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Chapter 306 ~ Black Wings

A gentle morning breeze brushed through Yuuji’s hair as he ascended the stone staircase.

The path, barely wide enough for one person in each direction, stretched endlessly upward toward the peak of the hill. On either side, the lush greenery of trees and shrubs swayed softly, alive with the distant rustle of critters and the faint scurrying of small animals hidden within the brush.

Above, the early sun bathed the world in a golden warmth. The sky was a flawless canvas of blue, and the gentle breeze kept the climb refreshingly pleasant.

He had admired the view from the skies on his way here, but there was a certain charm to the slow, deliberate rhythm of walking—step by step, breathing in the serenity of untouched nature.

Before long, the top of the staircase came into view.

A crimson torii gate stood proudly at the summit, a solemn marker of passage from the mundane to the sacred.

And beyond it—waiting as though she had stepped straight out of a dream—was a figure that stole his breath.

“Ara~ Good morning, Yuuji-kun~”

Akeno stood gracefully in the courtyard, a broom resting lightly in her hand. She wore the traditional garb of a shrine maiden: a pure white haori and flowing red hakama. Yet the subtle cuts along her sleeves and sides lent an almost daring touch, revealing slender, porcelain arms and the soft curves of her thighs—an intoxicating mix of innocence and allure.

Behind her, nestled within the embrace of the hilltop forest, stood a small shrine, radiating a quiet beauty that seemed amplified by the sight of its caretaker.

Akeno smiled softly, her long jet-black hair tied into a neat ponytail with a yellow ribbon, swaying in the breeze. A faint blush colored her cheeks, only enhancing the radiance of her expression.

For a moment, the world stilled. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the soft hum of morning life.

Yuuji found his gaze fixed upon her, unblinking. Akeno’s blush deepened under his silent admiration—embarrassed, yet undeniably overjoyed.

“Ah… good morning, Akeno-senpai…” he finally managed.

“Fufufu~”

Akeno giggled, lifting her sleeve to hide her lips. She couldn’t stop herself; his earnest gaze had made her heart soar. Her smile spilled out uncontrollably, almost foolishly so, and she feared he would see her grinning like a lovesick girl.

“Please, come in. I’ll tell you why I invited you here this morning. And since it’s still a bit early, we can share some tea together.”

Yuuji nodded, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

“Thank you very much.”

They stepped into the shrine. Though it couldn’t match the grandeur of Yuuji’s own residence, the shrine exuded a tranquil, intimate charm. Its atmosphere was calming—quiet yet warm, carrying with it the faint scent of aged wood and incense. It was clear every corner had been cared for with devotion, a reflection of Akeno herself.

Sliding open a wooden door, Akeno led him into the living room. At the center stood a low wooden table, polished to a soft sheen from years of upkeep. In one corner of the room, a tea set rested neatly on a small tray, waiting to be used.

Yuuji lowered himself onto the long side of the table, settling in with practiced composure. Akeno, ever graceful, took the adjacent spot. She moved with quiet elegance as she prepared the tea—measured motions, the soft clink of porcelain, the faint steam rising with a soothing aroma.

When she finally set the cups down before them, the peaceful silence of the shrine seemed to embrace the two of them even more closely.

“I invited you here today because someone wanted to meet you personally.”

Yuuji tilted his head slightly. “Someone?”

Akeno nodded, her expression calm as she lifted her cup for a delicate sip.

“The Archangel Michael.”

The name lingered in the air, heavy and solemn, in stark contrast to the quiet clink of porcelain as she set her cup back down.

Yuuji widened his eyes ever so slightly, feigning a surprised expression. “Michael?”

“Yes.” Akeno’s voice was steady, though there was an unspoken weight in her tone. “He heard of you from Irina. And after learning you would be present at the upcoming summit, he expressed a desire to meet and speak with you. He brought his request to Sirzechs-sama, who then asked Rias to arrange this meeting yesterday.”

“...I see.”

Though it was the first time hearing of Michael’s true reason, Yuuji’s composure didn’t waver. He had expected something along these lines.

In the original flow of events, Michael sought out Issei, the Red Dragon Emperor, to entrust him with Ascalon and discuss the battle against Kokabiel. 

But now, things were different. Yuuji had been the one to stop Kokabiel’s rampage. He had been the one to intervene with Xenovia. 

Given those changes—and the fact that he would be attending the Three Factions’ summit as a neutral fourth party—it was only natural that Michael himself would want to meet him.

“Well, I don’t mind. It’d be interesting to meet the current de-facto leader of the Heavens.”

Yuuji smiled faintly, his calm demeanor betraying neither tension nor excitement. He lifted his teacup and took a slow sip, as though savoring the warmth more than the flavor.

“What about the three summit meeting? Who’ll be there?”

Akeno’s expression grew thoughtful, her voice soft but precise as she listed the names.

“The representatives of each of the three factions would be attending. From the Underworld, the demon kings Lucifer and Leviathan will be attending, along with Rias and Sona’s peerage. From the Fallen, the Governor General, Azazel, will be there along with one of his guards. And finally, from Heaven, Archangel Michael will be there with some of his guards. And of course, there’ll be soldiers and guards from each faction guarding the place from potential attacks.”

Yuuji set his teacup down gently. The faint clink of porcelain against wood was the only sound for a moment.

“I see.”

He leaned back slightly, folding his arms. “With most of the top representatives of the three factions attending, those who want to see this world in flames would see this meeting as the perfect chance to strike.”

His words carried no fear—only a calm statement of fact.

Akeno tilted her head, watching him closely. The serenity in his tone was strangely reassuring. Where others would tense at the mere idea of such an attack, Yuuji spoke of it like he was discussing the weather. It was that unshakable confidence that drew people to him… and what made Rias, and perhaps herself, feel so safe in his presence.

In fact, that’s what happened in the anime. But now that he and the members of the group chat are here, things won’t go as badly as they did in the anime. 

Plenty of preparations had already been thoroughly made. 

High above Kuoh Academy, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon floated, cloaked from mortal and divine eyes alike. Its countless layers of defensive and offensive magic were primed—capable of shielding the entire region or erasing any threat that dared to descend upon the gathering. A sword hanging silently above their enemies’ necks.

“And aside from signing the alliance and cease-fire,” Yuuji asked, his tone casual, “what else is on the agenda?”

“One of the topics,” Akeno replied, a soft smile touching her lips, “will be the incident with Kokabiel.”

Yuuji’s eyes narrowed slightly. 

“I see… That makes sense. He caused quite a stir. I hope the conclusion will be peaceful since we’ve dealt with him.”

Akeno let her gaze linger on him, her smile deepening with warmth. 

“You handled it perfectly, Yuuji-kun. I think because of that, everything will go smoothly. And since you’ll be there…” she paused, her tone carrying a note of personal trust, “…you’ll be able to mediate, won’t you?”

There was a subtle sparkle in her eyes, as though she was not merely speaking of politics, but something more personal—her faith in him, unspoken yet clear.

“Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that.”

Yuuji shrugged lightly, and a comfortable silence settled between the two of them.

But then, Akeno’s gaze drifted down to her tea, her expression growing distant.

Yuuji noticed the change immediately. A faint frown crossed his face as he leaned forward slightly.

“…Are you alright, Akeno-senpai?”

She hesitated before answering, her voice soft, almost fragile.

“Yuuji-kun… do you… hate the Fallen?”

Yuuji’s eyes softened. He immediately understood where this was going, yet he chose honesty over evasion.

“No. I don’t hate them.”

His tone was calm and certain.

“Kokabiel, sure. It’d be strange to note hate a psychopathic warmonger. But that doesn’t mean all Fallen are the same. I don’t care if someone’s a Fallen, a devil, an angel, a yokai… whatever they may be. As long as they’re good, I won’t mind.”

Silence followed. Akeno’s fingers trembled faintly against her cup before she quietly stood up. Without a word, she moved behind Yuuji.

“Don’t turn around…” she whispered.

Then, he felt the weight of her forehead pressing gently against his back.

“…So you won’t hate me… even if I’m this?”

A faint rustle of wind stirred the air. From the edge of his vision, Yuuji caught sight of two wings unfurling—on his left, a black, feathery wing of a Fallen; on his right, a black, leathery devil’s wing.

Yuuji’s lips curved into a warm smile. He nodded slowly, his voice steady.

“Of course not. You’re still the same kind, teasing, gentle, and beautiful Akeno-senpai I know.”

Akeno pressed her head more firmly into his back, her wings trembling faintly. Yuuji felt an urge rise within him—an urge to touch them.

“They’re beautiful…” he murmured.

Jet black, as dark as a starless night sky. He had seen Azazel’s Fallen wings. But Akeno’s were even more beautiful. Perhaps, even as beautiful as Albedo’s. 

She flinched at his words, and even more when his hand brushed against her wings.

A moment later, a pair of slender, trembling arms wrapped around his chest. Dampness spread across the back of his shirt as her voice cracked.

“…Thank you, Yuuji-kun…”

Yuuji’s smile deepened as he gently held her hands where they rested against him.

“You’re welcome, Akeno-san.”

He stayed still, letting her cry in silence, letting her pour out the pain she had carried alone for so long.

When at last her sobs quieted, Yuuji’s tone softened further.

“You don’t need to think too much about it anymore.”

With that, Yuuji let his wings unfurl. Two radiant pairs stretched outward—one demonic, one angelic—shimmering in the soft glow of the shrine’s lantern light.

Akeno gasped, her breath catching. Her eyes widened, struck with awe and disbelief.

An angel’s wing… and a devil’s.

Two forces that should never coexist. Polar opposites, destined to clash and annihilate one another the moment they touched.

And yet, right before her, she felt it.

An abyssal darkness, deeper and heavier than even the authority of Lucifer.

A divine brilliance, purer and more radiant than the light of the heavens.

Both extremes, perfectly intertwined within a single being.

It was impossible. Unthinkable. An existence that defied all reason and truth. If revealed, it would shatter the very foundation of the world’s order, plunging it into chaos.

He knew this—he had always known. That was why he had hidden himself, concealed his presence from the world. To show such a thing was to court disaster.

And yet… he revealed it to her.

Not to boast. Not to frighten. But to prove his words carried weight—that every reassurance, every kindness, was genuine.

“Now,” Yuuji said softly, a faint grin tugging at his lips, “we’re even.”

Her lips trembled, then curved into a smile—brighter and freer than she had ever worn before. Her eyes shimmered with wonder, relief, and something deeper.

“…Mm. Even.”

A soft giggle escaped her, and in the next heartbeat she leapt into his arms.

Yuuji caught her easily, drawing her slender frame against his chest. His hands stroked her back with quiet care, grounding her trembling body.

She pressed her cheek against him, her heartbeat quick and wild—yet her soul at peace.

Like a bird returning at last to its nest.

In that sacred stillness, beneath the shrine’s watchful silence, Akeno finally shed the weight she had carried all her life. Yuuji had shown her the truth—she was not an abomination. She was whole. She was beautiful.

And she would never doubt it again.

Not because the world said so.

But because the man she loved had embraced every part of her—and called her precious.