Bound by Infinity

Chapter 1

I sighed as I settled back into my couch, finally ready to relax in the quiet comfort of my house. With my parents off on a business trip overseas, I had the place all to myself, and tonight was set aside for a rewatch of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Nothing like a good anime night to take the edge off a long day at Kuoh Academy.

Running a hand through my light brown hair, I leaned back, glancing around my modest but cozy living room. The soft hum of the fridge was the only sound. My cousin Issei lived only a few blocks away, but we didn't hang out often. I wondered idly how he was doing. Maybe I'd stop by one of these days, check in on him.

"I wonder what that perv is up to," I muttered, amused.

Just then, a strange, crimson light flickered, catching my attention. I looked over my shoulder and blinked as a magic circle appeared on the floor, shimmering with energy. In the center of it appeared a stunningly beautiful young woman, stepping out as if she'd just crossed through a doorway.

I recognized her immediately. Her long, scarlet hair fell gracefully down to her thighs, framing a face that combined elegance and strength. Her deep blue eyes sparkled as they caught the light, and her athletic yet voluptuous frame was accentuated by Kuoh Academy's uniform. She wore the girls' white button-down shirt with a black ribbon, over which a black shoulder cape and corset fit snugly, her magenta skirt flowing down to just above her knees. At around 5'8", she was strikingly tall, but her easy smile softened her aura.

"Hey, Rias," I greeted her casually.

"Am I late?" she asked, her expression easing as she sank onto the couch beside me.

"Nope, you're actually pretty early."

"Oh, good," she sighed, "Today was so hectic that I thought I'd missed some of it."

"Not to worry, my fellow otaku," I said, handing her a bag of chips. "I wouldn't start without you."

Rias Gremory was one of the most popular girls at Kuoh Academy. People admired her intelligence, grace, and beauty. If I were to tell anyone that their beloved *Onee-sama* was a huge otaku who spent her evenings binge-watching anime with me, they'd probably laugh in disbelief. But here she was, happily taking a handful of chips, getting settled in for our weekly ritual. Not to mention, she'd become my housemate not long after our unusual first meeting.

Flashback

I'd been heading home after a long day of school, waving goodbye to classmates as I strolled down the street. People passing by gave me curious glances, but I was used to it. With my shoulder-length brown hair, hazel eyes, and a delicate face, people often mistook me for a girl in my Kuoh Academy uniform. But I didn't mind—if anything, I found their reactions a little amusing.

As I walked, a woman handing out flyers approached and handed one to me without a word before continuing on her way. I stopped to glance at it.

"'Your wish will be granted,'" I muttered, frowning. "Interesting."

I pocketed the flyer and continued on my way. Soon, I reached my two-story house, stepping inside and locking the door behind me. I slipped off my blazer, tossed it along with my bag onto the couch, and pulled out the flyer again, curiosity tugging at me.

It promised to grant a wish. Normally, I'd have laughed, but I wasn't exactly what people would consider normal. Born with a unique ability I called Infinite Arsenal, I could create or replicate any power, without apparent limits. So, while the flyer seemed odd, I was intrigued.

"Hm... So, how does this work?" I mumbled, looking it over. "Do I just… focus on my wish?"

Feeling a little silly, I projected a simple thought into the flyer: I wanted to watch anime with someone. Just as the thought left my mind, the flyer glowed a bright red, making me drop it in surprise.

A large, intricate magic circle appeared in front of me, pulsing with energy. And then, in the blink of an eye, Rias Gremory—yes, the Rias Gremory—appeared, standing right in my living room.

"You summoned me?" she asked, eyeing me with a curious but soft expression.

"Uh… yeah, I guess I did." I replied, still slightly in shock.

She raised a brow. "Well, normally, I'd be asked for a favor by now."

I scratched my head, glancing around awkwardly. "Well… actually, I just wondered if you'd be up for watching some anime with me."

Rias blinked, clearly taken aback. But then a small smile crept onto her face, and she nodded. "Sure, why not?"

And that's how it all started. Rias ended up staying longer than that one night, and pretty soon, she was a regular in my living room, even deciding to move in after a while.

End of Flashback

"Kouki… Kouki!" Rias's voice snapped me out of my memories.

"Yes, Rias?" I blinked, turning to see her pouting at me.

"Are you going to start the anime, or are we just going to sit here?"

I chuckled. "Right, right, we can't waste precious binge time." I reached for the remote, pressing play.

And just like that, we settled in, the opening theme of Tensura filling the room as we relaxed into the familiar routine. Just a casual night in my rather chaotic life.

Chapter 1: End