Three days later from the fallen angel's murder, Joseph wakes up cracking his neck, and follows his regular routine. Except today he chose to take a run in the morning, spending most of the time learning better routes around the town. As he gets ready to end his run he notices a short blond girl dressed in a nun outfit, she looks lost and is speaking Italian. "Poor girl, can't understand a thing. Maybe she knows English?" Joseph mumbles to himself before clearing his throat and walking up to her. "Hello, do you speak English?" he asks, trying to be very passive, the girl's face seems to shift into a smile. "Yes, a little." she responds in a thick Italian accent.
Joseph tries to speak slower and in common words so she will understand better "Where do you need to go?" "I need to go to the church." She says pointing at the church at the top of the hill, Joseph winces at the word church, "Alright, let's go then, but before we do what's your name? I'm Joseph Smith." Joseph said with a small smile. "My name's Asia Aregento." she finished with a soft smile. As the pair set off to the church 30 minutes go by as they reached the church Joseph winces and holds his nose from the smell from the church. "What are you doing?" the short Asia says.
"Can you not smell that?" Joseph asked, "No I can not." Asia said in a confused tone. "Maybe only I can smell it because of my heightened sense of smell." Joseph thought to himself. "So were you planning on meeting people here?" Joseph asked worriedly. "Yes, I have friends to meet." Asia beamed with excitement. "They don't happen to be a bunch of stray exorcists and fallen angels are they?" Asia with a shocked look on her face immediately questioned Joseph. "How do you know that!?"
"Because I met them and they tried to kill me." he said in a flat tone, making her shake. "But they wouldn't hurt an innocent man, we were all under the embrace of God." Asia said, clasping her hands to her mouth. "You could have fooled me. One of the fallen attacked me unprovoked in a store while we were on a date, so in self-defense I killed her." Asia then hugged Joseph. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that Joseph." Asia said, sounding as if she was going to cry. "It's fine Asia, they didn't hurt me, however…" Joseph said, his voice trailing off. "However, what?" Asia said confused.
"It wasn't only the fallen angel I killed. I also killed the rest of them with an exorcist from the church." Joseph said looking directly into her eyes. Asia immediately let go and raised her voice. "Why? They didn't even attack you!" Asia said with a disheartened glare. "Asia, if I didn't, who knows how many innocent people could have lost their lives? Plus if you really want to talk about it, I got help from an angel." Joseph explains his case, shocking Asia when the word angel is brought up. "A-an angel helped you?" "Yup, me and him are good friends." Joseph says while thinking back to the multiple bullets he has been shot with. "Yeah. . . good friends." Joseph says it again with an annoyed voice confusing Asia. "Joseph, could I meet this angel?"
Joseph smiles when hearing this. "Of course you can, however, you'll have to meet him after school ends." Asia hearing that an angel goes to school is confused. "He goes to school, Is he a student?" "No, quite the opposite." Joseph says. He turns Asia to the bottom of the hill and starts walking. "I have one request, Joseph." "That is?" "Could you help me get into the school you go to?" Asia asks while trying not to trip. "I'll try, but you will need some normal clothes first." Joseph points at her nun habit. "While it may be church wear, it's not normal here. Also, you'll need to learn Japanese, but let's go shopping for clothes."
"But don't you have school today?" "Yeah, I do but this is more important." Having said that, Joseph and Asia make their way down the hill, to the shopping district and to the mall within. Going store to store buying anything Asia could want which wasn't much. "You know, Asia you can get more clothes, it's not like my pockets are in a drought." Joseph said while holding four bags filled with jeans, dresses, shirts, socks, underwear, and bras."Joseph I already told you that everything you got me is enough, you even bought me furniture for a bedroom." "It's not like I could let you sleep on my couch for weeks on end. To be honest I'm just glad that they'll ship the furniture to my house. I didn't want to carry it." Joseph said dejectedly, Joseph hearing his stomach growl. "Well since you don't want any more clothes let's go home and I'll make lunch."
After going home and setting Asia's new clothes in her room Joseph made lunch, then he and Asia waited for the furniture to be shipped to the house. After a few hours it was there Joseph then took the bed frame, bed, dresser, and mirror upstairs, setting them in places Asia wanted them in. After that was done Asia took a shower using the soaps, shampoo, and conditioner she brought with her. While she was doing that Joseph decided to text Eden telling him to come over then Joseph set his phone down and went to work out to kill time before the end of the school day and Eden's arrival. "I'm surprised you let her stay with your partner." "Well I am the reason she doesn't have a place to stay and I'd rather not be the reason she gets taken advantage of." "You know partner, even though you're a pain in the ass and a homicidal maniac."
"This better be going somewhere Draig." Joseph said slightly annoyed while doing one-handed handstand push-ups. "It is." Draig said, slightly frustrated. "You're a good man partner. And one of if not the best Red Dragon Emperor from a personality perspective." Draig said in a voice filled with respect for a man who has not lost himself to the power and hatred of the boosted gear. Joseph hears a knock on the door. "Who the hell is interrupting my workout?! " He gets up and opens the door revealing it to be Eden of all people, "Hey yo kid, I heard that a nun came around here from some people in the town, do you know where she is?"
"Yeah I do, that's why I texted you to come over, she's here and she's taking a shower so come in and wait on the couch. OH! One more thing I got her whole story on the way here so I'm taking care of her, so if you try anything I WILL kill you." Joseph leaking an intense bloodlust showing Eden that even though they're friends and rivals Joseph will do it. Eddn pulling on his collar as if he's trying to get more air.
"Of course, I understand completely. I only wanted to talk with her to see if she had the same mission as I do." Eden said, trying not to make Joseph madder than he already was. Joseph, letting up on the bloodlust, walked over to the fridge, opened the freezer, got an ice pack, closed the door, walked to the couch picked up the towel he had on it and wiped off his sweat, sat on the couch, and waved Eden over. "If you want something to drink there's water in the fridge."
"Thanks for the offer but I'm fine." Eden said as he walked over to the couch and sat on the opposite side of the long couch. "Do you always work out with your shirt off? Or are you doing it because you have a girl living here now?" Eden said, smirking. "Both." Joseph said nonchalantly putting his legs on his coffee table and having the ice pack over his eyes. Eden laughed. "That wasn't the answer I was expecting!" Joseph smirked hearing his rival's reaction. "By the way, the cake was good. I also got a good kick out of it."
Eden immediately beamed with excitement. "You liked the flavor? I thought you wouldn't since it had cherry filling and I thought I put too much icing on it." "Don't worry I love cherries and I didn't think there was too much icing on the cake. It had two layers so it offset it. Not too dry, not too moist, but now I have to pay you back. Joseph said, taking the ice pack off his face with a cocky grin.
Hearing steps coming down the stairs Joseph and Eden turned to the stairs, seeing Asia. In one of the new dresses Joseph bought her, it was a light green dress that turned white on the bottom. Joseph whistled in a catcalling way. "Looking good Asia." Joseph said, giving a thumbs up, and making her blush. "Joseph stop, you have a guest. And put a shirt on!" she said covering her eyes but moving her finger so she could still see him. "Asia." Eden said, mouth agape. "As in Asia Argento?"
Asia put her hands down and looked at Eden nervously nodding her head walking over to Joseph and sitting next to him. "Joseph, who is this?" Joseph clears his throat and shakes his hands like he was going to unveil a miracle drug. "This is Eden Freylude the exorcist that helped kill the other exorcists with me and the angel you wanted to meet." "You're the angel of this town please forgive me for my rude behavior until now." Asia said bowing.
"Please Miss Argento, you don't have to do that. I am a guest within this house and I'm only half angel there is no reason for you to bow." Eden said, waving his hands, lowering them after a bit. "Besides I as an angel of heaven have no right to have you bow before me after what happened with you and the church." Asia hearing this grew sad at the memory that was forcefully resurfaced. "It's such a stupid reason to kick someone out. YoU cAn HeAl DeViLs!" Joseph said in a severely mocking tone. Getting a chuckle out of Eden and a smile out of Asia.
"Well, I can agree with you there. I believe there should have been a different way." Eden said solemnly. "So do you know the actual reason?" Joseph asked, trying to sus Eden out. "Of course I do, she was excommunicated because her sacred gear can heal devils and fallen angels." "The actual reason Eden." Joseph stated flatly. "I'm sure the church could have said "God's love heals all" but they didn't. It's almost like there's another reason." Joseph said, pressing the question more. "Joseph let's stop right-." Eden tried saying before Joseph cut him off.
"She told me she was labeled a witch if true the church would have killed her I'm sure of it however if she was a witch and only got excommunicated that must mean she didn't actually do anything wrong What's the church hiding?" Joseph said, pressing the issue even further. Eden, sweating bullets, grips his knees and looked down. "Joseph I can't tell you, if I did they'd kill me I'm only a four-winged angel I'm not a seraph or a leader class angel. Even if I was a leader or seraph I would be severely punished." Eden said shakily, hoping Joseph would drop the subject matter at hand. Joseph, noticing Eden's abject fear, decided to stop pressuring his friend. "Alright, I'll drop it. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. To fully apologize I'll cook you a steak dinner. It will also be payment for the cake." Joseph said truly apologetic. "It's fine Joseph but I will take you up on that offer. However, you're a lot smarter than you look." Eden said with a smug smirk. Joseph scoffed. "And what's that supposed to mean?" Joseph said through a forced smile. "Well, I've heard about how some guys think of you in my gym classes. You and Kiba are the envy of the male populace." Joseph began laughing loudly after he stopped Asia asked. "Who's Kiba?" she said, tilting her head, and making Joseph pat her head. "He's One of the eleven devils at the school and a total pretty boy."
"There are devils at the school!" Asia said, alarmed. "Yup, they're pretty friendly." Eden said with a smile. "For the most part." Joseph chimed in. "Anyway, could you help Asia get in the school." Joseph said, bowing his head and clapping his hands together. "Pfft! Hahaha wish I could kid but I think you'll get better help from one of the devils. they obviously control the school." Eden finished with a chuckle. "Well, that sucks I guess I'm gonna owe them something in return." Joseph quietly sat there for a second weighing the pros and cons. "Well, it's not too bad I'm gonna have to ask Sona though after we pissed Rias off." Joseph and Eden looked at each other cracking a smile. "Joseph, please don't go out of your way to do that. I don't want you to be in a bad spot because of me!" Asia was full of concern for the man that gave her food, clothes, and a roof over her head. "Asia I'm perfectly fine with doing what I can to help you." Joseph said. "No! I can't accept you doing that if you have to do something I'll do it too!" Asia said with the most determined eyes Joseph had ever seen from a woman before. "Well, it seems I won't be changing your mind." Joseph said, smiling happily.
"Well, I'm going to take a shower after I'm done we'll go to the school Asia. Eden, you wanna come with?" Joseph said standing up, having Asia see his abs directly in her face making her blush. "Nah I'm going home. Text me when you're going to make those steaks." Eden said, making his way to the door as Joseph followed behind. "Alright, I was thinking Sunday because we both don't have school." Joseph opened the door for Eden letting him out of the house. "Sounds good to me. I'll see you then, my nemesis." Eden raised his fist for a fist bump. Joseph soon after reciprocated the motion. "I'll see you, my rival."
Eden then turned and walked away waving, then the door shut and Joseph walked to the stairs turning to Asia. "I'm going to take a quick shower." "Ok." Asia said, walking to the couch watching TV waiting for Joseph. Ten minutes later Joseph came back down with his hair slicked back from being wet. While dressed in black jeans, black and white shoes that came off the wall, a black tee shirt that had a guy named Benjamin breaking something, and a silver chain around his neck. "Shouldn't you wear your school uniform?" Asia questioned. "Probably but they already know I played hookie so there's really no point. Let's head off before we miss Sona." Joseph said opening the door for Asia. Then closing it as they walked out taking around twenty minutes to get there.
"Well, here we are Asia Kuoh Academy, A place with good teachers, good classes, school clubs, and beautiful women." Joseph said, drooling at the last part, getting a pinch from Asia. "Ow, what was that for?" Joseph said, rubbing his arm. "Hmph!" Asia said, as she walked into the school leaving Joseph behind. "Hey wait up you don't even know where you're going!" Joseph started running after Asia after catching up to her he led her to The Student Council room. Knocking on the door they waited for a response. "Come in." Said a feminine voice from the other side.
Opening the door Joseph walked in immediately feeling the tension in the air signed. "Come on Asia, don't be shy." He said softly. "They're not gonna hurt you." Joseph said with a soft smile making Saji's hair stand up. "That tone of voice is so weird to hear from him." Saji thought to himself looking at Sona giving her a look that showed he was uncomfortable. Sona, sighing, looked at Saji telling him not to say anything with an angry look. Turning back to Joseph she saw a beautiful blonde girl next to him shyly holding her dress looking up and down. "So Joseph, what can I help you with? Hopefully, it's not to make another mess." Sona had a sickly sweet smile after saying that conveyed how she didn't like the last surprise visit. "Joseph, you made a mess of her office, why?" Asia said with a mad face that Joseph found cute. "It's not like I did it out of nowhere she ordered the other devils to invade my home which they left trashed. So I got retribution." Joseph said in a huff. "I heard about the retribution, Rias was quite mad." Sona started rubbing her head just remembering all the noise Rias made about Joseph and Eden, and here Joseph was again if she could pray he wouldn't do anything she would.
"Joseph say sorry for making a mess." Asia said as sternly as she could which surprised Joseph by how soft-spoken she usually is so Joseph reluctantly made a decision. "Fine. *sigh* I'm sorry for tossing all the shit off of your desk. I should have thanked you instead." Joseph said with his hand on his neck looking down. "Damn it, if Asia didn't make me I wouldn't have been forced to apologize." he said, kicking the floor. "Well, I guess that's the best I'm going to get so what do you need?" Sona said as she saw Asia pat Joseph on the head saying she was proud of him.
Joseph looked up, getting his composure back. "I wanna enroll Asia in this school and I figured you controlled the school instead of Rias." Joseph said with a smug smirk that showed Sona how little respect he had for Rias. Sighing, she spoke. "Well, I could but that would be doing you a favor." Joseph dropped the smile. "Name your price." Joseph said understanding what Sona was getting at. "I'm glad I didn't have to spell it out for you. I want you to join Rias's peerage." Sona expected Joseph to get angry but was instead surprised by his answer. "I want information as to why and I have conditions for my enslavement."
Joseph said the last part with so much venom Sona was taken aback. "We don't enslave anyone." "Bullshit. I've been around the world and I've seen how devils treat their servants like scum under their boots. It's disgusting." Joseph said, gnashing his teeth with a scowl. "I sadly can't refute that however, Rias and I aren't like that we treat our servants as people, not objects. I swear this on the great Devil King Leviathan." Sona stood out of her chair making this declaration. "Either you're crazy or you have connections to Leviathan." Joseph said in an amused tone. "She's my older sister, so what are your conditions?" Joseph only took a moment before speaking. "I want my freedom. I will not be a slave. Or a servant more like an employee. I'll work for Rias but not serve her or her house or the rest of your society."
"I don't know how well the other high-class devils are going to like that." Sona said thoughtfully. "Doesn't matter what they want or what they like if you want the power of the Red Dragon Emperor to fulfill my conditions. I'm not asking for much. However, Asia, I can't let you join me. Even if it goes against what we agreed on." Asia immediately smacked Joseph with tears in her eyes. "No! I won't let you! You said we would face it together!" Joseph stood there and then spoke. "That was before I was asked to be in Rias's peerage." "I don't care! If you go through with this you're doing it with me!" Joseph sighed and patted Asia on her head. "Then I guess Rias is getting two new pieces, Asia gets the same conditions and there's no room for negotiations."
"I can't see any reason to complain. I'll make sure to convince Rias about your conditions." Sona said smiling. "So for reference do you have a sacred gear Asia?" Sona asked Asia, in response Asia summoned her sacred gear showing two brilliant silver rings wrapped in a green glow. "Yes, I have Twilight Healing." "Huh, Rias could use something with less brute power on her team for once." Sona said thoughtfully. "So you haven't told us what Rias's situation is Sona." Joseph said, snapping Sona from her thoughts. "Right, Rias has a problem with her fiance." Joseph pinched the bridge of his nose. "God damn it." He said exasperated. "As I was saying." Sona said, eyeing him. "Rias's fiance is a womanizing scumbag that only wants her for her body. His name is Riser Phenex and he has a full peerage vs Rias's three pieces." Sona said, pushing her glasses up.
"How old is this guy?" Joseph asked, not liking the sound of this guy already. "He's twenty-three." Sona said, with a straight face. Asia and Joseph both got a disgusted look on their faces. "How old is Rias?" Asia asked knowing she wouldn't like the answer. Before Sona could answer Joseph chimed in. "She's eighteen. I've seen her and Sona in the third-year hallway. I'm so glad that I've never had to deal with an arranged marriage." Joseph said, looking up at the ceiling, sighing.
Chapter five end