— — — — —
Private Kuoh Academy - Student Council Room.
"Sister?"
Sona Sitri blinked in surprise when she saw Serafall Leviathan.
"Cancel the engagement?"
Sona froze.
What… what did she just say?
Serafall didn't seem to care about Sona's confusion. She launched herself straight at her little sister, wrapping her arms around Sona's head and aggressively rubbing her cheeks against it.
"It's been so long, my adorable Sona~!"
"Come on, let big sis absorb some of your cuteness!"
Snapping out of it, Sona immediately began to struggle.
"Sis!"
Her voice was muffled but firm—clearly more serious than usual.
Hearing that, Serafall quickly let go and gave her a sheepish smile.
"Don't be mad, Sona-chan. I actually came here to give you good news~! Your engagement will be canceled."
Sona took a deep breath to calm herself, then frowned. "Canceled?"
"Mhm!" Serafall nodded cheerfully. "Aren't you happy?"
Happy?
Sona's expression darkened.
She seriously wanted to slap the smile off her sister's face.
"Why all of a sudden?" Sona asked, her voice tight. "I thought there were too many obstacles to even consider canceling it."
Sona bit her lip, her eyes filled with frustration and reluctance.
Serafall, oblivious to her sister's expression, straightened up proudly and declared, "Because your big sis couldn't bear to see you suffer anymore!"
"If my little Sona hates this engagement that much, then I'll gladly sacrifice myself to fix it!"
She clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling with determination, like she was giving some heroic speech.
Pretty cool, right? Definitely enough to earn points in her sister's heart!
"…I don't need that."
Sona's voice was cold. She adjusted her glasses and continued, "This is my issue. I don't need you getting involved."
"Ehhhh?" Serafall blinked, caught off guard.
But then a look of realization passed through her eyes.
Right. That's just how Sona is—prideful and independent. She was never one to easily accept help.
Still…
There's no way someone like Sona could handle a guy like Lynn.
"Sona," Serafall said suddenly, "you've heard the rumors, haven't you?"
Sona tilted her head slightly, confused.
Serafall continued, "Originally, the engagement with the Sitri family… was actually arranged with me."
Sona paused and pressed her lips together, silent.
Of course she knew. That's why she hated the engagement in the first place.
Serafall had used the excuse of inheriting the Leviathan name and no longer being a Sitri to dodge the marriage contract.
Everyone in the Sitri family knew the truth. The man Serafall wanted to marry had mysteriously disappeared. So naturally, she didn't want to go through with the engagement.
And then the responsibility just… fell on Sona.
That's what made her so angry.
If her sister could reject a marriage she didn't want, why did she have to go through with it?
Of course, she understood that Serafall had the power to make that decision. Power Sona didn't have.
But still, that didn't mean she wouldn't try to fight for herself.
But now, maybe she didn't need to fight anymore.
A glimmer of resolve appeared in Sona's eyes.
When Serafall had said the engagement could be canceled… that's when she realized how she really felt.
She didn't want to break it off.
Serafall didn't notice her sister's inner turmoil. She kept rambling on, "Since I was the one the engagement was originally for, I should be the one to carry the burden!"
"…What are you saying?"
"You mean…" Sona narrowed her eyes. "You want to marry him instead?"
Serafall suddenly looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Sona's expression turned blank. "Why didn't you say this earlier?"
…Well, I didn't know Lynn was that Lynn from 500 years ago…
Serafall was clearly dodging the question.
Sona frowned deeply. Was there more to this than she knew?
Forget it.
She didn't care anymore.
"I already said—I'm not canceling the engagement." Her voice was resolute.
Serafall blinked. "Wait, weren't you always the one trying to get out of it?"
That's when it finally hit her—Sona wasn't acting like her usual self.
Ever since she mentioned breaking the engagement, Sona had been… cold. She wasn't happy at all.
Why?
Serafall narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her sister.
Then, cautiously, she asked, "Sona… don't tell me…"
"…You really want to marry Lynn?"
Sona's face flushed red, but she tried to keep her cool. "My personal life doesn't concern you."
Bingo.
Serafall's eyes lit up with realization.
So that's it.
Oh dear. What a mess!
She rested her hands on Sona's shoulders and said with a long sigh, "Sona, you can't handle a guy like Lynn. Just let me take care of it."
Sona brushed her hands off, voice as cold as ever. "No thanks."
"I'm tired. Please leave."
"…Huh?" Serafall blinked.
Was Sona… kicking her out?
Ouch.
Serafall looked hurt. "But this was my engagement to begin with."
"And the moment you gave it up," Sona replied flatly, "it became mine."
Serafall rubbed her temples in frustration.
How did things get to this point?
Didn't Sona hate the engagement before?
Was she seriously falling for Lynn now?
Damn it!
She wasn't giving up!
With a sly grin, Serafall leaned in. "Sona, you don't get to decide this anymore…"
Sona's expression turned cold. "If you really plan to steal him from me… then get ready for a Rating Game."
"…Huh?"
Serafall looked at her like she'd just heard a joke.
"You serious?"
Sona wanted to challenge her? A Maou?
She'd get crushed!
But… to go that far for an engagement she used to hate?
Was this really her Sona?
Sona didn't respond. She just brushed past Serafall and walked out of the room.
Bang.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Serafall stood there, stunned.
She didn't expect Sona to be thisstubborn.
Just how far had things gone between her and Lynn?
Serafall frowned.
Guess she'd have to go find out.
— — —
Outside the Student Council Room
Sona stood in a quiet corner of Kuoh Academy, gazing up at the sky with a long, silent sigh.
She never expected that—not only Rias, but now even her own sister—wanted to compete with her over her engagement with Lynn.
Why?
Ever since the last time they met, Sona had sensed something between Serafall and Lynn.
The way she looked at him… there was history there.
This whole "cancel the engagement" thing—it wasn't for her sake.
It was for Serafall's own reasons.
Sona clenched her fists.
She wasn't going to give him up.
Not even to her own sister.
She knew full well that with Serafall's status as a Maou, transferring the engagement to herself wouldn't be difficult.
Even if Sona was the heir to the Sitri family, she couldn't stop it alone.
So there was only one way.
Challenge her to a Rating Game.
Of course, she knew the gap in their strength.
Challenging a Maou?
It was practically suicide.
But still—She had to let Serafall, Rias, and Lynn know how serious she was.
She clutched her chest, feeling her heartbeat speed up.
...
Meanwhile
Serafall had arrived at the Occult Research Club.
"Yoo-hoo~! Hello there, little sister of Sirzechs!"
Rias: "???"
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