Chapter 37 Tiny
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Occult Research Club.
Rias sat in her chair, a Western chessboard laid out before her. Though no one sat opposite her, the board displayed a mid-game mess-the brutal remnants of an intense slaughter.
”President, Uesugi still hasn’t shown any signs of taking a side.”
Himejima Akeno stood by her side, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Do you really plan to keep investing in him?”
”Akeno, it’s not Uesugi. It’s Aki-chan.”
Rias’s smile never wavered as she picked up a white Rook. “I’ve done everything I can. In the end, it’s up to him.”
”You really have that much faith in him?” Akeno asked.
Faced with the inquiry, Rias simply smiled without a word.
Akeno liked Aki, sure, but it was the kind of interest one had in a shiny new toy. He simply checked all the right boxes for her specific XP¹.
Rias was different. The more time she spent with him, the more she found herself truly drawn to him. Part of it was her own emotional nature, but more importantly, she had seen through him. Aki was a man who moved for the sake of his feelings. Regardless of his potential, if she made him her servant, Aki would never betray her trust.
”Checkmate.”
Setting the piece down, Rias brought the phantom game to an end. She stood up and slowly began to undress-first her uniform, then her lingerie.
”Akeno, it doesn’t matter what his potential is, or if that special constitution is real.”
As her naked form glided toward the shower, Rias continued, “Just based on Koneko’s reports from the last few days, his combat instincts and sheer willpower are top-tier.”
”But what if Aki-chan chooses Sona in the end?” Akeno asked.
Rias turned on the shower. Warm water cascaded over her soft red hair, winding its way down toward the crimson sacred land of her lap. The water lingered for a moment on her porcelain toes before reluctantly swirling down the drain.
”He won’t. Aki-chan… his heart is probably even bigger than we imagine.”
* * *
”Akeno-senpai, afternoon.”
Aki looked around the room, confused. “Huh? President actually isn’t here today?”
”President is in the shower.” Akeno bent over to scoop up the clothes scattered on the floor. “And what about you? Why are you back so early today? Oh my… don’t tell me you knew the President always showers at this time and you were trying to stage a little accident?”
Akeno leaned into the word accident, covering her mouth with an expression of mock shock. This level of teasing had zero effect on Aki. He didn’t even flinch, his eyes locked onto the black fabric in Akeno’s hand.
”Hmm… Does the President have to get those custom-made for that size?”
Akeno cupped her own chest, letting her breasts bounce significantly. “No need. This size is actually quite normal.”
Koneko said nothing.
Glancing down at her own chest-which was a straight shot down to her heels-the white-haired girl silently walked to a corner and began to radiate an aura of depression.
”Koneko, it’s okay! You still have plenty of room to grow!”
Aki nodded along. “Yeah, exactly. Besides, being tiny is pretty cute too.”
”Tiny… tiny…”
Koneko kept repeating the word under her breath, her resentment growing thicker by the second. Akeno shot Aki a look that told him to fix his own mess.
”So, why are you and Koneko back so early?” Akeno asked.
”Let me tell you, Koneko is a total sore loser! She cheated…”
Aki got worked up, piteously venting his frustrations. After being thrashed for so many days, he’d finally seen a glimmer of hope, but then Koneko had basically flipped the table and refused to play anymore.
”Koneko, you can’t beat Aki-chan anymore?” Akeno asked curiously.
Koneko turned around reluctantly, glaring at Akeno’s chest with a huff. “Yeah. Aki-chan’s Talent is amazing. With our physical stats equalized, he can already fight me to a draw.”
Aki pouted. “If you hadn’t cheated, I would’ve won today.”
”Akeno-senpai, Koneko’s got nothing left to teach me. Isn’t it time I got a new teacher?” Aki asked. He was thinking it was about time to ask Rias about learning magic, preferably with hands-on lessons.
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Summary:
Rias contemplates Aki’s potential and his emotional loyalty while finishing a solo game of chess. Despite Akeno’s skepticism regarding competition from Sona, Rias remains confident in her ‘investment.’ Meanwhile, Aki returns early from training, revealing he has progressed enough to fight Koneko to a draw. The interaction highlights Koneko’s insecurities and Aki’s desire to transition from physical training to magic studies under Rias’s tutelage.
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Trivia:
- The solo chessboard represents Rias’s view of the world as a game where she manipulates pieces to her advantage.
- Rias’s mention of Aki’s ‘heart being bigger than imagined’ suggests he has ambitions that transcend merely being a servant.
- Aki’s ability to mirror and learn techniques after being hit hints at a high-level adaptive ability that will likely apply to magic
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Character Insight:
Rias and Akeno show a deep level of familiarity, casually discussing Aki’s ‘XP’ and Rias’s naked body without hesitation. Aki’s relationship with Koneko has shifted from pure student-teacher to a more competitive, sibling-like rivalry where he can now hold his own.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The ‘Dependent’ or ‘Servant’ system restricts growth if the master isn’t powerful enough, which is Aki’s primary concern. Physical stats can be equalized for training purposes in this world.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘XP’ is used here as internet slang for s*xual preference/kink, common in modern web novel circles.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Rias – Rias Gremory, the 17-year-old pure-blood High-Class Devil and President of Kuoh Academy’s Occult Research Club, is the authoritative Crimson Ruin Princess of Kuoh Town—long crimson hair, crystal-like crimson eyes, and an explosive, elegant figure always clad in her school uniform. Determined and observant, she fiercely protects her peerage, mentors Aki as a big-sister figure, oversees his training, and is currently frustrated by her inability to reincarnate him, driving her to meticulously facilitate the ritual as both leader and guardian.
• Himejima Akeno – Akeno Himejima is a senior member of the Occult Research Club in High School DxD. She has long black hair, a graceful aura, and often wears school attire. Known for her elegant, mature beauty, she can generate golden lightning from her palms, possesses an icy temperament when provoked, and hides a sadistic streak behind a kind smile. She is Rias Gremory’s trusted retainer and confidante.
• Akeno – Himejima Akeno, Rias Gremory’s Queen and vice-president of the Occult Research Club, is a stunning A-rank devil with long silky raven hair tied in a hip-length ponytail, purple eyes, and a voluptuous figure often clad in her school uniform—red pleated skirt, sheer black stockings, and elegant “purple armor” attire. Though dominant and teasingly maternal toward Aki, she hides a bashful, maidenly side, still possessing her first kiss and easily overwhelmed by lust or embarrassment. A member of the prestigious Himejima clan, she wields lightning magic, mentors Aki with a kind smile concealing a sadistic streak, and balances regal poise with vulnerable, endearing moments of innocence.
• Aki – TIMEOUT: No response (20.0s) – Unknown error
• Koneko – White‑haired, cat‑eared loli with a petite, flat‑chested frame, stoic and vigilant. A Nekomata devil and Rook of Rias’s peerage, first‑year in the Occult Research Club. Kuudere‑like, she trains Aki in brutal combat, serving as his instructor and bodyguard, wielding immense strength. Often seen eating a pink popsicle, she’s quiet, observant, secretly curious, and blushes when noticed.
• Sona – Shitori Sona, Student Council President of Kuoh Academy, has short black hair, glasses, a stern look, and always dresses formally. She speaks with a flat, professional tone, is highly competent, and comes from a pure‑blood demon family. She handles local supernatural matters by deferring to Rias Gremory.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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