When I entered the classroom, Rias was surrounded by girls. I could hear things like "Why with someone like that!?" and "You should reconsider!" Those girls must have seen the earlier commotion from the window.
"Good morning, Kanzaki-kun."
"Good morning. Quite a commotion this morning."
When I greeted Rias, who had been freed from the girls, she showed a tired wry smile.
"Everyone's worrying too much. I just walked to school normally with my underclassman."
Hey, you should think a bit more about your influence. Is Issei going to be okay? Won't he get ambushed someday...
"What about you? Did you perhaps get jealous?"
"Not really."
When she herself says it's normal, what part of that story would make me jealous? When I said that, Rias puffed her cheeks slightly in dissatisfaction.
"...You don't have to answer so fast."
What's with that cute reaction... I was a bit charmed by the childlike expression shown by her, who usually appears graceful and mature.
"No, sorry. You're right... I'm a little envious of Issei right now."
"Eh? Ah, I-I see..."
This time she blushed. Combined with her earlier expression, showing age-appropriate reactions like this occasionally might be one of her charms. Anyway, I deeply regret not having a camera here right now.
"I-it's almost time for homeroom! Kanzaki-kun, shouldn't you take your seat too?"
"You're right."
Akeno was watching Rias hurry to her seat with eyes like she was looking at something endearing. But I won't be fooled. Those are eyes that say "I found something interesting." Good luck, Rias.
After that, nothing particularly happened besides the morning school arrival commotion, and it was afternoon before I knew it. I was about to head to the library as usual, but on the way I met two boys.
"Ah, Kanzaki-senpai."
One was Issei. And the other was...
"Hello, senpai."
...Who is this handsome guy!? Well, it's Kiba though.
He's Kiba Yuuto, a second-year like Issei. A boy famous in a different way from Issei. There's no need to explain why he's famous. You can understand everything just by looking at his face. Even now while we're greeting each other, cheers from girls are rising from various parts of the classrooms and hallways.
"Look! A two-shot of Onii-sama and Kiba-kun!"
"Doesn't anyone have a camera!?"
"Hey! I'm here too!"
"Shut up, Hyoudou!"
"Move! You'll be in the picture too!"
"Damn it! That's why I didn't want to go together!"
Issei is genuinely crying... Yeah, let's leave him alone. When I asked Kiba about it, he said he was taking Issei to meet a certain person. That certain person is Rias, and they were on their way to guide him to the Occult Research Club room where she is.
"I see. Sorry, it seems I interrupted."
"No, please don't worry about it. It's an honor to speak with senpai like this."
Oh, what a handsome line. Is he planning to make even men fall for him? With that already cool voice saying such lines, there probably aren't any girls who wouldn't fall for him.
Speaking of cool voices, in my previous life an otaku friend once said "Your face is unfortunate, but your voice is pretty good. It kind of resembles a certain voice actor"... Sorry for being unfortunate.
"Well then, senpai, we'll be going. ...Come on, Hyoudou-kun, I don't know why you're crying, but could you stop soon?"
"You're the one saying that!? Ah yes yes! I understand! Take me anywhere you want!"
Issei started walking, leaving Kiba behind. What's the point of going ahead when you're asking to be taken somewhere? ...Well, whatever. I should head to my destination too.
The next day, I encountered a scene where Issei was shouting "I'll become the Harem King!" I became worried about what happened yesterday, but for now I just muttered "good luck" in my heart.
And then several more days passed. Since I wasn't in the mood, I decided not to go to the library and head home right after school... when an angel appeared before me.
You might think "what are you suddenly saying?" but I can only express it that way - the girl before me... Asia Argento was so lovely and had such a wonderful heart.
Our meeting was a few minutes ago when a veil came flying toward me as I was walking. Right after I picked it up, a girl came running over. She looked at the veil I was holding. Realizing it was hers, I offered the veil to her.
"Is this yours?"
"Ah... um..."
Seeing the girl hesitate for some reason, I formed a hypothesis. With golden hair and emerald eyes, she was clearly not Japanese - perhaps she couldn't speak Japanese.
This was troublesome. If we couldn't communicate, there was nothing I could do. Mom's voice echoed in my troubled head.
[You seem to be in trouble.]
Really, why does this goddess always appear at such perfect timing every single time?
[Because I'm a goddess.]
Thank you for that simple yet perfect answer. So I had mom use her power to let me converse in different languages.
"...Can you understand my words?"
"! Y-yes!"
Now that we could understand each other's words, I offered the veil to the girl again. Receiving it, she thanked me with a truly sun-like smile.
"Thank you so much! You really saved me!"
What brilliance! Ah... I can feel the dirty parts of my heart being purified...
"I'm Asia Argento. I'm a sister who was recently assigned to the church in this town."
"Thank you for being so polite. I'm Kanzaki Ryouma. I'm a third-year at Kuoh Academy in this town. Nice to meet you."
"Yes, likewise. ...Sigh, I've caused trouble for another passerby. Just the other day I bumped into Issei-san too..."
I was surprised that a familiar nickname came from Asia's mouth. Apparently, on the day she came to this town, she bumped into Issei, and when she didn't know where the church was, he guided her there without showing any displeasure. Oh, way to go, Issei. My evaluation of him went up.
"However, um, the way he looked at me was a bit intense and scary. It's wrong of me to think someone who was kind to me was scary, isn't it?"
Right after that, my evaluation dropped again with Asia's continued words... Issei, seriously exercise some self-restraint.
Still, for such a young girl to come to a place like this alone, I wonder if there are some circumstances? When I casually brought up the topic, Asia quickly darkened her previously bright expression and began crying on the spot. Wait!? Staff! What's going on here!? Did I step on such a serious landmine!?
"I-I'm sorry... for suddenly... crying like this..."
"N-no, I'm the one who should apologize. It seems I asked about something unpleasant."
"Please don't worry about it. ...Will you listen, Ryouma-san?"
"If I'm good enough."
And she told me about her life.
Being abandoned by her parents right after birth and raised in an orphanage...
Gaining miraculous power thanks to being devout from childhood...
Being worshipped as a saint because of that power...
Behind the scenes, people around her looking at her as if she were a different species from humans...
Once, accidentally helping a devil who appeared near her...
Being branded a witch and expelled from the church because of that...
At that time, no one stood up for her...
A certain organization picking her up when she had nowhere to go...
Devils... that must be referring to those red-haired handsome guys and magical girl-like people, right? Wait, devils exist in this world too?
I was initially surprised by the unexpectedly harsh content, but as I listened, a certain emotion began bubbling up. It was... anger toward all the beings who had hurt such a gentle girl.
Stupid parents! Idiotic church! Ah, if I could, I'd go to all those people who cornered this girl and beat them to a pulp.
"I'm sure my prayers weren't enough. That's why the Lord gave me this trial. I believe that if I work hard now, someday I'll surely be rewarded. Then I'll surely have friends too..."
"Then... let's be friends."
"Eh...?"
When I said that to Asia, who was about to cry again, she made a confused sound instead of tears.
"You followed your heart and helped that devil. What's wrong with that? That kindness is the purest and most precious thing as a human being. What part of you is a witch? You're undoubtedly still a saint now. I truly want to be friends with someone like you from the bottom of my heart."
Smooth lines came flowing from my mouth through the Al-Van-sensei filter. But I don't feel embarrassed. It seems to have much more feeling than my own clumsy words.
"Why... would you say such words to someone like me?"
"There's no reason. I just want to be friends with you."
At my words, Asia chuckled softly. Yes, she smiled.
"...Yes, if someone like me is acceptable, please be my friend."
I grasped the offered hand. It was small and warm.
"If you have any troubles or need help, call me. I'll come running anytime, anywhere."
For Asia's sake, I wouldn't hesitate to use Orgone Cloud!
"Hehe, yes. Please take care of me when that time comes."
After that, I immediately invited her to go somewhere to play, but Asia, who actually had business to attend to, apologetically declined. So we promised that next time I would visit the church where Asia was, and we parted that day.