Don X Don (High School DxD Miracle Child SI Chapter 11)
"Hey Velda," the devil guy suddenly stopped right as they reached the shed.
"Yeah?" Asked the devil woman.
"Didn't that old guy call that kid 'Milo', back at the exchange shop?" He said with a look of slow realization.
The devil woman stopped and blinked a few times.
"...Sunnva-!"
A hail of blessed Light Arrows fell upon the devil couple without pause or mercy, erasing them into nothing.
"That takes care of that." Sister Griselda lowered her bow, before looking back at me with a saddened expression. "I'm sorry you had to see that, child."
I wasn't sure if I was bothered by the devils' death or not. They didn't actively harm me, but I arranged their death all the same. As a precaution. Because who knows what type of devil they were. Were they like Rias or the "nice" canon cast, or like the stereotypical, or Old Satan Faction type of devils.
I shook my head and put the thought aside. In the end, I'll deal with the consequences as they come. Whether they're good or bad devils, anime world logic will reveal that later.
"...Why were they after me?" I asked slowly. Because if they could look for me because of shoddy security, either by a leak, or just sheer curiosity because of all the Exorcist visits all these years, then I can't help but wonder how my body double was doing.
Rachelle. I remember her name even now.
I thought I would go find her after living my childhood a bit. Just two more years, then I would have started to search for her. Guess, I couldn't even afford that.
"Who knows why those vile devils do what they do half the time?" Sister Griselda replied, and I had to consciously make sure not to roll my eyes. Really, woman? "But it's obvious that you're not safe in that orphanage anymore."
"Am I going with you?" I tilted my head.
Griselda should be able to lead me to Rachelle, right? She was there when my Holy Powers were sealed and all of that, so she should know where the girl is.
"I fear that would be dangerous-"
"But you're strong, right? If I'm next to you, I should be safe, right?" Come on, come on, buy the act. Seriously with how stupid this whole thing is, me being next to my body double is about as smart an anime plan as it could get right now. "Maybe," I sighed, as I decided to go on a different idea. "Maybe I should just head out on my own."
"What?" Sister Griselda blinked in surprise.
"Yeah, I could be like, whachamacallit, a vagabond! Just travel around and help people like a mysterious hero or something." I said with a thinking pose, and looking away from Sister Griselda.
Am I laying it on a bit too thick? Maybe, but I'm a kid, I can get away with it.
"What about if you meet another Devil?" Sister Griselda tried to argue.
"Eh," I shrugged. "They can't all be looking for me. It was probably just these two. So if I meet any other, as long as I run away, then I'll be find."
"Milo, you're not allowed to leave the orphanage and be on your own. You're not old enough." Griselda said. "Look, I'll find you a nice place to live and you can forget this whole thing with devils, and just live a normal life." She tried to use that adult tone of 'there are rules!' and 'I know better'.
But she forgot one simple fact.
"Yes, I can." I said in a confused voice, which just confused Griselda in turn. "There is nothing physically stopping me from leaving the orphanage."
"Cops would take you and give you back to Father Henry, or put you in Child Services." She tried to say with a scary tone.
"But nothing physically stops me from leaving, and if they send me back to the church, I can just leave again. You can make up all the rules and laws you want, but there's no reason for me to follow them, because of some vague sense of obligation." I slowly explained, while I could see her feel a bit worried off.
"What about food? Where will you sleep? Or even take a shower?" She tried.
"Meh, I'll figure it out. If homeless people aren't dead from needing those things, they I'll just ask them, since they figured that out." I was actually half-serious about this.
Life in the modern age is comfortable, because humanity made it so by design. Survival has never been easier, at least when it comes to material needs. The only danger is other people, but...well, things should work themselves out if I go that route. At the very least I'm sure the Church would have people watching over me to provide help from the shadows. If they can manage subtly.
"H-Homeless!" Holy shit, I could swear I just saw anime lightning flash behind her, at her scandalized expression. I guess it is too shocking to hear that the son of Gabriel is willing become a homeless kid. "No, Milo, no. Fine, you'll come with me. You'll be safe that way." Sister Griselda said with a sigh as she over her face with her hand.
"Are you sure?" Yes. I was being a cheeky little shit right now.
"Milo, go pack your stuff. Now!" She said with her eyebrow twitching.
And that was my last night in Grosseto.
Rachelle Donato (8 Years Old)
Living as the Miracle Child had changed everything, and Rachelle wasn't sure it was for the better.
Everyone started treating her differently, when it was 'revealed' she was the Miracle Child of Seraph Gabriel. Although her being specifically Gabriel's 'daughter' wasn't as well known.
The priests that used to be harsh on her to study, became too lenient, even letting her get away with skipping her lessons if she wanted. The nuns stopped playing with her, saying they weren't worthy of such an 'honor' or such things. That they can't treat her like the used to, and even apologized if they were too casual with her, or scolded her before, as they were ignorant.
She expected this. Father Cornelius told her that things would change, but she didn't expect it to change this much.
But it was fine. It was all fine. She was carrying out her life's purpose, and protecting the Miracle Child. By painting a target over herself.
And then there's her Sacred Gear. The way Divine Sanctum is suppose to work is that, after dedicated prayers and holy rituals, she would build up enough Holy Power that she can amplify that power, and gift it to others as a Blessing, or even use it to heal others as a by product of that Blessing, but then use up the Blessing in the process.
So it builds up and stores Holy Power, than then can Bless others, or use that Blessing to heal them. The only way a Divine Sanctum user can be effective, is if they are born naturally having a Holy Affinity, to allow them to make Holy Power in their body.
But with the power of being a Miracle Child, her Sacred Gear rose to heights only theorized. Before she could just the room light up with her aura wings. Now she can Bless or heal others without needing time or prayers, as the Holy Power naturally builds up in her body, and she can contain it easily to use it.
However, this power she currently has is only temporary. Rachelle told herself that she must never forget that.
One day this power will be given back to its rightful owner. It will be return either by her giving it back, or when she dies to ensure the real Miracle Child is safe.
That what she told herself, reminded herself of each day.
Yet...when she thought that, she felt an odd weight in her chest. Like her heart was being squeezed.
It was an ugly feeling, and she increased her daily prayers to make it go away. However, this only caused the other sisters and father to praise her for her 'dedication', which just that dark feeling be heavier.
She sighed and tried to shake those feelings and thoughts away. Father Cornelius told her that Sister Griselda had returned, this time to stay, and brought an important guest with her.
Rachelle was happy to meet Sister Griselda again. The old nun would stop by from time to time, checking up on Rachelle and even telling her stories of her travels. She was like the fun aunt that Rachelle got to meet every once in a while. She heard Sister Griselda had took in a student recently, was that who the guest was? No, it was guests, so more than one.
Father Cornelius opened the door to the meeting room, and Rachelle saw Sister Griselda, a young girl in Exorcist-in-training clothes, so likely her student, and...
Upon entering the room, Rachelle saw the final guess, a boy her age with blond hair and blue eyes that reminded her of Lady Gabriel. She pushed the thought aside, yet right at that moment, she felt her rosario lit up when she entered the room. More importantly, she felt a pull from the rosario toward the boy. It was just a feeling, that send her a spark of worry through her nerves. She pushed it down and forced herself to appear calm and dignified as a Miracle Child should.
"Ah, Sister Griselda, welcome to Bolsena. I hope the trip wasn't anything difficult." Father Cornelius greeted them. "And these young charming gentleman and lady are?"
"Thank you, for taking us in and your kind words, Father Cornelius." Sister Griselda smiled, and gave a small bow, to which girl next to her emulated. The boy nodded and gave a little wave, to which the girl scowled. Rachelle frowned at the boy's casual attitude. Didn't he learn manners? Yet, the way he acted in front of her, not being overtaken by her presence was also nice. "These are my daughter, Xenovia, and my ward, Milo."
"It's good to see you, Father, and it's an honor to meet you, Lady Donato." Xenovia said formally with decorum, but Rachelle wasn't focused on it.
"Yo, I'm Milo, what's up?" Milo greeted in a friendly manner.
No way. It couldn't be. The name is a coincidence, right? Rachelle's thoughts focused only on this one fact.
Was she being replaced? Was her duty over? Was she to be thrown away now that the real Miracle Child was here?
These questions kept circling Rachelle's mind, but then she remembered neither Father Cornelius nor Sister Griselda introduced Milo as the Miracle Child. So...maybe the cover is still up.
"Child," Rachelle spoke. She needs to maintain her cover. If she was wrong then she'll get on her knees and beg for forgiveness. But if the cover is still up, she must not blow it. "Do you know who you're speaking to?" In fact she needs to act even more stand-offish and distant from Milo so people would ignore him more, and not think of the two of them being connected.
She even revealed her wing-phew she still had them. No wait, the rosario is still there, so of course she still has the wings-and activated her Sacred Gear for emphasis.
Father Cornelius, Sister Griselda and Xenovia reacted as expected from the aura of her Sacred Gear. Milo however was unaffected, further proof that he's the rea thing. In anything, he looked more amused at her show of authority. Rachelle made damn sure she wasn't pouting.
"Oh my, you don't know who you are? I am so sorry, amnesia really is a scary thing. To think it even hits children nowadays." Milo said back, in dramatic sounding concern.
Milo reply threw Rachelle off so much, she lost control of her Sacred Gear, deactivating it. Although she still kept her wings out.
"What? No, you baffoon! I know who I am-" She sputtered. No! Her image, her cover, she needs to maintain too. She needs to act distant, so they don't grow close, or be friends. She can't be close with the Miracle Child.
"Phew, thank the Lord! You didn't lose your memory. Truly, it's a miraculous day." Milo sighed dramatically in relief.
He, he's mocking me! I'm trying so hard for him. A-And he's making fun of me! No, no, he wouldn't know that I'm protecting him, if the cover is still up. B-But then he's making fun of me, while I'm the Miracle Child and he's just some normal kid. Well, I'll show him! I know how to act really scary, you know! Rachelle gathered up her courage to berate the Miracle Child.
"You! I am the daughter-the Child of Lady Gabriel herself! You need to watch your tone and be more respectful when speaking to me." Rachelle cried out, almost looking red faced. She was not pouting. She was putting on a scary face. Scary!
"Nope." Milo just smiled and grinned.
"Wha! What do you mean 'Nope'?" She looked scandalized. Does...does he actually know!? She looked at the adults for answers, but they just looked on in amusement.
"It means Nope. Boop." Milo then went ahead and booped Rachelle on the nose.
He, he, he...
Rachelle's thoughts shut down. The Miracle Child just booped her. He did such a playful, intimate act to her.
"Y-Y-You..." Rachelle took a step back. The moment her rosario lit up in proximity to the Miracle Child, Rachelle was able to focus again, and held on to the gold cross, feeling like it was pushing against her hand, wanting to return to the real Miracle Child.
No, she had her duty, she still needed to maintain her cover. Looking at Milo's smiling face, was reminded of Lady Gabriel, whom visited her a handful of times, since she took up her duty, and mentally compared the two. He really did inherit the Archangel's beauty. The moment she thought that and his intimate touch, her face felt ablaze again. "I-I'm the literal child of a Great Seraph, while you're just some or-" No. She absolutely can not say that, even to maintain her cover. God would strike her down for shaming the Miracle Child for her situation, when she stole it from him. "No one. How dare you act familiar to me?"
"Hmm, yeah, I do need a last name to be a full character, and have something cool and memorable to introduce myself with." Blinked at the non-sequitur, thrown off by it. "Hey, Sister Griselda, Father Cornelius, my paperwork for transferring here isn't fully finished, right? So I can add a last name if I decide on one, rather than the orphanage giving me one, right?"
A feeling of dread filled Rachelle.
"Well, yes, I suppose, you can still add one if you want. Why?" Asked Father Cornelius, before he realized what Milo was hinting at.
"You know, I like the sound of 'Donato'. It has 'Don' in it. The Don." Milo said with gravitas. "It has a cool ring to it. So, write me up as 'Milo Donato'." Milo said with a grin.
"W-WHAT!? No! You can't!" Rachelle cried out, actually whining now. Yeah the fear within her spread. He was taking her duty from her. But isn't that name his right? It's his family's surname. "That's my last name! You can't use it!" She tried to argue, but inside she felt she deserved this. After all...
What right do I have to keep him from regaining his true last name? What right does a thief has, when the true owner takes back what's theirs?
"What? Two people can have the same last name and not be related to each other." Milo shrugged playfully, before grinning widely at Rachelle. "Besides, it's not like you have a monopoly on 'Donato' as a last name. So let's start again. Nice to meet you Rachelle Donato. What a surprise, I'm Milo Donato. What a lucky coincidence."
Once more, it felt like he was mocking her. Like her was telling her he will take everything from her.
But...can she really complain?
No, wait, she still have to be his body double. She still have to keep her cover for him.
Even if he's an ungrateful little brat.
"You're not gonna let him do that, right? I won't allow it!" Rachelle said toward Father Cornelius.
"Well, your holiness." Father Cornelius began. "I can't really stop the boy from choosing what name he wants to be called by. It's his right." He shrugged, choosing to just let things be.
"Wha, you!" Rachelle pouted before turning back to Milo with a fierce look, as she drew her wings back in. She couldn't believe-No. Of course Father Cornelius would side with Milo, the real Miracle Child. But, but...this was really making her cover difficult, you know. But more than that. "I'm gonna remember this! This isn't over, you, you...jerk!" She turned and dignifiedly left.
Fine! Even with the real Miracle Child here, she'll just have to do a really good job as the fake Miracle Child and stay as far away from Milo as possible to protect him.
Although...She really hated that smug adorable know-it-all look Milo had. Yes, hated. Definitely hated. It was not cute at all.
AN: I'll try to skim the events I already wrote and only highlight important stuff like Milo and Rachelle's relationship as it develops and Milo's Netero training, along with some stuff with Metatron, and Rachelle's growing power.