Ryu made his way back to school, and in the occult club where Rias was waiting for him.
"I'm back." Ryu announced entering the room.
"Welcome back." Rias responded.
Rias was sitting on her chair, in the middle of the room reading a book while also wearing glasses, but when she saw him enter she closed the book and turned her attention towards him.
"You wear glasses?" Ryu asked, genuinely curious while also taking a seat on the sofa.
"It's just for show, my eyesight is perfectly fine." Rias chuckled, "So? Did you find anything strange?"
"Yeah, the whole situation... just feels off." Ryu put his hand on his chin, "There are a lot of priests gathered there, one is Freed Sellzen a guy who genuinely gives me the creeps, and he seems... strong, like supernatural strong. And there's this girl... Asia Argento, her name sounds familiar, but I don't know why..."
"Hmmm..." Rias thought it over for a second or two, "Freed Sellzen... Ah, we have a slight problem here." Rias got up and took off her glasses. "That one's a stray. How many priests were there? Can you give me a rough estimate?" Rias questioned him.
"Give or take... 20? They didn't seem very friendly though..."
"They could be strays... just like Freed. This Asia Argento... I remember her now, she was excommunicated from the church because she healed a devil."
"Ah... so that was it." Ryu muttered, his eyes widening slightly.
"You're aware of that story too?" Rias questioned.
"Yeah..."
Rias sighed, before taking her phone out. "We're going to the church right now, all of us." Rias spoke, "I won't allow those strays to linger here a minute longer." Rias said sternly.
Ryu chuckled slightly before getting up and stretching, "Cool, so we're going on pest control."
Rias smirked as well, "Precisely." She said before calling everyone from the occult club.
Ryu yawned, and decided to lay down on the sofa, "Wake me up when we're ready to go."
.
.
.
.
.
.
About 20 minutes later:
A bright red crest, belonging to the Gremory house appeared on the floor.
"We're here Rias." Akeno said, stepping out of the circle along with Kiba and Koneko, Issei wasn't there yet, he couldn't teleport like the others could because his mana... was really damn low.
"Good." Rias nodded, a smile gracing her features, "Take a sea-" She was about to say before she remembered Ryu who was taking up one entire sofa.
"... You know, I never really questioned it before... but what have his parents been feeding him? For him to turn out... this big?" Kiba questioned with a wry smile.
"Entire cows." Koneko answered before moving closer to Ryu.
"Hmm? What is it Koneko?" Akeno questioned, tilting her head before moving to stand next to her.
"...Why's it so big?" Koneko asked, mostly to herself.
"...Good question." Akeno said holding her chin.
"What're you two talking about?" Rias asked stepping closer to them, with a raised eyebrow.
"His boobs are huge." Koneko pointed at it.
"Well... yes." Rias didn't know what to say.
"Why?" Koneko asked again, "He's a man."
Akeno gasped, "Oh my! Are you jealous perhaps?" Akeno asked.
Koneko turned around swiftly and glared at her, before her eyes lingered down as well.
"Chest monsters, the two of you." She said angrily before sitting down on the opposite sofa.
"You too, Rias." Koneko didn't left her out
"Hey! What'd I do?!" Rias questioned her, bewildered that she caught a stray.
"Hmph!" Koneko turned her head away.
Kiba just chuckled nervously in the background.
Akeno giggled, before she glanced at Ryu again, "...Hmmmm." She reached out, intending to cop a feel.
And she did, but as soon as her hand made contact, Ryu's eyes snapped open immediately.
Slowly, he looked up at Akeno, who wore that innocent expression as if she wasn't doing anything wrong at all.
"Akeno."
"Yes?"
"May I ask... what you're doing?" Ryu questioned his eyes tracing her arm.
"Oh! Nothing much..." Akeno retracted her arm.
"...Perv." Ryu said, sitting up on the sofa, and stretching.
Akeno's face flushed red.
"Pft." Rias let out, barely holding in her laughter, until she couldn't anymore.
Kiba was the same as well, he let out a chuckle.
"*Yawn* Anyways, are we ready to go?" Ryu asked looking at Rias.
"No, not yet. Issei isn't here." Rias answered him.
Ryu nodded and leaned back into the sofa, now that some space was freed up Akeno took a seat next to him.
"Since we've got some time, why don't you tell us more about yourself? Would love to get to know you better." Kiba was the one who asked.
Ryu glanced towards him, "What would you like to know?" Ryu asked.
"How stron-" Kiba was about to ask, but he was cut off by Koneko.
"Why're your boobs so big?" She asked, her stare was pretty intense.
Ryu was flabbergasted, and froze for a few seconds. Rias and Akeno did as well... They were pretty curious too.
The corners of Ryu's mouth twitched, before expanding into a smirk.
"Compensating for your lack of it." Ryu answered mockingly.
A vein popped up on Koneko's forehead before she jumped over the table.
"Koneko!" Rias shouted surprised by her action, but she too wore a smile on her face.
Koneko collided with Ryu and smacked him across the face, not with full force because they were unaware of exactly how strong Ryu was. Since, Ryu's mana was practically nonexistent, he still had more than Issei though.
To her surprise Ryu took that blow as if it was nothing, and his chuckles erupted into laughter.
"Sorry, Sorry. Couldn't resist making that joke, must be my Uncle rubbing off on me." Ryu patted her head, ruffling her hair.
"Stupid chest monster." Koneko pouted slightly.
"My My~ Don't worry Koneko, there's still a chance... for you to grow~" Akeno joked as well, holding a hand over her mouth to hide her giggles.
Kiba silently watched this exchange, with a warm smile.
Rias laughed heartily at their exchange, "You two are very much alike!" Rias said looking at Akeno and Ryu with a smile.
They both turned their eyes towards the redhead.
"Oh? How exactly are we alike? Do tell, dear Rias." Akeno inquired, looking at her with a sweet smile.
Rias put her hand on her chin, and looked at them up and down... before her eyes stopped at their chest, her gaze lingered for a second too long, Ryu and Akeno both noticed.
"Well... you both have black hair, and like joking and teasing!" Rias explained her thoughts.
"...You were just checking out my chest." Ryu said dryly.
"...She was." Akeno confirmed.
Rias raised a hand, and with a confident smile spoke, "Don't worry! I was checking out Akeno's as well!"
Rias might seem like a dignified lady at first, but she was as silly as everyone else. The whole 'Lady' thing was just a front.
And then suddenly, the door slammed open.
"Hahh... hahhh... Sorry for... Being late!" Issei barely managed to get the words out, dude was practically gasping for air.
Rias swiftly straightened up and clapped her hands together. "Now that everyone is here! Let's go visit our uninvited guests!" She spoke.
"Nice timing, Issei." Koneko said.
"Huh... What do you... mean?"
But Koneko didn't elaborate.
About 5 minutes later:
The red circle appeared in the woods near The Church, and the entire Club appeared and yes… that Includes Issei.
(Don't ask me how or why he can do it, i say he can and he can.)
"So how do we do this? Do we try the diplomatic way first or…" Ryu trailed off glancing at Rias, "Do we just smash their skulls?"
Rias glanced at him, "Let's try talking it out first, the only confirmed stray exorcist among them is Freed, we should confirm the identities of others before anything." She spoke before putting a finger on her chin, "And there's the matter with Asia Argento…"
"It's suspicious." Koneko spoke crossing her arms.
"What is?" Akeno glanced over and asked.
"The whole situation, even if Asia Argento healed a devil… why would they excommunicate her? Twilight Healing is much too valuable."
"You do have a point Koneko…" Kiba agreed, and he voiced out his opinion as well, "There might be something else at play here, it's best we exercise caution."
"… I see, thank you for your input everyone." Rias said before turning towards the church.
"Let's go ahead and greet the uninvited guests."
The group arrived at the entrance, which was the massive door.
Ryu walked up to it and pushed it open with no difficulty.
"Hey! Freed you in here? You've got some guests!" Ryu shouted.
He walked first into the hall, followed by the rest.
There was the sound of footsteps after that, which were quickly multiplying, and soon enough.
Freed appeared with the rest of the exorcists, however… his clothes had quite a lot of blood on them.
Ryu whistled, "I sure hope that's wine you spilled."
Freed just smiled kindly, "Of course not! It's the blood of a devil worshipper." He then glanced at everyone else standing next to Ryu.
"And what have we here~ Hot devil chicks… I'll MAKE SURE TO THOROUGHLY ENJOY YOUR BODIES WHEN YOU'RE DEAD!" He screamed in glee and sick delight.
"I guess talking is off the table then…" Rias muttered to herself.
"Fucking bastard…" Issei muttered glaring at the exorcist.
Koneko got ready, Kiba summoned his sword, and Issei summoned his Twice critical.
"Where's Asia?!" Issei shouted, while he trembled, in anger… and some fear. Mostly anger.
Freed raised an eyebrow, "That bitch? Well… SHE'S SUCKING COCKS IN HELL BY NOW!" Hey screamed with a disgusting smile before he charged towards Rias and her group Blessed sword in one hand, and a gun in the other. Exorcists following behind him, had the same sword but not the gun.
"YOU BASTARD!" Issei screamed as well before he charged towards them, emotions completely overtaking him.
Ryu, Koneko, and Kiba followed right behind, while Rias and Akeno stayed back just in case to provide support from range.
Kiba quickly overtook Issei given that he's a knight and clashed directly with Freed.
"I'll be taking you on." Kiba said calmly, while swiping at his face.
Freed dodged by bending back before shooting his gun at Kiba's face, which Kiba managed to dodge.
"HAH! You're not my type but I guess you'll have to do for a warm up! Let's make this quick though… THE PRETTY LADIES BEHIND YOU ARE WAITING FOR ME!"
He then slashed at Kiba which was easily parried and then counted by a slash towards his leg.
"I'm afraid you won't be getting past me… you creep." Kiba said with disgust evident in his voice. Before he advanced once more.
While Kiba was fighting with Freed, Ryu and Koneko were completely dismantling the exorcist group.
Ryu and Koneko cracked their skulls, slammed them into the ground, or shattered their ribs, neither really sustaining injuries.
"These guys… are just regular people with swords and guns, no training at all…" Ryu muttered waving his hand and splattering some blood on the ground while glancing at the remaining exorcist who were now getting nervous.
"GUYS! I'LL GO IN FIRST TO SEARCH FOR ASIA!" Issei shouted before rushing towards the door, the same door the exorcists emerged from.
"Issei wait!" Rias tried stopping him but he wasn't planning on stopping.
"Ryu, handle things here." Koneko suddenly said before she rushed towards where Kiba was.
And from behind she delivered a devastating punch towards Freed's back, knocking him into the wall, and then he fell onto the floor unconscious.
Ryu also finished off the remaining exorcists, he had some grazes and cuts, but nothing serious or concerning.
"Guess we're done here then."
Yeah definitely not.
"Hahaha! See? What'd I tell you?" A childish voice rang out inside the church, putting everyone in alert.
"Humans… can't be trusted with such important matters." And then a male voice spoke.
"Silence Mittlet, Dohnaseek, Raynare won't like it if she hears you talking." A more mature female voice rang out.
And the owners of the said voice entered the building.
One was a tall and seemingly well built middle-aged man wearing a grey coat and a black fedora.
The other was a lady with unreal proportions, blue hair and pretty revealing clothes.
And the other was a blonde midget. Enough said.
Rias sighed, "So you Fallens are involved in this… circus act as well?"
"Circus act?!" The midget shouted before the other woman placed a hand on her shoulder.
"She's provoking you, idiot."
"Koneko, Kiba go check on Hyoddou." Ryu spoke, and the other two didn't hesitate for a second and rushed to where Issei went.
They had absolutely no reason to stay, Akeno and Rias were powerful, they could absolutely wipe the floor with these fallens.
And even Ryu if he turned out to be a spy.
"Rias, Akeno mind if I talk with these three for a minute?" Ryu came up from behind them, while wiping the blood away from his hands using a piece of clothing he tore off from an exorcist
"And why would you talk with them?" Akeno questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Rias thought for a second before nodding.
Ryu nodded as well, and turned his attention to the three of them, and approached them without any care, he now stood face to face with three Fallens.
Rias and Akeno tensed and went on guard in case something went south.
"We don't have the entire night you know?" The midget spoke once more playing with her hair.
"Apologies, for the wait." Ryu said with a smile. "So I'll get straight to the point, I've some connections with the higher ranks of the Grigori, so I'll say this once, against my better judgement. Will you return to the Grigori, Accept punishment for abandoning your posts and rejoin it?"
There was silence for a second, before chuckles and giggles erupted from the three of them.
"That was a good one human! How about I offer you this instead, since you're so funny and such a handsome young man, I'll turn you into my personal jester, how's that sound?" the midget offered with a mocking smirk.
Ryu just sighed, and took out his phone a dialed a number and he put it on speaker.
"What're you-" Rias was about to ask but she was interrupted by the voice coming from the phone.
"Oh? If it isn't my nephew, what's up? You need more cash?" The voice asked.
And that voice… that very familiar voice… sent chills down the spines of the fallen.
They started trembling and sweating immediately.
Every Fallen Angel knows that voice, the voice of that sinister, nefarious, cruel, malevolent, remorseless, unfeeling, cold, savage, vicious and tyrannical… creature.
The Fallen Angels Strays or not, PRAY and hope to never get on his bad side, and if they do… they go into hiding,to never be found by him because… the pain he'll inflict on those who cross him, those who go against his will… will be worse than anything any mind, sane or not can imagine.
But… to those who are loyal to the Grigori, he's kind, benevolent, forgiving, warm, kind… and fatherly.
Also he has a soft spot for children. Orphans specifically.
"No uncle, instead… I've some stray fallen angels with me, and I don't know what to do, I told them to return and accept punishment, and maybe rejoin Grigori, but they refused." Ryu spoke before finishing it off with a sigh.
"…You decided to join this world huh?" The voice asked rhetorically.
"Yeah, also you're on speaker, can you try talking some sense into them? They recognize your voice it seems." Ryu said while scratching his head.
"Do they now?" The voice said, now fully serious the playful tone gone entirely.
"I don't know your names, but… I'll offer this again since the numbers of the Fallen are low enough… come back and rejoin Grigori. I give my word that the punishment… won't be too severe. I'll also hear you guys out, why you decided to… choose this foolish path." The voice finished off.
"But… if you don't agree… well, let's just say that It won't end well for you."
"A-A-A…" The talkative blonde midget couldn't form coherent words anymore, she was so terrified. So very terrified that she almost wet herself.
"HIEEEKK!!" So she just let out a shriek while falling on her knees.
"I-I'LL TAKE IT! I'LL TAKE IT THE DEAL!" She managed to find her voice and squeaked out while hugging Ryu's leg.
"I-I-I'll…. Take the d-deal… please spare me!"The blue haired lady yelled the last part with a trembling voice, and prostrated herself to Ryu.
"And… what about you?" Ryu asked the only man.
"I-I'll also… take the deal." His voice wasn't as shaky, but still his body trembled like the rest.
"Lovely. I'll send someone to pick you lowlifes up." Came the voice from the phone. "If you find any more of them… let me know, even though they are foolish strays and probably shouldn't be given a second chance, but I guess I can try being merciful. If it gets too dangerous… you've my permission to kill them, your life is most important to me, dear nephew."
"Alright uncle, talk to you later, and hopefully I'll see you and Dad soon…" Ryu spoke.
"Later then, and don't worry, I'll come see you soon, until then keep me updated on your miserable social life and school." His uncle made fun of him, and Ryu hung up without another word.
Rias came up from behind, put a hand on his shoulder and asked "Who… in Satan's name was that?"
"…I'm curious too, who was that?" Akeno also questioned.
Ryu turned to them with a smile, "My uncle of course."
"I get that, but-" Rias was about to question again.
"It's a surprise, don't ruin it."
"RIAS!" Suddenly a shout came from behind, and her other friends came to her, Issei was badly injured but he wore a smile on his face.
His gauntlet had changed completely, and a blonde nun was clinging to his side, with tears streaming down her face.
Koneko was dragging an unconscious black-haired fallen angel, also wearing revealing clothes.
"What… happened here?" Issei questioned when he saw the situation.
One fallen clinging to Ryu's leg, the other on his knees, and the last one prostrating before him and trembling.
"Oh, nothing… they just feel… guilty about some things." Ryu said with a smile before his gaze turned towards the fallen Koneko was dragging.
"Give me that one too, I've some business with her."
"What business?" Issei questioned.
"You'll see." Ryu said before separating the blonde midget from his leg and moving towards the fallen and giving her a light slap across the face which immediately woke her up.
"W-Wha-" She was confused, seeing a new face after she was knocked out, but Ryu immediately put a finger to her mouth and shushed her.
"Y-YOU?!" She recognized the gigantic young man she met when she was posing as Yuuma… it's pretty hard to forget a guy who's build is similar to Ryu.
"Go back to the Grigori, accept punishment and rejoin, or you may die."
"WHO DO YOU THINK-" She was about to shout before she saw the state her comrades were in from the corner of her eye.
"…Guys?" She muttered horrified at their state.
"A-ACCEPT IT RAYNARE!" The blonde shouted at her with tears in her eyes.
"H-Huh?! WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU?!" Raynare shouted back in shock, she has never seen Mittlet like this.
"Raynare… There's no escape for us… it was a mistake to abandon The Grigori… for your sake, accept the deal." Dohnaseek spoke, he was more compoed than the rest, probably due to his age and experience.
Raynare's head snapped to Dohnaseek, it seems whatever happened has even him spooked… Raynare might not be the brightest, but when her companions act like this, it must mean something is really really wrong.
"I-I'll also-" She begun but was interrupted by a furious shout from a certain brown-haired devil
"HOLD ON!" Issei suddenly shouted.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! YOU'RE SPARING HER?! THIS… THIS BITCH?! SHE KILLED ME AND ALMOST KILLED ASIA!" Issei shouted at Ryu.
Ryu's eyes widened for just a moment, "I see… I apologize, I hadn't considered that."
Jung scratched his head and let out a sigh before he turned his gaze towards Raynare, before looking at Issei's furious expression once more.
"Issei, you may take her life if you want to." Ryu said giving him the permission.
"W-What?!" Raynare squeaked, "W-What about the deal?!" She then clung to his leg.
Issei glared down at Raynare, gnashing his teeth and trembling in anger.
How could he spare her?! After she killed him and hurt Asia?! Just… how could he do that?
Just… looking at Raynare made Issei overflow with anger, and even so… he simply stood there, trembling with rage.
It would be so easy… so easy for the current him… to just take her life…
Then clarity hit, this was a living, breathing, thinking being, similar to humans. He couldn't do it, no matter how much he forced his body to move… it didn't respond.
Taking a life for the first time, isn't easy, right now… Issei Hyoddou, the newly reincarnated Pawn of Rias Gremory, wasn't ready just yet.
"…Fine, I'll agree to spare her life… but I promise, that if she pulls this shit again, I'll kill her without hesitation." Issei vowed, before turning his attention back to the trembling Asia, who kept stealing glances at everyone.
"Let's go… Asia." Issei smiled at her and led her out of the church.
Ryu looked at his back, for a brief second before smiling.
"You're… a much better man than me, Issei." Ryu muttered, more to himself but the people closest to him caught his words, Rias, Akeno and Raynare.
Then Rias stepped forward grabbing Raynare by the chin and forcing her to look her directly into her eyes, that were now glowing a beautiful crimson, just like her hair.
"…Live. You will Live in shame Raynare. You'll always remember the fact… that Issei defeated you, a person you looked down upon. The person you killed, and thought was no more than simple trash… and now you're here begging for a chance to prolong your pathetic and miserable existence." Rias said, fury evident in her words, and gaze.
And Raynare… looked down in shame, because everything that he said, was true.
"…I'll take the deal." Raynare muttered.
"Lovely." Ryu said with a smile, before looking at everyone else, "Guess we're done here."
"Rias I'm gonna need some magic suppressing handcuffs."
"…I'll take care of that, but there are still some things we gotta talk about." Rias said.
"…Later, when I feel that I've gained enough of your trust, I'll tell you." Ryu said.
"…Don't keep me waiting for too long." Rias agreed to that.
After 15 minutes:
"Thanks for the lift, Akeno." Ryu thanked her with a smile.
"No problem at all… Good luck with… this." She said pointing at the Fallen Angels bound by handcuffs and legs tied.
"Yeah, I'll figure something out."
With that said, Akeno bowed and teleported away once more.
"So… let's get to know each other, we have so much time." Ryu said getting a chair and sitting down in front of them while they kneeled on the ground.
He looked at his… prisoners, really looked at them.
Mittlet still looked terrified, Kalawarner was slowly coming to terms with her situation, Dohnaseek was completely calm now, having accepted his fate.
Raynare was looking down at the ground, still thinking about Issei's words.
It was shameful for a supreme being such as her to be captured like this.
"Let's start with you, Dohnaseek was it? Why'd you betray the Grigori?" He asked while putting his elbow on his knee and his face on the palm of his hand.
Unknown to them, he was recording their conversation, to give to his uncle.
If we're being honest, he was a bit too soft on these Fallen Angels, but then again he held his father and uncle in the highest regard, and considering the population, he felt that he should do this at least.
Freed was a bastard, and he felt no remorse for priests, due to certain circumstances. He felt absolutely nothing, not even a hint of pity towards those… abominable 'Holy' men.
The man in question let out a sigh, "I guess… I'll tell you, since you're his.. nephew. The reason is very simple and childish… I wanted to matter, I wanted to be… someone important, I guess…" Dohnaseek spoke, while looking at Ryu with a sad smile.
"I wanted to be respected, even by a single person, however… no one paid any attention to me, no one bothered to remember my name, and that… pushed me to the edge." He finished, then chuckled, mocking himself.
"It's a bit stupid when I say it out loud…" he muttered to himself, looking down at the ground.
Ryu smiled, got up from his chair and sat on the ground in front of them.
"No. It isn't stupid at all." Ryu patted his shoulder, "You just… went about it the wrong way, rejoin the Grigori, my uncle will punish you harshly, very harshly, but… trust me it'll be worth it in the end, and do try to find another purpose in life. Even though This world is cruel and unforgiving, it isn't all about fighting and killing."
Dohnaseek chuckled in sorrow once more, "A kid lecturing me is a new feeling… strangely I don't dislike it. …Alright, I'll trust your words… it's either this, or death and I don't want to kick the bucket just yet."
"Good man." Ryu said before turning his attention to Kalawarner who managed to calm down, same as Dohnaseek.
"And what about you… pretty lady? Kalawarner?" Ryu said, looking at her still trembling form.
She met his gaze and looked down, lips quivering before she took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
"…It's the same for me, I couldn't find my place in Grigori no matter how hard I tried, I wasn't… good at anything I did. I was just some… errand girl, and… I had hoped that just maybe… I'd find my place somewhere else, even if it meant abandoning The Grigori." Kalawarner spoke with a trembling voice, whilst a single tear dropped down her cheek.
Deep down, Dohnaseek and Kalawarner loved The Grigori, despite their problems.
Ryu sighed, leaned forward and wiped the tear off of her face and caressed it with his hand.
Kalawarner's eyes widened at his action and she unconsciously leaned into his hand, whilst staring into his pitch black eyes that seemed to hold the warmth of the sun, just like the palm of his warm hand which felt… just like…
"…No need to cry. I'm sure… that if you asked a higher up or someone stronger for guidance, they'll give a helping hand. Especially to such a beautiful Lady like you Kalawarner, and a handsome gentleman such as you, Dohnaseek." Ryu said with a smile, glancing at the only other man, while still holding Kalawarner's face in his palm.
Kalawarner blushed immediately, and smiled shyly … how long has it been? Since she received a compliment… a genuine compliment, She thought about that, and looked away from him, "…Silly boy… talk like this to women your age… or come find me when you're older…"
"Thanks for the kind words… no offense but I'm not attracted to men…" Dohnaseek spoke, trying not to offend him in any way.
Ryu just chuckled, "I'm not either, it was just a compliment with no ulterior motives."
He then took his hand off of Kalawarner's cheek, and moved towards the Blonde-haired Fallen angel, named Mittlet.
"What's your story? Cutie?" Ryu said patting her head like she was a child, even though He was well aware that this little Fallen Angel was probably older than his entire biological ancestry which he didn't know about, nor did he care.
Mittlet blushed as well, her fear replaced by shyness. Ryu knew how to break the ice quite well it seemed.
"…I wanted to be with my friends, Kala, Dohn and Ray… they're my only friends and… I didn't want to be separated from them." Mittlet spoke, getting increasingly nervous while her face turned red like a tomato.
Hearing her words, the hearts of the other Fallen Angels ached, Ryu's eyes widened in surprise as well, before they returned back to their normal state while that same smile… crawled up his cheeks once more.
"Admirable… very admirable indeed… you're a good friend Mittlet, a very good one."
"…Thanks…" She muttered shyly, but a smile graced her lips as well while tears welled up in her eyes.
"Now… it's your turn… Raynare," He turned his attention to her.
Raynare sighed, and looked up at Ryu's bright and warm smile that just… warmed your heart.
Ryu's demeanor, his smile, the warmth that he exuded, was capable of just… opening a person's heart.
It wasn't magic, nor some Ability of sorts, it was just this large, muscular boy, being an understanding person, a person who obviously was someone important, someone with power… this was the first time, a person of Ryu's strength took his time to hear out these… low rank Fallen Angels.
"…Why?" Raynare muttered weakly, gazing into his warm eyes.
Ryu tilted his head, not understanding the question.
"Why are you going so far? Why are you even talking to us? Why do you… try to understand our situation? Why… are you trying to help? Even though… I killed your friend. Please… please tell me the answer…" Raynare almost begged when she finished her sentence, looking down at the ground once more.
"…Because I want to." Ryu responded as if it was the mot obvious thing in the whole world.
"Issei wasn't my friend when you killed him, but when I really think about it, he's alive and well and he's pretty happy with his situation… now if he actually died I'd have probably killed you for harming an innocent boy, but again he's not dead."
"Seems pretty scummy right? But that's just a really bad excuse, my real reason is that I have a soft spot for Fallen Angels." Ryu asked with a wry smile.
Raynare stayed silent after she heard his reasoning,
"There's no special reason. I just wanted to at least give you guys a chance and well… my uncle did the same for me way back then, and I guess I want to be like him in that regard." Ryu smiled when he thought about the memories of him and his uncle…
"…I see, you're just like…" Raynare muttered with a sad smile but she didn't finish her sentence, and then she took a deep breath.
"… For so very long, I've admired… The Governor, I admired him more than anything, more than anyone… I wanted to be recognized by him, I wanted his attention, even if it was just a glance… and then I saw an opportunity, Issei Hyoddou, and Asia Argento." Raynare spoke, and Ryu listened to her every word.
"My mission was to… observe Issei Hyoddou, But… I killed him instead, because I thought that maybe it was for the better… because it would be a loss for the Fallen Angels if a Sacred Gear user went to the devil's side… and since I didn't know exactly what he held, I decided to not waste time and get rid of him." Raynare spoke, her thought process when doing what she did.
"As… for Asia Argento, I sought her Sacred Gear as a way to get stronger and to pique the Governor's interest… and with that I had hoped… that he'd forgive my disobedience and allow me back into The Grigori." She spoke, her voice trembled when he finished her speech.
"…I didn't want this, I don't want this kind of attention from him…" Raynare muttered to herself while looking down again, tears threatening to overflow.
Ryu lifted her face up with her chin, and looked at her teary eyes.
"Raynare… he would never order you to kill an innocent boy like that, no matter what Sacred Gear he held, in fact… I'm sure that the only reason he ordered you to observe him was to see if he could awaken his Sacred Gear, and what it would be." Ryu spoke with a smile.
Ryu chuckled, thinking about his eccentric Uncle, "He's interested in Sacred Gears yes, but he wouldn't take the life of an innocent person like that."
"That means…" Raynare's eyes widened, before they closed shut, her lips trembled and tears fell from her eyes.
"I… screwed it up completely…" Raynare said her voice cracking, barely able to form words.
Ryu put his arms around this pitiful woman, and hugged her, she cried silently into his chest.
Ryu rubbed her back, calming her down.
"You definitely did, you thought you knew better, thought you knew how to impress him, but… turns out you didn't know him all that well. Now you are being given a second chance, don't waste it, Raynare." Ryu said while bringing his hand towards her face and wiping her tears with his hand.
Raynare stared up at him, tears still flowing from her eyes. She didn't say anything just stared at him, her eyes looked much better, a certain light… had returned to it, from the dead and lifeless eyes she had when she was first captured around 30 minutes ago.
She then giggled, "Look at me… a woman of my age, crying in the arms of a child…"
Ryu chuckled as well, "Don't worry, we won't tell anyone."
Everyone laughed at that, and the rest of the evening went… quite normally.
Ryu decided to release them from their restraints, and they made dinner together, laughed together, joked together, and watched some TV together.
These pitiful Low Ranked Fallen Angels had the times of their lives, after they fell from heaven of course.
And… they were very grateful for this second chance, that Ryu got for them. A chance to redeem themselves, and maybe correct their mistakes.
And soon… the next morning came, when someone showed up at Ryu's house.
A person, sent by the Governor Of Grigori.