Morning arrived, though Shuo could hardly call it "waking up"—he'd barely slept a wink. When he rolled over, he found Asia clinging to him like an octopus, her breath warm against his shoulder.
Last night, just as he'd switched off the lights and settled in, his bedroom door creaked open. Asia, who was supposed to sleep in the guest room, had tiptoed in wearing a nearly see-through nightgown and crawled straight into his bed. He'd spent the night wide awake, heart racing, fighting the urge to "devour" her. But after everything she'd been through, exhaustion written all over her face, he hadn't the heart.
Gently prying Asia off, Shuo slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen to make breakfast.
"Asia, breakfast's ready! Time to get up!"
Asia poked her sleepy head out from under the covers, emerald eyes blinking at Shuo's smiling face.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Big Brother—I overslept and forgot to make breakfast!" Her cheeks flared red as she scrambled to get dressed, half-panicked.
Shuo chuckled, pinching her soft cheek. "No need to panic. I've already cooked. Eat up, then come to school with me, okay?"
"Really? Thank you, Big Brother!" Asia's face lit up—the thought of going to school with Shuo clearly made her day. She wanted friends, after all.
After breakfast, they walked to Kuoh Academy together, Shuo leading the way to the Occult Research Club. Rias was the Devil lord of Kuoh Town; it only made sense to introduce Asia to her first and avoid any unnecessary drama.
He pushed open the clubroom door. Everyone was there.
"Morning, everyone!" Shuo called out.
Every head turned—and every expression twisted into something between suspicion and disbelief. A Church nun in Devil HQ? Shuo, what are you playing at?
Rias fixed him with a serious look. "Shuo, what's going on now? Care to explain?"
Akeno, ever serene, poured tea with a mischievous smile. Kiba stood knight-like behind Rias, the reliable gentleman, lips curled in a faint, knowing smile. Koneko, meanwhile, frowned at Asia and shot Shuo a glare—her eyes dark with something suspiciously like jealousy.
Why is Koneko glaring at me? Shuo wondered. Is she… jealous?
He gave a quick rundown of the Church debacle, the Fallen Angels, and Asia's situation.
By the end, the club's mood had shifted. Sympathy for Asia—so gentle, so battered by fate—overpowered any lingering doubts. Banished for saving a Devil, hunted by Fallen Angels, transformed from saint to witch overnight.
The group's opinion of the Church dropped several notches.
Even Kiba couldn't hold back. "That's just like the Church. Disgusting." His gaze toward Asia was gentle, almost protective; he'd endured his own year of Holy Sword "training"—and watched every companion die, only to be reborn as a Devil by Rias.
Koneko, arms wrapped around herself, looked at Asia—clinging to Shuo's arm, eyes wide with fear—and felt a surge of pity. Maybe Shuo's actions weren't so unreasonable after all.
Shuo sipped his tea, voice casual. "Asia's Sacred Gear is [Twilight Healing]. It can heal even Devils, no matter how badly hurt. Pretty useful, don't you think?"
He let the implication hang in the air—an invitation for Rias to recruit Asia, if she dared.
Rias caught on immediately. Her eyes flashed, lips curling into a diplomatic smile. She extended her hands toward Asia. "Asia-chan, I'm truly sorry for everything you've suffered. You have remarkable talent and a kind heart. Would you consider joining my peerage? I'd be honored to have you."
"Become… a Devil?" Asia's grip on Shuo's hand tightened, panic flickering in her eyes.
Shuo leaned in, voice soothing. "Don't worry, Asia. It's your choice."
Asia hesitated, then looked at Rias. "Um… has Nangong-san become a Devil?"
Rias paused, a little flustered. "Not yet! But Shuo and I are family. If you join my peerage, we'll all be family—and never have to part again. Tempting, isn't it?"
She knew Asia would follow Shuo's lead, so she painted the rosiest possible picture.
Akeno cut in, voice sweet but sly. "Ara ara, since when did Rias become Shuo's family? I don't recall hearing about that. Aren't I supposed to be Shuo's girlfriend?"
Rias's mouth twitched, cheeks pink. She glanced away from Shuo, shooting Akeno a glare that promised retribution. "Akeno, I have no idea what you're talking about. Of course we're family."
Akeno just grinned, letting the tease drop.
Rias's peerage was pitifully small—four people, including herself. If she could add a healer like Asia, she'd be thrilled.
Asia, gathering her courage, finally spoke. "I'm sorry, but I've already become Nangong-san's sister. I want to stay human, just like Big Brother. So… about joining your peerage… I'm sorry."
"Pffft—"
Rias choked on her tea, eyes wide. "What? You became Shuo's sister?"
"When did that happen? Shuo, why didn't you say anything? I just—" Rias trailed off, mortified by her own failed recruitment pitch.
Akeno shot Shuo a mock glare. "Shuo-chan, you really are a playboy. I'm the one who found Asia, and you go and make her your sworn sister? Abandoning your girlfriend—such a bad man."
Koneko snorted. "Pervert H-senpai."
Even Kiba, usually the picture of restraint, couldn't help but smile. "Congratulations, Nangong-kun."
Damn it, Kiba. You thick-browed saboteur. You're just stoking the fire!
Shuo raised his hands, exasperated. "Hey, hey! Don't jump to conclusions, alright? Asia and I are just siblings."
Akeno wasn't done. "Ara, maybe now. But are you sure it'll stay that way?"
Shuo grinned, shameless. "Fine, I won't deny it. My dream is a big, sparkling harem! Akeno, want to come over tonight?"
Akeno feigned horror. "Ara ara, I'd never dare go alone—I'd definitely get eaten. Unless Rias comes with me."
"AKENO!"
"If you want to go, go yourself! Don't drag me into this!" Rias shot back, face burning.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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