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Still inside the church.
Rias, Akeno Himejima, and Koneko Toujou gathered in a huddle, their expressions unusually solemn.
Rias spoke first.
"Right now, we still have one problem to solve, and that is Miss Asia's accommodation for tonight."
This was indeed a crucial issue.
Although the Fallen Angels and Lost Priest hiding in the church have now been dealt with, the Holy Light Barrier around the church has also been destroyed. Letting a defenseless healing nun stay here is unsafe, no matter how one looks at it.
Although a barrier is, in essence, something that can simply be set up again... it's uncomfortable to live in.
After all, the barrier's function is fundamentally to expel demons and ward off evil, protecting the people inside. It does not have the ability to transform into necessities like beds or bedding.
The reason why this church was previously occupied by the Fallen Angels led by Raynare and the Lost Priest is that, frankly, it had been an abandoned church for a long time. Only the Holy Light Barrier left by the Church was still operating. Essential supplies and furnishings had long since been removed or cleared out.
If Asia were forced to stay in a place like this, she would likely have to spend the night lying on the cold marble floor. That would be far too much.
"I think it's better to ask for her own opinion on this matter." The petite, white-haired girl said softly, her expression blank.
"Hmm, asking for her opinion, I suppose that makes sense..." Rias mused, pinching her chin. She then turned toward the blonde young lady not far away who was curiously tilting her head at their group. "Miss Asia, since you came to Japan from Northern Europe to be a nun, do you have any property here in Japan?"
"P-property, you ask... I don't have anything like that." Asia shook her head rapidly upon hearing the question.
She was, put simply, a poor Saintess. How could she afford things like a house? Although she had a high position in the Church, high status did not mean high income. You are allowed to bask in the Lord's Holy Light; what do you need money for? Did you join the Church for faith or for money? That was roughly the logic. Therefore, let alone a Saintess, even a combat knight would be relatively poor.
"Hmm~ If you don't have property, how about a rental?"
"I... I don't have that either."
"This is getting a bit tricky then."
Rias nodded slightly, just about to consider her next step, when Asia's voice cautiously rang out again from not far away.
"Actually, I don't mind. As long as I can be with Reiji-san, it doesn't matter where I live..."
"No!"
"That's the one thing you absolutely cannot do, Oho~"
Before she could even finish her sentence, Rias and Akeno Himejima spoke in unison, completely unprompted.
Koneko Toujou, on the side, seemed about to say something, but was preempted right as she opened her mouth. She could only silently close it again. After all, someone had already said what she wanted to say for her.
"Ugh..." The sudden outburst made the nun shrink back slightly. Her emerald green eyes fluttered, filled with deep confusion. She just wanted to live with Reiji-san; why did everyone else react so strongly?
While the nun was still completely bewildered, the two girls who realized someone else harbored the same idea as them exchanged a silent look. Rias narrowed her eyes at her closest friend, while Akeno Himejima responded with a hand-over-mouth chuckle. An arc of electric energy seemed to flash across the air.
Seeing the discussion about to stall, Hanakain Reiji, who was standing next to Asia, thought for a moment and said, "It's not entirely out of the question, actually. My house is quite large, and there's an empty room..."
"No." This time, it was Koneko Toujou's turn to speak. She walked up beside the young man and gave his shin a gentle, light kick, like a warning.
Hanakain Reiji spread his hands innocently: "I said there's an empty room, not that she'd be staying in the same bedroom."
"Still no."
Thwack. Another kick.
"...Why?"
This time, Hanakain Reiji was genuinely confused. It's only staying at his place for two days, after all. Kuroka... Hmm... while she would definitely object, as long as they stayed in separate rooms and he satisfied her every night, there wouldn't be a huge problem. Renting a place in Japan wasn't particularly difficult. Since Asia had virtually no luggage, once a place was rented, moving in would be instant. It was so convenient. If it was this convenient, why was it a problem? Rias and Akeno Himejima also stopped their "eye battle" and looked toward the petite, white-haired girl. Koneko Toujou's gaze drifted slightly, paused briefly, and then she gave a reason no one could refute.
"Because President Rias and Senpai Akeno would be unhappy."
"Ah, now I get it." The two girls simultaneously retracted their gazes.
"However, speaking of which, I have a good idea." As if inspired, Rias turned to the nun not far away and smiled slightly.
"Miss Asia, you just said you don't mind anything as long as you can be with Reiji-kun, right?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Well, in that case, I have a proposal that would allow you not only to find suitable accommodation for free but also to see Reiji every day. Would you be willing?"
"R-really? That would be the very best, of course!"
The nun accepted without hesitation. Akeno Himejima, on the side, already understood her President's plan.
"Rias, don't tell me you want to..."
"Well, in short, that's exactly what I have in mind."
Rias blinked, gesturing. "Reiji is a member of our Kuoh Academy Occult Research Club. If Miss Asia enrolls and joins our club, not only will she find free accommodation, but she'll immediately have a place to stay. After all, our club is located in the school's old school building, and there are plenty of empty rooms upstairs."
"Mhm! Mhm!" The nun's eyes were already sparkling. For her, nothing else mattered; being able to see Hanakain Reiji every day was enough.
Having received a positive reply, the red-haired girl clapped her hands with satisfaction.
"Excellent, it's decided then! Time to wrap up and go home!"
"Mhm!"
The scene switched to outside the church. Before parting at the intersection, Asia reluctantly waved to the young man.
"Reiji-san, see you tomorrow~"
"Mhm, see you tomorrow."
Hanakain Reiji nodded slightly. Simultaneously, the traffic light above the intersection turned from red to green. Watching the girls' figures slowly receding toward the school, Hanakain Reiji pondered for a moment before pulling out his phone to check his messages.
—Message from Kuroka (35 unread). Emmm, he was only half an hour late getting back, wasn't he? She seriously sent one message per minute, Agh... Forget it, I should just hurry back. Thinking this, the young man put away his phone, took a single step, and his figure vanished from the intersection.
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