"Itadakimasu."
I brought my hands together and offered a silent prayer. Not just out of habit, but for my grandfather—wherever he might be watching from. He would've been stunned by this situation. Frankly, I was too.
Sitting next to me at the table was Rias Gremory, elegantly sipping her miso soup as if she belonged here.
"These are very delicious, Okaa-sama," she said, smiling politely.
"Y-Yeah. T-Thank you very much," my mother replied, her voice awkward and uncertain.
Both of my parents sat across from us. They looked like they were in a state of confusion and mild panic. I could hardly blame them. This had to be one of the most surreal breakfasts in our household's history.
Grandpa, what would you have done in a situation like this? How do you defuse a breakfast where a crimson-haired bombshell casually addresses your parents while acting like an ideal daughter-in-law?
Rias turned toward me, her posture graceful and composed.
"Ise, it's the meal that Okaa-sama made. Eat it."
She said it with the tone of an older sister scolding her younger brother—calm, but firm.
"Yes!" I replied, without thinking, and immediately began to eat.
The food was great. I knew my mom could cook well, but with the pressure at the table, I felt like a contestant in some silent competition. I shoveled the rice and fish into my mouth too quickly.
"Don't eat in such a vulgar way. Eat slowly so you can taste the food. This is the precious food that Okaa-sama made for us."
Without missing a beat, Rias leaned in and wiped my mouth gently with a white handkerchief. Her actions were natural, practiced—like someone used to taking care of others. It made me tense up for a moment. This wasn't like her usual boldness. It was… affectionate, even graceful.
My hands froze over my bowl. What kind of situation was this?
Just then, my father spoke, his voice trembling slightly.
"I-Ise..."
I turned to look at him. His eyes were darting between me and Rias like he was trying to solve a complex puzzle using only common sense. Bad idea.
"You look quite nervous, Dad."
He gave a stiff nod, clearly agreeing with me.
"S-So where did this lady c-come from?"
The words stumbled out of him like loose bricks.
Rias calmly set down her chopsticks and stood, bowing her head low with the kind of dignity that could've come straight from a noble court.
"Oh my, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I brought shame to the House of Gremory. Please allow me to correct that. Okaa-sama, Otou-sama, my name is Rias Gremory. I attend the same Academy as Hyoudou Issei-kun. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Her delivery was flawless, her tone sincere. She looked them in the eyes as she spoke, offering a refined smile that could melt tension in any room.
My father chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"I-Is that so… T-That's amazing. Hahaha! Are you from a foreign country? Your Japanese is very good."
"Yes. Due to my father's work, I've been living in Japan for a long time."
That seemed to satisfy him. I could see the gears in his head finally click into place, accepting the explanation.
My mother, on the other hand, remained unconvinced. She narrowed her eyes just slightly, picking up her teacup, then placing it down again.
"Is Rias-san correct?"
"Yes, Okaa-sama."
My mother's fingers twitched slightly as she set her cup aside.
"What kind of relationship do you have with Ise?"
Ah. The question. The atmosphere tensed the moment she asked it. It was the one thing we were all skirting around.
Rias didn't flinch. She kept smiling, her expression warm and composed.
"We are just a senior and a junior who are quite close to each other, Okaa-sama."
That was a lie.
"But this is normal," Rias added before my mother could say anything. Her tone softened slightly, yet carried a strange weight.
"I-Is that so..." my mother said.
But something was off.
I glanced toward her again and noticed her eyes. They had lost their edge. The sharpness was gone. Instead, they looked distant… vacant.
It wasn't natural. That wasn't the gaze of someone satisfied with an answer. It was too empty.
My eyes shifted toward Rias.
She leaned toward me, her lips close to my ear.
"I'm sorry. It looked like it would become troublesome, so I used my power."
I said nothing for a moment, only nodding slightly to show I understood. She had used magic on my mother. Just subtle enough to dull suspicion, to make things easier.
I didn't blame her. Not entirely. It probably would have spiraled into a storm of questions and concerns if left alone. Still, it was a line crossed, even if a necessary one.
Rias returned to her seat, calmly picking up her chopsticks again as if nothing had happened.
I resumed eating more slowly, mindful of her earlier comment. My mother, still wearing that blank, soft smile, simply watched.
"So, Rias-san," my father said, trying to sound casual, "are your parents diplomats or something?"
"My father works in foreign affairs of a sort," she replied with practiced ease. "He's often away on business, which is why I handle many things on my own."
"Ah, I see. Independent young lady, huh? That's admirable."
Rias nodded, her smile never faltering.
I remained quiet for the rest of the meal, letting the conversation drift between them.
~~~
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