My 'System' Is Myself!?

Demeter's words echoed through the courtyard, carrying a hint of mischief, seriousness, and an inexplicable trace of anticipation.

Genichi looked at her and Astraea. After a moment of silence, he shook his head.

He did not immediately agree, but not because he was embarrassed or uninterested. He simply understood that Demeter and Astraea were special.

They were connected to him through the blood wine, bound to him by their Schrifts, and had faced life-and-death situations alongside him.

They understood him, trusted him, and were willing to give him everything.

The other goddesses were different.

Those lofty deities had lived for thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands, of years. They had witnessed countless heroes and experienced the rise and fall of innumerable civilizations.

They were not naive girls who could be won over with a few sweet words.

Winning their hearts would not be easy.

Still, Genichi had no intention of giving up.

Whether it would work or not, he could decide after trying.

The worst possible outcome was rejection. It was not as though he would lose anything.

Before that, however, he needed to make Astraea his, just as Demeter had suggested.

Astraea had already seen everything she should and should not have seen.

Through that mental space, she had witnessed everything he had done, from his battles in the High School DxD world to his experiments in the Crossover World, from the creation of the Ghost Tamers to his coronation upon the throne.

She had seen his truest side, his darkest side, and his most ruthless side.

He could not exactly let Astraea see all of that for free, could he?

Demeter watched Genichi's thoughtful expression, and the corners of her lips rose slightly.

She stepped forward, took Astraea by the hand, and pushed her in front of him.

A faint blush appeared on Astraea's face, but she did not resist. She merely lowered her head and stared at her toes.

Her fingers twisted together, her knuckles turning slightly white. Her heart pounded so violently that it seemed ready to leap from her chest.

"You two talk. I'll go prepare dinner."

Demeter smiled and turned away.

Her figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, and the sound of her footsteps gradually faded.

Only Genichi and Astraea remained in the courtyard.

The afterglow of sunset fell across them, casting their shadows onto the bluestone path. The two silhouettes overlapped until it was impossible to distinguish one from the other.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as though the trees were whispering some secret.

Astraea kept her head lowered and said nothing.

Genichi looked at her, also remaining silent.

The two stood there for a long time.

"Astraea."

Genichi finally spoke, his voice soft.

Astraea raised her head and looked at him.

Her eyes contained nervousness, anticipation, and a trace of longing that even she had not noticed.

Genichi gazed into those eyes, then reached out and gently cupped her face.

Her cheek felt warm and soft against his palm, growing even hotter beneath his touch.

Her eyelashes trembled, and the rims of her eyes turned faintly red.

"You've seen everything about me."

Genichi's voice was calm, yet carried an indescribable sincerity.

"You know what kind of person I am. I'm selfish, cold, and willing to use any means necessary. I'm not a hero or a savior. I'm just an ordinary person trying to survive."

A complicated light flashed through Astraea's eyes.

"I know."

"You don't regret it?"

Astraea shook her head.

"I don't. From the moment I drank the blood wine, I never regretted my decision."

Genichi fell silent for a moment. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss was light and tender, like a dragonfly touching the surface of water or a spring breeze brushing across her face.

Astraea's body stiffened for an instant before relaxing.

Her hands rose from her sides and wrapped around Genichi's neck. She returned the kiss awkwardly but sincerely.

Her lips were soft and warm, with the faint sweetness of ripe fruit.

Her breathing quickened, and her heart pounded so fiercely that it seemed ready to burst from her chest.

Her mind went completely blank.

There was only the kiss, Genichi's warmth, and the peace and beauty of this moment.

Genichi wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him.

Her body was soft and slender, resting against his chest like a docile cat.

Her long hair brushed against his chin, tickling him and carrying a faint fragrance.

He could feel her heart beating like a drum and the warmth of her body, which seemed hot enough to burn.

He released her lips and looked down at her.

Her face was as red as a ripe apple. Her eyes were half-lidded, her eyelashes trembling, and her lips slightly parted. She looked dazed and irresistibly endearing.

"Astraea."

He called her name softly.

"Mm."

Her voice was quiet and trembling.

"From this day forward, you're my woman."

The sun sank below the horizon, and night descended.

The shadows of the courtyard trees gradually blurred, while starlight began to shimmer across the sky.

Demeter stood beside the kitchen window, watching the two figures embracing in the courtyard. The corners of her lips rose slightly.

She had known this would happen.

From the moment Astraea drank the blood wine, from the moment she entered that mental space, and from the moment she witnessed everything Genichi had done, Demeter had known that Astraea would never escape him.

The following morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and illuminated every corner of the room.

Astraea rested in Genichi's arms, her long hair spread across the pillow. A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks, and a contented smile rested upon her lips.

She slept deeply and peacefully, like a cat after a satisfying meal.

Genichi looked at her, warmth rising within his heart.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Lady Astraea! Lady Astraea!"

A clear female voice came from outside, carrying a trace of urgency.

"Are you awake?"

Astraea's eyes snapped open, and her face instantly turned crimson.

She sat up, causing the blanket to slip from her shoulders and reveal her pale skin and delicate collarbones.

She hurriedly began dressing herself, but her hands trembled so badly that she failed to fasten her buttons several times.

Genichi could not help laughing at her flustered appearance.

"What are you laughing at?"

Astraea glared at him, but her gaze carried no intimidation whatsoever.

Genichi suppressed his smile and helped fasten her buttons.

His movements were gentle and careful, as though he were handling a priceless work of art.

Astraea looked at him, complicated emotions rising within her.

She lowered her head, pressed a light kiss against his lips, then stood and walked toward the door.

When the door opened, Kaguya Gojouno stood outside holding a tray of breakfast.

Her gaze moved past Astraea and landed upon Genichi, who was still inside the room. Fury instantly ignited within her eyes.

"You!"

Kaguya's voice was sharp and trembling.

"What did you do to Lady Astraea?"

Genichi leaned against the headboard with his arms folded, his expression calm.

"What it looks like."

Kaguya's face turned livid.

She set down the tray, stormed into the room, and pointed a finger at Genichi's face.

"You bastard! Do you have any idea who Lady Astraea is? She's the goddess of justice! She's our patron goddess! How dare you? How could you possibly..."

"Kaguya."

Astraea's voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.

"That's enough."

Kaguya turned toward Astraea, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Lady Astraea, how could you..."

Her voice choked, and tears gathered in her eyes.

Astraea looked at her, complicated emotions welling up inside her.

She knew what Kaguya was worried about.

Kaguya feared that Genichi had deceived her, that he was exploiting her, and that he would eventually hurt her.

What Kaguya did not understand was that this had been Astraea's own choice.

She had given herself to him willingly, and she did not regret her decision.

"Kaguya, this is my private affair."

Astraea's voice was gentle, but every word carried unmistakable conviction.

"Please respect my choice."

Kaguya's tears finally spilled from her eyes.

She turned and ran from the room, her footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.

Astraea watched her leave and sighed.

She knew this was only the beginning.

There would be far more trouble ahead.

Sure enough, before half the day had passed, the entire Astraea Familia had learned what happened.

The resurrected Familia members looked at Genichi as though he had murdered their fathers.

Alise Lovell stood in the courtyard with her hands planted on her hips, glaring at him with eyes filled with anger and resentment.

Ryuu Lion stood beside her, clutching the hem of her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her lips were pressed into a thin line.

The other members gathered around Genichi as well, surrounding him from every direction.

"Lord Genichi."

Kaguya's voice was cold.

"We know that you resurrected us and that you're our benefactor. But we do not approve of you sleeping with our goddess."

Genichi looked at her, his expression calm.

"And?"

"And?"

Kaguya raised her voice.

"You owe us an explanation!"

Genichi arched an eyebrow.

"What kind of explanation?"

"You have to promise that you'll treat Lady Astraea well."

Alise took over, a slight tremor in her voice.

"You can't abandon her, hurt her, or make her sad."

Genichi looked at them and remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"I promise."

Ryuu and Alise exchanged glances. Some of the tension in their eyes eased.

Kaguya, however, refused to let the matter end there.

She stood behind the others with her arms crossed, staring at Genichi with undisguised hostility.

"Anyone can make empty promises. You'll have to prove it to us."

Genichi looked at her.

"How?"

"Fight us."

Kaguya's voice was resolute.

"If you win, we'll stop interfering in your relationship with Lady Astraea. If you lose..."

She paused.

"You must leave Lady Astraea."

The courtyard fell silent.

Everyone stared at Genichi, waiting for his answer.

Astraea stood beneath the covered walkway, watching the confrontation with complicated emotions.

She wanted to stop them, but she also knew this was a necessary step.

Her children needed to vent their emotions. They needed reassurance, and they needed to witness Genichi's strength with their own eyes.

Only then could they entrust their goddess to him without worry.

"Very well."

Genichi nodded.

Kaguya's eyes lit up.

She drew the katana at her waist and pointed its blade at him.

(End of Chapter)

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