Issei is skipping school today.
School had been almost unbearable. Sure, the Devils backed off… for a definition of backing off. He can feel them eyeing him whenever he is in their immediate vicinity. It took him threatening the familiar that he was not above crucifying her that they stop sending their familiars to trail after him.
Which is why he is playing hooky.
He will get into trouble later, oh no doubt on that, but hey. His Middle School attendance should be enough warning for the teachers.
And if the Student Council presses the matters?
Not his business.
Seriously. Persistent pests.
Anyway, Issei spend his day in Internet Café, playing online games and even having PvP match with Supreme King… which ended up with he got his ass completely trounced.
Supreme King is Supreme King for a reason.
He went home rather happily…
Until he saw a girl is helping an old man sitting on the bench, before putting her hand above his chest and a soft green glow emitted from her rings.
"…what happened?" The old man muttered as he regained consciousness.
"You're fainted sir." Issei spoke. "This young lady helped you. Do you need to call ambulance for check-up?"
"Ah, no, no need." The old woman shook his head. "I've been telling my son that I feel better. And I am. My chest doesn't hurt as much."
Looking at the girl's clueless expression, he told her in English. Her eyes lit up and she spoke in English, with Italian tint to her accent.
"She's glad you're feeling better." Issei translates. "But please take care of your health, sirs."
"I will. Thank you, youngsters."
Once the old man left, Issei turned to the girl. Noticing that she was wearing a nun outfit.
"May I know your name? You may call me Issei."
"My name is Asia Argento." The nun replied. "Thank you for helping me, Mr. Issei."
"Just Issei would do." Issei waved off. "If it was not a bother, may I ask what is your business in Japan? Sightseeing?"
To his surprise, she shook her head. "I was assigned to the Church in this town."
[Several Constellations are Puzzled With the Answers]
"What… do you mean by that?" Issei asks with brows furrowed. "I mean, the Church in this town is defunct due to there's barely any Christian or Catholic faith." He can't tell the difference, sorry. "The ones that live here usually go to the Church next town over."
"No. I am meant to go to Kuoh Church."
Sus.
No. Seriously. It's Suspicious.
"Is it related to your power?" He asks. "I'll guide you, but only if you tell me why you are assigned here."
And so, Asia told her life story to Issei as they trotted to the Church.
About how she found her power when she heals a puppy and was discovered by church. Taken in and hailed as Holy Maiden. And yet, despite the fame, no one want to be her friend and she lived a solitary life.
That is until she found an injured Devil in the Church.
"Hold on." Issei raised a hand. "You found a devil? In the Church?"
"Yes." Asia nodded. "He was gravely injured and I can't just leave him alone so I—"
"But… inside the Church?" Issei waved his hand. "Moreover, at the Vatican? Asia, how come a Devil can get anywhere near the holy site let alone come inside?!" That's suicide! Only a High Ranked Devil like Satan-Class who can do so without getting smote by the Holy Aura on the spot.
Demons can easily enter holy sites since they naturally generate Demonic Energy that acts as a shield. Devil, on the other hand, doesn't have such immunity. They will get hurt.
And even then, they would trigger all the the alarms into blaring at full volume, to the point Angels on Heaven above would turn deaf.
Assuming they don't run around like headless chickens and think Great War V2 is on their doorstep.
"I…" Asia furrowed her brows. "I'm not sure."
"Did the Church official investigate it?"
Perhaps the Devil was a tenacious one and targeted Asia, so the Church shipped her off to faraway land while they did housecleaning? But then why is she alone? If he was a Church official, he would assign a guardian to her, since Asia's backstory make her sounds like important character, but he saw no guards nearby.
"…the Church… they…"
Issei has a bad premonition.
"…they exile you?"
Asia nodded.
"WHAT!"
Issei flinched.
Savior of Corruption broke the Indirect Message and damn near rupture his eardrums.
[Constellation Savior of Corruption in Going Ballistic!]
[Constellation Savior of Corruption is Destroying an Island in Fit of Rage]
[Constellation Savior of Corruption is Gearing Up]
[Constellation Savior of Corruption is About to Attack Vatican!]
Wait. Wait Wait wait! HOLY SHIT NO! DON'T! STOP! SOMEONE STOP HIM BEFORE HE REARRANGES THE WORLD MAP!
[Constellation Scribe of Fates Hold Back Constellation Savior of Corruption]
[Constellation Lily Blooming in Aquarius Hold Back Constellation Savior of Corruption]
[Constellation Commander of Red Cosmos Hold Back Constellation Savior of Corruption]
Oh thank Stars above.
"Mr. Issei?" Asia waved her hand in front of his face. "Is there anything wrong?"
"Whoever exiled you is about to have a very bad day." Issei blurted out. "Or weeks. Wait. Months. No. They are going to regret it for the rest of their life."
Just because that Yin-Yang time bomb with Anger Issue is defused on time doesn't mean the danger won't pass. It was still here. Only, it took a different track.
And that was not counting others if they're pitching in.
Just because they held him off from destroying Vatican doesn't mean they will let this case slide without heavy repercussion.
"Mister.." Asia grasps his hand. "It's… It's fine. I… you… thank you for caring, but really, you don't have to. You don't have to do anything. Please, don't do it. I was… I don't think they're wrong. They just… they just do what they think is the best. Please don't be angry."
He thinks she misunderstands something.
Well. Not unusual, as she has no context.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything drastic. Promise."
He doesn't have to.
[Constellation Friend of Justice and Harmony Spamming Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler With Calls]
[Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler Join the Stream]
[Constellation Savior of Corruption is Yelling at Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler]
[Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler is REALLY SORRY!]
[Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler Explains He is Blindsided by Turns of Events and Had to Quell Anarchies]
[Constellation Guardian of Youth and Traveler Promises He Will Let Constellations Have Their Way With the Church Officials]
[Constellation Venom of Blinding Heaven Has Some Ideas and Willing to Shares]
[Constellation Demon-Like Judge of Fire Joins the Stream]
[Constellation Demon-Like Judge of Fire States She is Listening and Open for Ideas]
See? He doesn't have to lift a finger.
There are beings out there with a poor history of betrayal and unjust accusations, with an axe to grind, and would happily take Asia's case as another fuel to the glorious bonfire they're ready to set loose.
"In the meantime, have you eaten?" Issei asks. "If you're going to live in Japan, you should familiarize yourself with Japanese cuisine."
"I see," Asia nodded as if Issei had just told her a fundamental rule. "Does Mister Issei know a good place?"
"I said, just Issei is fine. And yes. Ramen is a good choice. You can practice using chopsticks there."
And if he chooses a light portion, he can save some room for dinner.
[Constellation White Dragon Emperor Informs You that His Host is Stewing in Jealousy Right Now]
Issei want to sweatdrop.
Right. Envy is up there as the most common sin in Demon/Fallen Angel kin. Right alongside Lust and Greed.
"Ahh… Hah…A-aahhh…"
Broken moans mixed with sobs as a pair of sharp fangs broke through the white skin.
"Look at you." The once kind voice now whispers full of temptation. "So pretty."
"Nggh… no… Please… stop… this isn't right…"
"Right?"
"Akh!"
The long blonde locks were forcibly pulled so their eyes could meet. One broken and glittered with tears. Others were filled with anger and madness. "Look around and see. Where has your Faith led you? You told me they won't abandon you. Won't abandon anyone. They will investigate thoroughly before casting judgment. Look around! Because I don't see anyone come and save you!"
"The Lord…"
"Is not there. And the ones in charge don't give a shit about the Truth! They cast judgment and call it a day! They. Don't. Give. A. DAMN!"
The other hand snaked to the back and gripped the base of the wings tightly.
"Aaargh! It hurts! It hurts! Stop! Please stop!"
"It hurts." The mad-filled eyes finally show their tears. "It fucking hurt me! When I hear your fate, it hurts! It tore my soul! You, You who always do your best no matter what you have to do. You, who believe my words despite others already turning their back… the good, kind you… you don't deserve this fate and yet they gave it to you! IT HURTS MORE THAN ANYTHING!"
"I—"
"Please." Releasing their hold, the hands cupped the tears-stained face. "Choose me. Choose me. Please stop deluding yourself they will change their mind because they won't. Please."
Their lips slammed together.
"Choose me. Fall with me. Fall for me."
The once kind, benevolent eyes were now filled with madness and desire like the maw of the abyss threatening to swallow anything whole.
"You are mine. Mine. You will fall for me. I won't let you hang yourself in ambiguity. Torment yourself with an apology that will never come. I will save you."
"This is not—"
"Curse me. Hate me. I don't care. And nothing can stop me." Come the growling voice. "Whether you want it or not, whether you like it or not, I will save you from this ambiguous fate you have been cursed with. Even if I have to break you first."