In DxD Starting with Sign-Ing in as the Red Dragon

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"You're saying… you're also being hunted?" Fujimura Taiga noticed something unusual in the conversation.

"Yes, that's right. Before I was sent here, I was also being chased by those monsters that came out of nowhere," Mitsuzuri Ayako nodded.

"Why are they hunting us? What do we have in common?"

Mitsuzuri Ayako and Fujimura Taiga exchanged glances, scrutinizing each other.

A few seconds later, they both spoke in unison.

"We've both awakened memories of the future!"

"That's correct. That's the reason why Mitsuzuri-san and Fujimura-sensei are being hunted~"

A sweet voice chimed in from behind them.

"That voice…!"

The familiar tone made both of them turn around simultaneously.

"Sakura!"

"Sakura!"

"Sakura, have you also gained memories of the future?"

Mitsuzuri Ayako examined the girl standing before her—Matou Sakura.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but… Sakura's chest seemed more… developed than before. Could it be that Sakura had somehow aged into her future self? The Sakura from high school definitely didn't have such a figure. Or… was there some method to accelerate growth in just a few days?

"Mitsuzuri-san, it's not just me. My sister has also gained memories of the future," Sakura replied with a gentle smile.

"Tohsaka Rin too?"

"So many people have gained memories of the future… What's the common link here?" Mitsuzuri Ayako sighed.

"The explanation is a bit complicated. But yes, we are being hunted by these invaders because of a shared connection," Sakura answered.

"Sakura, just give us the short version," Fujimura Taiga's expression grew more serious.

She had thought the whole "arranged fiancé" thing her family had sprung on her was already absurd enough. But now, she was being dragged into something even more surreal.

"Alright, I understand. But Fujimura-sensei, Mitsuzuri-san, you'll need to prepare yourselves for a complete upheaval of your worldview."

Sakura began to explain the information she knew.

In truth, she had learned a lot when she formed a contract with Akira. However, back then, she was too young to fully grasp the significance of that knowledge. It wasn't until she grew older that Sakura began to understand what it meant to be connected to a high-dimensional demon.

A few minutes later, after Sakura's explanation, Mitsuzuri Ayako and Fujimura Taiga gradually came to understand their predicament.

"So, our fates are now tied to the world itself."

"If we disappear, the world will gradually fall into ruin?"

Fujimura Taiga swallowed hard.

Well, damn.

This was intense.

If that was the case, could she request national-level protection? Maybe even demand some supernatural experts to guard her personally? Like… that white-armored knight from before? If he really looked like the one from the legends, she wouldn't mind getting to know him better.

Of course, it would just be casual interaction.

Even though Fujimura Taiga was only 15, she had memories of her 25-year-old self, making her far more mature than Mitsuzuri Ayako. She wasn't the type to fall head over heels for a handsome face. At most… she'd just want to get closer, that's all.

Despite being threatened by world-ending enemies, she now had a handsome, powerful bodyguard protecting her. If she were harmed, the entire world would suffer as well. Wasn't this the kind of plot you'd find in a shoujo manga?

Right now, Fujimura Taiga's inner teenager was thriving.

Of course.

Her demands weren't exactly what you'd call "shoujo-like."

A typical shoujo protagonist would just wait for the hero to save her, not actively make demands. Only someone as bold as Taiga would think of asking for such things.

"Sakura, I have an idea. Do you think it's feasible?"

"Since we're the foundation of the world, wouldn't it be possible to…"

Fujimura Taiga tried to convey her thoughts to Sakura.

And then… Sakura's smile turned a little strained.

She had to admire Fujimura Taiga.

Faced with such a dangerous situation, she wasn't panicking at all. In fact, she was even bold enough to make outrageous demands.

"Fujimura-sensei, you don't need to worry about that."

"The world is indeed in decline, but it's not that fragile. After all, no true world-ending enemy has made a move yet. The world will only slowly deteriorate."

"Besides, Akira-nii-san has a way to help you escape this hunted state."

"Oh? There's a way to escape? What is it?" Fujimura Taiga asked eagerly.

"All you need to do is spend the night with him. How about it? Simple, right?" Sakura replied with a sweet smile.

In Japan, the word "抱く" (daku) could also imply something more… intimate.

"Huh?! No way, absolutely not!"

Fujimura Taiga might have been a fan of Akira's looks, but she wasn't about to throw herself at him, especially not while she was technically engaged. She just wanted a handsome, powerful bodyguard. If she couldn't get that, she wouldn't push for it.

"Why not?" Sakura asked.

"Why? Because I already have a fiancé!" Taiga's expression carried a hint of nostalgia.

"Even though he's never shown up in over a decade, I've heard he's quite the looker."

"A fiancé, huh…"

At this, Sakura's smile grew even brighter.

"Fujimura-sensei."

"Was your engagement arranged before you were even born?"

"Yes."

"Was it during a time when your family was in crisis, and someone stepped in to save them?"

"Yes…"

"As part of the deal, did that person request a marriage alliance between the two families? Even going so far as to establish a blood contract?"

"Yes… Wait, how do you know all this?!"

Even someone as dense as Fujimura Taiga could sense that something was off.

"What if I told you, Fujimura-sensei, that your fiancé is Akira-nii-san… Would you believe me?"

"…"

Fujimura Taiga touched her well-defined abs, feeling a sudden pang of stomachache… This was too much to process.

"Sakura, are you joking?"

"If I were joking, how would I know all these details?"

Fujimura Taiga looked up at the sky.

All her thoughts condensed into a single word: "Damn!"

She never expected that she'd been sold off by her parents before she was even born. And the person she'd been sold to was none other than the Akira that Sakura kept talking about?!

What was this? A teacher and student fighting over the same man?

No.

Wait.

It was more like a student and teacher fighting over the same man!

After all, she'd been engaged first. She was the one who came first, and Sakura was the one who came later.

Meanwhile, on Tohsaka Rin's side.

In truth, Tohsaka Aoi, Matou Sakura, and Tohsaka Tokiomi had all returned to the Einzbern Castle together. However, for some reason, Rin didn't want to be around her sister or mother right now.

Recalling what her mother, Tohsaka Aoi, had told her, Rin couldn't help but feel furious.

Two hours ago.

She had reunited with her mother under Sakura's guidance.

The three of them went out to eat, shopped together, and had a pleasant time.

Until… Tohsaka Aoi brought up Rin's future.

Rin was actually quite lost.

She had already gained memories of the future, so she could skip many things, even her middle and high school education.

So, her answer was… she wanted to return to the Clock Tower to continue her studies.

Tohsaka Aoi supported Rin's decision.

However, at the end, Aoi made one additional request.

"Rin, your father passed away before he could pass on the Magic Crest to you. Fortunately, you've gained the Crest from your future self, preserving the Tohsaka family's legacy."

"Now, you have the responsibility to pass on the Tohsaka family's magecraft and Crest."

Rin's response was:

"Mom, I will pass on the Tohsaka family's legacy. But I don't have anyone I like right now. Let's talk about this later."

Tohsaka Aoi had been waiting for this response, so she immediately said:

"If you don't have someone you like, would you accept an arrangement from the family? Like how I…"

The phrase "like how I did" struck a chord with Rin, so she agreed to her mother's proposal.

And then, she heard the name "Akira" from her mother's mouth.

"Huh?! Mom, what are you thinking?!"

Rin wasn't exactly dissatisfied with Akira.

Her earlier harsh words towards him were just out of anger. After learning that Akira had disappeared because he was exiled by the world, her resentment towards him for abandoning Sakura had completely vanished.

In fact, she could even understand the idea of having a child with Akira.

If she could give birth to Akira's child, that child would undoubtedly have immense potential and could likely elevate the Tohsaka family to new heights.

However…

Understanding was one thing. Rin just couldn't accept it!

Even if she were to have a child with Akira, they'd have to dissolve the contract between him and Sakura first! Otherwise, what kind of situation would that be? Her and her sister's master having a child together?

Rin already knew about Akira's identity as a Demon King, but she didn't particularly mind. Even if he was a Demon King, as long as he had saved Sakura from that hellish pit, he was a good Demon King in her eyes.

Having a Demon King's child wouldn't be so bad either. After all, the world was already in shambles. A child of a Demon King wouldn't have to worry about safety or being manipulated by fate.

But.

Rin could only accept the idea of having a child herself. She couldn't face the fact that the father would be Sakura's master and the object of her sister's affections.

What kind of situation was this?

She already felt guilty because her father had chosen her over Sakura. Now, if she were to compete with Sakura for a man and even have his child, wouldn't that mean she'd be burdened with guilt for the rest of her life?!

What made it even harder for Rin to accept was that when she voiced her concerns, Sakura told her not to worry about it.

How could she not worry?!

Even if the person she felt guilty towards told her to let it go, she couldn't just drop it like that.

This guilt came from within her, a chain she had forged herself.

Rin's reaction was in line with human instinct.

From ancient societies to modern times, the gene for "mutual benefit" has been deeply ingrained in human DNA.

"Mutual benefit" is a natural evolutionary trait that ancient humans developed to ensure the survival of larger populations.

People are kind to those around them in the hopes of receiving something in return in the future.

In ancient times, you might be fine today, but injured tomorrow.

In such cases, you'd need others to take care of you.

And those who care for you won't do so without expecting something in return. They might be people you've helped before, or they might hope that you'll help them in the future.

This "mutual benefit" exists not only among family but also among acquaintances.

If everyone were selfish and refused to help others, the population of a tribe would quickly decline.

Thus, through natural selection, the gene for "mutual benefit" was passed down, as it was more conducive to the survival of the species.

By the time feudal societies emerged, this evolved into "social etiquette."

There's an old saying: "A small favor creates gratitude, but a large favor breeds resentment." This is a concrete manifestation of the "mutual benefit" gene.

"A small favor" is easier to repay, so the recipient feels comfortable and can strengthen relationships.

"A large favor" is harder to repay, so the recipient may develop a sense of resentment to counteract the guilt of being unable to reciprocate.

Thus, people who receive "large favors" might suddenly turn hostile if the benefactor stops helping them. This hostility cancels out their guilt, allowing them to feel that the previous generosity was only natural.

Tohsaka Rin was in such a state of "guilt."

But she wasn't the type to easily resent others, so her guilt continued to linger. Without atonement, the sense of sin weighed heavily on her heart.

In the end, Rin parted ways with her mother and sister on bad terms.

Then, after receiving a message from Akira, Sakura brought Tohsaka Aoi and Tohsaka Tokiomi to the Einzbern Castle for safety.

Rin's emotions were in turmoil, so she didn't stay with her mother and sister. Instead, she wandered the castle alone.

And then.

She encountered Saber.

Saber looked at Rin's face, which was usually delicate and beautiful but now filled with conflict and pain, and her expression became slightly complicated.

She had already ascended, so she could guess part of the reason.

It was probably because of Akira, right?

Saber thought of herself.

If it wasn't Akira, she couldn't think of anyone else who could cause so much trouble.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 140 power stones I will publish the next chapter.