Crimson Echoes: The Rebellion of Gremory (Highschool dxd)

The crickets had begun their chorus by the time Kazuki reached the side gate, the dim glow of lanterns from the mansion casting long shadows against the hedges. He had been waiting for exactly ten minutes and twenty-seven seconds. Not that he was counting.

Kazuki shuffled his feet, glancing up at the towering estate where Rias was supposed to be finishing her 'studies.' A part of him worried she wouldn't come. Maybe her parents were too strict. Maybe her curiosity about the outside world wasn't enough to make her risk sneaking out. Maybe… she was just being polite when she agreed.

He let out a breath, running a hand through his dark hair. Guess it was stupid to get my hopes u—

A soft rustling came from the hedges.

His heart leapt.

Emerging like a shadow in the low light, Rias Gremory slipped through the trees, her crimson hair catching the golden glow from the distant lanterns. Even in her dark dress, she seemed to stand out, a figure of quiet rebellion in a world that wanted to contain her.

Kazuki grinned before he could stop himself. "You actually made it."

Rias shot him a playful smirk. "What? Did you think I'd leave you waiting all night?"

"…Maybe."

Her smirk widened. "Well, now you know I keep my word." She took a quick glance around, making sure no one had followed her, then whispered, "The gate?"

Kazuki nodded and nudged it open. It creaked.

Both of them froze.

Silence.

They exchanged glances. When no angry footsteps came from the house, Kazuki slowly pushed the gate wider, wincing at every tiny sound. The moment there was enough space, he grabbed her wrist and—

"Wait—!" she started, but Kazuki pulled her forward, and together, they bolted down the side path, disappearing into the warm night air.

By the time they reached the outskirts of the festival, the sounds of laughter, clapping, and soft flute melodies filled the air.

Rias had fallen completely silent.

Kazuki glanced at her, ready to ask if she was okay—then stopped.

Her eyes were wide, reflecting the golden paper lanterns that floated above them like tiny suns. Her gaze flicked between the various booths lined along the streets, each one bursting with colors, the scent of grilled skewers and sweet candied apples mingling in the warm air.

For the first time, she looked completely enchanted.

"…Wow," she whispered.

Kazuki chuckled. "Yeah. Welcome to the real world, Princess."

She gave him a sharp look. "Don't call me that."

"But you kinda are one," he teased. "I mean, have you ever done anything normal? Like, have you ever gone to a festival just for fun?"

Rias hesitated. "Not… like this."

There was something in her voice—something wistful. Kazuki slowed his steps, watching her as she took in everything, from the bright stalls to the little kids running around with festival masks.

It hit him then.

She's never been able to just be a kid.

Not fully. Not the way he had.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a grin. "Then we gotta make up for lost time. Come on."

Kazuki scanned the various festival booths before smirking.

"Alright," he said, pointing to a goldfish scooping stand. "I bet you can't win one."

Rias arched a brow. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah. I'm calling it now—you'll lose in three tries."

She scoffed. "Please. It's just catching fish with a net."

"Uh-huh. Famous last words."

Five minutes later, Rias Gremory was losing badly.

Her delicate paper scoop ripped apart instantly when she tried to lift a fish. Then the second one. And the third.

Kazuki burst out laughing.

Rias shot him a death glare. "If you laugh one more time, I swear I'll—"

Snap.

Another broken net.

Kazuki was wheezing. "You're—You're supposed to be graceful, noble, elegant—"

"Shut up," she muttered, glaring at the fish as if she could set them on fire.

The booth owner coughed politely. "Miss, would you like to buy another—"

"Yes," she snapped.

Kazuki leaned on the counter, grinning. "You're really gonna keep trying?"

"I don't lose."

"Are you sure about that?"

Her eye twitched.

Ten minutes later, she finally won a small, silver fish. She held it up triumphantly in a tiny plastic bag, then turned to Kazuki.

"Victory," she declared.

Kazuki smirked. "Took you long enough."

She elbowed him lightly. "You're impossible."

"You love it."

Rias didn't respond. Just smiled.

Scene 4: Almost Caught

(Approx. 600 words)

As they continued wandering, Rias suddenly froze.

Kazuki immediately followed her gaze.

A man dressed in black formal clothing stood near the entrance of the festival, scanning the crowd with sharp eyes.

"Who is that?" Kazuki whispered.

"He's one of my father's men," Rias murmured. "If he sees me, he'll tell my parents."

Kazuki's pulse spiked. "What do we do?"

She hesitated, clearly considering options. But before she could answer—

Kazuki grabbed her hand. "Come on."

He pulled her into a narrow alleyway between two vendor stalls. The space was tight, the dim lighting hiding them in shadow. He pressed his back against the wall, keeping her close.

Rias's breath was warm against his collarbone.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The distant sounds of the festival felt muffled in the confined space.

"…Did we lose him?" she asked quietly.

Kazuki peeked out. "Yeah."

She exhaled in relief, then glanced down—noticing their hands were still clasped.

"You're still holding my hand," she murmured.

Kazuki blinked, realizing it too. He quickly pulled away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh—sorry."

She smirked. "I didn't say I minded."

His heart skipped.

But before he could respond—

BOOM.

A loud explosion shook the sky.

The fireworks began.

Golden sparks bloomed above the shrine, followed by waves of red and silver. The sky erupted in brilliant colors, each explosion sending a ripple of warmth across the festival.

Kazuki turned to Rias—only to find her standing completely still, eyes wide with awe.

She wasn't watching like someone who had seen hundreds of fireworks before.

She was watching like someone who had never seen them at all.

"…Wow," she whispered.

Kazuki smiled softly. "Cool, right?"

She nodded, still mesmerized. "I never get to see this back home. I'm always… inside. At formal events. At lessons."

She paused, voice quieter. "I've never been able to just… go outside like this. With someone."

Kazuki hesitated.

Then, slowly, he lifted his pinky.

"Then I promise," he said softly, "if you ever come back… I'll take you to see them again."

Rias turned to him, her blue eyes reflecting the fireworks.

"…Promise?"

He held out his pinky.

She hesitated—then, smiling, curled hers around his.

And as the night sky bloomed with fire and color, Rias Gremory made her first true childhood memory.

A night of rebellion.

A night of freedom.

A night that neither of them would ever forget.