One week before Haru's kidnapping…
"Well, I have to say, this was a surprise. You know, if it weren't for the fact that your father and I were such bleeding hearts, I'd ask you if you were serious about this."
Haru sighed. "Yeah, I know. And I'm really sorry for springing this up on you straight out of nowhere. It's just… I really want her to be happy, you know?"
"I see! Well, it's good to hear you've become such a kind young man. I wonder if this Yuuma-chan's doing?" Haru's cheeks tinged when his mother suddenly developed a teasing tone. "Speaking of, am I a grandmother yet?"
"Kaa-chan! I'm still in high school!"
"Oh, I'm just teasing. No need to get your pants in a twist. Just one more question, honey. Are you absolutely sure about this? I mean, you met this girl barely a month ago. That's hardly enough time to form a lasting relationship."
"I am serious, kaa-chan. Dead serious."
"Very well, then. We'll get to signing the documents. Still, I have to ask, doesn't this usually take weeks, if not months to do? How did you manage to get these papers in such a short amount of time? … Wait. Haru, you haven't been doing anything illegal, have you?!"
He didn't have the heart to tell her he made a deal with a devil. Or as close as one could get instead of the real thing. Azazel may not have been a Devil, but he sure as hell knew how to bargain. Tamamo was not happy about the terms of their bargain in the least, but she was willing to endure it, so long as she got some pampering in exchange.
"No, I haven't. Honest to god."
At least, he hoped striking deals with the leader of Fallen Angels isn't anything considered illegal.
He heard the doorbell ring. He glanced at the clock and smiled slightly. "Sorry, mom. Something just came up. I'll call you gain later. By the way, when are you and tou-san coming home?"
"Not quite sure yet. Did you want any souvenirs while we're here?"
"Nothing creepy, please."
"Can do, sweetie. Say hi to Yuuma-chan for me~!"
Haru ended the call and sighed, resting his head against the wall as he put the phone back on the tranceiver. "I hope she doesn't find out that the house got set on fire while she was gone." he muttered to himself. "Thank god for kaichou and Gremory-senpai for fixing this place up." He then made his way towards the front door, sucking in a breath. Today was the big day. Hopefully, Asia would enjoy this.
He opened the door. "Yo, senpai."
"Namikaze-kun." Rias smiled back at him. "I apologize for being late. Kiba and I went on some last-minute shopping."
"Last minute my foot..." Kiba groaned. Haru took some satisfaction in seeing his natural enemy suffer as he struggled to keep an assortment of items on his back and in his arms, lest they fall to the ground. That said, he did have to question how it was even remotely possible he could have balanced a bedrame with the mattress on top on a bugling backpack, much less how he planned to get it inside. "I mean no offense, buchou, but—"
"Hush, Yuuto." Rias grinned. "Just get everything inside."
"Um..." Asia, clueless about what was going on, stared at Rias in confusion. "Not that I'm complaining, but why did you buy so much? The last time I was here, Haru-san had plenty of beds and desks, even in the guest room he loaned me."
"Oh, you'll understand."
"Speaking of..." Haru raised a hand. "When in the heck did you build a second guest room? Wouldn't you need to tear down some of the house for renovations?"
"Under normal circumstances, you'd be correct. But there are perks to having magic to use, after all."
Haru stared at her flatly, then shrugged. "If you say so." Good god, when had he come to accept such a statement?
"Husband?" Tamamo called out as she peaked around the corner. "What's going on?"
"You know that thing we talked about?" Haru shouted back. "They're bringing the stuff in!"
"Ooh, good timing! I just started dinner!"
"Did you guys need some help?" another female voice called out. A familiar hair of brown hair with glasses peaked around the corner. "I can help coordinate!"
"Coordinate what?"
Haru gave Kiba a blank stare. "You clearly know nothing about a teenage woman's room, do you?" Kiba's confused look was all the confirmation he needed. "Whatever. Anyway, just bring the stuff inside. And so help me, you handsome bastard, if you break anything, I don't care if you are a Devil, I am kicking your ass! My house has already suffered enough abuse thanks to those shitty exorcists!"
"Do not worry. Well be careful." Rias told him as she and the others stepped through the doorframe. Once they were inside, Fou trotted around the corner into full view of the new arrivals.
"Fou?" It said with a head tilt.
It watched curiously as the Devils entered the household, Kiba and Aika going up to the second floor. Meanwhile, Asia was led into the living room by Haru and Rias while Tamamo went back into the kitchen. Fou grew more curious and quickly hurried after them. It leaped up, latching on to the couch before scurring to Haru's side and making itself at home on top of his head, much to his amusement.
"Ooh~!" Asia stared at Fou in wonder. "He looks adorable!"
"I know, right? His name's Fou! Just don't ask me what in the heck he is, because I have no idea. Tama-chan calls him Primate Murder for some reason, and I have no idea why."
"Fou!" the tiny creature yipped, waving a stubby paw at Asia. The girl gushed further, tempted to run her fingers through its silky smooth fur.
Rias shuddered, feeling greatly uncomfortable in the creature's presence. She envied Haru for his obliviousness and Asia for not recognizing the danger the creature posed. She cleared her throat and decided it would be best to get straight to business.
"I've followed through things on my end. Every item was bought and is accounted for. By the time Tamamo-sama has finished, Asia's room will be ready."
Haru smiled. "Thanks a lot, Gremory-senpai. And sorry for calling you out of the blue like that."
"Oh, it's no trouble. Just know that one of these days I will cash in on that favor."
Asia blinked. What had she just said. "Um, b-buchou, what did you just say?" she asked. "What about my room?"
Haru frowned. "You didn't tell her?"
"Did you tell her about what you asked Azazel to do?"
"No, but I was going to tell her during dinner."
The nun felt greatly confused. What were they talking about? Giggling at the adorable expression her Bishop was making, Rias explained. "I figured living in the dorms or the clubhouse would have been a bit lonely for you, so I talked it over with Namikaze-kun. As of today, you'll be living with him, Tamamo-san and...I'm sorry, but I don't think I caught your name."
Jeanne, who had been relatively silent throughout the conversation, smiled. "I'm Jeanne. A pleasure to meet you. I must say, you're not what I expected. All my life, I've been taught that devils were sin incarnate."
"Ah, another person from the church?"
"Formerly, but I am a believer of god. Still, I hope we get along, Miss Gremory."
Asia stared back and forth for a moment before she registered what Rias said. Her eyes widened and her face turned bright red. She was going to live with Haru? A teenage boy? A married teenage boy?! "W-wait, hold on! T-this is improper! I-I couldn't possibly impose!"
"I don't have a problem with it." Haru shrugged. "Actually, you wouldn't just be living here, Asia-chan. Um, you see... Whoo boy, how do I explain this?"
"Perhaps you should start with what you discussed with Azazel." Jeanne suggested.
"Right. That's a good start." He nodded. "Well, the old man and I came to an agreement. As a way for him to try and repay what Raynare and the others did." Asia looked at him in confusion. He then realized that she really had no idea what the discussion between him and the Governor was. "Well, Azazel said that, since I was their target and I got into trouble with them the most, I had the final say. To be honest, I was tempted on having their wings torn off, but I decided to let them off the hook, provided the old man did me a favor."
"A… favor?" Asia grew alarmed. "H-Haru-san, you didn't sell your soul, did you?"
"What? Of course not! That's Gremory-senpai and every other Devil's job."
Said another redhead grinned. "Guilty as charged~"
"And if she values her life, she'll steer clear of yours!" Tamamo called out from the kitchen, causing Rias to flinch.
Haru shook his head. "Anyway, the favor I asked was forging some papers."
"Papers?" she asked. "What kind of papers?"
The redhead sighed as he ran his hand through his hair, looking nervous. "I asked him to make… adoption papers." Asia tilted her head. Adoption papers? For what? Was his family taken an interest in someone? Perhaps an orphan? Oh, she hoped she could meet them soon. If they were under his care, then she knew they would be alright. But why did he look so fearful? "My parents literally just got them and decided to give the okay, but you get the final say in all this."
"Eh?"
"Asia." Rias looked at her. "What he's saying… is that he wants to have you in his family. As his sister."
"... Eh?"
Asia took a moment as the words processed in her head. Her mind turned blank. She ran the words over and over in her head before her brain rebooted. She stared at Haru, unable to find any words to say or what expression she could make except for surprise. One part of her body, however, had managed to express how she felt.
Immediately, nearly everyone present began to panic when they saw tears streaming down her face. "A-Asia?! W-what's wrong?!"
"E-Eh?" The nun hadn't realized she had been crying. Not until she felt something wet cascade down her cheeks. She touched the streams, realizing what was happening. Slowly, the damn of emotions began to break down as sobs escaped her. "I-I'm sorry. I don't know! I-I don't know why I'm...!"
Those weren't tears of sorrow running down her cheeks. For being able to have something that she was deprived of for years, they were only one thing:
Tears of joy.