The sun was beginning to set over Kuoh, and the streets reflected the soft glow of late afternoon. Among the busy sidewalks and buildings, a girl walked slowly, clutching a small crucifix between her fingers.
Asia looked around in all directions, her expression confused. People hurried past, and every corner looked the same.
"Excuse me…"
Her voice was lost in the air as a group crossed in front of her, ignoring her completely.
She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Lord, please… help me find the way."
The request was simple, almost a whisper.
A few meters ahead, a boy walked distractedly, a bag of snacks in his hands. His messy brown hair revealed the habit of running late to commitments he had already missed.
Issei Hyoudou.
When he noticed the blonde girl standing in the middle of the sidewalk, he stopped too. His eyes widened, and his body froze for an instant.
'What… is this? Is she real?'
His mind tangled. The girl before him looked like she'd stepped out of a dream — or a church. And for a brief moment, he even forgot to breathe.
Asia noticed the fixed stare and smiled shyly. "I'm sorry… could you help me?"
Issei blinked quickly, snapping back to reality. "Ah! S-sure! What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly. "Yes… I'm just a little lost. I arrived in the city today and I'm trying to find the local church."
'Church?' The word rang like an alarm in his head.
But the innocence on her face made the discomfort feel distant.
"Oh, I see. The church, right?" He scratched the back of his neck, forcing a smile. "I think I know where it is. I can take you there."
"Really?" The gratitude in her eyes hit him like a blow.
"Sure."
They began walking side by side. The sound of their steps mixed with the distant noise of cars.
Issei tried not to stare, but it was pointless. Every time she turned her face, his heart sped up.
'She's beautiful… no, stop! Cut it out, idiot. If Tsubaki finds out I'm thinking like this, I'll become a statistic.'
The thought made him swallow hard.
Asia looked at him, smiling without noticing his internal conflict. "Have you lived here long?"
"Yes. I study at Kuoh Academy." He tried to sound natural, but his voice came out a bit tense. "And you?"
"I'm new. I came to help with the church's duties. It's a blessing to be able to serve."
Issei nodded, keeping his eyes forward. "Ah, that's… nice."
She laughed softly, unaware of his awkward tone. "God always sends good people when we need them. Thank you for helping me."
"No need to thank me." He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to hide the discomfort he felt at the mention of God. "I'm just showing you the way."
Time passed quickly, and soon the street narrowed. A distant bell began to ring, faint, almost swallowed by the wind.
Asia pointed ahead, excited. "There! It's there!"
The old church stood silently at the end of the road. The windows looked like they'd been closed for ages, and the walls were stained with rust.
Issei stopped before the gate. A shiver ran up his spine.
'Why am I feeling like this?'
Asia took a few steps forward and turned to him. "Thank you for walking with me. I wouldn't have managed alone."
"It's fine. I… I'm glad to help."
She bowed her head. "May God bless you."
He looked away, discomfort growing. "Thanks… I guess."
Asia kept her gentle smile. "May God bless you."
Before he could answer, a laugh cut through the air. It was loud, drawn-out, coming from somewhere to the right of the church.
"Well, well, look what we have here."
Issei and Asia turned at the same time. A man walked slowly, his dirty coat swaying with the wind. His eyes glowed with manic delight, and a stained crucifix hung from his neck.
Freed Sellzen.
"A little nun walking around with a Devil again. That's what I call a twisted miracle."
Asia stepped back, her voice failing. "Freed…?"
He grinned crookedly. "Oh, so you recognize me. Good. Saves me the trouble of introductions."
Issei frowned. "Who's this guy?"
"The name's Freed, kid. And you should really choose your company better."
Asia shook her head, confused. "But… he was only helping me."
"Oh, sure." Freed snorted, the sound echoing unpleasantly. "Helping? A Devil helping a nun? That's practically blasphemous poetry."
Issei stepped forward, his tone firmer. "Hey, what's your problem? She was just lost."
Freed raised one of his silver pistols, spinning it effortlessly between his fingers. "My problem is simple, kid. You Devils don't know how to stay away from what isn't yours."
Asia looked at Issei, frightened. "What…? He's a Devil?"
Issei froze for a moment. Words stuck in his throat.
Freed laughed again. "Looks like your new little friend forgot to tell you, blondie. I bet you were all melty over his cute face, weren't you?"
"Don't say that." Asia tried to stay calm. "He was just kind."
"Kind?" His tone sharpened with sarcasm. "Kind is when someone holds a door open. Not when a demon holds a saint's hand."
Freed's hand moved fast. The sharp sound of a slap broke the air.
Clack
Asia stumbled sideways, touching her face.
Issei reacted before he could think. "You hit her!"
Freed pointed the gun at him, smile widening. "This is church business, kiddo. If you meddle, you face the wrath of the fallen angels. And trust me, you don't want to play with them."
"I'm not gonna—"
Asia interrupted, her voice shaking. "Please… go."
"Asia…"
She shook her head, tears threatening to fall. "Go, Issei. They're dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
He clenched his fists, blood pounding in his temples. 'I should kill this bastard right now.'
But the fear in her eyes held him back.
Freed laughed sharply. "That's right, blondie. Send the puppy home. There might still be salvation for him… maybe."
Issei breathed deeply. "I'll come back."
"I doubt it." Freed waved the pistol like a farewell. "Devils are great at running when they smell light."
Issei walked past them, eyes fixed on the ground. Each step felt heavier than the last.
'I need to warn Sona. This isn't normal.'
His mind burned with anger. The sound of the slap still echoed.
'That bastard will pay.'
He didn't go home. He turned the corner and sped toward the school, ignoring the cold wind cutting through the street.
Freed grabbed Asia by the hair, dragging her back toward the church entrance.
"You should've learned last time, you little sacred freak."
Asia tried to pull away, her voice weak. "Please… don't do this."
"Shut up."
She fell to her knees when he shoved her to the ground. Tears finally fell, silent.
Freed laughed, the sickening sound breaking the stillness of the street. "You still think God's gonna listen to you after everything, Asia Argento?"
"He… never abandoned me."
"Oh yeah?" He yanked her hair harder, making her scream. "Then ask Him to save you again."
The church door opened with a crack. The sound echoed like a warning, swallowing her sobs.
Freed dragged Asia inside, the crucifix on his neck thumping against his chest with each step.
The wooden door slammed behind them with a dull thud.
Clack.
The church interior smelled of rust and dust. The silence inside was heavy, as if the air itself avoided touching the place.
Freed pushed Asia toward the altar, his boots echoing on the cracked floor.
"Just look at you." His voice was a whisper full of disdain. "The little saint who healed demons. You know what the Church does to people like you?"
Asia tried to compose herself, kneeling on the floor. "I just wanted to help… to save those who suffer."
Freed gave a short laugh. "Save Devils? What a sweet charity." He stepped forward and kicked the crucifix from her hand. The metal slid across the floor until it hit the wall with a faint clink. "You're a joke, Asia. A nun who healed a monster and got expelled for it."
Her tears ran freely. "He was dying… I only did what God taught me."
"God?" Freed crouched, his face close to hers. His breath carried the bitter smell of tobacco and old wine. "God doesn't want you. Hell doesn't want you either. That's why they left you with me."
Asia looked away, trembling. "I don't believe that."
"You will."
He stood and opened his arms as if preaching. "You know what the fallen angels told me? That they're gonna use your little miracle power. That you'll heal their wounds when they attack more Devils. Divine irony, isn't it?"
She lifted her head, eyes filled with tears. "No… they promised I could help good people."
Freed burst into hysterical laughter. "Good people? Oh, sweet Asia… no one here is good."
His laugh echoed through the empty walls. He pulled out his pistol and spun it. "But don't worry. You can still redeem yourself. Just obey."
She instinctively recoiled, pressing against the altar. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
Freed pointed the gun at the ceiling and fired.
Bang!
The sound exploded through the church's acoustics. Dust fragments fell from above, and Asia shrank with a muffled scream.
"Trying to annoy me now?!" Freed kicked the nearest bench, the sharp crack filling the emptiness. "You should be grateful I didn't kill you when I had the chance."
Asia cried softly, hands clasped together, praying silently for strength.
Freed paced back and forth, laughing to himself as if talking to someone invisible. "The priest up there will love knowing the sinner is back. Maybe he'll give me more toys to try on you."
She closed her eyes. "Please, Lord… protect me."
Freed approached, his shadow covering her face. "Praying won't help. Here, only my word matters."
He grabbed her hair again, tilting her face up with a cold smile. "And my word, Asia Argento, is sin."
His laughter mingled with the creaking floor.
Outside, the wind began to change direction. A figure crossed the rooftops, too fast for human eyes to perceive.
Ffflap.
A shadow bat slipped through the church's broken window and landed silently on a beam.
The creature's red eyes reflected the distant altar, where Asia cried.
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