Moonlight shone on black feathers scattered like wilted flower petals.
Within the church—where the battle had already ended—Asia, her nun's veil fallen away, lay dazed in Bokue's arms. She was still in shock from everything that had happened.
It wasn't until Bokue's voice ca from above that she realized what was going on.
"Hey. Snap out of it. It's over—you're safe now."
"Mmm…"
Like being pulled from a dream, Asia trembled as her eyes refocused. She took in her surroundings—then suddenly realized she was cradled in his arms.
Almost instantly, her pale cheeks turned bright red, as if steam were hissing from the top of her head.
"I-I'm sorry! And… th-thank you so much for saving , Bokue-san!"
She scrambled free from his arm, bowing repeatedly in apology and gratitude. anwhile, Rias and Akeno entered from behind, joining Koneko at Bokue's back—curious about this golden-haired nun.
Although Heaven and the Underworld had been mortal enemies in the ancient war—fighting until their armies were practically in shambles—on an individual level, none of them here harbored such deep hatred that they'd attack on sight. More often than not, things only escalated like that with extremists… such as Freed.
"This girl—she's that nun from this morning you ntioned, Bokue?"
Rias peered at Asia a little more carefully, then voiced her recognition.
"Yeah, that's her."
Bokue stooped to pick up the nun's veil from the ground. Turning to the three girls behind him, he lifted it to show them.
"Basically, I picked this up for her earlier, and that's how—"
"N-No, don't wave that around!"
Seeing Bokue raising the sacred garnt, the other three backed off in unison, smiling stiffly as they retreated a full step. They clearly wanted to avoid contact.
A consecrated veil like that could seriously sting a low-class Devil—akin to being swatted by a supercharged mosquito zapper. Even Rias, a pureblood Devil, would find it uncomfortable touching sothing blessed with Holy power… about as appealing as having your hair washed with a pungent broth you absolutely detest.
In other words, from their perspective, Bokue waving the veil around was like soone gleefully waving around a, well… gross object. It was… pretty jarring, to say the least.
"S-Sorry…"
Asia's voice, quiet and apologetic, broke the mont. She lowered her head, fingers laced over her chest.
"Earlier today, I lied to you, Bokue-san. I'm not a nun anymore—I'm… an 'Outcast' nun."
"Huh?"
Bokue felt montarily baffled.
He'd heard of stray devils, lost priests, those who'd forsaken their orders and turned dangerous. But a nun was supposed to be non-combatant—how "Outcast" could she possibly get? This wasn't exactly a grimdark Warhamr realm.
"Yes," Asia said softly, still gazing down. "I was abandoned by my parents as a baby, then raised by the Church. I possessed a power to heal both humans and angels—so they made a 'holy maiden.' But one day, I accidentally discovered my healing worked… on devils, too."
She raised her hands; a soft green glow emanated from her palms, and a pair of matching rings flickered on her middle fingers.
"That's… the Sacred Gear called 'Twilight Healing,' right?"
Rias recognized the Double-ring relic, staring in amazent.
"Now it makes sense. A Sacred Gear isn't tied to a single faction—angels, humans, devils, or even Fallen Angels can use one. So of course it would heal anyone."
"I know… but so things can't be explained so easily."
A shadow of sorrow passed across Asia's usually gentle face.
"That's why I ca all the way from Northern Europe to Japan, hoping I could quietly be a nun in a far-off place—far from the Church's eyes. Raynare told everyone here had been 'abandoned by God,' but if we passed His trials, we'd be welcod back into His arms."
"You actually believed that nonsense?"
Bokue shrugged.
"If their God was so attentive, that maniac priest wouldn't have butchered innocent people. He'd have cleared your na when they called you 'outcast.' He wouldn't have let those Fallen Angels nearly steal your Sacred Gear… A False god like that? You're better off believing in ."
"YES! I think so too!"
Asia nodded so vigorously her ponytail swished. She stepped closer—so close their chests practically touched—and gazed into his eyes with fierce determination.
"Wha—?"
Now it was Bokue's turn to blink in confusion.
Wait, did she just… say what he thought she said?
But Asia kept going, her voice unwavering:
"When Raynare took , I begged Bokue-san for help—and you really ca! So from this day on, I'm giving up on being God's follower. I'll be… Bokue-san's personal believer!"
She still addressed him politely, but the honorifics had shifted; her entire tone had changed. She wasn't just showing gratitude—she was pledging devotion.
"Ara ara~"
Akeno murmured her habitual phrase, covering her mouth with one hand. Rias, beside her, pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation.
"Wow, devoting herself to a guy she only t this morning—soone she barely knows… That's pretty—"
"Jealous, President?" Akeno teased, tipping her head with a mischievous glint.
Rias froze. "Huh? No—of course not! What are you saying, Akeno?!"
"Ehehe~ I'm joking."
Akeno hid her grin behind her hand—though a hint of wistful emotion flickered in her gaze. Truth be told… she felt a twinge of envy, too.
"Don't worry."
Koneko's soft voice cut in, directing her stare forward.
"If Rias-buchou or Akeno-senpai were ever in danger, Bokue-senpai would help them exactly the sa way."
"Huh?"
"Um…"
The two older girls paused their banter. A mont ago, they'd claid it was all teasing, but now their gazes drifted—both flicked uncertainly toward the boy ahead.
Sensing their looks, Bokue turned his head to et their eyes.
Koneko pressed on:
"Right, Bokue-senpai?"
"Yeah, of course."
He gave it a second's thought, then added:
"That includes you, too, Koneko."
"Mmph… Even if you say that, I'm not happy about it."
Koneko's cheeks colored faintly, but her cat-like ears twitched—ever so slightly—betraying a shy spark of gratitude.
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