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Chapter 283 ~ The Rumored King of Kuoh

The morning sun streamed through the windows of Kuoh Academy, casting a warm golden hue across the polished floors. It was supposed to be a typical school day—but the air practically buzzed with anticipation.

Excited whispers and curious murmurs filled the first-year classroom.

”Hey, did you hear? We’re getting transfer students today! And I heard they’re all insanely hot!”

“Huh? Transfer students this late in the year?”

Another student leaned in, eyes gleaming with excitement.

“It’s true! I saw them with my own eyes—two girls. Both of them total knockouts! I swear, they might even rival the two Queens of Kuoh!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Gremory-senpai and Himejima-senpai are literal goddesses! There’s no way anyone could be that beautiful!”

“I’m not joking! I saw them! These girls are seriously something else.”

“I also heard there are some guys transferring in too… Look over there—they’re probably talking about the new guys.”

One student pointed toward a group of girls giggling around a desk, their voices filled with excitement.

“Yeah, I’ve heard whispers too,” another chimed in. “Apparently, they’re even more handsome than the Prince of Kuoh.”

“Wait, what? More handsome than him?”

“Yup. And get this—there’s a rumor going around about someone called the ‘King of Kuoh.’”

“The King? What kind of legend is that?”

“That’s the weird part—no one really knows. Some say he’s ridiculously handsome and that tons of girls at this school fell for him. But here’s the kicker—he’s not even a student here.”

“What? Then how could he be the King of Kuoh?!”

“I dunno, man. Just something I overheard from the upperclassmen in the cafeteria.”

As the classroom buzzed with gossip, Koneko Toujou sat quietly at her desk, seemingly detached from the noise. For her, it all melted into a low hum—background noise that didn’t matter.

She was never much of a morning person, and today was no exception. Her golden eyes were half-lidded, still clouded with sleep, the result of staying up far later than she should have.

Her thoughts drifted, as they had been doing for days, to the recent Rating Game. The memories played in a loop: her fierce battle against the Phenex Queen, the clash with Riser himself, the struggles, the teamwork—and finally, the hard-earned victory with the rest of Rias’s peerage.

A small, rare smile tugged at the corners of her lips as a warm feeling settled in her chest.

She glanced down at her hands, clenching them into fists, then slowly opening them again—repeating the motion with quiet focus.

‘I’ve gotten stronger…’

She remembered the intense training she’d endured just days ago—harsh, relentless, and exhausting. Each session had left her bruised and aching, but she had pushed through.

And it had paid off.

A quiet sense of pride filled her heart. She owed it all to Yuuji, Erika, Aika, Alice, and Aria.

Without them, she might have continued aimlessly, training without purpose or direction. But they had guided her—trained with her, taught her real techniques, sparred with her, and helped sharpen her instincts.

They had pushed her to her limits and beyond.

She still wasn’t as strong as her sister… not yet.But she was getting closer.

‘Soon…’

Soon, she’d be strong enough to confront her. To finally hear the truth—directly from her sister’s lips.

The school bell rang, signaling the start of class and rattling Koneko out of her daze.

Moments later, the door slid open, and in walked the homeroom teacher—a middle-aged woman known for her no-nonsense attitude and strict demeanor.

But something was… different.

Whispers spread as fast as wildfire.

The ever-serious teacher, normally as rigid as stone, was smiling. Not just smiling—blushing. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glittering with something like excitement, and she moved with a spring in her step that left the entire class stunned.

Was this really the same woman?

The students exchanged bewildered glances, their earlier chatter about new students momentarily forgotten.

“Good morning, class!” the teacher said, unusually cheerful. “I have special news for all of you today, so please take your seats!”

The students hurried back to their desks, rising quickly to offer their morning greetings—bowing in unison with practiced formality—before sitting back down, the room humming with curiosity.

The teacher clasped her hands together, her cheeks still tinged pink. “Good! Now, we have great news for everyone. Starting today, three new friends will be joining us! So please welcome them warmly! You three, you may come in now!”

The classroom door slid open again with a soft rattle.

All eyes turned.

Koneko’s golden gaze shifted toward the door—and then widened in stunned disbelief.

“...Eh?”

Walking into the room were the last people she expected to see today.

Yuuji-san. Erika-san.

And one more—another familiar face—clad in the same Kuoh Academy uniform, looking perfectly natural as if they’d always belonged there.

Gasps rippled through the room like a gust of wind.

Every girl’s eyes locked on the two boys—especially Yuuji, his striking features drawing dreamy sighs, flushed cheeks, and startled murmurs. Some students clutched at their uniforms as if trying to calm their fluttering hearts.

Meanwhile, the guys were equally captivated—though their cheers were aimed at the orange-red-haired girl who strode confidently into the room. Her strong, tomboyish charm, athletic build, and natural beauty ignited an uproar.

“She’s like a warrior princess!” one whispered.

“Damn… I’ve always been into tomboys… She might be hotter than Gremory-senpai for me!”

Even the strict teacher—usually stern and unyielding—stood motionless, eyes sparkling, lips curved in a shy, delighted smile. She didn’t even try to restore order.

But Koneko Toujou wasn’t swept up in the chaos like the others.

She was frozen. Her body still. Her lips slightly parted.

She knew them. She knew two of them.

“Yuuji-san. Erika-san...”

Her mind reeled. How were they here? Why hadn’t she heard anything about this? Just moments ago, she had been thinking about them—about everything theyʼd taught her, the pain, the growth, the warmth…

Now they were here. With her. In her class.

Yuuji turned slightly, as if sensing her eyes on him. And when their gazes met, he smiled.

A gentle, warm smile.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Red bloomed across her pale cheeks. She flinched, ever so slightly, caught completely off-guard.

“Please introduce yourselves!” the teacher said, clapping her hands with excitement.

Yuuji stepped forward first, calm and composed.

“It’s nice to meet everyone,” he said with quiet confidence. “My name is Tsubakihara Yuuji. For family reasons, I’ve transferred here a bit late in the term, but I hope we can get along well. Please take care of me.”

A chorus of swooning followed.

Then Erika stepped up, her voice lively and bright. “Chiba Erika. Let’s get along, everyone!” she said with a wink that sent the boys into a frenzy.

Last was the other boy, calm and refined. “Shiba Tatsuya. I hope to get along with everyone from now on.”

Applause filled the room—even from the teacher, who clapped like a proud parent, smiling ear to ear.

The trio moved to their assigned desks—three empty seats at the back of the classroom, by the windows.

The seat in front of the desk closest to the window?

It was Koneko’s.

She watched them approach, still frozen, her heart pounding in her ears.

As he passed her, Yuuji leaned slightly toward her and spoke softly, his voice only for her.

“As promised, we’ve met again. Please take care of us from now on, Koneko.”

She blinked. Silence filled her head. Her lips parted—but no words came. She just nodded, dazed, still processing what was happening.

Erika gave her a playful wink as she passed, and Tatsuya offered a polite nod with a knowing smile.

Koneko turned slowly in her seat, watching them take their places behind her.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but underneath it all, a quiet warmth was spreading through her chest.

Despite the shock…

Despite the confusion…

Her heart fluttered.

They were here. With her. Again.

Memories of training sessions, quiet conversations, shared meals, and quiet moments of trust all bubbled to the surface. She hadnʼt just trained with them.

She had grown to care for them.

And now, those precious memories she thought would stay that way… Were about to become something more!

Meanwhile, in a second-year classroom across the hall, another storm was brewing.

A new transfer student stood at the front—tall, elegant, and impossibly handsome. His name rolled off his tongue with smooth confidence.

“My name is Lelouch Lamperouge. I was born abroad but raised here in Japan. It is a pleasure to meet everyone. I hope we can get along.”

He gave a smile, just a small smile to appear cordial, and the girls erupted in hushed squeals. Several clutched their desks like maidens from a shoujo manga for even Kiba Yuuto, the famous pretty boy of Kuoh, had met his match—and possibly been surpassed.

However, the guys were reacting in an opposite manner. The most extreme of which was happening in the back of the room, where Matsuda and Motohama sulked with exaggerated groans.

“Not another one! As if Kiba wasnʼt enough—now we’ve got this guy too?!” Motohama whispered angrily.

Matsuda nodded in despair. “A lot of girls have also fallen for that ‘King of Kuoh’ that’s not even here! Our chances are as good as dead!”

Beside them, Issei blinked in confusion, his thoughts elsewhere.

“Oi, Issei! What the hell are you dozing off about?! We got a real problem here!” Matsuda snapped.

“Eh?! A-Ah, yeah... sure...” Issei stammered. But his eyes remained fixed on Lelouch. A strange feeling gnawed at his chest—an unease that bubbled from somewhere deep inside.

Something about Lelouch… felt familiar. Familiar enough to make his mind wander back to the memories of that night in the warehouse.

Across the room, Aika Kiryuu beamed like it was her birthday. Today was the day her hubby and her best friends would come and go to school with her~!!! 

It’s a shame that she couldn’t be in the same class as her hubby, since he’s technically is still a first-year, but it’s fine! This would turn the senior-junior sex role play she had been wanting to do into reality!

She waved cheerfully at Lelouch, who responded with a subtle smile and a nod.

And noticing this, Katase blinked at the exchange, disbelief written on her face. “You know him?”

“He’s a close friend of Yuuji and me. We go way back,” Aika said casually.

Murayama leaned in, visibly intrigued. “H-Hey, Aika… C-Can you introduce us?”

Aika offered an apologetic smile. “Ah… I would if you’re thinking of just being friends, but if you’re hoping for more… Well, he already has a girlfriend.”

Murayama’s expression fell. “No way…!”

Issei, overhearing everything, felt his stomach twist.

Wait... Aika knew of him. And if he’s here... then could it be—

‘Is Yuuji-san here too?!’

Elsewhere, in the elegant third-year classroom, another surprise waited.

Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima sat in their usual seats, composed and graceful. But their expressions turned wary when the homeroom teacher spoke.

“We have a new transfer student joining us today. Come in.”

The door slid open with a soft click.

And then she appeared.

A girl with flowing greenish-blonde hair and hauntingly serene golden eyes. Her beauty was ethereal, commanding silence as she walked with quiet elegance.

“Cecilia Corabelle,” she said. “I transferred here from abroad.” She gave a small nod, her face absent with any expressions. 

Gasps and murmurs filled the room. The male students leaned forward eagerly, enchanted by her appearance.

“Are you single?” one brave soul asked.

C.C.—as she was better known—tilted her head, and smirked in amusement. “I’m taken. Engaged, actually. Deeply committed.”

A wave of disappointed groans spread like wildfire.

But amidst the chaos, Rias and Akeno felt something more. A pressure, unease, and slight… prickling on their skins. Something about this girl set their senses on edge.

Her aura... wasn’t normal.

Their eyes locked with hers. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Then, like a switch flipping, the feeling vanished.

C.C turned and walked calmly to her seat—directly behind Rias. As she passed, she offered a gentle nod.

“...It’s nice to meet you,” she said softly.

“...Likewise,” Rias replied, though her tone was cautious.

Her crimson eyes narrowed.

[“Akeno… Keep an eye on her.”]

A silent command, spoken not in words, but through the magic of telepathy. And Akeno, ever composed, gave the barest nod, her violet eyes subtly shifting toward the enigmatic girl now seated at the far back of the class.

Her expression remained gentle, smiling even—yet behind it, her senses were fully alert.

It was the feeling.

That momentary sensation—brief, but overwhelming. Like stepping into the presence of a divine being.

It had lasted only an instant. Barely a breath. And then it vanished.

So subtle, it might’ve been mistaken as a trick of the mind. A fleeting impression.

But Rias knew better. She had felt it. So had Akeno.

Even now, her heart was beating faster than it should’ve. Not out of attraction, but instinct. The same adrenaline that came during life-or-death battles now surged quietly beneath her calm facade.

She must be cautious… 

‘I’ll need to warn the others about this…’