Chapter 40 – A Lost Nun Found
The dim glow of the city alley cast a long shadow over a lifeless body—an unfortunate Stray Devil whose chest was pierced cleanly by radiant golden chains. The Chains of Heaven had found their mark, silencing the creature in a single, merciless strike.
Standing not far from the scene, dressed in the black uniform of Kuoh Academy, was a young man with sharp eyes.
Shin Akira.
A subtle chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[You have gained 0.1% Synchronization with Inherited Template]
He stared down at the fallen Stray Devil without emotion, letting out a silent sigh.
"Stray Devils are getting weaker lately... and far less frequent."
It was a troubling thought. The one he had just dispatched wasn't even worth considering a real opponent—barely a grunt-level threat. Over the past few weeks, the accumulated synchronization had only gone up by 1.5%, and a whole 1% of that came from the single Mid-Class Stray Devil he fought a while back.
Not exactly inspiring progress.
Still, there was one thing that had kept his spirits high today.
Thanks to Akeno's help, he'd finally moved out of that cramped little 1DK apartment. Now, he lived in a cozy two-story house near Kuoh Academy, surrounded by a peaceful neighborhood and even a small shopping center nearby. Not bad at all.
After confirming that there were no other enemies around, Akira turned and started walking home. Hunting Stray Devils like this… wasn't yielding much anymore.
— — —
On the way back, he stopped by a small pastry shop to pick up a few slices of cake and sweet snacks.
As he exited the store, a soft and hesitant voice called out from behind him.
"Um… excuse me. Would you happen to know where the church is around here?"
He turned around—and was momentarily stunned.
Standing there was a young blonde girl in a modest nun's outfit. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her gentle expression held just a trace of anxiety. There was a warmth about her—a sincere, almost sacred presence—that made her feel utterly out of place in this world.
"…Are you talking to me?"
She nodded quickly and bowed politely.
"I'm sorry to bother you. I was just wondering… do you know where the nearest church is?"
"Church? Are you… a nun?"
"Yes, I've just arrived in this city. My name is Asia Argento. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The moment she introduced herself, Akira's eyes narrowed instinctively.
Asia Argento... the former nun who was excommunicated by the Church, huh?
As soon as the words left his mouth, her expression stiffened—and she lowered her gaze, silent.
Akira scratched the back of his neck, slightly regretting his bluntness.
Seriously… I was just out to grab cake. And now I've run into a main heroine. Sometimes I wonder if protagonist luck is a curse disguised as convenience.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you… I'll be on my way now."
She bowed deeply, already turning to leave. Even after her emotional wounds had been unintentionally reopened, Asia didn't lash out or complain. She simply shouldered it and tried to walk away—quiet, kind, and alone.
Akira stared at her retreating figure.
This girl… was a true nun.
To him, there were two types of 'nuns' in the world:
1. The ones who'd say, "That person seems to be in trouble. I should help."
2. And the ones who'd say, "That poor person… why aren't you all helping?"
The first type was hard to find, but earned genuine respect.
The second? Just irritating.
Asia was clearly the first. Even when faced with a wounded devil, she would try to heal them. Her kindness was a reflection of her pure faith—and ironically, the very thing that led to her exile.
Her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, also known as the Smile of the Holy Mother, had the divine ability to heal even devils or creatures of the Underworld. That was why the Church branded her a heretic and cast her out.
Now, Japan was the only place she had left.
And even then, the Fallen Angels only took her in to steal her Sacred Gear. They never cared about her.
"Oi, wait a sec."
"…Yes?" she turned around slowly.
"You said you're looking for a church?"
"Yes. Do you know where it is?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Really!? Then… please, could you show me the way? Thank you so much!"
"But… even if I did show you, it'd be pointless."
"…Huh? Why?"
"Because that church… I already destroyed it with my own hands."
"…!"
"And the Fallen Angels who were using it? I killed them too."
Asia froze.
Her eyes widened, staring at nothing. The world she had been desperately trying to enter… had vanished before she could even touch it.
Akira looked at her expression—her silent despair—and for the first time in a while, felt a tiny pang of guilt.
...Maybe I was too harsh just now.
"Asia, was it?"
"…Yes."
"Can you cook and clean?"
"I… I can. But only simple things like sandwiches. Back at the church, I used to clean my room by myself."
"Good. Starting today, you're my housekeeper. Full-time. You'll live with me, and food's on the house. No salary, though."
"Eh…? Y-you're offering me a place? But… I've been excommunicated…"
"So what? I just need someone to help around the house. Interested?"
Her face lit up like the sun after a storm.
"Thank you… thank you so much! May God bless you!"
Akira raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe in God. Just come with me. And don't call me 'sir.' My name's Shin Akira. Just use that."
"O-okay. Shin Akira-san."
And just like that, while today's Stray Devil hunt had yielded nothing noteworthy, Akira had picked up a lost nun along the way.
Oddly enough… that actually made him feel pretty good.
After all, Asia possessed Twilight Healing, a rare healing-type Sacred Gear. A truly priceless ability.
Good thing he didn't live in that tiny apartment anymore. The idea of squeezing into a shoebox with a girl like her would've been a social disaster waiting to happen.
Imagine the rumors. Two people, one cramped room. The scandal…
— — —
By the time they reached his house…
"This is your home, Shin-san? It's so big…"
Asia gazed at the two-story house with wide eyes. While not exactly a mansion, it was clear the place wasn't cheap either.
Thanks to his royalties from the Oregairu light novel series—and a little behind-the-scenes support from the Gremory household—Akira was, financially speaking, quite comfortable these days.
"That's enough sightseeing. Come inside."
"Y-yes."
Asia followed behind him, her steps light and hesitant.
But as soon as they stepped inside the house…
…they were greeted by an unexpected surprise waiting for Akira.
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