Somewhere along the way, I decided it was better to just sling the heavy bag over my shoulder instead of dragging it on the ground. The tiny wheels became a massive pain in the ass each time they scraped against the tiniest of bumps on the uphill road. It was taking time away from my attempts at figuring out whether Alice was actually useless, or Asia had some kind of superpower that continued to elude my visual probing.
"You're a kind person, mister." The nun said awkwardly.
"I think anyone would do this much."
Still, it felt good to be appreciated for my help... unlike that demon bat next door who always made me mow her lawn and carry her groceries with a scowl on her wrinkled face, acting like she was doing ME a favour by letting me help.
She shook her little head. "Mm, the people in Church were only nice to me because everyone called me a Holy Maiden until... um, I'm sorry to bother you with this when you're going out of your way-"
See, I may not have been that much into High School DxD, but I was definitely someone who spent all my free time consuming unhealthy amounts of anime, manga and novels. As such, I instantly spotted the cliche even a mere beginner would be familiar with. The cues were definitely all there, down to her behaviour and the naive way she looked around, even talked.
This foreign Sister looking for an abandoned Church had definitely grown up sheltered and aloof, innocently wanting friends and connection all her life! Now, the only mystery left was the hellish trauma that made her truly awaken her power!
Hm, maybe I was smart, after all.
I wisely stroked my non-existent beard with my free hand, smirking proudly.
"Let me guess. You messed up somewhere, and they kicked you out."
Asia Argento froze in place at my words. Her green eyes widened, and her lip trembled.
"-How?"
I didn't look back at her, "Don't think about it too much. If one mistake is all it took, those people weren't worth being around anyway."
"No... no, I must have done something wrong." She clutched the brown satchel at her hip, "Maybe I didn't pray enough, or my belief in the Lord wasn't deep enough. Even that was a trial-"
I craned my neck, slowing my pace. "I don't think God's that shitty, Asia."
"Mm-mm!" Alice chose to perk up, bobbing her little up and down as she hopped on my shoulder, "This world's God loved humans deeply, very deeply! He even gave humanity a complete fighting chance against everything that endangers them!"
I glanced at the rabbit, then at Asia.
"See? I think those were just bad people."
"Then..." The Nun stared at me strangely, "Then do you think God will grant my wish one day?"
Now that, I didn't really have an answer for that one. I pursed my lips, closing my eyes in thought. Thankfully, Asia spoke out her wish herself, staring at me with sudden glassy eyes.
"Do you think I can have real friends one day? To talk to? And, eat with, and buy-"
What an innocent wish.
Somehow, it suited her completely.
"What? That's it?"
We'd only just met, but that wasn't really a tall ask. I knew how difficult life could be if there was no one to open up to, or just sit around knowing that they'd at least listen.
"Oooh! This is a special event." Alice leaned down and whispered in my ear in a not-so-quiet way. "You should definitely be her friend, master-sir, you really should."
I deadpanned.
"That was the plan anyway."
It wasn't really that big a deal.
I held out my open palm.
"I'm Julius, or Masao, like my dad wants."
Being nice to people wasn't really that bad a feeling, no matter how much the world tried to convince you otherwise. And, if a little bit of cringe was all it took to help someone out, I didn't really mind bearing through.
Plus, it definitely felt like I was going to get caught up in some trouble by getting involved with her.
Going by Alice's word, God here was the sort to actively interfere, and the Church had 'blessed' people with supernatural power.
An adventure like that... It sounded super fun.
"Wo-ah, your smile is super sleazy, master-sir!"
This time, I did not chide Asia when she slowly gripped my hand with her pale and dainty fingers. Her watery eyes trembled faintly. I turned my hand over, into a proper handshake, and moved hers up and down with me.
"There you go. We're friends, Asia."
Seriously, who even needed verbal conversation for this?
I considered everyone I vibed with who reciprocated that back, even slightly, my friend.
"A-Are you sure? I'm very clumsy."
"Yep, same."
When I began walking again, Asia quickly caught up. She remained apprehensive and strange for a long while. Then, when she became certain in her own strange way. A pure smile blossomed on her small lips.
It was so pure, in fact, that both I and Alice covered our eyes immediately, blinded.
She'd taken every single word I'd taken to be true.
Soon enough, the suburban homes began to disappear, and we entered a beaten path into the forest. Tall trees swayed to either side, and the forest was obscured by thick bushes growing all over.
"Asia, I think you should be more doubtful." I pointed out, "I could be trapping you."
"I don't think you're that kind of person, Masao."
I scrunched up my face. My attempts at changing names had been foiled once more... by none other than myself. Gah, why had I even thought she would go with Julius? I never should have told her the other name.
"You didn't look like you were lying." She smiled sweetly.
The happiness radiating off her was disgusting for someone who'd just shot himself in the foot. That someone was me, by the way.
I deadpanned, "Because you're definitely an amazing judge of people."
"Not that," She shook her head, "I don't think someone mean would have such a cute pet."
I glanced at Alice. The talking white rabbit became red. Smoke poured from her long ears. She brought her paws together like she was an Olympian bodybuilder flexing her biceps and calves.
"Excuse me, what a rude person you are! I am not a pet, no miss. I am master-sir's travel companion! You are just a new friend. You should know your place, you really really should! Hmph! Hmph! I will go everywhere, you will just go home, yes you will!"
Again, I failed to understand just how such a tiny creature was capable of throwing such massive tantrums.
Asia became troubled by her.
"I-I want to spend some more time with him too-"
See, those were the kind of words an otaku would definitely misunderstand.
"-But I don't want to be a burden!"
Oh, the old Church was coming into view.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON OUT THERE?! OH MY FUCKING GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! YOU BITCHES WON'T PUT OUT BUT YOU WON'T LET A MAN SLEEP EITHER! WHAT THE FUCK?!"
An insane screech broke through their 'fight'. All around us, sparrows and other birds of prey suddenly took to the blue skies, crying helplessly as they fled. With a massive thwack, one of the church's doors flung open. It slammed against the vine-covered stone, shaking off dust and bugs.
The one who'd kicked it stepped out a moment later.
It was a pale twink, some few inches shorter than me.
His neck-length white hair was frizzy and disheveled like he'd just come off a rollercoaster, and his black pants were only half-zipped up. His black shirt was something like a priest's vestments, but without the white collar, and a silver rosary, the same as Asia's, hung from his neck.
Still, what caught my eyes was the cool white long coat accented with gold. Damn, even the buttons were gold.
How had I never spotted him before?
He leaned over and spit out some strangely coloured saliva, then looked us all over without ever straightening himself. I didn't even pay attention to the cartoonishly massive pistol in his hand until he was scratching the side of his head with the barrel.
"Oh, aren't you that Sister that was supposed to join us today?" His red eyes passed over me, "And what's this? Oh, you genuine slut, already snared yourself a toy!? Kahahaha! I heard you were a Holy Maiden? What? Did ya actually give that devil-shit you healed a handy while you were at it too?! That's hot, but it also makes me want to rip your fucking intestines out."
I calmly looked him up and down.
"The fuck you looking at me like that for? What? Ya mad?"
"No."
"What's that on your shoulder?" His crimson eyes sharpened considerably, "One of those demon familiars?"
Alice tugged on my hair in a panic. "Master-sir, he's dangerous! I think we should leave, we should run."
"I'll fuck your ass with my gun! Nah, that sounds gay."
"You think?"
The strange priest nodded, smacking his pants in search for something. His face suddenly lit up as he reached into his pockets. Much to my excitement, he pulled out a strange bladeless hilt.
My eyes widened. "Is that a lightsaber?"
"Fuck yeah, you heretic shit!"
The hilt let out an awesome thrum, and slowly, a blade of pure light formed over it.
"He's going to hurt you, master-sir-" Alice tugged harder, "-W-W-We can come back after you grind, we should do that. Come on."
Asia, who had been silent in shock from the initial spiel of poison from his mouth, suddenly stepped between the both of us, hands held out.
"D-Don't hurt him, Father."
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, you whore? Look at the creepy fucking smile of his. I should kill him for that alone!"
Why did everyone keep calling my beautiful smile sleazy or creepy?
-
Hope u enjoyed.
Plz, comment.
Idk what they did in the anime honestly. Freed's design was pretty cool, even if he was a lot more rapey and horny in the LNs.