That man is well prepared.

Even I wasn't able to foresee this crafty, clever plan he's brewing. Bring a young girl back to Japan and introduce her to me, saying she's my fiancée.

I glance back at Asia, who waddles behind me awkwardly with both hands holding a suitcase. The girl has been acting nervous and restless for a while after my father left us alone together.

Back then, my father put me in a pinch that I couldn't have time to think thoroughly about what he was plotting in mind. But in my mind, I resolved to protect Asia from him, so I decided to accept his arrangement.

Furthermore, how can I straight-up reject the girl? Especially when Asia was staring back at me with her sparkly innocent eyes of a child. Not to mention her holy-angelic healing voice, it made my heart melt, and my knees felt weak.

Yes! Definitely, not because I want to marry Asia.

And there is one question still clinging to my mind. I don't know if my father happened to come across Asia. Or did he plan from the beginning to make her feel indebted for whatever he did? And does Asia's family okay with leaving her in my father's care?

I need to distance Asia from my father for good and contact her family as soon as possible.

The sight of a frail girl who stubbornly carried the suitcase has been bothering me for a while. I can't help but let out a long sigh.

"We got a long way to the apartment. At least, let me help you."

If she keeps being persistent, she'll hurt herself.

"I can do it by myself." Asia insisted. "A!"

It then happened after I was thinking to myself. Asia trips over on her own two feet and stumbles forward.

"Watch out."

Almost as a reflex response, I swiftly catch her before she nosedives on the pavement and injures her pretty face in the process.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm... fine," she timidly replies and sneaks a glance at me as if she doesn't know how to behave in front of me.

So adorable.

I bite down to hold back the smile creeping up across my face.

"Let me carry it." I take the suitcase in her hand before she can refuse my help.

"Ah, uhm. Thank you, darling."

I put my hands on my chest as if I was getting hit by an invisible force. With such a simple word, 'darling' is enough to make my cheeks tingle, burning from embarrassment.

"Can you please not calling me darling?"

Or I am going to die from sheer happiness.

"Yes."

Asia responds in a deject-toned. Her gleaming eyes castes down and her cheeks pouting like an abandoned puppy.

That is unfair, Asia!

Making that helpless face is against the rule.

"Ah, I mean... it embarrassing when you called me darling out in public."

"Then," she cocks her head aside, politely suggesting. "Dear wifey?"

"Sister Mao." I promptly interject.

Did she not hear what I had told just now?

"We're not married, so please don't call me darling or wifey." I add, reminding her.

"But, father and mother said I should because sooner or later, we will be love life partners." She fidgety twiddles her thumbs as she explains in a soft, low voice. "Since you say so, then please take good care of me, sister Mao."

I almost choke on my breath as she addresses me, sister. Even so, I do my best to hold on to my sanity and nod in approval with my back turning away, "Hm." And stalk out before Asia can see my blushing cheeks as crimson.

Knowing my father and mom, I'm sure one hundred percent they are brainwashing Asia by putting those weird ideas in her head, like how to attendant me at my beckon as a future young bride.

Since I'm a lonely gay ass; who has failed to find the ideal candidate surpasses their expectations.

My father values heritage and lineage. While my mother demands I must find a woman praised in an old-fashioned, traditional family. And to make it worse, my grandpa encouraged my mother said it would be ideal if the girl were around fourteen. So my mother can trainee her how to be a proper bride of Hazuki's family and officially married me when she is seventeen years old.

At this point, I don't know I should be thankful or cussing my grandpa's way of teaching chases after a girl skirt for a seven-year-old kid. However, compared to my father, he cares for my well-being, and he's a great mentor whom I respect most.

I wonder what Asia's family she grew up in was likes?

From the way she dressed. I guess they are an old-school catholic family who loves to help those in need, kind and hospitable. I can imagine she's living in a cottage that lies in a middle of a hilly field, a small hometown somewhere in Italy.

I can't let my father ruin their happiness, selfishly take her away from them, utilizing her as a money-making tool.

And as soon we get back, I will explain and ask Sona-chan to let Asia live here with us for two weeks or a month (if she is interested and wants to take a tour around Japan, I would gladly be her accompany). She is a generous girl, so I know she's not going to turn blind eyes to this young girl.

"Also, Asia. You don't need to say a word. Let me do the talking," I stroke her glossy blonde hair, reassuring her. "Don't worry. It will be alright."

"Yes."

00oo00oo00oo

When we reach the top floor, I continue to repeat "You must not" to Asia over and over again until it imprints in her subconscious. I don't want Asia to make thing more complicated than it is.

I wish it were much easier to make Asia forget and never mention we're engaged to anyone.

"I'm back."

The moment I open the door, Sona-chan and Rias are already waiting at the entrance as if they were expecting me. Sona-chan was looking at me with an indifferent stone-cold face when every time she was upset. Rias was heaving a sigh and giving me a look, mouthed a "Good luck" to me.

The atmosphere in the room was so stuffy, and I felt suffocating.

Asia also senses it. She instinctively hides behind my back and clings to my arm, seeking my protection.

Did something happen?

Flashing my best smile, showing my whiten teeth, I hold up the bag to them.

"I've just bought for you dandelion and jasmine tea. I think you will like it." I say heartily, trying to lighten up the mood that hangs low in the room.

"Come inside." Sona-chan curtly replies and goes inside the room.

"Y-Yes."

Like a good training soldier, I stand erect, waiting for the girls to take their sit on the couch. I then squat down, resting the buttocks on the heels. Asia follows suit, and she's done it smoothly in one try. I thought for sure she would be struggling and decide to stand up instead.

I guess the result of my mother training Asia to become a Yamato Nadeshiko did payoff.

I catch Sona-chan's intense cold eyes, looking directly at Asia like a hungry hawk watching the prey's every movement its makes.

"Actually,"

"Mao-san," Before I can utter another word, she addresses my name. "Can you explain why you bring a Sister, the child of the Lord, to my apartment?"

It then hit me.

Oh, fuck! That's right, I forgot.

Sona-chan and Rias are the Devil; of course, they consider Asia, the follower of God is the nemesis. And I bring her back home, totally forgetting the main problem lies. I don't know whether or not I should explain to Asia the girl I'm living with is a Devil and my Master. But seem like Sona-chan has already decided to reveal her identity to Asia.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Asia Argento, who soon to be Hazuki Mao's wife."

I blanch and am speechless when Asia makes the bold announcement in front of Sona-chan and Rias.

Aaaaahh! Asia, you shouldn't have said that.

She was intimidated by the menacing aura exuded from Sona-chan that she introduced herself as my fiancée.

"What?" Sona-chan eyes widen, looking back and forth between Asia and me.

Rias shocks for a moment, then chuckles in amusement when witnessing her childhood friend panicking, lost for words. "This is getting interesting." Her reaction is like one of the auditions is waiting for the story to unfold. And that's not helpful at all.

I rise to my feet and cry out, "I can explain."

My voice cracked up the moment I opened my mouth. I take a short puff of air to regulate my uncontrollable breath.

"Yes, but no. What I mean is-"

I run both hands on my hair, disheveling it as if trying to unravel the problem one after another.

THUD!

Then Sona-chan slams the table in frustration, but no words are parting from Sona-chan's lips.

After the long pause in silence, Rias walks to Asia, helping her stand up as she's smiling friendly, welcomes the new girl.

"How do you do? My name is Rias Gremory." She gives me a wink, hinting me to talk to Sona-chan in private. "Can you cook, Asia? Because I will need a helping hands."

Before Asia can reply, Rias drags her by the hand and rushes her to the kitchen, leaving me alone with Sona-chan. No need to exchange a word or spare a single look we go out to the balcony.

The wind blows by toys with our hair making them flutter. Breathing in the cool night air and viewing the stars twinkle brightly in the night sky makes me feel refreshed. And I hope it calms Sona-chan's head just like mine.

I know it's shocking to hear that Asia engaged with me, but Sona-chan's reaction was a little extreme, and that is so unlike her at all.

Is she enraged just by the idea her servant married a catholic follower? Even so, it is my personal life, and she doesn't have to care whom I date, sleep or marry.

Is there more reason behind it?

Now thinking back, yes, we live in this luxury apartment together, always seeing each other at campus and back at home. And somehow, we made an unspoken rule, is that do not breach others' privacy. So the topic we discussed is school and random talks like the weather, the variety of TV shows, and the food.

I am not quite sure in Sona-chan's heart; what place I'm standing at on the scale of our relationship? Master-servant, teacher-pupil.

But I never dare to venture farther than that because I am scared Sona-chan will creep out, only finding out my perversion intention that I was planning to stay here to sate my wicked fantasy.

Oh my, oh my! What should I ask her?

Are you in a relationship with her? How long do you know each other? No, no, calm down, me. Sigh. Hearing two of them are engaged puts my mind into a haze. Indeed, it is a shock!

However, she is an adult who has more experience, so the partner she prefers must be an intelligent, sexy woman. Not a young kid inexperienced boring like me, nor the Sacred Gear user girl she brought home along.

No, that's not right either.

According to my investigation of Hazuki-san's background, all the women Hazuki-san approached in the past three years mostly are the sensitive, caring type.

So Hazuki-san might find that blonde girl much more appealing.

What do I do to get Hazuki-san's attention?

I have never been in a relationship with anyone further than friends or simply a business partner. That makes Hazuki-san is the very first person I have a feeling for whom I acknowledge and respect.

In the past few days, Rias nudged me to get close to Hazuki-san. But it was difficult for me to drop my rigid and stern act in a hat; when we were alone together, I couldn't think of a word besides asking how the food was; either talked about the weather today is sunny, or it may rain.

Hazuki-san must be thinking how childish I was, and I bet she must be annoyed when to have to keep me accompanied.

How I wish I were bold and had a mature body like Rias, then I can show Hazuki-san I'm not a kid, but a grown lady as well.

What should I say?

How should I explain to Sona-chan?

If only I could peek into her mind.

"Hazuki-san."

"Yes." I loudly reply with my back straightened, head held high, eyeing forward. Awaits Sona-chan giving the word.

Man, this gave me more of a twinge of uneasiness. I feel like I'm reverting to my high school self.

Okay. First, I must show Hazuki-san my affection that I was worried and caring for her safety.

"You're an adult, so I know you can take care of yourself. But if you ever bring someone back again, you need to give me a call first. Otherwise, there will be murder."

"..."

It gives me chill when she says, "there will be murder."

With that statement, I confirm that they can sense my and Asia's mana, qi, or force energy (whatever its call) to a degree and distinguish between humans and non-human.

I am also curious. Can Sona-chan happen to sense me reeking the smell of a Fallen Angel on me or not?

Hazuki-san is reeking with sweat and the heady perfume; did she sleep with another woman again? Should I comment on it and tell her off?

No, we haven't yet established any intimate relationship, so I shouldn't be possessive toward her.

"And what's your relationship with the blonde girl?"

I fold my arms, giving them a good squeeze as I'm waiting and hoping she denies that they weren't going to marry.

Excluding my sexual engagement with Raynare, I give the full detail of the reunited with my father, who ran away with my saving money and returned to Japan alive and well with Asia Argento, proclaiming she's my fiancée. Then, she let out a breath in relief.

"I'm glad."

"Huh?! You glad of what?"

I raise my eyebrow, confusing by her response.

Sona-chan is not quite herself today. Back then, she lost her cool and slammed the table; now learning I do not intend to marry Asia, she sighed in relief.

I might be reading in too much, but given the unusual behavior, perhaps Sona-chan is in love with me?

"I mean... Tsubaki always tells me to be careful around you. But I know you're nice person. There's no way you're taking advantage of a young lady and tricking her into marrying you."

Ack!

Her words are like a sharp knife stabbing me where it hurt most that I want to bawl my eyes out in guilt.

"You are absolutely right." I reply through my gritting teeth.

Of course, a girl like her doesn't have any interest in this deviant aunty, and she must prefer a boy around her age.

"Let me go check on Rias and Asia to see if they need something."

"Ah, hold on, what I meant is..."

She scurries before I can explain to her. I was didn't mean to offense Hazuki-san said she's a bad guy. Now I went and blew it up. Aaahh! I'm such a big idiot! Now the gap between us is widening more.

I'm so sorry, Hazuki-san!

00oo00oo00oo00

My feelings were still deeply injured from Sona-chan's word left for me. Throughout the dinner, I couldn't look into their eyes or join in their girly talk. The food has been nicely done and cooked by our lovely amazing young chefs, Rias and Asia. But when I ate, it was bland and stale.

I didn't want to be a mood killer.

So I quickly finished the food and took a bath, avoiding their worried gaze.

What's wrong with you, Hazuki Mao? You're a grown woman, yet you sulking acted like a child. Sigh.

Since there's only two-bedroom and no extra futon in the house, I've decided to sleep in the living room and let Asia have my bed.

Even if Asia is okay with sharing the same bed with me, simply because she thinks we will soon be wife and wife.

I need to maintain the boundary between us.

"Goodnight, Asia."

I walk past Asia and to the living room, holding the pillow under my armpit. As I turn the doorknob, Asia then tucks on my sleeves with one hand clasping the long white nightgown and speaks in a whisper.

"Sister Mao."

"Yes," I incline my ear, looking at her tenderly and doing my best not to show any negative expression on my face.

"You look unwell. Are you alright?"

"Don't worry. I'm just tired." I give a reassuring smile.

"Did Sona-sama say something?"

I go rigid when she mentions the crux of the matter.

"Rias-sama has already told me everything. If this is because the money you owe Sona-sama, please let me help you."

"That is unnecesarry." I flat out reject her sudden outburst propose.

I don't know what did Rias tell Asia? But I feel like she's just made things more complicated than it is. Thank you very much.

"Why?"

"First of all, don't you have a family? Even if you're fine with marrying me, I don't think your parents will accept it. And secondly, Rias and Sona-chan are Devil."

I pause for a sec with my hands on my hip, then lower my tone ask.

"Did they tell you?"

Asia shakes her head, faintly replies a soft no.

"Now you do." I crudely add, "And I don't want a catholic girl like you have anything to do with them at all."

She didn't seem surprised when I revealed Rias and Sona-chan their true identities, but her expression was troubled.

Did I say something I shouldn't have?

Probably best not to pry.

"So that's that, be a good girl and go to bed." I urge.

"Sister Mao, can you sleep with me?"

"Ugh, that is..."

I lick my dry lips, knitting my eyebrows. I want to say no, but when Asia moves her hand from tucking to clinging my whole arm, I can feel the rush of hot blood to my face. I suck in a deep breath.

Feeling her bare soft developing breast behind the gown and catching the whiff of fresh peachy scent after she bathes sets my heart racing, it pounding so loud that maybe, Asia can hear it.

"Can't I?"

After a short moment, a solitary teardrop falls from her cheek.

My heart sinks at the looks of Asia's pleading face, like a child asking for my consent.

What a sinner I am. For having these improper feelings toward her.

I then lead Asia to bed by the hand and lay down on it. Just as I wrap the blanket around her, pulling her close to me, sharing my warmth, she breaks down weeping and crying in my embrace arm. In a flood of tears and half controlled sobs, she begins to explain her fate as a Holy Maiden.

Asia has abandoned by her parents at a church as an infant and raised there. Then, when she was eight years old, she had blessed with a mysterious gift.

A member of the Catholic Church happened to witness this miracle as she healed an injured puppy. And from that moment onward, Asia's life changed completely.

They took the young girl to the Vatican, where she came to see as a living saint, a Holy Maiden.

Rumor spread, and Asia found herself being rever by the church's many adherents, regardless of the blond girl's wishes.

Still, Asia didn't complain about the way they treated her. The people from the church were good to her, and she didn't think it was right to blame the sick and injured. Asia was just happy that she could use her power to benefit others. The young nun was thankful to God for bestowing it upon her. Nevertheless, she was lonely.

In all that time, she didn't have either friends or people to talk to since they viewed her as a monster who could heal wounds.

At some point, she had stumbled upon an injured demon and healed its wound. After all, she wasn't the type to ignore someone's suffering, Demon or not. She had a responsibility to do what she could, and it was her innate kindness that drove her to action. However, that decision threw her life upside down. Someone from the church must have witnessed what she had done and notified the clergy, who were furious.

"A power that heals demons?!"

"This is intolerable!"

"The Lord's blessing should only bring deliverance to true believers!"

Thus, the clergy declared Asia a heretic, Demon-worshipping witch.

With nowhere to turn and no place to go, Asia wandered from place to place and happened to meet this couple which is my parents.

My mother was sick and had a worse fever for a week, and my father couldn't afford money to take her to the hospital. Even so, he took in Asia and shared their food, drink, and shelter.

And of course, Asia couldn't bear to see my sick mother laying in bed coughing and sneezing all day, so she took action and used her blessed power, which now the Vatican people had seen as demonic.

She didn't care if they treated her differently to witness something unnatural occur in front of them. All she wanted was to cure my mother.

However, they were thankful for what Asia had done and welcomed her into the family. And so they went on a journey together for two years before returning to Japan.

After listening to her story in a soft whimpering voice, I'm upset with myself for being so ignorant, not even noticing she was in distress.

"I'm sorry, Asia. I..."

"No, sister Mao. You did nothing wrong. The memory flooded back, and I couldn't help myself. Besides," Her teary face finally breaks out into a smile. "I'm glad I have met father and mother."

When she brings up my parents, I feel conflicted. Because in my eyes, my father is a greedy coward bastard, and he has never done duty as a father should have. But Asia views him as a gallant, admirable man who sacrifices himself for goodness, protecting the weak and his family.

I don't know whether or not he has learned about Asia's rumor and planned out. But I don't think so when she happened to stumble across a Demon.

Still, what a chance it was!

"I don't know what happens between you and father. But please forgive him." She tightens her grip, holding onto my shirt.

"Yeah... I'll think about it."

Out of joyous, she kisses me on the cheek and snuggles against my chest, sighing contentedly.

"Goodnight, Asia."

I return the kiss on the head as a sign of accepting her to the Hazuki family. I don't know what her future holds, but I'll protect her for sure and give Asia what she deserves most, a loving family. Of course, as a big sister.

Just like that, we slowly fall asleep in each other embrace.