Chapter 233: Lie

"Okay."

Hiding her uneasiness through her gentle smile, Akeno answered Rias' invitation.

"That's good."

Rias seemed happy with Akeno's answer.

Did Rias know about their relationship?

Akeno wondered, but when she saw this smile, she felt that wasn't the case. With her understanding of Rias' personality, it was impossible for her to remain calm the moment Rias understood her relationship with Riser. Instead, she could imagine how Rias would be enraged by what she had done, even ignoring everyone inside the room.

Yet, this wasn't surprising as Rias was a princess, and she was often spoiled.

"Koneko, Asia, you come with us too, okay? Let's have a girl's party."

"Gi-Girl's party..." Asia was surprised but also happy. "Y-Yes! It's my first time, but... I will do my best!"

"You don't need to be tense. Let's just have fun, okay?" Rias kindly said.

"Y-Yes, Buchou-san!" Asia answered with a soft voice.

However, Koneko could only lower her head as she didn't dare to say anything.

"Gi-Girls' party..."

Issei started to imagine the boobs of Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Koneko were together as they took a bath, slept, and did various other things together, causing him to have a massive nosebleed.

"Guwah!"

Issei fell, but his hand was raised high. "Bu-Buchou, can I join this girls' party?" His heart was beating so fast as if he was about to enter the forbidden garden.

"No."

*Crack!*

Issei's body crumbled due to disappointment, but he felt a reliable hand on his shoulder.

"Issei-kun, how about we have a boys' party too?" Kiba asked with a gentle smile. "I can wash your back, you know?"

"Y-Yes, let's have a boys' party too, Senpai..." Gasper shyly said as he held his skirt. "It-It's my first time, but please be gentle with me, okay?"

"...."

"I DON'T WANT SUCH A PARTY!"

Issei roared with all of his might due to the injustice.

Meanwhile, Azazel smiled as he wished such a peaceful day would continue forever.

---

In the end, whether it was the girls' party or the boys' party, all of them were held at the same time. Naturally, at a different location, Rias, the initiator of this event, didn't care much about the boys.

The party was held at Akeno's house, and whether it was Koneko or Asia were invited.

"E-Excuse me..."

Asia entered Akeno's house nervously yet excitedly.

"Please, come in, Asia."

Akeno welcomed Asia to her house with a smile.

"Ye-Yes, Akeno-san."

"Everyone is in the living room. Dinner is almost ready. Please wait for a moment."

"Ah, let me help you too!"

Watching Asia, who was eager to help, Akeno felt moved since, whether it was Rias or Koneko, they were all lazy and never worked on the house chores. "Thank you, Asia. If that's the case, then I will accept your help."

"Yes!"

As Asia helped to prepare dinner in the kitchen, Akeno instructed her as to what to do, but her eyes often wandered toward the living room, where she could see Rias and Koneko. To be honest, she had been feeling unsettled, especially when she could see Rias was like any before.

However, Akeno could see a difference in Koneko as she had been tense from the beginning to the end. Still, it was impossible for her to approach Koneko, especially when Rias had always been around.

Did Rias know about her relationship with Riser?

When Akeno thought of this, her heart was beating so fast due to the nervousness, wondering what Rias would think of her. While Rias might not say anything, she had a guilty conscience, and she knew that she was wrong, especially when she hid all of this from Rias.

Yet, how could she not hide this relationship?

Unlike before, the relationship between Riser and Sirzch was far from good.

Still, Akeno knew that it was wrong for her to feel like this, but when Sirzech passed away, she felt elated secretly as there was no need for her to hide her love for Riser. Nothing could stop them anymore, including Rias and her family. Instead, they might even support her, especially due to her status as the only daughter of the leader of the Grigori.

Nevertheless, Akeno had never thought about her father and had always thought that her status was lower than Rias', especially when she had decided to cut her relationship with her father.

Yet, everything was okay.

As long as she had Riser, she didn't care about anything.

So, at that moment, she knew that she had made up her mind.

Akeno knew that she needed to tell the truth to Rias.

There might not be a need for her to stay about her relationship with Rias, but as expected, this feeling when she needed to hide anything from her master was extremely uncomfortable, especially when she had always thought of Rias as her best friend.

Nevertheless, Rias was far from calm from what she appeared to be. Her heart was a mess after she saw the truth, but after she left Takayama a few days ago, she also realized that it might be karma.

Rias had decided to take away Riser from Sona even though she knew that Riser was Sona's husband.

As she had decided to do something so disgusting, she should also expect that someone should treat her the same way, right?

Nevertheless, Rias wondered when their relationship began.

Moreover, after they shared that kiss, Rias wondered why Riser didn't say anything about his relationship with Akeno.

Was this his revenge?

Did he hate her?

Yet, if he hated her, then he wouldn't kiss her, right?

Rias had no way of reading what Riser was thinking, and it was what made her a mess as she knew no one she could rely on except for Riser.

Yes, she knew the only one that she could rely on was Riser.

Except that there was no one, especially when she knew how this world was ruled by the strong.

Rias might have a talent, but a talent was just a talent unless it bloomed.

Was this a punishment for her?

Rias thought of many things that had happened to her, and she just couldn't believe that she would encounter such an experience in her life.

However, even with such mixed feelings within her heart, she didn't show it on her face and just had dinner with everyone, having fun together.

Still, while Asia was having fun, Koneko was as taciturn as usual as she knew that it was the calm before the storm. As someone who knew the truth, she just didn't know what to do, and she was also helpless as she was weak.

Koneko suddenly thought about when she sat on his lap, enjoying his presence, which gave her peace of mind as she knew she would be okay as long as she was by his side.

'Riser-sama...'

Still, at night, everyone decided to fall asleep together.

Akeno, who slept right next to Rias, saw Asia had already fallen asleep, so there was no need to wait anymore. "Rias, are you still awake?"

"...what's wrong, Akeno?"

Rias, who hadn't fallen asleep, felt her heart was shaken.

"I am sorry for bothering you, but I have to apologize to you."

"Why did you apologize?"

"I... I have been hiding it, but the truth is... I have been with Riser."

"...what do you mean?"

"I mean... I am... his woman."

When those words fell, Akeno felt all the guilt on her chest disappear as she felt relief.

However, Asia, who woke up from their conversation, widened her eyes, but she noticed Koneko, who made a gesture for her to keep quiet.

Neither Asia nor Koneko fell asleep, but they said nothing as they knew the confrontation between Akeno and Rias was about to begin.