"What do you think, Issei?" Araki asked as they walked.
"I don't know, Araki. But one thing's for sure: I'm going to become the Harem King!" Issei shouted, raising his fist in the air.
"Alright." Araki replied with a faint smile, glancing at Issei beside him.
Araki and Issei were walking down the street when they were suddenly startled by a blonde-haired girl falling right in front of them.
"What are you staring at, idiot!" Araki smacked Issei on the head and immediately approached the girl.
"Are you alright?" Araki asked, extending his hand to help her up.
"Th-thank you," The girl said, accepting Araki's outstretched hand.
"You're welcome." Araki replied with a nod.
"Um... could I ask for your help?" The girl asked hesitantly.
"Is there something wrong?" Araki replied, smiling warmly at the girl before him.
"Well... I think I'm lost." She said, her cheeks flushing as she fidgeted with her fingers.
"Oh, I see. Do you want to go to the church?" Araki asked with a smile.
"Y-yes." The girl replied, her face flushing crimson.
"Alright, I can take you there." Araki offered.
"Thank you!" The girl exclaimed, her smile widening.
Araki and the girl immediately walked toward Issei, who was standing silently, watching them.
"Issei, let me introduce you to..." Araki paused, slowly turning to the girl beside him.
"My name is Asia Argento. You can call me Asia." She said with a smile.
"Oh. My name is Kazuma Araki. You can call me Araki. I hope we can be good friends." Araki replied with a friendly smile.
"And my name is Hyoudou Issei. You can call me Issei." Issei said, patting his chest.
"Issei, would you mind if we walked her to the church?" Araki asked.
"No problem at all, man." Issei replied quickly.
"Alright then. Let's go." Araki said, turning to look at Asia.
"Yes!" Asia nodded and walked beside Araki.
----------------------------------------------------------
(Short Timeskip)
"Ahh!" The little boy cried out in pain, tears streaming down his face.
Asia quickly rushed to the boy's side, leaving Araki and Issei staring at each other in confusion.
"Asia?" Araki called out, slowly approaching her.
"You mustn't cry. You're a boy." Asia said, placing her palm on the boy's knee.
Araki and Issei's eyes widened in shock as they watched a green light emanate from Asia's hand, rapidly healing the boy's wound.
"There. You're all better now," Asia said with a smile.
"Thank you!" The child sprang to his feet and immediately ran off.
Asia stood up and quickly walked over to Araki and Issei, who were staring at her in confusion.
"You must be wondering about that, right? It's one of the special gifts Kami-sama bestowed upon me." Asia said with a sweet smile.
"I understand now..." Araki nodded slowly.
"Let's continue our journey." Araki said, taking the lead.
(Short Timeskip.)
"Here it is. I think this is the only church in the city. Right, Issei?" Araki asked, glancing at Issei.
"That's right, Araki. This is the only church in the city." Issei replied, pointing to the church now standing before them.
"Thank you for bringing me here. I never imagined I'd meet such kind people after moving to Japan." Asia said, bowing deeply.
"You're welcome, Asia." Issei replied with a lecherous grin.
"Issei..." Araki murmured, glaring sharply at him.
"Would you like to visit the church with me?" Asia asked, smiling warmly.
"A-ah! It seems I still have some business to attend to. What about you, Issei?" Araki said awkwardly, sweating profusely.
"Me too!" Issei quickly replied, also breaking into a cold sweat.
"Oh, that's a shame!" Asia said, sounding disappointed.
"Don't worry, Asia. We'll both come visit you often." Araki said, glancing sideways at Issei.
"That's right, Asia. We'll come visit you often." Issei replied, smiling warmly at her.
"Okay! I'll be waiting for you!" Asia said, her sweet smile directed at Issei and Araki.
"Yeah. See you later, Asia." Araki said, waving as he turned to leave.
"See you later, Asia." Issei waved goodbye and immediately ran after Araki.
"Yes! See you again, Issei-san, Araki-san!" Asia waved back as Araki and Issei grew smaller in the distance.
(Short Timeskip)
"Araki, did you feel a cold chill when we were near the church earlier?" Issei asked.
"Yeah, I feel it too. Even the air there warns us not to set foot inside," Araki replied, glancing at Issei beside him.
"Whatever it is, we need to hurry or Shitori-san will punish us for being late." Araki said with a slight chuckle.
"You're right. I can't even imagine the punishment, Araki." Issei said, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
Araki chuckled at Issei's expression beside him. He quickened his pace, eager to reach Kuoh Academy as soon as possible.
----------------------------------------------------------
(Time skip.)
"You are forbidden from seeing her again." Rias said coldly, her sharp gaze fixed on Araki and Issei.
"But, Club President, Asia is a good person." Araki protested, trying to convince Rias.
"The Church is a forbidden place for us, and the same goes for people from the Church," Rias replied, crossing her arms beneath her chest.
"Huh?" Issei scratched the back of his head.
"Even just setting foot there could trigger a war between Angels and Devils." Rias continued, walking toward the stairs.
"And that cold air I felt when I looked into the church..." Issei asked Rias.
Rias stopped and slowly turned to face Issei.
"That's your demonic instinct," She replied flatly, her gaze piercing Issei.
"Being near someone from the Church, especially an Exorcist, will only bring death for both of you," Rias continued, her sharp eyes now fixed on Araki.
"Exorcists are one of the Church's organizations dedicated to destroying Devils like us, reducing us to nothing while you two can do nothing to stop them. Do you know what that feels like?" Rias added coldly, her sharp gaze fixed on Araki and Issei.
"I apologize if I was a bit harsh. Regardless, please remain cautious." Rias said flatly before turning and walking away, leaving Araki and Issei behind.
"Hahh... If the Club President said so, we have no choice but to obey." Araki said helplessly, gently patting Issei's shoulder.
"But we already promised her." Issei protested, his face crestfallen.
"Sometimes we have to break our promises for our own good and hers." Araki said, giving Issei a wry smile.
"You're right, Araki." Issei said with a sigh of resignation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~