Ryu enjoyed his school day as usual. After school, we went to several parks in hopes of seeing Asia.
In the High School DxD anime, Issei had met her in the same spot, and with the threat of fallen angels, especially Raynare, he felt a slight sense of urgency to find her.
That was why Ryu decided to go to nearby parks in hopes of finding Asia, especially since she was going to get kidnapped soon.
He didn't know if it was going to be by Raynare or some other fallen angel though.
As he walked through the park, he scanned the area, searching for her familiar face.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow on everything around him. Then, he spotted Asia, sitting on a bench, her blonde hair shining in the light.
"Hey, Asia!" he called out, approaching her.
She looked up, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Ryu! It's good to see you!" she replied, returning his smile.
Ryu settled onto the bench beside her, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I wasn't sure if I'd see you again after that day at the church," he said.
"Me too! I've been busy with church and helping out there," Asia replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"That's nice to hear!"
"The church has been lively with all the preparations for upcoming events," she shared, her enthusiasm shining through. "It keeps me busy, but I love it."
"That's awesome! You really care about helping others," Ryu said, impressed. "Do you have any plans for the weekend?"
"Not yet! I was thinking about catching up on some religious studies, but maybe I'll do something fun too," Asia replied, her eyes however didn't show any signs of sparkle.
It looked like she was lying because she knew what was coming, and didn't want anything to happen to Ryu.
Just then, her stomach growled loudly, interrupting their conversation. She blushed, covering her stomach with her hands. "I'm sorry!"
Ryu chuckled, finding her reaction cute. "No worries! How about we grab a bite to eat? There's a café nearby that has some great snacks."
Asia's face brightened at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect! I've been wanting to try their pastries," she said, her earlier embarrassment fading as her excitement returned.
As they stood up and started walking, Ryu felt a protective instinct kick in.
He wanted to make sure she was safe, especially with the threats he had heard about.
But for now, he focused on their easy conversation and the enjoyment of simply being together.
"Thank you so much for the food. May God be ever within your favor," Asia said, bowing her head slightly in prayer before taking a bite of her pastry.
Ryu watched her, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You really are something else, you know that?" he said, appreciating her genuine nature.
"It's nice to see someone who's so grateful."
Asia looked up, her cheeks tinged pink. "I just believe in showing appreciation," she replied, her eyes sparkling.
"And this pastry is delicious! I'm glad we came here."
They settled into a small table outside the café, the sun continuing to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over everything.
Ryu took a bite of his snack, savoring the moment.
"So, any interesting stories from the church lately?" he asked, eager to hear more about her life.
"Oh, definitely!" she said, her enthusiasm returning.
"We've had a few community events that were a big success. I even helped organize a small festival last week. It was chaotic, but so rewarding!"
"That sounds amazing! You must have been busy," Ryu said, leaning in, captivated by her passion.
"Yeah, but it was worth it," she said, her smile widening. "Seeing everyone come together was really special."
As they talked, Ryu couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
He noticed the way Asia's eyes occasionally darted around, as if she were expecting someone or something to show up.
"Hey, Asia," he said gently, "are you okay? You seem a bit… distracted."
Asia hesitated for a moment, her expression shifting. "Oh, it's nothing! Just a lot on my mind," she replied quickly, but Ryu could sense the tension in her voice.
"Are you sure? I mean, if something's bothering you, you can talk to me," he offered, hoping to reassure her.
She smiled softly, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I appreciate that, Ryu. It's just… you know how life can be sometimes. But I'm really happy to be here with you."
"How about I spend the rest of the day with you, are you free?"
Asia's expression brightened a little, but a flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
"That sounds really nice, Ryu, but I don't want to take up your time," she replied gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You probably have other things you want to do."
Ryu shook his head, wanting to assure her. "Honestly, I'd really like to hang out with you. I came here to enjoy the day, and spending time together sounds perfect."
Asia's smile returned, excited. "Okay, if you really don't mind," she said, her voice lightening.
"I'd love to spend time with you."
Ryu scratched his cheek shamelessly, knowing that this date was supposed to go to Issei.
"How about we check out that little park up ahead? I hear it has a beautiful view of the sunset." Asia said.
Ryu wanted to dig deeper but decided to let it go for now. "How about we check out that little park up ahead?" he suggested. "I hear it has a beautiful view of the sunset."
Asia smiled, but Ryu continued, "But before that, what do you think about hitting up the arcade we passed? I'd love to play a few games!"
Her eyes lit up. "An arcade? That sounds like fun! Let's do it!"
They made their way to the arcade, the sounds of cheerful music and laughter greeting them as they entered. Ryu felt a rush of nostalgia as he spotted classic games lining the walls. "Where should we start?" he asked, looking at Asia.
"Let's try that racing game over there!" she suggested, pointing to a brightly lit machine.
"Great choice!" Ryu said, excitement building as they hopped into the racing seats. As the game started, they both laughed and cheered each other on. Ryu was surprised at how competitive Asia was, her focus unwavering as she maneuvered the virtual car.
"Watch out for that turn!" Ryu shouted, laughing as she narrowly avoided a crash.
"Not a chance!" she replied, determination in her eyes. In the end, Ryu barely edged out a win, but Asia was all smiles. "Okay, okay, you got lucky this time!" she teased, playfully nudging him.
After a few more rounds of different games—everything from claw machines to shooting galleries—they found themselves moving toward the exit, the sun beginning to set outside.
"Ready to see that view?" Ryu asked, feeling a sense of anticipation.
"Yes! I can't wait!" Asia said, her excitement palpable.
They walked side by side to the park, the sky painted in shades of orange, pink, and purple.
As they reached the park's viewpoint, they both stood in awe of the breathtaking scene before them.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Asia whispered, her eyes reflecting the vibrant colors above.
"It really is," Ryu agreed, feeling a warmth in his chest as he glanced over at her. "I'm glad we did this."
As they stood side by side, the atmosphere felt peaceful, and for a moment, the worries of the world faded away. Ryu felt grateful for the time they shared, hoping it could help ease whatever was on Asia's mind.
"Thanks for spending the day with me, Ryu," she said softly, glancing up at him. "I really enjoyed it."
"Me too, Asia. It's been one of the best days I've had in a while," he replied, his heart swelling with sincerity.
Ryu could soon hear someone's footsteps approaching. It was time.