Under the cover of night, Ryuya Kurobane and Koneko Toujou quietly buried the human contractor who had been killed by the Stray Exorcist.
Normally, this sort of task could have been left to subordinates or familiars, but Koneko had insisted on doing it herself. So, Ryuya stayed beside her, keeping her company.
"That guy will definitely come back."
Ryuya's voice was low as he looked at the freshly piled mound of earth before them.
Devils like them didn't fear that Stray Exorcist—but their clients were only ordinary humans. Against someone like that, what chance did they have?
"It's my fault… If I'd responded to her summoning faster, maybe she wouldn't have died," Koneko murmured, guilt flickering across her usually calm face.
"You can't blame yourself for that."
Seeing how downcast she was, Ryuya gently patted her shoulder in comfort.
"Next time we meet that bastard," he said softly, "I won't let him get away again."
Last time, it was only because he hadn't anticipated that blinding holy flash bomb that the man had escaped.
Next time, he'd be ready—he'd make sure the exorcist never walked away.
"When that time comes," Koneko said seriously, "please call me."
"I will," Ryuya replied simply, feeling the firm determination radiating from her small figure.
Not far behind them, Rias Gremory was performing the reincarnation ritual for Asia.
The piece she bestowed upon her was a Bishop.
As the piece merged into Asia's body, Rias finished chanting the ancient incantation—signaling that, from this moment on, they had gained another comrade.
When Ryuya and Koneko returned, they found Asia standing there, quietly sensing the changes in her own body.
Her new outfit—woven entirely from demonic energy—had taken the form of Kuoh Academy's school uniform.
"How do you feel, Asia?" Ryuya asked.
"It… it feels so light," she said softly. "Does this mean I'm already… a devil?"
Her voice trembled with nervous uncertainty.
"Ara~ Ara~ it's normal to feel a bit strange at first," Akeno said with her usual teasing smile. She then turned toward Ryuya, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now that you're a devil senior, you'd better take good care of your junior, okay?"
Ryuya chuckled awkwardly. Senior? He hadn't even been a devil for that long himself—how was he supposed to live up to that title?
He glanced toward Asia and noticed that her expression seemed distant, almost dazed.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently.
"N-No, it's nothing…" Asia quickly shook her head, forcing a small smile in his direction.
Ryuya assumed she was simply overwhelmed by everything that had happened today, so he spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
"If there's anything you don't understand or aren't used to, just tell us. We're all your companions now. Whatever happens, we'll help you."
"...Companions…" Asia repeated softly, her eyes growing misty.
Then—plip, plip—tears began to fall from her cheeks.
Everyone froze for a moment.
Wait, why was she crying all of a sudden?
Ryuya's lips twitched.
Uh… did I say something weird just now?
…No, right?
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the tearful girl before him.
"…Asia?"
"N-No, it's nothing. I'm just… really happy," she said hurriedly, wiping her tears away with both hands.
"…I see. Well, alright then."
Seeing that she didn't want to explain further, Ryuya didn't press her.
"Alright, let's head back," Rias said from behind, her tone composed yet alert.
"We shouldn't stay here too long. That priest might return—with the Fallen Angels alongside him."
Rias now fully understood Asia's value.
She had witnessed firsthand the power of the Sacred Gear "Twilight Healing – The Smile of the Holy Mother." There was no doubt that the Fallen Angels wouldn't let this matter rest.
"Okay, we're going back."
"Yes, President."
Akeno smiled and turned to Asia. "Come stand beside me."
When Asia was still human, she couldn't use a devil's teleportation circle to leave. That was one of the reasons Ryuya had suggested turning her into a devil in the first place—he couldn't just abandon her here.
Now, not only had Asia been saved, but Rias's team had gained a capable new member. It truly was killing two birds with one stone.
The teleportation circle flared with light—and in the next instant, they vanished.
Roughly ten minutes later, a scream tore through the night sky.
Thud!
Freed crashed to the ground, blood splattering across the dirt.
Above him, black feathers drifted lazily down from the heavens.
Two Fallen Angels hovered in the air, their expressions dark as they sensed the lingering traces of demonic energy still hanging in the air.
"Damn it! We're too late—the Smile of the Holy Mother has been taken!"
The other Fallen Angel glared furiously at Freed.
"You idiot! You ran off and left Asia behind? Don't you understand how important her Sacred Gear is to us?!"
"T-Two Fallen Angel onee-samas, I'll find her! I already have a lead!" Freed stammered as he scrambled to his feet, his face twisted with anger. "That sword and shield—the power it carried was definitely from a Sacred Gear! And recently, there's only been one new person who fits that description…"
The two Fallen Angels exchanged a sharp glance.
"The new Knight taken in by the red-haired Princess of Destruction… of the Gremory family?"
"...Damn. It's her." One of the Fallen Angels frowned deeply. "That girl's not someone to mess with."
"Who cares. Leave it to this trash to handle. Even if he has to kidnap them in secret, he must retrieve The Smile of the Holy Mother."
Her face darkened, and she shouted at Freed, "Now get lost!"
"Y-Yes, right away! Farewell, my lovely onee-samas…"
Freed's smile vanished the moment he turned away. His face hardened as he stalked off into the night.
——
When the group reappeared back in the Occult Research Club's room, Rias headed straight to take a shower.
Meanwhile, Ryuya was busy thinking about Asia's new living arrangements.
"Any suggestions where she could stay?" he asked, glancing toward Akeno and Koneko.
Both shook their heads. Akeno lived with Rias, and Koneko stayed in the dorms.
From inside the bathroom, Rias's voice echoed out between the sound of running water.
"Why not let her stay at your place, Ryuya?"
Standing under the shower, her flawless body glistening with droplets, Rias casually spoke as if it were nothing—completely unbothered by the fact that Asia was watching from nearby, her face burning bright red.
Ehhh!?
Mr. Ryuya is still here! Does she really not need a curtain?!
Seriously—she's not going to cover up at all?!
Ryuya, on the other hand, paid absolutely no mind to Asia's panic. He looked toward the bathroom helplessly and said, half amused,
"That's not really appropriate, is it? I'll just pay to rent her an apartment nearby. I've got some savings left."
"Eh? I—I can pay for myself!" Asia said quickly, waving her hands in embarrassment. "I have… a little money saved up. It should be… enough?"
Her tone, however, lacked confidence.
"It's fine. Let me handle it," Ryuya said with a small smile. "You should keep your money for yourself. Don't let yourself go broke, alright? You know what 'flat broke and blank' means?"
Asia blinked innocently. "...Doesn't it mean having a poor background?"
"No."
Ryuya shook his head with mock solemnity and sighed dramatically.
"It means once you're broke, all you get are blank stares."
"...??"
Asia tilted her head, completely lost.
Ryuya just chuckled.
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