When we stepped through the doors of the house, the smell of warm breakfast greeted us before the person behind it did.
"Ise-san!"
Asia came running from the kitchen the moment she spotted me, her apron fluttering as she nearly tripped in her hurry. She wrapped her arms tightly around me, pressing her cheek into my chest like a little sister clinging to her older brother.
"I was so worried! You and Rias-san didn't come home last night. I—I thought something happened."
Her trembling voice softened something inside me. I stroked her hair gently. "Sorry for making you worry, Asia. We're both fine."
She finally pulled back, her face red, and only then seemed to notice Rias standing behind me. "Good morning, Rias-san."
Rias gave a soft smile, but I caught the slight stiffness in her shoulders. Maybe she was still replaying last night's heated exchange with Akeno in her head.
"Good morning, Asia. Thank you for looking after the house while we were away."
Asia nodded shyly, then hurried us toward the dining table. "Breakfast is ready! Please sit down before it gets cold."
The table was laid out neatly: steaming rice, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, and miso soup. Simple, but it looked perfect.
I said as we sat. "Thanks for the food."
"Asia help with food." Issei's Mother said.
"Is that so? This looks better than anything I've seen in restaurants."
Her whole face lit up at my words. "I'm so glad you think so, Ise-san. I wanted to do my best for everyone."
The three of us began eating together. The morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting the scene in golden warmth. For a moment, it felt like we were just an ordinary household—no Devils, no holy swords, no looming enemies. Just us.
Asia occasionally glanced at me while eating, as if to make sure I was really okay. Each time, I gave her a small smile to reassure her. Rias, on the other hand, ate quietly, though her crimson eyes often lingered on me longer than necessary.
"So," I said between bites, trying to cut through the silence, "we've got school today. Can't skip after everything, right?"
Rias nodded. "Indeed. We should prepare. The situation with the holy swords hasn't been resolved yet, but until then, we need to maintain our normal lives. It keeps suspicion away."
Asia's fork paused mid-air. "Is it really okay… to go to school like nothing happened?"
"Yes." Rias's tone was calm but firm. "Our strength lies in balancing the mundane with the extraordinary. That's what it means to live as Devils in this world."
I chuckled softly, leaning back. "Guess that means we eat our breakfast, pack our bags, and walk into homeroom like the world isn't going crazy behind the scenes."
Rias allowed herself a small smile. "Precisely."
•••
Just when we are about to go to school. I suddenly got a chill. I looked around. It seems Rias and Asia also felt that.
I opened the door and saw that it was a man in priest clothes.
"Valper Galilei," I murmur. Yeah, By just looking at his face I am feeling anger about how this bastard took the Excalibur.
Inhale. Exhale.
Calm down. Don't be clouded with rage. I said to myself.
What happened to Kiba, Xenovia, and Irena? I thought to myself. Since Freed has already died, I believe canon also will diverge from the original.
"...A Fallen Angel."
Rias said it with a voice filled with hatred and clicked her fingers. That was when I noticed someone floating in the sky with the moon behind him. It was a fallen angel who had his black wings growing out from his back. He had 10 black wings!? It was a young man who was wearing a black robe with detailed accessories. He smirked after seeing Rias.
Shit finally happened. It's Kokabiel.
"What do you want?" Rias asked.
"This is our first time meeting, daughter of the house of Gremory. The crimson hair is beautiful. It reminds me of your brother, whom I hate enough to make me want to vomit."
Uoooo! He suddenly gave such a provocative speech! I could feel hatred coming from his words. Rias also had a cold face. Man, He would thrive as a professional rage-bait.
"Nice to meet you, one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels, Kokabiel. And my name is Rias Gremory. I will also add one more thing. We and the house of Gremory are beings who are closest to the Maou and also the furthest from it. If you are here to discuss politics with me, then it's no use."
So how can I defeat him? That was my first thought seeing him. I really need to awaken my Balance Breaker. I have an important fight to attend to. Just as I was thinking, my thoughts were interrupted by Kokabiel.
"This is a gift."
He then threw the person he was carrying at me.
"Oh!"
I reacted immediately and tried to catch it.
CATCH.
The one who dropped into my arms was Shidou Irina. She was covered in blood. She was breathing heavily. Her whole body was covered in wounds.
"Oui, Irina, you're alive," I asked.
Even though I called her, she reacted painfully and didn't respond.
"You look awfully calm for someone whose friend is a half step from heaven." Kokabiel said, seeing my reaction. "Anyway, she came into my base. So I gave her a welcome. Well, I couldn't catch the other two, too bad."
Scratch what I previously said. This motherfucker is a professional rage-baiter.
~~~
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