DxD: Devil’s Advocate

I checked my watch as I waited in the private dining room. 6:57 PM. The Advisor had already scanned the area twice through my shadows, confirming the privacy measures were in place.

'One more sweep,' I thought.

『Third security scan complete. All surveillance equipment remains disabled.』

The door slid open. A figure shuffled in wearing an oversized hoodie, baseball cap, and thick-rimmed glasses. 

"Really, Hoshino-san?"

Ai pulled off the cap, her purple hair tumbling free. "Don't mock my disguise. It works."

"Does it?"

She dropped into the chair across from me. "Usually. Though most people don't expect to see B-Komachi's center eating katsu in some hidden restaurant room."

"Most people don't look past the surface."

"And you do?" She raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you invited me here, White-san? To look past my surface?"

'Analysis.'

『Initial readings indicate elevated emotional state masked by professional demeanor. Energy signature remains... unique.』

"I invited you because I was hungry," I said. "And because I heard you make excellent dinner company."

"Heard from who?"

"Around."

She studied me for a moment, then smiled. That perfect, practiced idol smile that probably drove her fans wild.

"Well, I'll do my best to-"

"Stop that."

She blinked. "Stop what?"

"The idol act. We both know it's exhausting to maintain, and I'd rather have a real conversation."

The smile faltered, then dropped entirely. "Most people prefer the act."

"I'm not most people."

"No," she said slowly. "You're really not."

A server entered with tea, bowed, and disappeared. Ai watched me pour with an intensity that seemed at odds with her public persona.

"You're very young for a CEO," she said.

"You're very young for a single mother."

Her teacup froze halfway to her lips. "How did you-"

"Like I said. I look past surfaces."

She set the cup down. "That information isn't public."

"Neither is the real reason you chose B-Komachi over larger agencies." I sipped my tea. "Or why you insist on maintaining such a rigorous schedule despite your more… important needs."

"You've done your homework."

"It's what I do."

"And what else do you do, White-san?" Her eyes narrowed. "Besides buying idol groups and digging up secrets?"

'Energy spike detected,' the Advisor noted. 'Defensive response triggered by perceived threat.'

"I collect interesting things," I said. "People, mainly. Those with... unique qualities."

"Is that what I am? An interesting thing to collect?"

"You tell me."

She laughed, but there was an edge to it. "You know, most men who invite me to dinner at least pretend to be interested in my music."

"Would you prefer that? The pretense?"

"I'd prefer knowing what you actually want."

I leaned back, studying her. The facade had cracked, revealing something far more compelling underneath. 

"What I want," I said carefully, "is to understand why someone with your talent and resources continues to push herself so hard. Why maintain the perfect idol image when you clearly find it constraining?"

"Because that's what idols do." She shrugged. "We maintain the image. Keep the dream alive."

"Whose dream?"

"Everyone's." Her voice softened. "The fans who need something pure to believe in. The girls who want to follow in our footsteps. The-"

"Your children?"

She went very still. "That's not-"

"Relevant? I think it is." I poured more tea. "I think everything you do is for them. The perfect image, the grueling schedule, the careful distance you maintain from everyone."

"You don't know me."

"No? Then tell me I'm wrong."

The server returned with food. We ate in silence for several minutes, Ai clearly wrestling with something internal. She was sharper than her public image suggested. Not traditionally intelligent perhaps, but incredibly perceptive when it came to people.

"Tell me about your energy," I said.

"My what?"

"Your presence. The way you affect people around you. You must have noticed it."

She set down her chopsticks. "I'm good at reading rooms. At giving people what they need to see. It's part of being an idol."

"It's more than that."

"Is it?"

'Energy patterns shifting,' the Advisor noted. 'Defensive walls strengthening but... irregularly. Possible unconscious manifestation.'

"You do it without thinking," I said. "Like breathing. But it's not just stage presence or charisma. It's something else. Something deeper."

Ai's hand trembled slightly as she reached for her tea. "You sound crazy, you know that?"

"And yet you're not dismissing what I'm saying."

She took a long drink, then set the cup down with deliberate care. "Let's say, hypothetically, that I know what you mean. That sometimes when I perform, when I really connect with the audience, something... happens. What then?"

"Then we have a very interesting conversation about potential."

"My potential? Or yours?"

"Both." I met her gaze. "I told you I collect interesting things. People with unique qualities. But I also help them understand those qualities. Develop them."

"In exchange for what?"

"Smart question."

"Not really." She smiled, and this time it was genuine. "It's just that nothing in this industry is free. There's always a price."

"True."

"So what's yours?"

I leaned forward, a playful smile crossing my lips. "Be my wife."

Ai stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing. Not her idol laugh - this was raw, genuine, almost snorting.

"That's your price? Marriage?" She wiped her eyes. "You really are crazy."

"Is that a no?"

"That's a 'you need better pickup lines.'" She picked up her chopsticks again. "Also, I'm pretty sure proposing to someone before the dessert course is bad luck."

"I don't believe in luck."

"No?" She tilted her head. "What do you believe in, White-san?"

'Give me her current emotional state,' I thought.

『Analysis indicates amusement layered with curiosity. Defensive barriers partially lowered. Energy signature stabilizing.』

"I believe in potential," I said. "In seeing what others miss."

"And what do you see in me?" 

"Someone who's tired of pretending. Who wants more than just maintaining an image."

The playfulness faded from her expression. "The image keeps my children safe."

"Does it? Or does it just keep them hidden?"

She set down her chopsticks. "You're walking a dangerous line."

"I excel at those."

"Clearly." She studied me. "You know, most people who learn about something like this would either try to exploit it or pretend it doesn't exist. You're the first person to just... talk about it."

"Would you prefer I didn't?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "It's exhausting sometimes, carrying all these secrets. The constant worry that someone will find out, that it'll ruin everything I've built."

"And if someone could protect that? Give you the freedom to be both idol and mother?"

"That someone being you?"

I shrugged. "I did propose."

That earned me another genuine laugh. "You're ridiculous."

"So I've been told."

'Update on external security,' I thought.

『Perimeter remains clear. Three paparazzi attempted access but were redirected. No immediate threats detected.』

"Tell me something real," Ai said suddenly.

"Everything I've said is real."

"No, it's calculated. Designed to get specific reactions." She leaned forward. "Tell me something true."

I considered her request. "I have a shadow."

"Everyone has a shadow."

"Mine performs in an idol group."

She blinked. "What?"

"PRISM. My shadow clone leads them while I handle other matters."

"That's..." She shook her head. "That's not what I meant by real."

"No? Then what did you mean?"

"I meant..." She gestured vaguely. "Something personal. Something human."

"Bold of you to assume I'm human."

"There you go again, deflecting with jokes."

"Who said I was joking?"

She opened her mouth to respond, then stopped. I watched as she replayed our conversation, connecting dots I'd deliberately left scattered.

"The energy thing," she said slowly. "When you talked about my... presence. You weren't speaking theoretically."

"No."

"What are you?"

"Complicated."

She laughed, but it was shaky. "That's one word for it."

The server returned to clear our plates. Ai waited until we were alone again before speaking.

"So when you proposed..."

"I was mostly joking."

"Mostly?"

I smiled. "Marriage would be an efficient solution to several problems. Your need for protection, my need for a public partner, the children's security..."

"You're talking about it like a business arrangement."

"Isn't that what most noble marriages are?"

She caught the word choice. "Noble?"

"Did I mention I'm technically aristocracy?"

"You're enjoying this," she accused.

"Immensely."

She shook her head, but she was smiling. "You know, you're kind of..."

"Charming? Handsome? Irresistible?"

"I was going to say 'dorky.'"

I clutched my chest in mock offense. "You wound me, Hoshino-san."

"Good. Your ego could use some deflating."

'Energy patterns shifting again,' the Advisor noted. 'Comfort levels increasing massively despite revealed information.'

"What if I was serious?" I asked.

"About marriage?"

"About all of it. The protection, the freedom, the chance to be yourself without fear."

She sobered. "There's always a catch."

"Yes."

"And yours is?"

I met her gaze. "I need someone real. Someone who understands both sides of power - the public face and the hidden truth. Someone who can navigate both worlds without losing themselves."

"And you think that's me?"

"I think you've been doing it for years. I'm just offering to make it easier."

She was quiet for a long moment. "The children..."

"Would be protected. Publicly acknowledged, if you wished. Or kept private, with all the security money can buy."

"And B-Komachi?"

"Continues as normal. Though perhaps with some interesting collaborations with PRISM in the future."

That got her attention. "Your shadow's group?"

"Among others."

She drummed her fingers on the table. "This is insane."

"Most good opportunities are."

"I don't even know your real name."

"Amon," I said. "Amon Beleth."

Her eyes widened. "Beleth? As in..."

"The 72 pillars, yes."

"But they're..."

"Complicated?"

She laughed despite herself. "You really don't do anything halfway, do you?"

"Where's the fun in that?"

The server returned with dessert - something elaborate involving chocolate and gold leaf. Ai took a bite, clearly using the moment to think.

"Let's say, hypothetically, that I'm interested," she said finally. "What would this actually look like?"

"Publicly? A whirlwind romance between a young CEO and Japan's top idol. Very romantic, very profitable for both our images."

"And privately?"

"A partnership. One that gives you the freedom to be both the idol your fans need and the mother your children deserve."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

She set down her spoon. "You make it sound so simple."

"The best plans usually are. It's the execution that gets complicated."

"And what complications are you expecting?"

I smiled. "Would you believe me if I said 'demons and magical conspiracies'?"

"After this conversation? I'm starting to think I'd believe anything."

"Good. That'll make the next part easier."

"There's a next part?"

I reached into my jacket and pulled out a small box. Her eyes widened.

"You're not actually..."

I opened it, revealing a simple silver ring. "Consider it a token of intent. Not quite an engagement ring, but..."

"A promise?"

"Of sorts."

She stared at the ring. "This is crazy."

"You've mentioned that."

"I barely know you."

"True."

"My fans would riot."

"Probably."

She looked up at me. "You're not helping your case."

"I'm not trying to. This isn't about convincing you - it's about offering you a choice."

"What choice?"

"To be more than what others expect. To have both the spotlight and the shadows, the fame and the freedom."

"And all I have to do is trust you?"

"For now."

She picked up the ring, turning it in the light. "It's beautiful."

"Like its potential owner."

"Now who needs better lines?"

I grinned. "Too much?"

"Just enough." She slipped the ring onto her finger, then immediately took it off. "I'm not saying yes."

"I know."

"But I'm not saying no either."

"I know that too."

She tucked the ring into her purse. "You're very sure of yourself."

"I prefer 'confident.'"

"I prefer 'arrogant.'"

"That works too."

She shook her head, smiling. "This has been the strangest date of my life."

"So far."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

"Yes."