Asia Argento, once a miserable exiled nun. But after a twist of an event, her life improved and she no longer had to live like the outcast he once was.
Lately, she had been very excited and absorbed with making friends and enjoying her youth as Ray suggested she should do. She even had an apartment arranged by Ray to live out alone so she can enjoy her time much better compared to living in the mansion where each day is filled with chaos in one way or another.
Although, she actually didn't minded it much and enjoys their company even if it often get a little out of hand like Abby who like to drag her to another world to explore her curiosity or Sirin who like to have her accompanying her to pretend to be her elder sister to get access to age restricted 'research materials'.
Now, it has been over a month since she last appeared in the mansion. She felt like she should make an appearance once in a while since they are her family after all.
"Asia? Asia!"
"Huh?" Asia turns to the direction of the voice and immediately looks ashamed and apologizes.
"I'm sorry. I was thinking about something." Asia immediately apologized. However the people she apologized instantly look flustered.
"No. No. No. It's alright, Asia. It's not your fault. No need to apologize." Rias quickly stopped Asia while looking panicked and fearful as if something was lurking around that would kill her simply for making Asia feeling distressed.
Well Rias isn't overreacting as in fact. The Devil's in the Kuoh Academy is 'friend' with Asia for a reason. They all had been rounded up once by a certain black cat and given warning that if even a single strand of hair is missing from Asia during her time in the academy, he will make a personal visit to each of them and do unspeakable act upon them
Well, the warning aside. The Devils truly do want to make friends with Asia, especially the Devil heiresses not just because of freeloading on free healing from Asia's Sacred Gear but she is simply too precious, metaphorically and literally to pass on making friends with mainly because they want to stay on the good grace of the one backing her.
"So, what was in your mind that got you that distracted?" Rias wondered as she along with other female members of both heiresses peerages was enjoying a tea party.
Asia quickly recollected herself and explained that she hadn't been returning home for a while and missed her family.
"In that case, why don't you just go home? Not that it's far." Rias genuinely did not understand Asia's hesitation.
Asia lowered her head and twiddled with her fingers as she answered. "Well, I got too absorbed with everything that I forgot to return for a visit. I'm afraid that Ray might get upset…" She confessed with a troubled look.
"Ara, I don't think he would be the type to get angry at such a small matter." Akeno said.
By now, most of the Devils already got a picture of Ray and his personality via Asia. One of the reasons why they got close to Asia is precisely to learn about Ray and gather information for the Satans. From the way Asia once described Ray, he didn't seem like someone that would hold a grudge on Asia for trivial matters like this, especially because as a being of his caliber, a month is probably just a wink of time for him. A trivial amount of time.
"Mhm. Asia should return home. Last time I heard from Kuroka Neesan, she is already expecting a child." Koneko suddenly dropped a bomb that shocked everyone.
"Huh? Since when?" Rias and Sona immediately craned their heads toward Koneko with wide opened eyes, staring at her.
"Uh… two weeks ago?" Koneko replied with uncertainty.
"Two weeks ago? And you are only telling us right now?" Rias looked a little worked out which she noticed and immediately apologized.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you like that." Rias massages her throbbing forehead after apologizing.
"Mhm, sorry for not telling earlier." Koneko also apologized.
While that is happening on the side, Asia was asked by Akeno when she will return and if she wants to take a leave from school for that.
"I don't think I need to…" Asia replied. "I would probably return briefly only."
Akeno nodded and said nothing further about it. But Asia seems to be mulling about something for a bit which Akeno patiently waited for.
Then, Asia suddenly proposed something outrageous.
"Ah, since everyone is my friend. Why don't we all visit together?" Asia proposed innocently, causing a pin drop silence to immediately envelope the room.
"Eh… Visit together?" All the Devils immediately look shocked.
None dare to accept because everyone is actually afraid despite Asia's reassurance.
"Yes. A home visit with friends." Asia repeats her offer as it's a dream of her to bring friends home and show them to her family.
It was one of Asia's wishes as she was an orphan and lacked the normalcy a normal person would have. As such, she aspires to fulfill those mundane wishes of hers and one of them is to present to Ray who she considers the closest of being her parent figure or perhaps a caring older brother, the friends she managed to make.
With that said, Asia managed to convince Rias and Sona along with few others to make a visit with her.
———
An hour later, Asia and the others arrived in front of the mansion. She didn't bother ringing the bell and immediately opened the smaller door on the gate and entered using a spare key in her possession.
"Huh?" Everyone reacted.
When they are outside the gate, the mansion looks normal. But once inside, the mansion was in ruin while Sakuya was busy using her power to restore the mansion by reversing time on the damaged parts while a large group gathered at the garden, having a meal with a boisterous atmosphere.
"Oh, Miss Asia. Welcome back, you brought friends too?" Grayfia went to greet Asia and the group that arrived. However, her eyes linger on Rias wordlessly before her eyes shift away without a word.
Grayfia already cut ties with her past. Naturally, she is going to pretend to not know Rias. Her face remained professional and only addressed the Devils once Asia mentioned them, except for Koneko.
"By the way, where is Ray and what happened to the mansion?" Asia asked while looking around for the presence of the black feline only to find none.
"Ah, Master is a little… occupied with Sirin. As for what happened. It's better to ask the others." Grayfia turned her head to the direction of a group that had fallen silent since Asia and her group's arrival.
"Please excuse myself, I need to prepare an additional table and other things for the additional guests." Grayfia said with increasing coldness when Rias gave her a pleading look to talk but coldly ignored.
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