ALL NOVEL Chapter 7: curious cat
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Raizel stood on the rooftop of Kuoh Academy, quietly observing the students below as they left for the day.
His gaze was calm, yet distant, taking in the scene with a quiet detachment. In his hand, he held a small tin of cookies he had effortlessly conjured using his 'Arc of Embodiment magic'—a simple indulgence in an otherwise mundane day.
The sound of light footsteps behind him drew his attention, and he turned to see Koneko approaching, her expression as stoic as ever. Her eyes, however, betrayed a subtle curiosity, particularly when they landed on the cookies in his hand.
'Well, this strategy works quite well for koneko. Hmm? EL.'
[You are behaving like a creepy pedophile.]
'Hey, it's just a coincidence that she is here. You are talking like i know she would come.'
[I believe you, raizel.]
'Your tone is saying otherwise.' Raizel narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
[You are hearing things.]
'Am i now.'
Raizel regarded her with his usual calm demeanor. "Would you like some?" he offered, holding the pouch out for her.
Koneko hesitated for a moment before nodding, her gaze fixed on the cookies.
She took one cautiously, savoring the first bite with a quiet satisfaction. "These are good," she admitted softly, her usual guarded nature easing slightly in his presence.
Raizel watched her with a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I'm glad you think so."
The two stood in comfortable silence for a while, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the rooftop.
Despite the briefness of their interaction, there was an unspoken understanding between them—a quiet bond formed over shared solitude and a simple act of kindness.
After finishing the last cookie, Koneko glanced up at Raizel, her eyes silently asking for more. Noticing her lingering gaze, Raizel calmly raised his hand, conjuring another batch of cookies using his magic.
The moment the magical energy shimmered into form, Koneko's eyes widened in realization. She immediately stepped back, assuming a battle stance, her expression turning serious.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady but laced with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"
Raizel, unfazed by her sudden shift in demeanor, lowered his hand slowly, his calm gaze meeting hers. "I mean you no harm," he said gently, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I am not your enemy."
Koneko hesitated, her sharp eyes still wary but slightly softened by his composed demeanor. "Then why are you using magic here?" she questioned, her stance relaxing just a fraction.
Raizel nodded slightly, understanding her caution. "I simply wished to share something enjoyable. Magic is a part of who I am, but I have no intention of causing harm."
Koneko's stance eased further, though her eyes remained cautious. She could sense the sincerity in his words, and despite her instincts, she felt a strange calm in his presence. "Alright," she said slowly, still watching him closely. "But I'll be watching you."
Raizel gave a slight nod, while chuckling to himself, acknowledging her vigilance. "As you should. But perhaps, next time, we can simply share a quiet moment without suspicion."
His words carried a quiet warmth, diffusing the tension in the air.
Koneko, though still cautious, found herself oddly comforted by his calm presence. After taking the patch of cookies and with a final glance, she nodded and turned away, the mystery of Raizel lingering in her mind as she left the rooftop.
.....
[Koneko POV]
As Koneko walked back to the clubroom, her thoughts lingered on Raizel, the mysterious man who had conjured cookies from thin air.
'I didn't even ask his name,' she realized, a slight frown crossing her usually stoic face. Entering the clubroom, she found all the members gathered, including their newest addition, Issei Hyoudou.
The moment she stepped in, everyone turned to her. "Where have you been?" Rias asked, concern in her voice.
"I was on the rooftop," Koneko replied quietly. "I met someone... a new student. He made me cookies using magic."
Akeno's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Magic, you say? That sounds interesting. Who is he?"
Before Koneko could answer, Issei interjected with a grumble, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. "That new guy? He's already getting too much attention. What's so special about him anyway?"
Koneko's eyes narrowed slightly, her usual calm demeanor giving way to a hint of annoyance. "He's not like you, Issei," she said bluntly. "He's calm, respectful, and doesn't seek attention."
Issei bristled at her words, clearly offended. "Hey, I'm not that bad! It's not fair that he's already the center of attention."
Koneko, still visibly annoyed by Issei's earlier complaints, turned to him with a stern expression.
"Pervet." she said bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Issei flinched at her words, looking a bit sheepish but defensive. "I'm not that bad!" he protested, though his usual bravado was noticeably weaker under Koneko's sharp gaze.
Koneko crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "It's bad enough that you're always thinking about it. If you want people to take you seriously, you need to change."
The room fell silent as the others watched the exchange, some nodding in quiet agreement. Rias sighed softly but didn't intervene, knowing Koneko had a point. Akeno, meanwhile, hid a small smile behind her hand, clearly amused by the interaction.
Issei, though grumbling under his breath, finally lowered his head. "Alright, alright. I'll try to tone it down," he muttered, clearly chastised.
Koneko gave a small nod, her expression softening just slightly.
The atmosphere lightened slightly as the conversation shifted, but the message had been clear. Koneko's words, though harsh, were meant to push Issei toward better behavior—a lesson he couldn't afford to ignore.
The room fell into a brief silence, the tension palpable as Issei flushed with frustration. The others exchanged looks, sensing the brewing conflict. Akeno, always the peacemaker, smiled softly.
"Now, now, let's not argue. We'll learn more about this new student soon enough. For now, let's focus on what's important."
Koneko turned away, her annoyance still simmering, but she let the conversation drop. Her thoughts returned to Raizel, and a part of her was determined to learn more about the enigmatic figure who had left such a lasting impression.