“…….I don’t regret saving that person back then.”
Asia saved a wounded devil when she belonged to the Church. Because of that she was treated as a heretic and lost her place, and then she experienced painful memories. The devil whom she saved is none other than –Diodora. I don’t know why he was there and met Asia. But the reason Asia saved him is because she is a kind girl. I won’t blame her for doing that. There is no way I can. Asia is a kind girl after all. Asia’s life did take a 180-degree turn for saving Diodora, but it’s certain that she is having a good life with us here. But I do think about it. Would Asia have had a better life if she was still a holy maiden? Is she having a better time with us than the time when she was a holy maiden? So I do think about it sometimes. If something can be done about it now. That maybe it would be possible for Asia to return to her place as a holy maiden once again if I ask Michael-san? No, because of the possibility that the system left behind by God might be influenced with Asia’s power, she won’t be able to return to the Church headquarters, Institutes related to it, and places with surveillance by angels. But she might be able to get her previous lifestyle back. Which one will she choose when I ask her? I’m so scared that I can’t ask her. That’s because I don’t want to lose Asia….. It’s my selfishness. If I ask Buchou, that might actually happen. If that would be for her best, then……..that means I’m a selfish bastard. I don’t want to imagine Asia disappearing from my current lifestyle……. “……Ise-san?”
Asia looks into my face. “You had a very serious expression just now. ……You also looked sad…..”
“…..Hey, Asia. If you were able to get your old lifestyle back, what would you do?”
“…..”
Asia gets shocked and opens her eyes wide. …..I’m dumb so I ended up asking. Even though I might lose her. But I was thinking of what's best for Asia, so I……
I am getting ready for her answer while my heart is racing fast. My hand which is holding tightly onto her hands starts getting sweaty. But the answer Asia gave me is……
“I won’t go back.”
She had a smile. She didn’t even have any hesitation. “I have asked Ise-san once before. I asked you “Can I stay by Ise-san’s side forever?”. Ise-san, you said “Yes”, to me.”
Ah. Before the fight against Phoenix, I certainly did say that. “I like this place. I also like Kuou Academy and the Occult Research Club. I also like Buchou-san, Akeno-san, Sensei, Kiba-san, Xenovia-san, Koneko-chan, Gasper-kun, Irina-san, and Kiryuu-san. I also love ……Ise-san and Ise-san’s parents. The new life I started in this city is something very important, and something I greatly love which makes it so wonderful.”
Asia………
I really am an idiot…… I should have known that this girl is having fun with her current lifestyle. But why did I…….ask such a stupid question?! I then say while holding her shoulders. “Yeah, Asia and I will always be together! I also won’t allow you to get married! Asia, don’t think too much about Diodora. No matter what happens, you know that you can say no if you don’t like it?”
Asia looks in puzzlement, but then shows her smile immediately. “Yes.”
Xenovia then says with an apologetic expression. “…….Asia. I want to apologise to you once again. The first time I met you, I said harsh things to you. I still regret it even now. …….Asia, you treat me kindly. You said I’m your f-f-friend….”
Oh, Xenovia has a red face that you don’t see often. Asia takes Xenovia’s hand and says with a big smile. “Yes. Xenovia-san and I are friends.”
They were straightforward words said face to face with complete honesty. Xenovia's eyes became moist. “Thank you. Thank you, Asia.”
Yeah. Even I started to become so emotional that I want to cry. Yeah, Asia-chan is indeed a kind girl. She really is my pride! “Uuuuuu! It really is touching…….”
I heard a cry during this emotional scene. When I looked in the direction I heard the voice, I saw Irina. “Irina. You also came?”
“Uuu, yes. Xenovia invited me…… She said “Mornings at Kuou Academy also feel good”. And when I arrived, I saw this beautiful friendship. This also must be because of the guidance of the Lord and Michael-sama…….”
Irina who has become deeply moved starts to pray to the sky. “If I remember, you haven’t joined the Occult Research Club right?”
“Yes. I decided to join another club. Or rather, I decided to make one personally!”
“Hmm, so you are going to start up a club, huh. So what’s the name and description of the club?”
Irina puffs up her chest with pride and says loudly. “Ufufu, be shocked by hearing its name! The club name is “Shidou Irina’s salvation of love club”! The description is simple! We will help those in need without receiving anything in return! Aaaah, I will be spreading my love to the sinful pagans for the Lord and Michael-sama since I hold strong belief in our teachings!”
She started praying to the sky while making a weird pose. Man, her eyes are glittering lively. But listening to her bad taste in naming her club makes it sound like a club where you wouldn’t want to go for help. “………Umm, yeah. Well, do your best.”
I could just reply random words of encouragement. Irina bangs her chest and says. “Leave it to me! Of course I will help out the Occult Research Club when it needs it! This time I will be helping out the Occult Research Club with the race between clubs because of Rias-san’s request!”
Haa, so she will be joining us for the sports festival then. “I'll ask just in case, but how many people are there in your club?”
“It’s still only me! Thanks to that it is only thought of as an association of like-minded people, so there are restrictions on the activities and funds given. I will have to start by convincing Sona-kaichou first.”
That will be hard. That Kaichou is really strict. Fuku-kaichou is also strict. It will take time for the club to be authorised. “So it’s decided that I will be put in the Occult Research Club for now.”
That basically means that she is a member of the Occult Research Club! No, I shouldn’t point that out. I calm myself and then say. “Putting that aside, let’s resume our practice.”
Xenovia and Irina also joined our practice for the three-legged race, and the practice was resumed. “Fuu. I am a bit tired.”
Asia says while pulling her track suit. We certainly did run quite a lot since morning. We are in the gymnasium storage room located in the corner of the school grounds. We entered here to put away things such as the ropes used for practice. Maybe it’s because I am used to running that I have no trouble with this much exercise, but I was doing it while worrying about my partner Asia so I was tired mentally. It’s still really early for arriving at school so I decided to go to the classroom after I take a rest in the clubroom. Suddenly, when I was about to leave the storage room after putting away the ropes --
SLAM*! The sound of a door being closed!