DXD: Samsara Finis

"But let's make this easy," Kazuma said, brushing invisible dust from his lapel. "If both of you kneel here and now, we can forget this little misunderstanding ever happened."

He straightened, his voice smooth with false civility, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable.

"If not… well, I might find myself rather disheartened. And a disheartened judge tends to be… harsh. Especially when it comes to evaluating performances."

I stared him down, my gaze cold and unwavering. Then I stepped forward, voice flat, deadpan.

"Do you really think you can get away with this?" I asked. "What if we report you to the school board—or the Gremory Corporation itself? I wonder what they'd say if word got out that one of their executives was harassing students."

I leaned in slightly, just enough for him to catch the steel in my eyes.

"You must be desperate," I added, a cruel edge in my voice. "With a goblin face like that, it must be hard to get a girl."

Kazuma's smirk twitched—but only for a moment. Then he clicked his tongue and let out a dry, bitter laugh.

"Report what?" he said, voice calm and carefully measured. "I didn't do anything. Nothing that would hold up. Nothing that could stick."

"We can testify," Issei snapped from behind me. "All of us here."

Kazuma took a step closer, the fake warmth vanishing completely. His voice dropped to a near-whisper, dark and poisonous.

"This is why I enjoy dealing with the young," he said. "So full of idealism. So utterly naive."

He tilted his head, mocking us like a parent humoring a foolish child.

"You think the world works in black and white? That justice is guaranteed just because you report it? Let me educate you. The real world is grey—filthy, twisted, and run by people who know how to stay untouchable. You think this is the first time I've been accused?"

Issei's fists clenched, trembling. "You—!"

I shot a hand out, grabbing his arm before he could take a step. "Issei. Don't."

Then I stood, calm and slow, facing Kazuma with eyes like drawn blades.

"Take one more step," I said, voice low and cold, "and you'll regret it."

He flinched—barely—but I saw it. The fear was there, buried beneath layers of arrogance.

"I—"

Before I could press further, he cut me off, that smug smile crawling back onto his face like mold.

"Oh, right," he said lightly, tapping his chin as if trying to remember. "There was that one teacher who begged us to give you another shot through this competition… what was his name again?"

"He must be a fool—like teacher, like student. Both pathetic."

I froze.

He stepped closer, his voice lowering to a venomous whisper.

"Do you remember what he said? 'My student has the talent—just give him one more chance. If my decision proven incorrect then i will retired' ."

Kazuma chuckled darkly, lips curling."Well then… I'll make sure he retired then. I'll make sure you fail."

That was it.

Something inside me cracked.

The chill in my chest turned to ice. My blood didn't boil—it froze, sharp and silent like a blade drawn in the dead of night.

I took one step forward.

Kazuma's face stiffened. The air shifted, like pressure pressing down on the class itself. Even the fluorescent lights seemed to buzz quieter.

Then another step. He didn't laugh anymore. He didn't speak.

I felt Issei try to tug my sleeve, whispering something—maybe my name—but his voice was distant. Irrelevant.

I kept walking.

I stared straight into Kazuma's eyes—no, into whatever flickered behind them.

I wanted to see what his scream would sound like.

Then I spoke, voice cold. Flat. Icy.

"You're done."

Silence.

But before I could take another breath, a voice like a knife through velvet sliced through the air.

"Is there a problem here?"

Everyone turned.

The pressure that had been suffocating the hallway vanished—snuffed out like it had never existed.

Sona Shitori stood at the far end, arms folded neatly across her chest. Her glasses gleamed like sharpened obsidian, cool and unreadable. Tsubaki followed at her side, her silence radiating authority of its own.

Kazuma blinked, his shoulders loosening slightly as if someone had lifted a weight off his chest. He even let out a small breath, trying to play it off with a scoff.

"Hmph. Must be something I ate," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "No way I was scared of a damn student."

Sona's voice came again—smooth, neutral, but colder than ice. "What caused the disturbance?"

She stepped forward slowly, each step deliberate. Her presence filled the class.

Issei suddenly shouted, unable to hold back. "Kaichou! This man—he tried to blackmail Eishi!"

Kazuma raised a hand, cutting him off. "Miss Sona Sitri," he said with feigned politeness, smiling like nothing had happened, "I believe we've met before."

Sona didn't smile back.

"Is that so? Then answer me. What happened here?"

"Oh, nothing serious," Kazuma replied with a smirk, waving a hand like brushing away dust. "Just a little… misunderstanding."

He straightened his blazer, smugness slipping back onto his face like a mask.

"Owh, look at the time. I still have an appointment with your principal," he said, his voice oozing false politeness and condescension."I'll have to excuse myself.

See you later, Miss Sona. And you too, Lucivar. Best of luck with your performance. I hope you succeed... for both you and your teacher sakes."

He turned as if to walk off, but I stepped forward.

"Wait."

He stopped. His shoulders twitched slightly before he turned back, smirk reappearing like a shadow.

"Hm? Changed your mind? Going to beg for mercy now?"

I met his gaze squarely.

"Let's make it simple," I said. My voice was calm. Steady. But underneath, steel. "If I win this competition—you'll apologize publicly. Admit everything."

He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering behind his eyes.

"And if you lose?"

I didn't hesitate.

"I'll quit this school. Right after the performance."

Issei spun toward me. "Eishi! What the hell are you—"

Kazuma chuckled darkly. "Dramatic. Very dramatic." He folded his arms, looking me over like a chess piece on the verge of checkmate.

"But tell me… what exactly do I gain if you quit school? You're a nobody just a simple student with a little bit of talent."

I took a step closer.

"Then here's a better offer." I narrowed my eyes."If I lose… I'll work for you."

That got his attention.

He went still. Slowly, his head tilted.

"Work for me?" he echoed, as if tasting the words. "Interesting. That's more useful. I do value talent… quite a bit."

He stepped forward, lowering his voice as he leaned toward me. His next words were barely a whisper—meant for my ears alone.

"I'll make you work for me until the day you die."

Issei, standing just close enough, stiffened. He heard it too. His face darkened, eyes widening in disbelief.

Kazuma smiled again and straightened up, dusting imaginary lint off his shoulder.

"See you at the competition, Lucivar."

Then he turned and walked away like he'd just claimed victory.

Sona didn't move.

"I will not be escorting you," she said flatly as he passed her.

Kazuma didn't respond—just kept walking, his back stiff, the hallway echoing with each fading footstep. The tension that had hung heavy in the air slowly began to dissolve.

Issei rushed to my side the moment Kazuma disappeared around the corner.

"Eishi, how could you bet something like that?!" he said, voice tight with worry."If he wins, you'll be bound to some contract—you'll work under him until you die! With his personality, he'll bleed you dry! It won't be fair."

His fists were clenched. I could see it in his eyes—guilt, panic, frustration.

I gave him a small smile. Calm. Unshaken.

"It's okay, Issei."I turned slightly, adjusting the strap of my violin case over my shoulder."I won't lose."

"But—"

"I've already decided."

I started to walk away, heading toward the stairwell.

That was when her voice cut through the fading echoes of my footsteps.

"Lucivar."

I stopped.

Sona's voice wasn't loud—but it didn't need to be. There was weight in it, composed and commanding.

I glanced back.

She stood there, arms still crossed, her expression unreadable—but those sharp violet eyes held something else now. Not just authority.

But concern.

"Come with me."

The other students pretended not to stare, but I could feel their eyes. Issei looked at me, unsure whether to follow or wait.

"…Yeah," I said quietly, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Alright."

I followed her out into the corridor. Tsubaki trailed silently behind, but this time, she kept a few steps back—giving us space.

Sona stopped after a few strides.

"Tsubaki."

Her voice was soft but firm.

Tsubaki stepped forward without question. Sona leaned in slightly and whispered something I couldn't catch. Tsubaki nodded once, gave me a small, respectful bow, then turned and walked away, her footsteps fading down the hall.

Silence hung between us for a moment.

Then Sona turned her gaze to me, calm but unreadable.Her voice was quiet, almost too gentle for the tension still curling in my chest.

"Then… shall we walk?"