I've thought a lot about what kind of things I should put in this journal. There are really many things, but I suppose it's best to start at the beginning...
Let's see, I'm Shade. Physically, I'm around 18 years old, though mentally I'm a few hundred years old — I don't really keep count. There's also the fact that I'm in another world.
Yes, another world with magic, monsters, and all that. According to what that fallen angel Azazel told me, in this world there were factions with gods from different religions and creatures from myths.
How did I get here?
I have no idea, or maybe I just don't remember. As you might suspect, I'm not human — not entirely. No human can live for centuries and maintain a young appearance, or have special powers related to darkness and powerful equipment. Yes, I suppose I'm not normal.
Shade looked at the first page of his journal and nodded. After several attempts, he had finally managed to begin the introduction.
Exactly three months had passed since he had woken up in this world confused, not knowing exactly where he was. He could remember information about things like cars, the internet, references, anime, and languages; however, when he tried to remember beyond that, he suffered from intense headaches.
After a few days, he encountered a strange guy named Azazel, where they chatted and he explained his situation. Azazel offered for him to join his faction, which he accepted for the money and a place to work.
Since the pay was good, he had nothing to complain about, so he adapted to his new life in a world full of supernatural things.
---
Feeling the gentle breeze caress his face, Shade closed his eyes, enjoying the peace and tranquility. Kuoh Park was especially quiet that morning. The trees swayed their branches to the rhythm of the wind, and the few passersby moved unhurriedly, as if time itself had decided to take a break.
Shade had chosen that bench specifically for its location: under the shade of an old cherry tree, with a clear view of the main path but far enough away not to be disturbed. It was the perfect place to write in his journal or simply disconnect from the world.
That was until the tranquility was completely shattered by a scream.
"Ah!"
Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a rear end followed by white panties peeking out from between the folds of a black skirt.
Shade blinked several times before a smile spread across his face.
"Huh... why did I trip?" asked the girl on the ground, her voice trembling and her cheeks tinged with a deep red.
Her belongings had scattered across the ground: a small briefcase, a rosary, a poorly folded map, and... other more intimate garments that the blonde tried to hide desperately.
Shade stood up, extending his hand.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked in a calm tone.
He felt the girl's soft, somewhat trembling hand touch his.
"Yes, thanks for asking," she replied, somewhat embarrassed, accepting the help to get up.
It was then that Shade could see her clearly. She was a blonde girl with long, wavy hair that fell over her shoulders like a golden mantle. Her eyes were a deep, almost transparent blue, and her face had that innocence only found in those not yet hardened by the world. She wore the complete habit of a nun: a white veil that barely held her hair, a long-sleeved black tunic, and a silver cross resting on her chest.
Shade returned the veil he had picked up from the ground, noticing she was a nun from the church.
"What's wrong?" the girl asked after noticing that the attractive boy wouldn't take his eyes off her.
"You're beautiful," he said without hesitation.
The girl blushed furiously at the compliment, not knowing how to respond. Her hands gripped the veil tightly while her eyes opened and closed as if trying to process what she had just heard.
Coughing into his hand, Shade pointed to the suitcase still on the ground. The girl quickly began to pick up her things, putting them back inside with clumsy but determined movements.
Picking something up, Shade noticed that a white panty with little bows had ended up between his fingers. Before he could say anything, it was snatched away at lightning speed by the embarrassed girl.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Ah... you saw an embarrassing side of me..." she murmured, hiding the garment inside her suitcase as if it were a forbidden treasure.
"Are you traveling by any chance?" Shade asked, changing the subject to ease the tension.
"No. I was assigned to the church in this city, but I got lost on the way... I'm not used to the language, so it's a bit difficult," she explained, fidgeting with the edges of her habit.
So, an assigned nun. Could this be the kind of romantic comedy world with action and fanservice? Shade thought, feeling a strange excitement about his new life. After three months of adjustment, he was starting to think this world would be boring. Maybe not.
Shade smiled, remembering that morning he had passed by an old-looking church on the outskirts of the city. He figured the girl had been assigned to that place.
"Well, you're in luck. There's a church near here. If you want, I can take you."
"Really!? This must be the Lord's work!" the girl said, her eyes shining with excitement, holding her cross between her hands as if it were a good luck charm.
"Well, let's go," Shade said, starting to walk.
The girl followed him, but barely took two steps when her foot caught on a root sticking out of the ground. She let out a small cry as she fell forward. Shade reacted instantly, spinning on his heels and extending his arms to catch her. The momentum made them both fall to the ground.
Shade opened his eyes slightly, feeling the sweet aroma of the girl's hair, a mix of flowers and something softer, like freshly baked vanilla. Added to that, somehow, his hand had ended up on the soft curve of the blonde girl's rear end. A slight involuntary squeeze drew a muffled moan from her that made her blush to the tips of her ears.
They quickly separated, as if the contact had been with fire.
"I'm sorry," Shade said, getting up and offering his help again.
"D-don't worry, I'm a bit clumsy and it was an accident," she replied, accepting his hand shyly.
"Yes, an accident," Shade repeated, coughing several times to calm himself while his mind tried to process how soft that contact had been.
"Well, let's go."
"Yes!"
"Let me help you with that," Shade said, carrying the suitcase without waiting for an answer. It was heavier than it looked, but for him it required no effort.
The duo walked through the streets of Kuoh town. Traditional Japanese houses mixed with more modern buildings, creating a unique landscape that Shade still wasn't completely used to seeing. The girl observed everything with curiosity, her blue eyes scanning every corner as if she were discovering a new world.
"It's pretty here," she commented softly.
"Yeah, it has its charm," Shade replied.
They walked in comfortable silence for about ten minutes until Shade stopped in front of an old-looking church. The building was of grayish stone, with stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes and a bell tower reaching toward the sky. Although it had clearly been neglected over time, it still retained a certain majesty.
"Is this it?" Shade asked, setting the suitcase on the ground.
The blonde girl looked at the building with eyes shining with excitement. Her lips curved into a smile so genuine it lit up her entire face.
"Yes, this is the place," she said, almost in a whisper.
"Well, I think I have to go now." Shade turned around, but the girl stopped him by gently taking his arm.
"Wait, please!"
Shade turned, surprised by the unexpected strength of her grip.
"You brought me all the way here! Let me thank you somehow!" she exclaimed, with a determination that contrasted with her apparent shyness.
Shade looked at the girl's sincere expression and had an idea.
"I know. Why don't you tell me your name and tomorrow we can go out and I'll show you around the city?" he offered with a kind smile.
The girl's eyes lit up like stars in the night.
"Deal!" she said enthusiastically. "I'm Asia Argento. But you can call me Asia."
Shade nodded, storing the name in his memory.
"I'm Shade. I don't have a last name, so just call me Shade."
"Shade," the girl repeated, as if tasting the name on her tongue. "See you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow, Asia."
Shade said goodbye with a small bow and began to walk away. But after a few steps, he heard the girl's voice again.
"Shade!"
He turned around.
"Yes?"
Asia was standing in front of the church, the afternoon sun illuminating her golden hair and her habit swaying slightly in the breeze. She looked like a Renaissance painting come to life.
"Thank you for today!" she shouted, waving enthusiastically.
Shade smiled and returned the wave before continuing on his way.
As he walked back to his apartment, his thoughts flew to the encounter. A nun in a city full of devils, fallen angels, and supernatural creatures. This promises to be interesting.
He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small white object he had stored without thinking. He blinked several times as he recognized it.
It was one of Asia's panties.
"How the hell...?" he murmured, trying to remember when he had taken them.
His mind went back to the moment of the fall, the contact with the girl's soft rear, the way his fingers had moved by reflex...
"Shit," he sighed, quickly putting the garment away before anyone saw him.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I'll give them back tomorrow. Yes. No problem. It'll just be a little awkward.
A crooked smile formed on his face.
"What a strange life I've been given," he mused, as the sun began to set over Kuoh town.