Time quickly passed into the depths of night.
Everyone had let loose by the end of the evening, and the banquet had been full of joy and merriment.
At this point, the little blonde nun was already fast asleep, resting against his shoulder.
Asia's face was flushed pink, her rosy lips slightly parted, and her long eyelashes veiled her eyes. If one looked closely, one could see a gentle blush coloring both her cheeks.
"I'm terribly sorry. Asia seems to have a low tolerance for alcohol… I got a bit carried away."
Standing in front of Vitan, Momo repeatedly bowed as she apologized.
And the sincerity in her apologies was fully evident. With each bow, her full chest swayed visibly in the already snug formal dress she wore.
"It's alright. She seemed to have had a great time tonight. Also, please continue to look after her at school from now on."
Cradling the girl gently in his arms, Vitan smiled at Hanakai Momo.
He had observed Asia's behavior throughout the banquet—timid and reserved at first.
But under Momo's guidance, who was naturally lively and energetic, Asia had managed to blend in well with the other girls.
All of that was thanks to the young woman in front of him.
"Understood!"
Relieved that she wasn't scolded, Momo beamed brightly and bowed once again before joining the team cleaning up the venue.
"Well then, that's all for today. I'll take Asia back now."
Vitan stood up, holding Asia princess-style in his arms, activating his magic as he spoke.
Very abruptly—
A pair of ten-centimeter-high heels stepped right into the center of the magic circle Vitan had drawn.
Yes, it was none other than Rias, who had just been sitting beside him.
Now, with one hand on her waist and the other gripping the hem of Vitan's clothes, she calmly said,
"Since it's already so late, why not stay the night here? Asia is already asleep, and it might be a bit inappropriate for a man to take care of her. If you stay, Akeno and Koneko can help her change into her sleepwear."
"Vitan!"
Sona couldn't help but exclaim.
Seeing her best friend ask this man to stay the night in her home, Sona finally understood the reason behind her friend's unusual behavior over the past few days.
Only by connecting the dots in this way could she rationalize the strange actions her friend had recently taken.
At the same time as her own gasp escaped her lips, Rias gently shook her head at her and raised a finger to her lips.
Sona fell silent and made no further sound.
Vitan, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sona's exclamation gave him some confirmation of the conclusion he had been most unwilling to believe.
"Alright. Then I shall graciously accept. It just so happens that I find the thought of returning to be a bit troublesome."
Just like that, Vitan easily changed his original plan and decided to stay.
Troublesome? Not at all!
Undressing the little nun with his own hands—how could that possibly be troublesome?
If anything, it would be exhilarating.
However, for now, he was completely captivated by what Rias was about to do.
The matter of undressing the little nun could wait for next time.
"Then I'll leave Asia to you, Mr. Vitan."
The petite Koneko, who had been waiting nearby, stretched out her small hand toward Vitan and then steadily lifted Asia in the same position.
To Koneko, who possessed immense strength, Asia was so light that she barely registered as having any weight at all.
"Sona, I'll see you all off. Akeno, please take Vitan-kun to the prepared room."
Rias spoke to Akeno with a hint of deeper meaning in her tone.
"Understood, President!"
Akeno smiled as well, then approached Vitan and made a graceful gesture of invitation.
As Akeno and Vitan walked upstairs, Rias and Sona, along with their respective entourages, exited the banquet hall and stepped into the manor's courtyard.
Sona's followers walked ahead, while Rias and Sona unknowingly fell behind.
"Rias, have you really thought this through?"
A conflicted glint flickered in Sona's eyes. Though she understood her friend's situation, she still didn't think this was a wise solution.
Rias paused in her steps, pondered for a few seconds, then smiled calmly and said,
"But there's no better option, is there? I ultimately can't escape the constraints of my family. Even without Riser, who's to say the next candidate will be someone I like?"
"Rather than leave it to fate, I'd rather take the choice into my own hands."
"At the very least, this time it's my own decision—not one made by my family or the Devil Council."
Due to the differences in their personalities, Sona couldn't fully understand her friend's decision.
But Rias's expression clearly showed that this choice had been made after serious thought.
Sona gradually slowed her pace, and Rias matched her step.
Eventually, Sona sighed in resignation.
"Your life is something only you can decide. Since you've made your choice, I won't say any more. I just hope you won't regret it later. After all, from what I've observed, even though he seems easygoing…
He's definitely the type who never lets go once he's got his hands on something. When that time comes, there will be no room for regret."
Rias suddenly stopped walking, then raised one hand toward the sky, palm open to the stardust above.
"Since I've made my decision, I will never regret it."
Looking at this proud girl who shone like the stardust above, Sona finally smiled again and reached out her small hand.
"I hope this time, it truly is the destiny you've been waiting for."
"Of course it is!"
Rias also reached out and took her hand, raising an eyebrow with confident resolve.
...
Following Akeno's lead, Vitan ascended the stairs to the third floor, walked down a long corridor, and arrived at the end.
"This is your room, Vitan-kun. As a friendly tip—you might want to take a shower first."
Stopping at the door, Akeno winked playfully at Vitan and said with a light laugh.
"Is that so? I'll remember your advice."
With both hands resting on the doorknob, Vitan responded to Akeno with the same smile.
"Then I wish you a pleasant evening, Vitan-kun."