Today was a beautifully sunny day. Warm golden sunlight bathed everything, making it easy to feel sleepy.
A perfect day to nap during class.
In her previous life, with nine classes daily plus three sessions of evening self-study, she'd spent most of her classes asleep, waking only for one self-study to finish homework. Her classmates had dubbed her the "Goddess of Sleep."
She desperately wished she could just lie on her desk and sleep until dismissal, but today she couldn't—today was Asia's first day at school.
Not long ago, Jeanne Alter had asked Rias to allow Asia to attend Kuoh Academy. Rias had readily agreed, even placing Asia directly into Jeanne's class without any entrance exam.
Having power is truly convenient, Jeanne mused. Asia, who'd never attended school, was effortlessly placed into second-year. Jeanne had expected Rias would send Asia to first-year classes with Koneko.
Jeanne was still yawning before the first class when the teacher suddenly announced a new student. Asia walked in through the classroom door, startling Jeanne wide awake.
Jeanne suspected Rias deliberately hadn't told her just to enjoy watching her shocked expression. Devils, after all, could be "wicked" in more ways than one.
Although boys were like an endangered species at Kuoh Academy, Jeanne's class still had a few. Fortunately, none of them were staring lewdly at Asia, saving Jeanne the trouble of gouging their eyes out. At such times, she felt especially relieved she wasn't in the same class as Issei Hyoudou.
She knew Issei was a real man—quite admirable at critical moments—but most of the time he was unbearably perverted. Jeanne genuinely worried that one look at his vulgar face might trigger her temper, causing her to accidentally murder him. Thus, she'd avoided him from the start, even though she was intrigued by the Red Dragon inside him.
Jeanne Alter had a notoriously short temper. She would erupt instantly if anyone ogled her with lecherous eyes. Fenghuang within her was equally intolerant of such behavior—This is my wife's body! You dare stare at my wife's body with such filthy eyes and think I won't lose my temper?
At around three in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day had passed.
Jeanne and Asia walked side by side through the campus as a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of cherry blossoms past their ears.
"How was your first day at school?" Jeanne asked casually.
"It was wonderful! Everyone was very nice, the teachers looked after me well, and Fujita-san—the one you mentioned—could sense my worries immediately. She helped me so much."
As Asia spoke, her smile seemed to shine brightly.
"Oh, I see."
Jeanne wasn't surprised. Fujita Emi had also helped her a great deal in settling into class.
Jeanne's voice sounded somewhat cold, a reason her classmates often found her hard to approach. But Asia didn't mind this at all.
She understood very well that Jeanne only appeared indifferent; deep down, she was exceptionally kind.
"Is your bag heavy? Want me to carry it for you?"
"N-No… I'd rather handle something this small by myself."
Unlike Jeanne, with her monstrous Strength A, Asia was just an ordinary girl. Since Jeanne's appearance, Asia hadn't become a Devil as she originally would have and remained physically weak.
Yet, at this moment, a stubborn look crossed Asia's face.
She accepted relying on others during battles—after all, she was weak in combat—but for simple things, she preferred managing herself.
Jeanne nodded, not pushing further. She instead moved on to another topic.
"You had a lot of people around you during breaks."
"Yes." Asia's smile became especially radiant, like a tulip blooming in the sun.
Seems like she's making good friends, Jeanne thought, happy for Asia.
Why had Jeanne insisted on Asia attending school? Certainly not for studying—she wanted Asia to make friends.
Since childhood, Asia had been revered as a Saint. No family warmth, no friendships—just respectful isolation.
Whenever Asia saw Jeanne interacting warmly with Ophis, the longing in her eyes became painfully obvious.
"So…" Jeanne idly kicked away a pebble, eyes drifting elsewhere as she asked casually, "Did they invite you out anywhere?"
"Yes. Chihaya-san invited me to karaoke after school today."
"Karaoke, huh… I don't get why everyone enjoys going there. It's unbearably noisy…" Jeanne complained flatly, then turned her head toward Asia. "Did you turn them down?"
Asia nodded. "Yes, because… Miss Jeanne and Koneko wouldn't go, right? So, I declined as well."
She'd refused because of Jeanne and Koneko. In other words, she actually wanted to go, didn't she?
Repeatedly declining invitations might isolate Asia, something Jeanne definitely didn't want. Yet, she felt uneasy about letting such an innocent girl go alone with others. Did that mean she had to go too?
But I really don't want to go…
As Jeanne agonized, Asia's heart danced with quiet joy.
Sharing small, daily experiences with someone important was something she'd never had when she was revered as a Saint. This newfound joy was precious to her.
Back then, her greatest wish was simply to have a friend. Now she had many. She was free from constraints.
It was all thanks to Jeanne.
Although Jeanne wasn't exactly the person Asia initially thought she'd be—this Jeanne openly despised God, always speaking rudely to appear fierce—the warmth beneath never changed.
She's still the Jeanne-san I know. For Asia, that alone was enough.
Lord…please bless Jeanne-san, for she is kind and gentle, Asia prayed silently.
Despite being branded a witch and expelled from the church, Asia's faith in God only grew stronger.
She felt nothing but gratitude towards Him.
Thank you for letting me meet Jeanne-san.
"Asia, were you praying to God again?"
Asia winced, rubbing her forehead where Jeanne had flicked it sharply.
Hand on her hip, Jeanne glared down at Asia, eyes full of intimidation. "I told you—rather than believing in that useless God, you might as well believe in me!"
Eyes tearing slightly, Asia gently rubbed her forehead again, then closed her eyes and clasped her hands once more.
"Oh Lord, Jeanne-san doesn't truly mean to offend you. Please forgive her. Merciful Lord, please protect Jeanne-san…"
"Enough with your nonsense! I mean every word I said! If He doesn't like it, He can strike me down with lightning! If He can't kill me, He'd better take my surname!"
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T/N: oh wellz language isnt that important but... CHIHAYA??? CHIHAYA ANON CAMEO?