"Cid-san, I'm back."
"Hey, Asia, you're finally back."
Hearing the exhausted voice from the front door, Cid poked his head out of his room and greeted Asia, who looked flustered and embarrassed. Then he froze when he saw the people standing behind her.
"Hey, Cid-sa..."
"Stop. I wanted to point this out last time, but aren't you older than me?"
"Ahaha, am I?"
The cheerful-looking young man scratched his head and, right in front of Cid's twitching mouth, walked in as if it were the most natural thing in the world and sat down.
"Then what should I call you? Brother Cid? Cid-san?"
"Tsk. Why are you so familiar? You don't look anything like the guy who attacked Rias and the others back then..."
"Come on, there's no need to worry so much about what to call someone. It's just a title.
If it were as simple as with Brother Vali, where calling him big brother would stop the fight, I'd be more than happy to do it."
Right, right. Calling someone big brother is just a way to close the distance, not the actual goal. And if soft tactics don't work, that still doesn't stop you from jumping straight in and beating everyone down.
While silently roasting Dulio for opening their first meeting with a wide-area lightning attack, despite now acting like a bright, sunny guy, Cid poured himself a glass of water and turned toward Asia, who was standing uneasily at the door, along with Xenovia and Irina Shidou behind her.
"Come in. While you're at it, tell me what Asia went through on your side these past few days."
With Cid's permission, Asia finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the sofa together with Xenovia and the others.
To avoid scaring Asia while he was under the effects of billionfold sensitivity, when Cid received word the night before last that the Church had contacted her, he had simply told Asia to handle it herself. In Cid's prediction, given Asia's softhearted personality, there was a good chance she would agree.
Things turned out exactly as Cid expected. Through the seeds he had left behind, he saw that Asia was taken straight to the Church's headquarters, dragged all over the place, and only returned after several days.
Honestly, the fact that Asia came back at all was somewhat beyond Cid's expectations. He had even thought she might never return after going there. After all, people chased after their own interests, didn't they?
"Hehe..."
After a couple of giggles and a few exchanged glances, the more outgoing Irina Shidou took the initiative to speak.
"Don't worry, Cid-kun. This isn't a bad thing. Actually, it's good news. Asia-chan has been reinstated as the Church's Saintess."
"Hm?"
Although he had already guessed it was good news, this sudden leap was still far beyond Cid's expectations.
"Let me explain."
Taking a sip of tea and noticing Cid's confusion, Dulio set down his cup and began to explain.
"Previously, due to certain unilateral reasons on our Church's side, the higher-ups had no choice but to expel Asia from the Church.
Recently, the issue that caused the Church to expel Asia was resolved. On top of that, Asia-san treated us during this battle, so in order to make up for the mistake back then, after returning to the Church, I submitted a request to the higher-ups for her case to be reconsidered. After a round of review, the Church higher-ups revoked the original order and apologized."
"Mm-hmm. So now, as long as Asia is willing, she can return to the Church at any time and serve as a Saintess again. That way, Asia and I can be coworkers!
Ah... of course, if Asia-chan still has reservations about what happened back then and doesn't want to return, that's fine too. After all, it was the fault of those old fossils in the Church. And thanks to our protests, the compensation she deserves will still be given."
Irina Shidou said this with such energy that she practically sold out her own side on the spot, laying everything bare. Dulio's face stiffened instantly beside her.
"...In short, that is the situation. Please give us a chance to make amends, if possible."
Although Dulio was left speechless by Irina Shidou's teammate-selling behavior, this was still an apology, so he said nothing more and simply explained with sincerity.
Despite how lightly they had described it, getting those prideful Church higher-ups to admit fault was harder than killing them. If Delta had not brought Asia to the negotiation hall this time, allowing all the wounded Church warriors to be healed, and if someone had not later recognized Asia as the Church's former Saintess, those Church warriors would never have started wondering why someone like Asia, who possessed such a healing Sacred Gear, had been expelled. After they returned, their discussions somehow turned into a denunciation of the higher-ups as they spoke up for Asia.
In the end, a group of Church warriors filed appeals. Combined with Heaven's system having improved considerably, as well as the fact that the Church had been in the wrong from the start, they finally managed to force the higher-ups to apologize.
"I see. Then why did you come to me? Shouldn't you be asking Asia?"
"Uh..."
Cid nodded in understanding, only to become puzzled again. He did not quite understand why they had come to him.
Sitting beside Asia, the gallant girl with short blue hair gave Asia an encouraging nudge, signaling for her to speak for herself.
"Ah, um, th-this... Cid-san, I want to stay with you, and I already promised Cid-san!"
After stumbling over her words for a moment, Asia made up her mind, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"That's how it is. Asia said she wanted to hear your opinion, so we came to ask what you think..."
Cid was no longer really listening to what Xenovia said after that. He lowered his gaze and fiddled with his fingers.
To be honest, Asia's answer was a little... well, it was far beyond Cid's expectations. He had already thought this would be a repeat of his parting with Alpha and the others.
He had said earlier that he wanted to take Asia on as a subordinate, but how should he put it? She was still in the training stage. Asia's future had plenty of potential.
Besides, he felt he had not interacted with Asia all that much. On ordinary days, he had basically been raising Asia like a pet. Were their feelings really that deep?
...Forget it. He would stop thinking about that and figure out how to answer first.
Clink!
The teacup was set down on the table with a crisp sound. Cid raised his head and, for once, looked Asia in the eyes with rare seriousness.
"Asia, do you want to go back... no, I should ask, do you miss the Church?"
"I..."
She wanted to deny it, but under Cid's pitch-black eyes staring straight at her, Asia felt guilty for some reason.
For Asia, who still called herself a nun even after being expelled, did she truly not miss the Church at all?
The answer was no. Born an orphan, raised in a convent, and taught by nuns, how could Asia not miss the Church? Especially now that she had met Xenovia and Irina Shidou there, she wanted to go back.
Seeing Asia's conflicted expression, Cid nodded. The answer was already obvious.
"I'm sorry, but I can't make this choice for Asia."
"Eh?"
Ignoring the confused expressions on Xenovia, Irina Shidou, and Dulio's faces, Cid spoke with heartfelt seriousness.
"Asia and I are only friends. From a friend's perspective, I should advise Asia to go back and become the Church's Saintess. But from that same friend's perspective, I really find it hard to trust the Church, so..."
Looking straight at Asia, Cid spoke in an extremely relaxed tone.
"Follow your heart. Don't worry too much about what we said back then. It was only a game in the first place.
If you feel there's something important you need to do, then go do it. I'll be happy for you. After all... we're friends, aren't we?"
There was no need to care too much about the game between them. Casting aside childishness and growing up was the truth of the world. And as a friend, there was no way he would not be happy to see her move forward. After all, they were... friends.
Cid did not say the rest aloud, to avoid putting too much pressure on Asia, but that was indeed how he viewed friendship.
This scene always reminded him of his parting with Beta and the others. To be honest, he had felt a little reluctant back then, but how should he put it? Even friends had to settle accounts clearly.
Cid's words left Xenovia and the others dumbfounded. None of them had expected Cid to say something like that.
"Cid-kun, I'm back..."
Just as the atmosphere was beginning to grow heavy, the front door opened. Sherry, smiling like an ordinary girl, walked in at ease, only to spot the people sitting in the living room.
Cold sweat began to pour out.
It was exposed!
The instant she saw Dulio, Xenovia, and Irina Shidou, that was the first thought that popped into Sherry's mind. She recognized them. These three were the small fry she had ordered people to clean up back then.
"You're back, Sherry."
Cid greeted her as if nothing were wrong, completely unaware of Sherry's identity problem. He even waved for her to come over and sit down.
Sherry wanted to run, but under Cid's expectant gaze, she hesitated for a few seconds before finally coming over and taking a seat.
Forget it. Worst case, I die. Waaah, farewell, Cid-kun...
"Who is this...?"
Sherry's appearance caught Xenovia and Irina Shidou's attention. During the ten-odd days they had stayed at Cid's house, they had never seen this pink-haired girl before. And more importantly...
"Why does she feel kind of familiar...?"
Xenovia rubbed her chin in confusion. Why did she feel as if she had seen this girl somewhere before?
"Sherry. She's a friend of mine, and the tenant staying at my house after Eta."
"Eta?"
"She moved out?"
Irina Shidou and Xenovia reacted differently, which was only natural. After all, Xenovia knew about Eta because Eta had baited her into a trap before.
"Yeah, she just moved out yesterday. Sherry moved in after her."
"That fast?!"
Xenovia felt a little regret over Eta moving out, since she had not really had the chance to get revenge yet. At the same time, she was shocked by how quickly someone else had moved in, and she gave Cid a strange look.
"It's just a coincidence."
With a light laugh, Sherry interrupted Xenovia's train of thought. After that brief exchange, Sherry had also figured it out. She had not been discovered. These people really were just here as guests.
"Oh, I bought some fruit. You all go ahead and talk. I'll head to the kitchen..."
That said, between her guilty conscience and the strange atmosphere in the room, Sherry still felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
"So, Asia, what's your choice?"
Watching Sherry enter the kitchen, Cid shrugged and returned to the previous topic. Thanks to Sherry, the tense atmosphere from earlier had eased a little.
"I... I don't know..."
Asia lowered her head, her hands resting on her knees, and spoke uncertainly. At first, she had been determined to stay by Cid's side no matter what. But after hearing what Cid said, she really did start to miss the Church. Cid was also encouraging her to follow her heart. More importantly...
"No matter what, even without that relationship, Cid-san and I are still friends, right?"
Not a subordinate, but a friend. Cid-san, is that how you saw me all along?
So even if I go back, I can still remain Cid-san's friend, right?
"There was never anything to worry about. Don't overthink it."
Cid would be happy if someone stayed and played along with him, but if no one did, that was fine too.
"Cid-san, Dulio-san, could you give me some time to think? I'll give you my answer later."
"Ah! Of course, of course. The Church owes you this to begin with, Asia-san. You can give us your answer whenever you like. I only hope you won't hold any resentment toward the Church."
Dulio's gaze had been fixed on Sherry in the kitchen, his brow furrowed. Only when he heard Asia call him did he snap back to his senses and quickly nod.
"No, of course not. I've never felt dissatisfied with the Church."
Asia shook her head gently. She was still very clear-headed. As a Saintess who had healed a Devil, merely being expelled was already the Church acting rationally.
"I'm so jealous of you, Asia. This is the position of Saintess we're talking about! Ahhh... how can you bear to turn it down? I don't even know whether I'll be able to pass Michael-sama's trial..."
Seeing that they had finished talking, Irina Shidou hugged Asia from the side and spoke affectionately, while Xenovia merely sat nearby and watched coldly.
At the same time, on the other side, Dulio, who still could not remember where he had seen Sherry before, gave up thinking about it and turned to Cid.
"It's not only Asia-san. I also have something personal to discuss with you, Brother Cid."
"...What is it?"
Cid had not expected there to be something involving him too, so he asked curiously.
"It's nothing major. I simply wanted to thank you, Brother Cid, for taking in our two Church members before."
"That really isn't a big deal."
"And while I'm at it, I brought the rent for their stay, along with a small token of appreciation for helping us find the mastermind behind everything."
"Take it back. I don't accept gifts for helping people."
Cid looked down at Dulio from above. Please. He had just scored a pile of Fallen Angel coins. He was not short on money.
...
In the kitchen, Sherry felt the gaze from behind her disappear. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her breathing growing rapid.
Sigh. Looks like I have to leave. The way I am now, staying by Cid-kun's side will only cause trouble for him.