Back in the Club Room, Currently:
"Jokes aside, Asia are you... Okay?" Ryu went towards her, who was still clinging to Akeno she wasn't crying anymore, but was trembling in her arms.
"She's... terrified, poor girl..." Akeno spoke, patting the blonde on the head.
"I-I'll be okay..." Asia managed to say those words very quietly.
Rias was there as well, wiping the tears from Asia's face using her hands.
Ryu looked at Asia and walked over, patting her head with a gentle smile.
"Asia, It's going to be okay... Issei was only trying to protect you." Ryu spoke.
"I-I know, b-but I h-hurt Issei..." Asia's lips trembled, "*Hic* H-He's never going to forgive me now *Hic*." She was on the verge of crying again, she shut her eyes tight, tears threatening to overflow.
"Silly girl." Ryu said, smiling softly while he wiped the tear trailing down Asia's cheek. "There's nothing to forgive... you were just scared, Issei will understand."
"He's right Asia, Issei... cherishes you a lot." Rias spoke this time agreeing with Ryu.
"R-Really?" Asia questioned, voice trembling.
Rias just hugged her, bringing the smaller girl into her arms and that's when Asia let the dam broke and tears overflowed from her big green eyes.
Compared to others, Asia was a fragile and a very kind girl she wasn't suited for such... tense confrontations, and Issei's sudden burst of power really terrified her.
It was instinctive, that fear.
Everyone knows, that Dragons are terrifying creatures, in fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them Natural Disasters.
They live however they want, guided by their own pleasures and displeasures. Truly selfish creatures.
"Koneko, can you go find Issei? And maybe talk some sense into him?" Ryu said to her. "I'd do it myself but, me and Yuto have something to do." Ryu explained.
Koneko nodded and walked out of the room, not before glancing at Asia.
"And what is this... 'Something' that you two plan on doing?" Rias's eyes narrowed dangerously. Very. Dangerously.
"We're going to talk with those two exorcists, and maybe figure out who exactly they're after, I believe we- excuse me, you have the right to know." Ryu explained.
Rias stared at them for a few more seconds, some ideas forming in her mind about what these two were planning, before letting out a sigh, "There's something you're not telling me... I trust you, Ryu. If you're really going to talk to them... do keep it civil... and take care of Yuto, please." She said that last part quietly, making sure Yuto didn't hear.
"Don't worry, leave it to me." Ryu reassured her.
Ryu turned to leave, but before he could take a step towards the door, he felt a hand grab onto his own, he turned around and was met with Akeno.
"Ryu, be careful..." Akeno said worriedly.
"Don't you worry wifey, I'll come back to you safe and sound.
"See you later, everyone." Ryu waved and walked out with Kiba following behind him.
"...His breath still reeks of alcohol." Akeno said, perhaps a bit too loudly.
"He drinks?" Rias questioned, slightly surprised.
"I found out yesterday too, he was with his uncle and... it got out of hand." Akeno explained, while letting out a deep sigh.
"What kind of a drunk is he anyway?" Rias questioned very curiously.
"A... very careless one, I almost suffocated and then I almost got crushed a couple of times..." Akeno said with a sigh.
"I... I see..." Rias had a smile on her face, but she was as red as her hair. "W-Well... I-It's good that you're... okay." Rias stiffly turned around.
She probably misunderstood something.
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With Yuto and Ryu:
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"I can't quite prove it... but something is telling me, that those two will be at that abandoned church, you know? The one the Fallen Angels were in?" Ryu said turning to Yuto as they walked at a steady pace under the moonlight.
"It's almost like... they're exorcists." Yuto said, giving Ryu a blank look.
Ryu chuckled, "I like this version of you, feels like... the real you I guess, not the happy-go-lucky face you always put on."
And it was true, Yuto always smiled hiding his pain and true thoughts from his friends, from his family, underneath the facade he built around himself.
Yuto was very grateful to Rias, for saving his life and giving him a chance to avenge his friends, but as time passed and he grew up... Yuto's desire for vengeance was slowly fading away, and that in itself was a different kind of pain that plagued Yuto's very being.
And now, after witnessing that holy sword at Issei's house, he wasn't able to let go of it at all.
Kiba suddenly stopped for just a brief moment, Ryu stopped as well and turned to look at his blonde friend with a raised eyebrow. "...I'm not into men." Yuto spoke, and continued walking.
"Huh?!" Ryu was stupefied, watching Yuto pass by him, "...I take it back, go back to being that old Yuto again."
"No, I don't think I will."
"Ugh..."
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After some time, they finally arrived at the entrance.
"Hey Yuto..." Ryu called out.
"What is it?"
"Wouldn't it be funny, if I broke the door?" Ryu said with a smirk.
"Don't do that. We aren't picking a fight, did you forget your own words?" Yuto spoke.
"But we aren't! We're just you know... knocking politely!"
"Can you be serious?" Yuto asked.
"Okay fine." Ryu let out a sigh before he walked up to the door and opened it.
"How nostalgic." Ryu let out a sigh, "Right Yuto?"
"...Sure buddy."
Ryu walked inside, and called out "Xenovia! Irina! You've got guests!"
Shortly after he shouted, the two exorcists came out both frowning.
"What are you doing here?" Xenovia questioned.
"We're here to offer an alliance." Yuto said.
"We don't need help from the Gremory's, and neither do we need help from you." Irina answered instead of Xenovia, her eyes drifting towards Ryu after she finished.
"I'm not here as a Knight of Rias Gremory, I'm here as Isaiah a victim of Valper Galilei." Kiba said.
Xenovia's and Irina's eyes widened a bit at the mention of that man's name.
"...Alright, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and accept your alliance. If you betray out trust... I'll dispose of you with my own hands." Xenovia threatened him, while also offering a hand.
Kiba looked at her hand, and then shook it.
"I'm looking for Valper, and I've reason to believe that he may be involved in this... situation. The holy swords are missing yes? Then there's a high chance that he is involved."
"We're on the same page regarding that, we also suspect that disgusting swine." Xenovia said.
"Then the alliance is all set and done." Ryu interrupted them.
"And what about you?" Xenovia turned to him. "What're you doing here with him?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Ryu smiled, slinging an arm around Kiba's shoulder, "I'm his friend, I'm here to help pretty boy Yuto here."
The corner's of Yuto's mouth twitched slightly upwards.
"Then... consider this alliance complete, I'll find you two academy if we find any new leads. And if you guys do, you know where to find us."
"Will do."
The two groups separated, Yuto and Ryu went back to their homes for the night.
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With Issei.
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Issei felt like shit, because he tried to protect Asia he in turn scared her out of her mind.
He sat on a bench in the park head down and his face was covered by his hands.
"...I'm such a scumbag..." Issei muttered to himself.
"Partner." Ddraig's rough voice came from his arm.
"...Yeah?" Issei answered weakly.
"It's not your fault, you tried to protect the girl and she understands that."
"That's not an excuse... I terrified her, did you see the look in her eyes?"
"I did, and trust me on something, that girl is hurting more than you are."
"That's a lie, you're just trying to make me feel better." Issei let out a sigh.
"I'm not." Ddraig denied, paused for a second and continued. "My hosts have had the same experience."
"...Really?" Issei asked, a bit surprised.
"Yes, you're not the only one." Ddraig said, "Now, if you still call yourself a man, and still have balls between your legs, go and apologize to the girl."
Issei let out a sigh, "I'll try." he spoke weakly, and then he got up.
"...Thanks, partner." Issei muttered, looking down at the glowing green gem on his left hand.
"Anytime, partner." Ddraig said softly.
Issei started walking back home, going the long way to buy time to muster up the courage to stand in front of Asia again.
When he finally arrived at home, he hesitated before he finally pulled the handle and entered.
"I'm home." He called out, and then went up the stairs.
He stood in front of Asia's room, the door was closed and it was silent.
He knocked.
"...Asia, are you there?" He asked softly.
"...I-I am." An even softer voice came from behind the door with a stutter.
"May I... come in?" Issei asked.
It was silent, but then Asia opened the door, Issei went in and she closed it.
The two sat on the bed.
She had tear marks running down her face, and she was avoiding Issei's eyes.
Issei looked at her, the guilt was eating him alive.
"Asia, I'm sorry for... scaring you." Issei said, his voice trembling slightly.
Asia was silent, her head down and after hearing Issei's words she started to tremble, and cried softly.
Asia threw her arms around Issei and hugged him tightly,
Issei did the same, he held her until she stopped crying.
"I-It's okay Issei... the fault is mine, if I wasn't such a c-coward..." Asia managed to make out those words.
Issei held her even tighter, "No, you're not a coward Asia, you're the bravest girl I know."
"I'm not!" She raised her voice, looking up at him with teary eyes.
"If I was... I wouldn't have gotten scared, I wouldn't have..." Asia started crying again.
"...Everyone gets scared, Asia." Issei said, rubbing her back. "Even brave people."
Asia slowly calmed down, her body stopped trembling and she fell asleep in Issei's arms.
"Sweet dreams, Asia."
These two emotionally exhausted teenagers fell asleep in each other's arms.