The next weekend, Elias decided to take a break from magic training and Devil politics.
Since Asia had arrived in Japan with nothing but her old luggage and her nun's habit, Elias and Dee decided it was time to take her shopping.
The shopping mall in Kuoh was huge, bright, and crowded.
Asia stayed close to Elias, holding onto the sleeve of his jacket so she wouldn't get lost.
Her big green eyes looked around at all the stores in pure wonder.
"Alright,"
Dee clapped her hands together, looking at a bright clothing store.
"First stop! We need to get you out of that old church uniform and into something fun!"
Dee took Asia by the hand and pulled her into the store.
Elias followed behind them, carrying the empty shopping bags.
For the next hour, Dee played dress-up with the sweet blonde girl.
Finally, Asia stepped out of the fitting room wearing a beautiful, light green summer dress with white lace around the edges. She had a small straw hat on her head.
Asia looked down at her shoes, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Does it... does it look okay?"
Asia asked shyly, playing with the edge of her dress.
"You look beautiful, Asia,"
Elias smiled warmly, giving her a gentle thumbs-up.
"Super cute!"
Dee cheered, fixing the ribbon on Asia's hat.
"We are definitely buying this one!"
Asia looked at herself in the large store mirror. For a moment, she felt a lump form in her throat.
Back in Europe, she had been kicked out of her church. The people she trusted had called her a witch and chased her away.
She had traveled to Japan feeling completely alone, thinking she had been abandoned by everyone. She thought she would never have a home again.
But as she looked in the mirror, she didn't see a lonely orphan anymore.
She saw Dee smiling and brushing her hair. She saw Elias standing behind them, kindly holding all of her new clothes without complaining once.
They were taking care of her. They were protecting her.
She wasn't abandoned. She felt like she had just been adopted into the warmest, strongest family in the world.
A happy tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away with a bright smile.
"Thank you,"
Asia whispered softly.
"Thank you both so much."
"Don't thank us yet!"
Elias laughed, patting her head gently.
"We haven't even gone to the food court!"
After they finished buying her new clothes, Elias and Dee took Asia out to eat.
At the old church, Asia only ever ate plain bread, simple soup, and water.
She had never tasted junk food or fancy sweets before.
Elias bought her everything she wanted to try.
First, they bought warm Takoyaki. Asia took a bite of the little round octopus ball, and her eyes went completely wide.
"It's so hot and yummy!"
Asia gasped, chewing happily.
Then, Dee bought them huge, sweet crepes filled with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.
Asia got chocolate all over her nose, making Elias and Dee laugh as they handed her a napkin.
They walked through the park, eating colorful ice cream cones and sharing a big bag of salty french fries.
Asia held her crepe in one hand and held Dee's hand with the other.
Elias walked right beside them, making sure she was safe from the busy crowds.
The sun shined down on them. Asia took another sweet bite of her food.
Her heart felt so full it could burst.
She didn't know anything about magical wars, Devil Kings, or the multiverse.
She just knew that she was finally home, and she was the happiest girl in the world.
But as the saying goes, fun times always pass by way too quickly.
As the sun began to set, Elias, Dee, and Asia walked along the park path, heading back toward the shrine.
Asia was happily holding her shopping bags, humming a soft tune.
Suddenly, two figures stepped out from the shadows of the trees and blocked their path.
They were two girls wearing long, dark cloaks over tight battle suits.
One had short blue hair and a very serious, angry face. The other had chestnut twin-tails and looked a bit more carefree.
These were the rude exorcists Rias had complained about: Xenovia and Irina.
"Wait a minute,"
Irina said, blinking her eyes. She pointed a finger at the blonde girl in the green dress.
"Are you... Asia Argento?"
Asia completely froze. Her happy smile instantly vanished. The shopping bags fell from her hands, and she quickly hid behind Elias, trembling with fear.
Irina tilted her head. She didn't look particularly angry, just a little surprised.
"Wow, it really is you,"
Irina said casually.
"I heard the Church kicked you out for healing a Devil. I didn't think I'd see you all the way in Japan."
Irina didn't really mind Asia being there. But Xenovia did.
Xenovia's eyes were completely cold. She glared at Asia like she was looking at a disgusting bug.
"Asia Argento,"
Xenovia said, her voice dripping with poison.
"You are a heretic. You betrayed the holy teachings and turned your back on the Lord."
"I... I didn't mean to betray anyone!"
Asia cried softly, holding tightly onto Elias's jacket.
"I just wanted to help people!"
"Silence, heretic,"
Xenovia snapped loudly. She reached back to grab the heavy, cloth-wrapped holy sword strapped to her back.
"You bring shame to the Church. As a warrior of the faith, it is my duty to punish you in the name of God."
Xenovia took a fast, aggressive step forward, ready to strike the scared little nun.
But she didn't even make it a second step.
SMACK!
A sharp, loud sound echoed through the quiet park.
Xenovia stumbled backward, dropping her hand from her sword.
She stood completely still, holding her cheek. Her eyes were wide with absolute shock.
A bright red handprint was quickly forming on her face.
She hadn't even seen him move.
Elias was standing right in front of Asia, slowly lowering his hand.
His eyes were completely cold and empty of any mercy.
"Who... who do you think you are?!"
Xenovia yelled, her face turning red with anger and humiliation.
"How dare you strike a woman of the Church!"
Elias didn't flinch. He just stood tall, his massive, heavy presence pushing down on the two exorcists.
"I don't care about your Church,"
Elias said flatly.
"And I don't care that you are a woman. I am a proud member of the true gender equality council. I will gladly slap anyone who tries to hurt my family."
Behind him, Asia gasped softly. Her fear melted away into a feeling of deep warmth. He had called her his family right to their faces.
Elias cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. He looked down at the blue-haired exorcist.
"Asia is with me now,"
Elias warned, his voice low and dangerous.
"She isn't an orphan, and she isn't your punching bag. So turn around and walk away right now. Because if you try to pull that sword on my little sister again, the next hit won't just be a slap."
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Jelopy: Support me please! It almost the end of the month. Time to pay bills :( Grow up is too painful...
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