"I'm so sorry!" Raynare bowed deeply to me.
According to her, she was searching for Asia, who'd gotten lost, and found me here. It's been ten minutes since our reunion, and she's still apologizing.
Miu, knowing Raynare tried to kill me as a fallen angel, initially glared at her. But learning Raynare was forced by her superior, Donasik, and seeing her earnest apologies, Miu softened.
"Raynare-san, please lift your head," Miu said.
But Raynare kept bowing. "What I did to your brother is unforgivable. I deserve your hatred, even death."
This is awkward. Her apologies make me feel guilty. I knew she didn't act out of malice. Plus, this scene looks like I'm bullying her, which feels wrong.
"You don't need to apologize so much," I said. "I'm over it. I'm alive, see? So please, lift your head."
"But…" she hesitated.
"Really, it's fine."
Finally, she looked up, her face tear-streaked, still crying. I wiped her tears with my handkerchief.
"Don't ruin that pretty face," I said with a smile.
Her expression softened slightly. After she calmed, I asked, "I've been calling you Raynare—your real name. Is that okay?"
"Huh?" she blinked.
"You went by Yuma when we met. Just checking."
"It's fine," she said. "Yuma was a one-time alias. If it's okay… could you call me Rayna? That's what close friends call me."
"Rayna? Sure, I'll go with that."
She brightened, a small smile forming.
"Here, Asia-san, Rayna-san. Tea okay?" Miu handed them bottled drinks.
"Thanks, Miu-san," Asia said.
"Thank you," Rayna added.
They sipped and sat on the bench. "So, why are you two here?" I asked. "Rayna, you were looking for Asia, but…"
Rayna's earlier panic seemed more than just worry over a lost friend. There was a desperate edge, like she was fleeing something.
Asia looked down. Rayna met my eyes, serious. "We escaped from Donasik."
"Escaped? What happened?" I asked.
"Donasik plans to steal Asia's Sacred Gear," Rayna said.
"Steal her Sacred Gear?"
"Yes. And those who lose their Sacred Gear… die."
Miu and I froze, shocked.
"That means Asia-san…" Miu gasped.
"That's why I took Asia to flee to the Underworld, to Governor Azazel," Rayna explained.
I'd heard of Azazel, the fallen angels' leader. A question hit me. "Rayna, is this Donasik's solo act?"
"I don't know the full plan," she admitted. "I'm just a grunt. But Governor Azazel and Vice-Governor Shemhazai wouldn't kill Asia. They value Sacred Gear users."
That made sense. If the entire fallen angel faction was involved, they'd have taken Asia to their territory openly. Doing it covertly meant Donasik was acting rogue.
"But Asia insisted on seeing you first," Rayna said.
"Me?" I asked.
Asia nodded. "I wanted to thank you, Issei-san. You were kind to me, saved me twice. After being expelled from the church, no one showed me kindness… I was so happy."
"Expelled from the church?" I repeated, stunned.
She nodded sadly. "Yes."
"Rayna, what—" I started.
"It's okay," Asia interrupted. "Issei-san, will you hear my story?"
"Of course," I said.
Asia shared her past a tragic tale of a girl revered as a saint, only to face a cruel fate.
Fifteen years ago, a baby girl was abandoned at a church that doubled as an orphanage. Raised with faith and kindness, she discovered her power at eight, healing an injured puppy with a miraculous touch. A Catholic official witnessed it.
Her life changed. Taken to the Catholic headquarters, she was hailed as a "saint," healing the faithful's ailments. Her fame grew, but her will was ignored. She didn't mind healing—it brought joy, and she thanked God for her gift. But she was lonely, friendless.
Then, a turning point. A wounded demon appeared before her. Though demons were shunned, she couldn't abandon the injured. She healed him.
The church learned of it. Shocked that a "saint" healed a demon, they branded her a "witch" with heretical powers and exiled her. Wandering, she was picked up by the stray exorcist group, gaining fallen angel protection. Yet, she never stopped praying or thanking God.
Her story was beyond anything I'd imagined. Exiled for healing a demon? And now a fallen angel wanted her Sacred Gear, knowing it would kill her?
Selfish bastards.
"That's awful…" Miu said, voice trembling.
"It's a trial," Asia said. "God's test. My faith must be lacking…"
"No, Asia," I cut in. "You did nothing wrong. If this is a trial, you've endured enough."
"But…"
"If God says it's not enough, I'll tell Him off myself: 'Stop making my friend suffer!'"
Asia blinked, surprised. "Friend?"
"We just met, sure, and I haven't done much. But we're sharing our feelings, right? That makes us friends, doesn't it?"
"Exactly, Asia-san," Miu added. "We're already friends."
Tears welled in Asia's eyes. "I'm sorry… I'm just so happy…" She wiped them, smiling.
That's it. Asia's meant to smile. Rayna, fidgeting, spoke up. "Um… can I be friends too? Even as a fallen angel?"
"Of course!" Asia beamed. "Rayna-san, let's be friends!"
Relieved, Rayna glanced at Miu and me, her hope clear.
"Obviously, we're friends too, Rayna," I said.
"Yeah," Miu agreed. "I was mad at first, knowing you tried to hurt big brother, but you're really kind. I want to be friends."
"Thanks," Rayna said, blushing but smiling warmly.
As the four of us bonded as friends, a voice cut through.
"Hmph. Pathetic. A fallen angel playing friends with demons, Raynare?"
The voice came from the park's fountain. Turning, I saw Donasik, Rayna's superior and the mastermind behind this.
"Donasik!" Rayna gasped.
"Calling me by name? Getting bold, Raynare," he sneered, then turned to me. "The Sacred Gear human from before now a demon. No matter. Hand over Asia Argento."
"You think I'll just comply?" I shot back.
"Then—" he started.
"Force, huh? Think you can beat me, old man? Or are you counting on your buddies hiding behind us?"
He flinched. "You noticed? Not bad. But don't underestimate fallen angels, demon."
"Leave quietly, and you'll avoid pain. Your choice."
"Fighting you here would cost us too much. We'll withdraw with them."
Light enveloped Asia and Rayna, intensifying, then bursting. They reappeared beside Donasik.
"Forced teleportation!?" I shouted.
Donasik smirked. "A precaution. Marked Asia, and Raynare too, just in case."
I messed up. Of course they'd mark Asia, their plan's key. I should've seen it coming.
"We're off. The plan's nearing its climax," Donasik said.
"Wait!" I fired a ki blast, but his teleportation was faster, missing him. The presences behind us vanished too.
Only Miu and I remained in the park. I stared at where Donasik stood, exhaling. Peaceful days with Miu had dulled my edge.
Their kidnapping was my fault, but no time for self-blame. I had to act.
"Miu, I'm going after Donasik. Go home—"
"No way. I'm coming," she said firmly.
"Miu…"
"Asia-san and Rayna-san are my friends too. I'm going. And I won't hold you back."
Stubborn as ever. Once she's set, she won't budge. I didn't want her in danger, but…
"Fine. Be careful."
If she got hurt, I'd hate myself and our parents would kill me.
"Thanks, big brother," she said.
"Let's go save them."
We headed to the church. Now, how to explain this to the President…
[Rias Side]
I teleported to the park. "Issei's already gone…"
Akeno's investigation revealed the fallen angels in Kuoh were acting independently. I came to fetch Issei for their takedown, but he was gone.
Akeno appeared behind me. "Ara, we're a step late."
"Don't act so carefree," I sighed.
"Ufufu. What now, Rias?"
"Issei's likely at the church. Have Yuuto and Koneko head there."
"I'll contact them," Akeno said.
"Please do."
After Akeno reached out to them, we headed to confront the fallen angels.
[Rias Side Out]