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Chapter 320: Chapter 316 ~ Akeno’s Date

A date.

By unanimous decree of what had quickly become known as the council of Yuuji's future wives, it was decided that very weekend Yuuji would be going on a proper date—with both Akeno and Rias.

The council meeting took place in the steamy embrace of the hot spring that morning, while Yuuji was busy preparing them breakfast in the kitchen.

It all began with Aika, ever the instigator, asking about their "night with Yuuji." Naturally, the girls leaned in, eager to hear every detail—especially Rias's confession.

Even C.C., usually unreadable, let out a faint smile of acknowledgement at the crimson-haired girl's courage.

To celebrate such a milestone, Aika proposed a date. A proper one. The group could decide who would take Saturday, and who would take Sunday.

Erika agreed at once, urging them to relax and have fun after everything that had happened.

Albedo supported the idea wholeheartedly, even assuring them she had already arranged matters with Linked Horizons so Yuuji's weekend would remain free.

C.C. gave her quiet nod of approval as well.

And so, the matter was settled. Akeno and Rias would enjoy their dates with Yuuji.

"So that's how it happened, huh…"

Dressed casually in a light-gray t-shirt, a blue collared overshirt, and beige trousers, Yuuji could only smile helplessly as he glanced down at the beauty beside him.

"Mm~ Ufufufu~ I'm so happy to have such supportive sisters~"

Akeno giggled, her voice dripping with mirth as she hugged his arm tighter, her slender fingers lacing with his.

She was radiant. Clad in a flowing white one-piece dress cinched at the waist with a black belt, the outfit highlighted her graceful figure in all the right places. Around her neck gleamed a necklace Yuuji had gifted her that morning: a silver chain bearing a golden rhombus, within which a sapphire diamond floated as if suspended by magic.

By this world's standards, it was a priceless treasure.

But to Yuuji, it was merely a rare-ranked magic item from Yggdrasil—a simple trinket with the ability to veil the wearer's true appearance from prying eyes, unless they chose otherwise. In the game, its disguise effect had been little more than a low-level derivative of the Tier-1 spell Disguise Self. Easily pierced by higher-tier detection magic.

Still, for their purpose today, it was perfect.

Yuuji wore the same necklace himself.

Because for this date, what mattered wasn't power or prestige. It was peace. Without the disguise, their striking appearances would draw stares and whispers, turning their day together into a spectacle.

But with the necklaces, they could walk hand in hand, like any other couple enjoying a day out.

Just Yuuji and Akeno.

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Although the town of Kuoh was a place steeped in supernatural mysteries and wonders, when it came to simple, earthly entertainment, it left much to be desired.

There were a few arcades, movie theatres, and a scattering of local parks, but nothing that could truly surprise Akeno. Having lived in Kuoh for most of her life, she had already seen everything the small town had to offer. And because Kuoh lay far from any major cities, traveling outside the area required a considerable investment of time and effort. Akeno rarely made such trips—she never really felt the need to. Being Rias's queen, she'd often need to take care of her or accompany her to the Underworld, so she never really had the time nor the impetus to make such trips. 

That was precisely why, for their first date, Yuuji wanted to give her something different. Something new.

Of course, he wasn't about to let hours of traveling by train or plane eat away at the precious time they had together. Instead, with a simple glance into possible destinations through [Scry], and a quiet invocation of [Gate], the two of them arrived in the blink of an eye at their first stop:

A small peninsula on the northern reaches of the Okinawa Islands—home to one of the largest and most breathtaking aquariums in all of Japan: the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

The tunnel was dim, bathed in shifting shades of blue and silver as schools of fish drifted overhead. 

Massive fishes they've never seen moved through the clear water, like a dragon in the sky. 

The water shimmered, painting rippling patterns across the glass walls. Akeno's eyes widened in wonder, her lips parting slightly as she pressed closer to Yuuji. Without hesitation, her hand slid into his, fingers intertwining, as his arm was buried in between her breasts.

"Wow… it feels like we're walking on the ocean floor," she whispered, her voice soft with awe.

Yuuji barely looked at the fish. His gaze lingered on her instead. The way the reflected light danced across her features, turning her eyes into twin sapphires, alive with childlike curiosity.

"It is beautiful," he murmured, a smile tugging at his lips, "but I'd say the view beside me is even better."

Akeno giggled, the sound melodic in the hushed ambience of the tunnel. 

"Ufufu~ As expected, you really are skilled at making a girl's heart flutter, aren't you, Yuuji-kun~?"

He chuckled in return, shaking his head slightly. 

"That's not skill. It's just easy when it's the truth."

Her cheeks warmed, gaze softened as she leaned towards him and she squeezed his hand tighter, melting into him.

The two explored the massive expanse of the aquarium. But as expected of one of the largest aquariums in Japan, it wasn't something they could explore completely in a few hours. 

They didn't intend to anyway. So, they took their time, taking each step slowly, and let the wonders around them serve to enhance their time together as they enjoyed each other's presence. 

"Oh? It seems like there's a dolphin show. Do you want to see it, Akeno?"

"Mm~ That sounds like a good idea~"

They made their way to the outdoor aquarium where they'd be having the dolphin show. 

They took the seats in the middle row, not too far back but not too close either to be in the splash zone. 

Yuuji waved his hand, using a prestidigitation cantrip to clean their seats, and led Akeno to her seat. 

Although their necklaces disguised their appearance, making them look like a couple with regular, average appearance, their closeness still attracted envious gazes from others. 

Many females were envious of how gently and naturally princely the man treated his girlfriend. While the males were envious of how cute and clingy the girl was towards her boyfriend. 

Each to their own envy and jealousy. But Yuuji and Akeno spared them no attention and enjoyed themselves in their own pink bubble, teasing and flirting in every chance they got. 

Soon, the dolphin show began. Akeno's laughter rang freely as a playful dolphin sent a wave crashing into the front rows of the audience. 

Some of the water splashed further than expected, but Yuuji's [Gravity] magic protected them from being wet. 

Still, Akeno took the chance to stick even closer to Yuuji, trying to "hide" behind him, using him to shield from the water. And of course, she also pressed her massive breasts against him as she tried—and failed—to stifle her amusement. 

But instead of being flustered, Yuuji played along with this little, flirty vixen and instead, draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her just a little closer. 

"Hya-!"

Akeno blushed when she realized she let out a little shriek accidentally out of shock. She pursed her lips, pouting, and looked up to him with a narrowed gaze, as if blaming him for shocking her. 

She wanted to warn him not to do it again, but because her cheeks were blushing red like a ripe tomato, she looked more cute than intimidating to Yuuji. 

So, Yuuji did what was natural for him when his girlfriends are being cute. He captured her lips and kissed her softly. 

"!!!"

She became even redder, not realizing how "bold" this junior of hers would be while they're in such a public place. 

Thankfully, most of the visitors around them were enraptured by the dolphin show, so none seemed to notice. 

"You meanie…!"

She pinched his waist, not too hard to actually hurt him, but just enough to express her embarrassment. 

Her little pinch didn't hurt Yuuji at all, but Yuuji still acted like it did and apologise. 

"Ahahaha, I'm sorry. You're just too cute, Akeno~ Who knew my senior, one of the two great ladies of Kuoh, would make such a cute sound~"

He grinned, making her even more embarrassed. 

"D-Dummy…!"

She hid her face to his arm, her hand wrapped tightly to his while she used the other to "exact vengeance" with pinches to his waist. 

Lost in their little world, the dolphin show soon ended before they knew it as it faded into applause. 

Soon Yuuji and Akeno were back to wandering deeper into the labyrinth of the aquarium. The crowd thinned as they entered the grand hall where the massive tank dominated the space.

Inside, gentle giants glided past the glass. Whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of silver fish swam together in a breathtaking ballet of nature. The light filtering from above cast the water in a mesmerizing azure glow, bathing Akeno's features in soft blue.

She stopped walking, pressing both hands against the glass as her eyes widened. 

"They're… so graceful." 

Her voice was hushed, almost reverent, as though she feared speaking too loudly would shatter the magic of the moment.

Yuuji moved closer, watching her more than the creatures in the tank. 

"Beautiful, aren't they?" he asked softly.

"Mm… they are." 

Akeno leaned her cheek against the glass for a moment, her smile tender. 

"It's strange. I've lived around the supernatural my whole life… but something like this feels more magical to me than any spell or power."

Yuuji slipped an arm around her waist. 

"That's because it is magical—just in a different way. The world itself is alive with wonders. We just forget to look sometimes."

Her lips curved into a smile, and she tilted her head up to meet his gaze. 

"That's why… I'm glad I can see it with you."

They lingered through the quieter sections—pausing at the jellyfish exhibit, where ethereal creatures pulsed gently in the dark like floating lanterns, and laughing when a curious sea turtle pressed its nose against the glass as if greeting them personally.

By the time they stepped back out into the sunlight, Akeno was practically glowing. She slipped her arm into Yuuji's and leaned against him as they walked. 

"That was wonderful. Thank you, Yuuji-kun. I've… never experienced something like this before."

He gave her hand a squeeze. 

"Then I'm glad I chose right."

As night fell, Yuuji led Akeno once more through [Gate], and the two stepped into an entirely different atmosphere.

This time, it was Kyoto—a narrow street lit by soft lanterns, lined with old machiya houses now turned into quaint restaurants. The air carried the faint scent of grilled fish and fresh herbs. 

Yuuji guided her to a cozy, tucked-away restaurant built in a renovated townhouse, where each table had its own private alcove surrounded by bamboo screens.

Akeno's eyes sparkled as they sat across from one another on tatami mats, the low table between them decorated with lacquered dishes. 

"This feels so intimate… almost like we've gone back in time," she whispered, her voice warm with excitement.

The food came in small, delicate portions: sashimi so fresh it melted on the tongue, grilled eel glazed with a sweet-savory sauce, and seasonal vegetables arranged like artwork. 

Akeno laughed softly when Yuuji insisted she try something new, leaning across the table to feed her a piece with his chopsticks.

"Mm… delicious." 

She licked her lips, then gave him a mischievous smile. 

"But… not as delicious as this." 

She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his in a fleeting kiss.

Yuuji chuckled, shaking his head. "

You really don't hold back, do you?"

"Of course not. I'm on a date with the man I love. Why should I?"

By the time they left the restaurant, the lanterns outside swayed gently in the night breeze, and Akeno's hand found its way naturally back into Yuuji's. She leaned into his side, her expression blissful as they walked slowly down the lantern-lit street.

"…Thank you, Yuuji-kun." 

She murmured, her voice filled with quiet sincerity. 

"For today. For everything."

Yuuji brushed his thumb across her hand and smiled. 

"I should be thanking you—for making this day unforgettable."

Her answer was another kiss, deeper this time, beneath the warm glow of lantern light.

After a final stroll through the lantern-lit street, Yuuji opened a [Gate], and the two returned to Kuoh—specifically, to Akeno's home.

The shrine appeared before them. The soft rustling of leaves against the gentle night breeze and cricking insects served as a serene background sound of nature to welcome them. 

Akeno, still not wanting to let go of his hand and warmth, pulled him inside.

Yuuji slipped off his shoes at the entrance, following Akeno into the living room. She set her small bag on the table and turned toward him, her cheeks still pink from the day's excitement.

"Today was… perfect." 

She whispered, clasping her hands together in front of her chest. Her smile was tender, tinged with emotion. 

"The aquarium, the movie, dinner… all of it felt like a dream."

But then, her eyes wandered to a small shrine on the far side of the room.

A picture frame stood at its center. A beautiful woman resembling Akeno, if she was a bit older.

Her eyes shimmered—not with sadness, but with the kind of bittersweet longing that comes from cherished memories. 

"If I could, I'd want to tell Mother about this day. She'd be so happy to hear about you, Yuuji-kun."

She pressed a hand over her heart, as if holding onto them. 

"I'm sure she'd be proud of me… for finally finding someone I can love wholeheartedly."

Yuuji studied her for a moment, his expression softening. Then, after a pause, he asked quietly. 

"…Would you like to meet her again?"

Akeno blinked, startled. 

"…Eh?"

"If you could talk to her, be with her… would you want that?"

Akeno's breath caught. Her eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. 

"…Eh…? What… what do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that," Yuuji replied, his gaze never wavering.

For a moment, Akeno simply stared, her lips parted but unable to form words. Then the shock gave way to a trembling hope.

"Y-Yuuji… d-don't joke about something like that…" 

Her voice cracked, her hands tightening against his sleeves. She knew, deep in her heart, after seeing the miracles Yuuji had done, that he might also have the power to bring her mother back to her. 

But she was afraid… Afraid of grasping onto that faint light of hope, only to see it disappear, plunging her into an ever more painful darkness.

Though as expected… she couldn't not reach out for that faint light. 

"Can… can you really…?"

Yuuji only nodded, his expression calm, unwavering.

Tears welled in Akeno's eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. She pressed a hand to her mouth, her shoulders trembling. 

"…All this time… I've missed her so much. Even though you've filled that emptiness in my heart, even though being with you makes the loneliness fade… there's always been a part of me that longed for her. That wanted her to see me grow, to… to live with me again."

Her words dissolved into quiet sobs. Yuuji pulled her close without hesitation, wrapping her in his arms.

"If it's what you truly want, Akeno," he murmured into her hair, "then I'll do it. I'll bring her back, not as a shade or illusion—but alive. To stay with you. To live with you."

Akeno's lips parted, her breath catching. She stared up at him with wide, trembling eyes. 

"You… you can really do that?" Her voice wavered, filled with hope and disbelief.

Yuuji nodded.

For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the faint chirping of crickets outside. Akeno covered her mouth with one hand, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. Then, with a small sob, she tightened her embrace around Yuuji's chest. 

"Yuuji… you're too cruel," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest. 

"To say something like that… after giving me the happiest day of my life."

He held her close, stroking her long black hair as her shoulders trembled. "I'm not trying to be cruel, Akeno. I just want you to be happy. If seeing your mother again would give you that happiness… then I'll make it happen."

She tilted her head up, her cheeks wet but her smile radiant. 

"Then… yes. I'd like that. More than anything… I want her to know I'm not alone anymore. That I found someone I love."

Yuuji leaned his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet of her home. 

"Then it's decided. I'll bring her back to you."

Akeno's eyes closed as she clung to him tighter, her tears finally giving way to a soft, trembling laugh. 

"I love you… so much, Yuuji-kun."

"I love you too, Akeno." 

He whispered back, kissing her forehead as the promise lingered between them—a vow that her past and present would soon meet.

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~! 

Thank you~!