After those consecutive and heavy questions, Irina fell into a well of self-doubt, 'Can I really keep things from my Lord? Can I take the risk of everyone hating me and losing my current position for Kisuke?'
Seeing her reaction, Akeno took a step back and told her, "Please go back. We're done here." She then started walking towards the shop, not minding Irina anymore. Even if what they talked about today were to be leaked, it would be fine, because there wasn't really any real information in what she said to Irina. She could just say that she was talking nonsense so that Irina wouldn't live in the shop.
But after taking out the keys and opening the door, Akeno realized that someone was behind her and immediately turned around, "Why are you still here?" Irina was silently standing behind her.
"To take on that risk that you're so proud of!", answered Irina and let out a smug smile once again.
Akeno, quite angry, retorted, "Stop joking around! Both of us could come into danger! Don't think that this is just a simple thing!"
Irina's smug face disappeared and was replaced by a serious one, "Please don't insult me. Of course, I'm aware that this isn't a simple thing. After all, the crimes on Kisuke's head are very heavy and some of the major factions are after them. However, I do believe that he wouldn't do something like that... At least from how I know him."
"But what about your faith!? You're not just a believer now, but also a reincarnated Angel! One simple mistake and Heaven's system will reject you!"
"I know. But I'm still willing to take that risk. Describe it as blind faith, but I do believe with all my heart that Kisuke is innocent. And even if that isn't true and would be revealed later, I'm willing to receive my punishment and it'll be me who'll go after him." Irina said with great conviction.
Akeno gritted her teeth and wanted to say something, but after a minute or two, she only heaved a large sigh and wasn't able to think of any words to refute her, "Why? He's just your childhood friend."
"It's precisely because he's my childhood friend. I only have two and when one of them is in trouble, it's only natural for me to help out. And besides, he already saved me one time and even made me realize something important. It's my turn to return the gesture." Irina replied.
"Fine... Do whatever you want." Akeno then glared at her, "However, if by chance that any secrets about Kisuke-kun are leaked, I'll insist that you're also an accomplice. Even if you're not convicted of any crimes, the doubts about your loyalty would never disappear."
Irina swallowed her saliva and replied, "...I know."
Akeno then continued opening the door while thinking, 'Well, it's not like she'll discover anything relevant this early. Serafall will be busy for a while, while Ophis' movements are restricted. I can use a few days to convince her again to leave.'
But as the two of them entered the shop and reached the living area, they found a goth loli, playing cards with another loli with grey hair and grey eyes through a magic circle projection. The goth loli was using magic to transport the cards back and forth making it possible for them to play even with an interdimensional distance, "Uno!" was shouted by the goth loli as she excitedly placed down a card.
"N-no way... When did you become so good at this, Phi-chan?", muttered Claire in despair as she looked down at her six remaining cards, but none of them could change the result of their battle.
Ophis didn't say anything, but the smug smile on her face said everything, "...I'm strong."
Akeno couldn't help but cover her face as her wish wasn't granted by the Dragon God of Infinity, 'Why now of all times?'
Akeno took a peek at Irina's reaction and just as she expected, she was shocked. After the moment when Ophis appeared in front of Serafall and the other leaders of the Three Great Factions, the current form she had taken became known to everyone with relatively high positions within their organization. Irina was the 'Ace' of Michael, so it was normal for her to have seen Ophis' photo or something equivalent.
However, Akeno's expectations didn't follow through as Irina's first words were, "You can play Uno with just two people? How does that even work?"
Claire, from the other side, heard Irina's voice and immediately asked, "Phi-chan, is someone else there?"
Ophis looked towards them, but she immediately disregarded Irina's presence and replied to Claire, "The Sister with black hair and big boobs."
Akeno almost tripped when she heard Ophis' reply. She couldn't get used to it. However, what was more tragic for her was the fact that Claire immediately understood what she meant, "Ah, Akeno-neechan. Welcome home~."
Akeno ignored Claire for now and complained to Ophis, "Ophis, please call me Akeno."
"W-wait... What do you mean Ophis?", asked Irina suddenly from the side while looking intently at the goth lolita.
'Ara? Did I just blow my chance to feign ignorance and hide Ophis' identity?', thought Akeno to herself.
A few seconds later, a certain photo flashed through Irina's mind and it was the photo of the leader of the most wanted terrorist organization which was wreaking havoc throughout the whole world, trying to change the world order, "T-that little girl... Why does she look like the one in the circulating photo of the Khaos Brigade's leader?"
Akeno suddenly grabbed Irina's shoulders and turned her towards her with a threatening glare, "You're in this now. There's no backing out."
"Y-you mean that's the real last boss?" Irina asked what she thought was an unbelievable question, "You're in league with a terrorist organization's boss? And why is she playing Uno!?" The resolution that she gathered earlier seemed so insignificant after this sudden revelation. The last question in particular messed up her perception.
"I already told you. It's risky.", replied Akeno with a grin.
"I didn't know that it was this risky! And why is she here!? Are you helping the Khaos Brigade!? I thought you supported the fact that Kisuke is innocent!?"
Irina tried to struggle away from Akeno's grasp, but Akeno didn't let her go so easily. Having no choice, she decided to explain everything to this reincarnated Angel, "Listen to the whole story first. I promise you, it's not what you think."
Irina knew that she walked into something she shouldn't have, but since she was already here, she decided to give Akeno a chance, "Fine... But please tell me everything and how this is connected to Kisuke."
Akeno nodded, "Alright, however, let me first clarify this. I'm not helping the Khaos Brigade and Ophis is actually Kisuke's acquaintance."
"...What?"
"Yep... He's an acquaintance of the last boss. Don't ask me how. I also don't know how that happened, but I heard that they're pretty close. For the rest of the story, please follow me to another room." Akeno then faced Ophis and Claire's projection, "You two enjoy yourselves. I'll prepare some snacks that you can eat while you play."
"Yaay!" Claire cheered, while Ophis replied with her usual deadpan expression, "I want chocolate doughnuts."
Akeno first led Irina to one of the rooms and said, "This will be your room. You can unpack first while I serve them some snacks." She then walked towards the exit of the room without any intention of hearing Irina's complaints. But before she left completely, she took a peek at her and added, "No escaping. I'll ask Ophis to activate the magic formation throughout the whole place and you should know what this means, since this is that guy's place. I'm telling you, it's way worse than his own house. He 'loves' his shop way too much."
The threat became very effective as Irina recalled the time she stayed in Kisuke's place. Although she was not the victim, she knew how pitiful one could get if getting caught, 'And she said this place is way worse... Just what the heck are you doing, Kisuke-kun?'
==================
==================
==================
Editors:
28th00: I'm curious as to why Ophis even knows Claire, but she did track the smell of Kisuke's candy to Serafall, through multiple dimensions, damn near instantly… Never doubt a Dragon Loli's nose. I bet she smelt Kisuke's mom and met Claire that way, and they're around the same mental age too… I guess that's good for Phis-chama? She's breaking so many rules of magic just to play interdimensional Uno with a… 6 year old? How old is everyone anyways? Kisuke is 17-18 atm, and they saved his aunt Cleria when they were… 10-12 years old, right? It's been soooo long since those beginning chapters that I can't honestly remember.
Alexander: They met when Kisuke sent Claire's to his home. I'm honestly surprised that you can't remember the loli-feeds-loli cookie session.
28th00: I'm surprised I forgot about it too! Honestly did! HOW DID I FORGET SUCH A PRECIOUS MOMENT!?