The Rising of the Hero King

Asia looked around nervously.

The rating match was just over and they were sent back to their private waiting room. They were supposed to wait for Rias and others. It was supposed to be a happy occasion. But the atmosphere was anything but jovial. And the reason was Haruto.

He was angry, Asia could clearly see that. Sakura told her that Riser said something bad to him in the match which angered him. She wondered what exactly was said to make someone like her foster brother get so angry. And even though he had thoroughly beaten the phenex, he was not happy.

Not at all.

Haruto was leaning on his chair, his hands were gripping the chair-arm tightly while his foot was tapping the ground rapidly. His eyes were closed but everyone could see his jaws clenching and unclenching after every few seconds. His breathing was erratic. His powers were contained, but barely. It was as if at any given moment his powers would pour out like a flood.

Asia saw Haku looking at Sakura and then pointing his head toward Haruto. Sakura released a deep breath through her mouth and just took one step before stopping. Now that made everyone around her look at her surprised, except Asia. Sakura smiled and then turned to Asia who tilted her head and blinked, making Sakura chuckle at her. She came close and bent down. The words she spoke surprised Asia. She looked at Sakura to see her smile widening and nodding her head. She wasn't so sure about it but the gentle and assuring smile of Sakura gave her the courage she needed. Well to go a bit further she lightly pushed Asia toward Haruto.

Taking slow steps, Asia came beside Haruto and asked softly,

"Haruto-niisama, are you alright?"

Haruto whipped his head toward Asia, making her flinch, but just for a moment. And in that same moment, Haruto's whole body came to a stop. His blank eyes met Asia's worried one. The stare went down for a few seconds before Haruto finally smiled, a full blown wide smile. His previous demeanor was all but gone as if it wasn't there from the beginning.

Haruto got up slowly and hugged Asia. Then he suddenly started laughing and picked Asia up with a huge bear hug who couldn't help but yelp at the sudden event. Haruto spoke, still laughing like a child, "I am sorry. Did your stupid brother make you worried?"

Asia looked up to see Haruto's kind and gentle expression. It made her smile which matched her brother's as she shyly answered, "It is alright Haruto-niisama, as long as you are fine."

And just like that the tension in the room all but disappeared but before they could celebrate, everyone sensed some devils coming their way. Squeezing Asia one last time Haruto released her from his hug and ruffled her hair when she was on her feet.

The door opened abruptly and Rias was the one who came in first, followed by her peerages and her brother.

Haruto looked at Rias and smiled cheekily, "So, what do …"

He couldn't finish as he was tackled-hugged by Rias. He caught her by reflex. He couldn't help but blink at the unexpected situation. Haruto blinked and then looked at the other newcomers who were just smiling back at them. Not knowing what to do, he just awkwardly started patting her back.

"Thank you."

"Was there any doubt about my victory?"

Rias didn't answer, she just rubbed her face on Haruto's chest making him feel more uncomfortable. He once again looked at them but again he didn't receive any help. But few of their reactions caught him off-guard. Akeno, who he thought would be glaring at him, had a small blush on her face and for some reason, she was squirming. She wasn't looking at him directly but she was taking small peeks at him. And as for Sirzechs, he had an unreadable grin on his face and that put Haruto on the edge. Suddenly the Lucifer's expression changed as he started to weep comically,

"No. When did my Rias-tan become so bold?"

Rias jumped away from Haruto and glared at her brother with a huge blush on her face, "Nii-sama!"

Haruto chuckled softly as he looked at the Gremory siblings, but before he could speak Sirzechs looked at him and grinned mischievously, "I didn't know that you had such a sadistic side to you, Haruto-kun?"

From the corner of his eyes, Haruto saw Akeno squirming again. With a sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose, "My bad. I just couldn't handle his attitude I guess. Hope I didn't cause too much of a mess."

"Nah, I think Riser will be fine." Sirzechs shrugged. Haruto really hoped the crimson Maou was wrong, not that he was going to tell it outright.

"Well then, I think we should leave." Haruto looked at his peerages, all of whom nodded back at him.

Rias looked back at him sharply, "You are leaving so soon?"

Before Haruto could answer, Sirzechs beat him to it, "Don't leave so soon." He had that unreadable grin again, "I am thinking of throwing a party, for both you and Rias." Then he made an exaggerated pose as he dramatically said, "And the party would be for, the Gremory Princess finding the long lost Belial Prince and his triumph victory."

Then he looked directly at Haruto and said, "What do you say?"

Rias blushed furiously again as she shouted, "Nii-sama!"

Everyone else chuckled except for Haruto. He knew exactly what Sirzechs was doing. And he didn't like it at all. But there was no way he could decline the offer, which was personally given by the Lucifer himself.

"I do not mind, but can we postpone the party? Also, I am sure the Phenex family would not want to hold the party for the person who has beaten their son so brutally." Haruto gave a fake smile but he was sure Sirzechs caught on to it.

He made a thinking pose, and then beamed back as he answered, "I think you are right. I think it is best if the party is held in Gremory house, after one week. We will invite the Belial family as well, I think it would be the best way for you to reconcile with your clan."

Haruto closed his eyes and chuckled, for now, he would play by Sirzechs's rule, "Thank you."

Sirzechs smiled back, "Anytime."