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Chapter 19 - Nineteen

The sound of voices and the aroma of coffee filled the air.

Without meaning to, Daniel had started talking more than usual. Maybe, deep down, it was what he needed—to let out everything he'd been keeping inside. He spoke about his accident—where, to avoid mentioning the system or his reincarnation, he simply said he had nearly died—and what it had left him with: nightmares, fear of cars, fear of closed spaces, and more.

Since he was being honest as a devil, he didn't hide his near-death experiences fighting against stray devils and fallen angels either.

The words poured out nonstop, as if he were vomiting everything he had repressed until then. Daniel had always thought exposing himself that way was foolish, but perhaps it depended on the person listening.

Asia was too kind, too pure. Or maybe, wanting to be on equal footing—and because she too had much to unburden—she began to share her life: her excommunication and how the church she had trusted so deeply had abandoned her.

Neither knew exactly when the atmosphere shifted; they simply let their sorrows, fears, and grief flow, each seeking comfort in the other.

Daniel was surprised when she mentioned the fallen angels, and she, in turn, was surprised to hear that they had attacked him.

Asia tried to apologize on their behalf. Though she had only just arrived and had nothing to do with it, she felt she ought to do something to prevent further conflict between her new friend and those who had taken her in after she left the church.

Daniel didn't reply. He didn't believe it was her fault, nor did he intend to see her as an enemy just because she belonged to that faction.

The ones he wouldn't forgive were those crows. After venting and drinking enough coffee to stay awake for two days straight, Daniel decided to continue his search, though somewhat discouraged. Bringing that sweet girl to those chicken-bastards was hard and unpleasant.

He still wanted to recruit her, but first he'd have to talk it over with his boss, Rias. He couldn't go around promising health insurance and other benefits without consulting the CEO of Gremory Inc.

---

Thanks to the catharsis and closeness they had gained by sharing so much, their walk became more pleasant. Daniel didn't hesitate to buy Asia anything she liked, whether a trinket or a small souvenir. Though she resisted at first, she eventually accepted, since nothing was expensive.

They passed through an arcade and had fun with the claw machines. Of course, they now avoided busy streets. Daniel was more motivated to face his fears, but he knew diving headfirst into panic wasn't smart.

By late afternoon, as the sun began painting the streets a deep orange, they decided—tired—that it was time to head to their original destination: the church. With the newly bought phone and GPS activated, finding it wasn't a problem. Ironically, the church turned out to be only minutes away from the park where Daniel had first met Asia.

After a short walk, they came upon an old church on a hill. Daniel tensed; from Asia, he knew it was fallen angel territory. He prepared to activate his duel disk and spread his wings. He had already swapped his deck for Ancient Gears, the one he used most often and knew best.

With every step, his nerves grew. Asia, beside him, didn't look thrilled either. Without realizing, they both began to slow down.

"Are you nervous?" Daniel asked, stopping. "If you're not sure about going to them… you could come with us. Even though I'm new to being a devil, Gremory Inc. seems like a pretty reliable company."

Asia laughed at the joke. Comparing the factions to companies struck her as clever.

Though she hesitated a few seconds, she shook her head.

"That won't be necessary. Even if I don't know them well, they were the first—and the only ones—to accept me after I left the church. Leaving them just like that…"

Daniel nodded. He wasn't going to pressure her, and he couldn't force her anyway.

"I think it's better we part here," she said, looking at the church. "You're in conflict with them. I don't want you getting hurt by coming any further with me."

Daniel hesitated, but eventually agreed.

"Then… I'll see you if there's another chance." He handed her a small slip of paper. "It's the number of the phone we bought. Call me if you need anything."

Asia nodded and held the paper against her chest.

"Take care, goodbye," she said with a smile, as she took the bag from Daniel's hands and turned toward the hill.

Daniel watched her until she disappeared inside the church.

Still cautious, he carefully scanned the surroundings. Sensing no presence, he turned back toward the school, ready for any surprise attack.

Unexpectedly, there was no trouble, and he arrived safely at the old school building.

"Now, what do I even say to Koneko?" With a weary sigh, he scratched his head, imagining the small girl fuming.

---

Entering the clubroom, Daniel was surprised not to find Koneko. Instead, unexpectedly, someone else was there to scold him: his boss, Rias Gremory.

"Daniel, skipping class isn't good," she said with a smile that soon turned serious. "And you shouldn't be going near the church—it's enemy territory. I don't want you ending up skewered by a spear of light…"

Seeing the ironic look on Daniel's face, her voice softened little by little. Rias realized it wasn't the best warning for someone who had already been stabbed twice… on two consecutive days, and not even for going near a church.

She sighed. Her anger toward the fallen angels was growing. Would Daniel start to think that being a devil simply meant getting stabbed constantly? She was beginning to believe the boy in front of her was just horribly unlucky. She recalled that when she reincarnated Kiba, Akeno, or Koneko, no such things had happened.

"Just avoid putting yourself in danger. I know you're capable of fighting, and for one of the youngest in my household, you're quite mature." She fixed her eyes on his. "But be careful with the people you associate with. Exorcists are dangerous."

Daniel listened in silence. He understood exactly what Rias meant, but he felt Asia could be trusted.

"I understand… but I think Asia is trustworthy. I was even thinking of recommending her to join us."

Rias listened, pensive, weighing whether that was truly a good idea.

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