The night was silent when Rias opened the bedroom door. Asia quickly sat on the edge of the bed, surprised by the visit. Gasper was there as well, seated near the window, looking down as he let his thoughts settle after the exhausting training.
"Asia," Rias said gently.
The girl stood up slowly. "Rias-san… did something happen?"
"Nothing bad." Rias stepped closer. "Actually, it's something good. Very good."
Asia kept her hands together, nervous. "Good…?"
"Yes." Rias smiled kindly. "Starting tomorrow, you will study with us at Kuoh Academy."
For a few seconds, Asia did not fully understand.
Then her expression lit up.
"I… I'm going to study?"
She brought a hand to her mouth, genuine surprise, the light in her eyes wavering between joy and insecurity.
Rias nodded. "You will be registered as a student. Everything is already prepared. Tsubaki helped with the documents."
Asia took a deep breath, trembling slightly. "I… I thought I wouldn't have a place like that anymore."
"Now you do."
Asia lowered her head, trying to hold back the emotion. "Thank you. Thank you so much… truly."
Rias lightly touched her shoulder. "You deserve this."
Gasper watched in silence. His expression did not change, but the thought came dry:
'School again… I'd rather train with Grayfia.'
Asia turned to him. "Gasper… you study there too, don't you?"
"Yes."
"And I… will I be in the same class?"
"Yes."
Her smile grew, small but full of life. "I'm glad."
Gasper simply inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Rias sat down beside the bed. "Asia, you don't need to worry about anything. I'll accompany you during the first days. And you'll have classmates to help you."
"I…" Asia took a deep breath. "I never had something like this. A place. People. I promise I'll do my best."
"That's already enough."
The silence that followed was light, comfortable. Gasper stood up from the chair and stepped closer, stopping a few steps from the two of them.
Asia looked at him again, more shy. "I… wanted to thank you once more. For bringing me here."
"You've already thanked me enough." His reply came firm, but not cold.
Rias stood up.
"Asia."
The girl looked at her leader.
"Come with me," Rias said. "I want you to meet the rest of the peerage before you sleep. They'll like to see you awake and safe."
Asia's eyes widened, surprised and anxious. "N-now?"
"Yes."
She swallowed, but nodded.
"I'll go."
Rias smiled, satisfied. "Good."
Asia looked at Gasper as if seeking some silent confirmation. He gave a short nod.
"I'll go with you."
Asia breathed in relief.
Rias walked out of the room and the two followed. The corridor was quiet, but the tension Asia carried in her chest was not. She held her handkerchief tightly, as if it were support.
Rias opened the door to the main room.
"Everyone, she's awake."
Akeno was the first to lift her gaze, soft surprise on her face. Kiba leaned against the back of one of the chairs. Saji immediately adjusted his posture. Koneko, seated on the sofa, lifted her chin in attention.
Asia stopped at the entrance, shy but trying to smile.
Akeno inclined her head. "Welcome, Asia-chan."
Asia slowly joined her hands. "Thank you…"
Kiba stepped forward. "It's good to meet you officially."
Saji opened an enthusiastic smile. "If you need help with school, you can talk to me!"
Asia blinked, taking in all those kind gestures. "I… I'm very grateful."
Gasper stood just behind her, quiet.
Koneko stood up from the sofa and walked a few steps closer. Her eyes stayed on Asia first, then on Gasper.
"Be careful with him."
Asia blinked, confused. "Careful?"
Koneko gave a small nod. "He's dangerous."
Asia looked at Gasper and answered almost immediately.
"He saved me."
Koneko narrowed her eyes, surprised by the unexpected firmness. "Still dangerous."
"I'm not afraid of him." Asia gripped her handkerchief more tightly. "He's kind."
Gasper did not react. He simply observed. Koneko turned away and returned to the sofa without insisting. Asia let out a slow breath.
Akeno approached with light steps.
"Asia-chan…"
Asia turned, curious.
"You're very close to him." Akeno's smile carried a teasing edge. "Already in love?"
Asia's eyes widened, all calm gone.
"I-in lo— what?! No! I… it's just… he… saved my life!"
Akeno laughed softly. "I see, I see. Deep gratitude… it usually turns into something more."
Asia turned red to the tips of her ears. "I-it's not— I don't— I just—"
Gasper crossed his arms, with no patience for that game. "Akeno."
"Yes?" She smiled with false innocence.
"Stop."
"As you wish." Akeno winked, satisfied with the chaos she caused.
Kiba stepped in gently, trying to ease the situation.
"Don't mind Akeno too much. She teases everyone."
Asia took a deep breath. "I noticed…"
Saji approached next. "I'm Saji Genshirou. I'm Rias-sama's Pawn."
Asia smiled for the first time without shyness. "Nice to meet you."
Gasper observed everything without comment. That was when he noticed something.
Kiba and Saji were standing too close, talking quietly while exchanging complicit looks.
'They seem close.' The thought crossed his mind. He dismissed it immediately. 'Doesn't matter.'
Rias approached from behind. Gasper only realized when he felt her arms wrap around him without warning.
"Gasper."
He froze, his body locking from surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Be quiet."
Rias' voice came low, with natural authority.
He obeyed.
She rested her face against his shoulder for a moment. Gasper felt the firm, warm contact. Then he felt something more, the gentle pressure of her body against his back as she adjusted the embrace.
Asia noticed and widened her eyes. Akeno smiled more intensely. Koneko glanced sideways, evaluating everything with calm silence. Kiba kept his composure. Saji looked completely away, utterly lost.
Rias kept holding Gasper, firm, in no hurry to let go.
"He did a lot today."
Gasper remained still, trying to understand the purpose of that hug. Rias' body pressed against his back with calculated softness.
"You helped Asia have a future." Rias tightened the embrace once more. "You deserve rest."
Her hand finally moved away, sliding from his shoulder until it stopped near his arm. Gasper slowly let out a breath.
"Your breasts are soft," he commented, far too sincere to realize the imprudence.
Akeno let out a muffled laugh. "Ara, Gasper-kun… so straightforward as always."
Asia stiffened. Her eyes widened again, now filled with confusion and a jealousy so subtle she did not immediately notice it herself.
"Rias-san… you shouldn't…" Asia's voice faltered midway. "I mean… he…"
Gasper looked at her for a moment, without any guilt for having said that.
Koneko crossed her arms and delivered the conclusion without changing her tone:
"Pervert."
She turned and went upstairs with short steps, as if she had concluded a personal judgment.
Akeno laughed again, amused by the unexpected situation. "This is getting interesting."
Saji tried to hide a nervous laugh. "I… don't think that was appropriate, Gasper…"
Kiba gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's train before you say something worse."
Saji straightened up, ready to follow the knight. "Train? Now?"
"Yes." Kiba smiled to the side. "You need to improve your mind and body."
Saji swallowed, but went with him.
Rias watched the two move away and sighed with light humor.
Then she turned to Asia.
"Welcome to the family, Asia. You're safe here."
Asia lowered her head, holding her handkerchief. "Thank you… thank you so much."
Her smile was full of barely contained emotion.
Rias stepped forward.
"Come. I want to show you the kitchen and the rest of the floor before you sleep. And Gasper…"
He lifted his gaze.
"Stay with us."
Gasper thought for a moment. Then nodded.
"Alright."
Asia's expression softened immediately. His presence seemed to make everything simpler, safer. She took a deep breath and smiled, light, shy, and happy.
The group began to follow Rias. Calm steps, gentle rhythm.
It was as if the entire mansion was adjusting to Asia's arrival.
And for the first time since she had opened her eyes in that new world, she did not feel merely welcomed.
She felt that she truly belonged there.
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