Night had settled over Kuō Town by the time they finally wrapped up dinner.Naturally, it was time for Asia to head home.
Since Asia didn't own a cellphone, she simply gave Izumi and Katō Megumi the address of the church where she lived.She even invited them—especially Megumi—to visit whenever they could.
Despite only spending an hour together, the two girls had already become fast friends.
Izumi and Megumi watched as Asia walked off into the dimly lit streets.
Once Asia was far enough away, Megumi turned to Izumi, ready to say goodbye—
But before she could speak, Izumi suddenly said:
"Come on. We're following her."
He grabbed Megumi's wrist and rushed after Asia.
Megumi blanked out for a moment.
By the time she processed what happened, he was already dragging her down the street.
She gave him a very suspicious look.
"Izumi-kun… you're not planning to follow Asia home and commit some kind of crime, right?Because that's illegal, you know!!"
Izumi nearly tripped.
"Megumi… your thought process is truly incredible.You fill in entire scenarios I never even hinted at."
He squinted at her dramatically.
"Wait… don't tell me.Under that calm exterior… lies the heart of an inner dirty-minded onee-san?"
"…I see. I misjudged you.""You want to be an assassin who uses magic AND you're secretly a pervert.""As expected of Katō Megumi."
Megumi stared at him, speechless.
Then she actually laughed in disbelief.She shot him a glare that could melt steel.
"Quit joking around. What are you following Asia for?If you don't explain it right now, I'm calling the police."
This was not the time to joke.Izumi's nonsense had officially crossed her limit.
She wasn't that kind of person…But apparently in Izumi's mouth she turned into someone entirely different!!
Izumi chuckled softly and finally explained:
"Recently, a number of Fallen Angels have appeared in this area.""You've heard the rumors, right?""Just watch. You'll understand soon."
With that cryptic line, he continued tailing Asia.
Megumi's eyes widened.
"You mean—Asia is involved with Fallen Angels?!Then we should call the Public Security Division!We can't handle that!"
She wasn't stupid.Fallen Angels were dangerous.Two high schoolers charging in would be no different from volunteering to die.
Megumi tugged hard on Izumi's arm, panicked.
Izumi patted her shoulder calmly.
"Relax. You're underestimating me.""We're future teammates, right?So today I'll show you a little of my power.""A few low-rank Fallen Angels can't do anything to me."
His confidence radiated so strongly it was almost blinding.
Megumi stared at him in shock.
…Does he really have that much strength?
Then she remembered his fight with Koneko yesterday.
Koneko—an E+ ranked reincarnated devil—was no pushover.Yet Izumi defeated her easily.
Meaning Izumi was at least C-rank…As a first-year.
Megumi gulped.
That's ridiculous… No wonder he's so confident…Meanwhile I'm over here being the weakest member of the Tokyo NPC Union.
But the moment she thought of Asia walking into danger, the panic returned.She stopped questioning and simply followed Izumi.
If things got bad, she could always activate her stealth ability, hide both their presences, and run.
Her Presence Blocking wasn't only for herself—it could mask others too.Not that she'd told anyone that.
Megumi quietly activated her talent.Their presences steadily diminished, enveloped in a subtle veil.
Izumi immediately noticed.
His senses were far sharper now—A+ rank, nearly Demon King-level.Of course he could detect changes in the air around him.
He shot Megumi a sidelong glance, a faint smile tugging his lips.
Megumi really is full of surprises.
He didn't comment, simply continued moving until they reached a quiet hill at the outskirts of Kuō.
The church Asia lived in stood alone on a secluded slope.Far from the city center.Almost no humans lived in this area—mostly youkai, devils, or other supernatural beings.
Luckily, Kuō Town had exceptional public order.And with Asia dressed as a nun, even the local strays didn't bother her.
Soon, Asia pushed open the worn wooden doors and entered the old church.
Megumi frowned.
"You're sure there are Fallen Angels here?Asia is really going to be attacked?"
Izumi pressed a finger to his lips.
"Just watch.It's late anyway—you're not in a rush to go home, right?"
Megumi's eyebrow twitched.
YOU'RE not in a rush.I am a GIRL, Izumi-kun. Please understand basic safety.
But she remembered her parents were probably working overtime again.As usual, they wouldn't notice she came home late.
Just as she sighed—
Izumi suddenly wraps an arm around her waist and jumped.
"Eh—!? W-wait—!"
In a single leap he landed on a thick tree branch beside the church.From here, they had a perfect view of the interior through a cracked window.
Asia knelt before the large cross, hands clasped in prayer, softly recounting her day.
Izumi and Megumi watched quietly.
This was the calm before the storm.
Izumi could already smell it—That distinct stench of corrupted, fallen mana.
The low-class Fallen Angels had arrived.
Megumi felt it too.An ominous heaviness swallowing the air.
Pressed against Izumi's chest from the jump, she trembled slightly and instinctively leaned closer.
Her entire body braced against him, seeking the tiny comfort she could get.
The night was about to turn dangerous.