Three days slipped by in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Ryuichi's only existing contracts remained with Sakurajima Mai and the five Nakano sisters. No new summons had arrived.
It was the weekend.
Rias and Akeno had gone to visit Souna Shitori—the Student Council President apparently had matters to discuss with Rias.
As for Ryuichi, he decided to take Asia into town to buy her some new clothes.
"Um… I‑I already have clothes," Asia said shyly as she walked beside him. "At school, we wear uniforms anyway, so you really didn't need to—"
"You only rotate through three sets," Ryuichi said matter‑of‑factly. "A girl should have more than just a few outfits—and some nice ones at that."
He spoke lightly as he led her into the shopping mall.
Asia's aqua eyes darted everywhere, sparkling with curiosity. Faced with rows upon rows of colorful dresses, even she couldn't hide the faint excitement showing through her usual modesty.
"Are… are we really buying them?"
"Of course. I didn't bring you all the way here to window‑shop."
Smiling, Ryuichi gently took her hand and guided her into the women's section.
He scanned several racks of mature, elegant styles—clothes that would have looked great on someone like Rias or Akeno. He shook his head slightly. That type didn't suit Asia's soft, innocent aura at all.
No—what fit her best were cute, feminine styles. Pastels, ribbons, lace. Things that practically radiated warmth.
Asia clearly felt the same; she gravitated straight toward the "cute" racks and quickly picked out a few outfits she liked.
"Um… what do you think? Does this look good?" she asked, holding a blouse and skirt against herself.
"You can't tell like that. Try them on. I'll see how they fit."
Ryuichi chuckled and nudged her gently into the fitting room.
Inside, Asia carefully changed into one of the new outfits. When she finally stepped out, Ryuichi looked up—and nodded in approval.
She wore a pure white princess‑style dress. The gleaming fabric hugged her slender frame, fluttering softly around her knees. Against her golden hair and delicate features, she looked so radiant it was almost divine—like the image of sanctity itself walking in human form.
"So beautiful! Your girlfriend looks absolutely stunning in that dress!" gushed the sales assistant, her eyes practically sparkling.
And she wasn't exaggerating. Asia had that effortless charm that crossed all boundaries—boys, girls, anyone who saw her couldn't help but feel drawn in. At school, she'd already become the kind of person others adored from afar, hoping to be near her warmth.
Ryuichi briefly thought back: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia—they were all close to him. It wasn't surprising others viewed him with envy.
Yes, "beloved by all" suited Asia perfectly.
Blushing furiously, she stammered, "E‑eh?! I‑I'm not…"
"Ah, did I assume wrong?" the saleswoman asked, embarrassed.
"She's already agreed to marry me someday," Ryuichi replied smoothly. "So being just my girlfriend wouldn't quite cover it."
Asia froze as her entire face went bright pink. For a moment, her mind blanked out—then her eyes softened into a look of pure happiness.
"I see!" the saleswoman cried, instantly invested in their "couple reveal." "How wonderful! You're so lucky to have such an angel for a fiancée!"
Ryuichi smiled faintly at that. Angel, huh?
The word amused him.
The woman didn't realize how close she was to the truth. From her gentle heart to her radiant appearance, Asia did embody everything the word evoked.
Ironically, though, the "angel" standing before him was now a Devil.
He suppressed a small grin. Still, he mused, not all angels were angelic forever. Just look at the Fallen Angels—what they'd once been was anyone's guess.
After letting Asia try on several more outfits, Ryuichi finally settled the bill. By the time they stepped back outside, the sun was high overhead, spilling gold across the busy avenue.
Hand‑in‑hand, the two strolled down the street, chatting lightly, each carrying several bags.
It was an ordinary moment—until both suddenly felt it.
A shiver shot down Ryuichi's spine. The instinct of a Devil had been triggered.
He tensed, scanning their surroundings, and Asia mirrored his reaction. Their eyes met briefly before turning toward the source.
Two girls about Ryuichi's age stood at the edge of the block.
Despite the summer heat, both wore white cloaks that covered their entire bodies—odd enough to stand out, yet not a single passerby seemed to notice them. That alone made Ryuichi wary.
A magic effect? Common sense alteration, most likely.
The girl on the right carried a giant cross‑shaped weapon wrapped in white cloth, its size almost comically huge on her slender frame.
Their presence alone wasn't demonic—but the air around them felt charged, pure even, which ruled out Fallen Angels.
Then who…
At that moment, the blue‑haired girl with the cross weapon fixed a cold gaze on them.
"Didn't expect to run into Devils here," she said flatly.
Asia stiffened and instinctively hid behind Ryuichi.
He met the girls' eyes calmly. There was no killing intent—so he kept his tone casual. "Who are you two? You don't seem to be from around town."
The other girl grinned and laughed loudly. "Wahaha! How interesting! We just got here, and already we find Devils! Could this be divine providence? If I take you down right here, surely the Lord will bless our mission with glory!"
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "Did she just say 'the Lord'? ...and call herself an angel?"
His mind tightened in focus. This was new. He'd faced plenty—Fallen Angels, stray Devils—but never actual angels.
If that claim was true, this was his first encounter with Heaven's faction directly.
It made sense, though—he could feel something holy radiating faintly around them.
Then the blue‑haired one looked again, this time at Asia. Recognition flickered in her eyes.
"You're Asia Argento, aren't you?"
"Eh? Y‑yes? Wait… how do you—"
"I'm Xenovia," the girl said in her clipped tone. "You wouldn't know me."
The other girl tilted her head, her earlier amusement fading into something colder.
"So this is the exiled former Saint? What a pity. To think you've fallen so far… turned into a Devil."
Asia froze. The word 'Saint' rang painfully in her ears.
She bowed her head, trembling slightly, as if old guilt had been ripped open anew.
Ryuichi's eyes narrowed. The playful energy between him and Asia was gone; what replaced it was sharp and focused.
Whatever these so‑called angels wanted—it wouldn't be simple.
The air around them grew heavy, tension flickering like static between Heaven and Hell.
And just like that, the weekend turned dangerous.
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