Chapter 91: I won't lose her
"Ravel."
"Are you happy to be with Serafall-sama?"
"...did you see me happy?"
"I could!" Ravel snorted as her nose rose high, then asked in a sad voice, "...do you like Serafall-sama?" Inwardly, she wondered whether Masa would marry Serafall, considering how close they were.
Yes, there was a huge age difference between them, but if Masa could marry Serafall, then there was no doubt it would bring a lot of benefits to his family and strengthen the alliances between the House of Vapula and the House of Sitri, but—
"I like her."
"...." Ravel.
"But I like you, too."
"Hmph!" Ravel looked away with a blush as she twirled her drill-shaped hair, but after a moment, while her voice was quiet, she said softly, "W-Well... I like you too."
"..."
Watching this, Masa sighed helplessly, wondering whether Ravel was really a tsundere since she was relatively straightforward at expressing her feelings, yet he had to say once again that he didn't want to have an engagement so early. He was different from Masa of Mahouka, after all, and frankly, there were many male devils, an heir one who hadn't married till now, such as Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the Four Great Satans, and Diehauser Bellial, the champion of the Rating Game was such a case.
More importantly, he didn't want to tie the knot first, especially when he hadn't met Issei Hyodou.
'Let's settle this problem first.'
When he had cleared up all the worries on his heart, he would be straightforward with his feelings since he knew well that this childhood sweetheart of his had been waiting for him for so long, or rather, they had known for so long that he couldn't think of anyone who would be official wife other than her.
Yup, he was close with many women in the Underworld, but all of them were the heiresses of their families, like Sona and Rias, which was quite troublesome.
"Oh, by the way, Onii-sama had finished his Rating Game with Rias-san."
Perhaps Ravel had noticed his reluctance to discuss this problem, so she changed the topic to her older brother and his fiancee, but it didn't matter, and she wouldn't force him as she was patient. The only thing that the devil lacked was time, and she had made up her mind and was clear about her feelings.
"Oh?" Still, Masa was surprised by Ravel's news.
When he returned from the human world, he knew that Ravel also wanted to go to the human world to meet him, and at that time, her older brother, Riser Phenex, also thought to visit his fiancee, Rias Gremory, so they decided to go together.
However, as Masa returned, Ravel quickly changed her mind and returned to the House of Vapula, especially when she saw him bring Asia.
This guy, who didn't have an interest in his Evil Pieces and the Rating Game, showed his interest for the first time and even got a cute girl as his Bishop, so how could Ravel remain calm?
Ravel naturally wished to know Asia since she didn't want Masa to be deceived as he lacked experience and was sometimes so dense, like a harem protagonist in the story.
Fortunately, Asia was a kind and sweet girl, and Ravel had to admit that she understood why Masa wished to get Asia into his peerage group, especially because of Asia's healing ability.
As a member of the House of Phenex, Ravel was immortal and could heal herself, and she could even create "Phenex Tears," an elixir that made her able to heal any wounds, but Asia's Twilight Healing was convenient as she only needed to use a Demonic Power to heal others.
So, there was no doubt the two girls quickly got together.
Naturally, Riser was speechless since Ravel was his Bishop, so her willful act troubled him, yet even so, he couldn't stop her and could only let her follow Masa.
Nevertheless, like in the original story, Rias didn't accept Riser and wished to break away from the engagement by initiating a Rating Game, and similar to the original result, she lost, even with Issei, the holder of Longinus, Boosted Gear, as her pawn, and without Ravel within that Rating Game.
"I see." Masa was dumbfounded since everything happened so fast. "When did they have a Rating Game?"
"...today."
"Huh? Really?"
"I told you yesterday, right? But you are more cornered about your research, after all..."
"Sorry, sorry. It was a critical moment yesterday."
"I could see that." When Ravel saw Masa's thin and weak figure, she couldn't help but grow in panic and worried once again. "But you are okay now, right?"
"Yeah, I have become stronger now."
"Really? How strong."
"It's a secret."
"Stingy~!"
The two smiled, and then Masa asked, "So, that's all? After that, what is happening?"
"Oh, they are going to have an engagement party! You are also invited, naturally."
"When?"
"Tonight."
"...tonight?"
Masa was dumbfounded when he heard the news. "Then, shouldn't you be there?"
"I need to take care of you, after all," Ravel said softly as she looked at him with a gaze that clearly showed her feelings toward him.
"...thanks."
"No problem." Ravel raised her nose proudly, causing Masa to pinch her cute nose helplessly. "Stop that! I am not a child anymore!"
"I know. I know." Masa smiled and said sincerely, "You have become a charming lady now, Ravel."
"... it feels weird if you say that so straightforwardly to me, Masa."
Yet, even so, her body stuck to him all the time, and her face flushed red, thinking that Masa had started to get conscious of her as an opposite gender instead of a little girl who needed to be taken care of.
"Let's go to the party then. Your brother might sulk at me if I keep his little sister with me during his engagement party."
"Okay." Ravel nodded happily. "I have prepared the suit for you. Just wear it. I will bring Asia with me. You will be surprised by how beautiful she is later."
"I am more curious about you, though."
"Oh, look forward to it~!"
Watching her sweet smile, Masa kept his soft expression until she left before his expression turned cold. At the same time, he knew that the time had come. This was the battle he had been waiting for, and he knew this was also the turning point of everything.
If he did nothing, everything would become a nightmare for him, so he knew he had to win.
After all, even Grayfia, the devil, who had served all of her life as the servant of the Old Satan, would betray her love toward Sirzech, yet even such an intense love couldn't defeat Issei's charm, who was known as the "Breast Dragon Emperor."
Even if Masa's relationship was close, he knew that he would lose everything as long as Issei was given a chance, so he knew that he had to show that he was the mightiest among all, the best of the best, so he knew he had to win.
---
"Awawawa... Ravel-sama, this dress is too expensive..." Asia felt awkward about wearing such a luxurious dress.
"Asia, you are Masa's bishop. Of course, you have to appear the best." Ravel sighed helplessly as she advised this naive girl. "Or do you want to make Masa ashamed?"
"No, I won't!"
Hearing those words, Asia quickly made up her mind to get used to the luxurious dress even though she couldn't feel comfortable.
"Moreover, don't you want to hear him to praise your beauty?"
"...t-that's seems nice."
As the two talked happily about the man that had entered their hearts, his voice quickly woke them up.
"Oh? You have finished?"
The two looked up and fell into a daze.
Wearing a double-breasted suit, Masa appeared dazzling, sharp, and manly, causing the two to be in a daze, wishing to get so close to him.
Similarly, Masa also couldn't look away from the two, but naturally, he didn't forget his etiquette. "At that party, you two must be the most charming."
Ravel giggled and said, "We can't do that, right? After all, Rias-oneesama can only be the most dazzling one."
"Oh, you are right." Masa nodded, realizing that the guests couldn't be more charming than the main heroine during her engagement party, right?
"You are beautiful, Asia."
"Y-Yeah..." Asia blushed shyly, then looked at Masa dreamily. "Y-You are also handsome, Masa-sama."
"Yeah, Onii-sama will get angry at you for taking all the attention." Ravel also sighed since she also didn't really want him to go to the party since he must attract the attention of many. Yes, she might have the upper hand, but it didn't mean she had no rivals since even if he was so low-key, it would be hard to ignore such a charming and capable man.
As the three were ready, Masa thought that it was their time to go. "Then, let's go."
However—
"By the way, have you brought a gift for Onii-sama, Masa?"
"...." Masa.
"Geez, this is why I can't leave you, but you don't have to worry; I have brought one with me."
"Yeah, thank you, Ravel."
Masa took a deep breath as he looked at her, feeling his chest tighten when he thought he would lose her.
His woman could only be his, and he wouldn't give her to anyone.
"Let's go."
"Yes." 2x
As they were in a hurry, naturally, they used a teleportation portal, which quickly connected them to where Ravel's family stayed.
"Okaa-sama!"
There was also Ravel's mother, who appeared as charming as ever.
"Ravel!"
Naturally, there were also family members of Ravel who glared at him, including Riser, who looked at him in a bad light.
Still, Masa was as late as ever and congratulated Riser sincerely, "Riser, congratulations."
Only—
"YOU ARE LATE BASTARD!"