glances, already imagining what kind of spectacle Serafall might create.
...