"When you say 'private business,' do you mean flirting with a beautiful nun?"
Xi Ye's mouth twitched at the familiar voice.
Turning around, he saw exactly what he expected: Koneko's expressionless face.
He realized too late that he'd been so focused on Asia, he hadn't noticed Koneko tailing him. That was a mistake.
"Uh, that…"
At that moment, Asia stepped forward, looking up at him with concern and uncertainty.
"Did I cause trouble for you? If so, I can find my way from here. No need to bother you, Mr. Xi Ye."
Xi Ye stared at her sincere expression, momentarily speechless. There wasn't even a trace of pretension on her face.
"Koneko-chan, why don't you join us too?" he said at last, sidestepping an explanation since Koneko had heard everything anyway.
Also, did she always stalk people?
Inside a small ramen shop, the three of them sat at a corner table.
"I heard you're heading to the church," Koneko said, watching the blonde nun with wide, cautious eyes.
Hadn't Akeno said the church was abandoned and now occupied by fallen angels?
Could this nun be one of them?
Koneko's golden eyes flashed briefly with crimson—a hint of rising magical power. But upon closer inspection, she realized Asia wasn't a fallen angel.
She was a Sacred Gear user.
Her eyes flicked toward Xi Ye.
Did this nun have some kind of charm ability?
Or… did Xi Ye just have odd tastes?
"I'm a holy maiden from the Church of Gardland," Asia explained gently. "I was expelled for certain reasons, so I came here. There's also a missionary with me, his name is Freed."
She kept some details to herself, like being labeled a witch for using her powers to save a devil.
Xi Ye noticed the flicker of emotion in Koneko's eyes. Shock, then something softer, sympathy? Perhaps it had to do with her past.
Still, a holy maiden arriving in Kuoh Town, especially one with a powerful Sacred Gear, was no small matter.
And that missionary… Xi Ye knew what Koneko was thinking.
Missionaries weren't just preachers. They were exorcists. Devil-hunters.
"What are you going to do at the church?" Koneko asked cautiously, though she knew it was a fallen angel base.
"Well…" Asia hesitated, debating whether to speak.
But Koneko's innocent appearance seemed to reassure her, and she eventually answered honestly.
"The missionary said he'd take me to a place where I could help more people, that is, Kuoh Town."
Koneko sighed inwardly. A trap. That priest, Freed, definitely had something sinister in mind.
But how could she stop Asia from going?
Even though the fallen angels had been wiped out, Freed remained and was more dangerous than he looked.
Koneko gently nudged Xi Ye's arm.
"Mr. Xi Ye, can you tell Asia not to go to the church? I have a bad feeling about that priest."
This was the best she could come up with: stall Asia by keeping her with Xi Ye while she reported back to Rias.
Hopefully, Akeno would investigate from there.
"Alright," Xi Ye said. "If you don't mind, Asia can stay at my place for the night. Tomorrow, we'll check out the church together."
He added, half-joking, "But staying over isn't free. You'll be in charge of breakfast and dinner, room and board included."
It wasn't just to avoid making Asia feel like a charity case. She didn't seem well-off, and this arrangement made things sound like a fair deal.
Koneko blinked, caught off guard by his offer.
Asia, on the other hand, looked deeply moved, tears threatening to form.
Koneko, watching silently, felt a mental black line crawl across her mind: Am I... pushing Xi Ye into someone else's arms?
"But…" Asia hesitated. "We've just met. I really can't impose like that. Besides… I'm not a great cook…"
"Miss Asia, please accept it," Koneko said gently, her tone softening.
Asia looked between them, then quietly clasped her hands in prayer.
Could it be... that after being cast out, the Lord is finally acknowledging my devotion by sending me redemption?
With renewed peace, she stood up and bowed deeply to Xi Ye.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Please take care of me."
Her words were humble, but somehow felt like something from an entirely different context, leaving Xi Ye momentarily puzzled.
"In that case, I'll head back first," Koneko said, standing.
She had a job to do—report this to Rias and sort out Asia's situation quickly.
If she didn't... she had a strange, sinking feeling she might get replaced.