"Ahem... So you decided to step in. Are you going to become a Devil then?" Kisuke ignored what just happened as he already what her decision would be. Well, he didn't know that her hesitation would disappear because of her inner-old man.
"... I don't want to become a Devil." Aika replied after being silent for a moment.
"You just intend to awaken your Sacred Gear without looking for protection?" Sona furrowed her brows at Aika's answer.
"No..." Aika then looked towards Kisuke and said, "Please take me in."
Kisuke then changes into his serious expression, "Tell me how you arrived at that decision."
"As you said, I'm just a normal Human if not for this aforementioned Sacred Gear inside me, and you gave me an option of whether I awaken it or not. I would be able to continue my normal life if I refuse and forget all of this, but you also mentioned that I can awaken it on my own, wouldn't I just land in the same situation I am now? Or maybe even worse as I don't know anything about it." Aika answered.
"But I think that the chances of awakening it on your own are pretty slim that you don't have to worried about it. Aren't you scared that everything around you may change if you continue?" Kisuke showed a mocking smile. He's making her understand that she could keep her normal life without much worry, that she's just overthinking it.
"That's exactly the point, I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll be in danger, but if I back down now, I might... No, I'm certain that I'll be in more danger later if I don't take this chance now." Aika clenched her teeth.
"Hoo... Overcoming the fear of change this decision will bring. How admirable." Yoruichi commented from the side. She has been listening to their conversation all this time.
"If that's the case, don't you think that becoming a Devil under Kaichou is a good choice? Why chose me?" Kisuke rubbed his chin waiting for her answer.
"It's really a good choice, however, I still don't want to leave my humanity behind. And no offense, I still can't trust Shitori-Kaichou even if you tell me to." Aika looked at Sona and bowed down a bit to apologize.
"Oh? You're giving me your trust, then?" Kisuke raised his brows and look at Aika with surprise.
"Yes." A simple answer came from her, but it told a large amount of conviction.
Kisuke stared at her eyes for a bit. He saw various emotions flashing through, but he knew she already finalized her decision.
"And you want me to take you in?"
"Yes."
"That's indeed another choice..." Kisuke stopped for a moment and stared at her more seriously, "But what makes you think that I'll agree to that?"
"Ugh..." Of course, Aika didn't forget that Kisuke is this type of person. Even though he helps his friends, his efforts must be worth it. That just how he is, a kind yet a selfish person. She already thought of some things to convince this guy, but she didn't know if she's going to be successful. If she can't convince him, then she'll ask Sona to reincarnate her into a Devil, but, of course, after apologizing to her.
Aika took a deep breath and said, "I can help you with whatever odd jobs you have."
"I can find someone else better." Kisuke denied.
"You can hire me for your shop for free," Aika mention another reason.
"We are not hiring, I hate free labor, and that's just the same as the first one." Kisuke still denied her.
"Kuh..." Aika already expected that she would be denied, but Kisuke didn't even hesitate to refuse her.
"Why don't you offer your body? A pervert like him will instantly agree." Sona intervene and suggested to Aika.
"That won't work Kaichou. You don't know him, but I can tell you that he'll refuse me outright and will be reprimanded about selling my body... Even though he's just a pervert. And I still want to keep my body for myself." Aika answered her.
"I'm sorry for what I just said, and what a conceited pervert."
"I agree."
"I can hear both of you, you know. I may be a pervert, but I'm a gentleman."
"Enough with that bullsh*t, pervert, let this girl continue what she has to say." Yoruichi stopped them from going off course.
"Oi... did you just say me being a gentleman is bullsh*t?" Kisuke retorted.
"Stop going off-topic, Bullsh*t-senpai." Koneko also joined in dissing Kisuke.
"..." Kisuke stopped speaking, opting for Aika to continue.
'This guy's place in their hierarchy is lower than I thought.' Both Sona and Aika arrive in the same conclusion.
Aika then resumed thinking of ways to persuade Kisuke, 'What else can I do? ... So I'm down with the last one. If I still can't get accepted then I'll just have to accept Kaichou's offer.'
"I'll let you study my Sacred Gear."
"... Go on."
Aika did a gut pose inside her mind when she heard this.
"I know your innate curiosity about the things that interest you. You said Ophis-chan is a very strong being and she got interested in my Sacred Gear, wouldn't you be the same?"
Indeed. Aika is correct to say that Kisuke is interested in her Sacred Gear. All this while, Kisuke hasn't stopped inspecting Ophis, especially her soul, and Ophis didn't do any attempt to hide it.
As he examines it more, Kisuke was shocked to see some resemblance to one of the souls sealed inside Aika's Sacred Gear with Ophis' own soul.
With this, Kisuke became interested in their connection, and it is also probably the reason she took notice of Aika. He also wanted to know the identity of the other soul existing alongside the soul that resembles Ophis'.
"Correct, I'm indeed interested in your Sacred Gear, but are you sure that you want me to study it?" Kisuke gave out a smile which is tinged with cruelty, "I can guarantee your life, but I can't guarantee anything else."
Aika shuddered as this is the first time she saw Kisuke have that expression, 'If someone would ask me to guess who is the Devil between Kaichou and Kisuke, ten out ten I will point him out.'
"So, what is it? I can take you in and even train you to use your Sacred Gear if you're going to let me study it freely."
"Can I add one more condition?" Aika hesitantly asks.
"You can, but whether I'll accept it or not is a different story."
"It's not that much. I want the safety of my parents."
Kisuke stopped and thought for a while, 'I can do that easily if Aika doesn't accidentally oppose someone strong. But just to be sure, I'll hide Aika's abilities from others. I need to have another bet with Kaichou later.'
"I guess that's fine."
Aika sighed in relief after hearing this. It's one of she was most worried about.