Kazuki woke up the next morning feeling like he'd been hit by a truck. Every muscle in his body ached, and his chaos energy reserves were still dangerously low. The complete depletion from last night's fight had taken a toll that even a full night's sleep couldn't completely remedy.
He dragged himself through his morning routine, noting with grim satisfaction the bruises that were already fading—accelerated healing was apparently one perk of being a devil. By human standards, he should have been bedridden for days. Instead, he was just extremely sore.
His phone buzzed with a text from Rias: Rest today. No training. Doctor's orders.
Kazuki smiled despite his discomfort. It was Saturday, which meant no school, and the unexpected day off from training felt like a gift from heaven. Or hell. Whatever applied to devils.
He was contemplating how to spend his free day when there was a knock at his apartment door.
Cautiously—because his life had taught him to be paranoid—Kazuki checked the peephole. His wariness melted into surprise when he saw Asia Argento standing in the hallway, carrying what looked like a basket covered with a cloth.
He opened the door. "Asia? What are you doing here?"
The blonde girl smiled shyly. "Good morning, Kazuki-san. Buchou told me you depleted your energy last night, so I thought... I mean, I wanted to check on you. And I brought some food." She lifted the basket. "I made lunch. Sandwiches and soup. I hope that's okay?"
Kazuki felt something warm settle in his chest. Asia barely knew him, yet here she was, concerned enough to visit and bring food. It was the kind of simple kindness he'd been starved for since his reincarnation.
"That's more than okay," he said, stepping aside. "Please, come in. Though I should warn you, my apartment is pretty bare-bones."
Asia entered, looking around with polite interest. The studio apartment really was sparse—Kazuki hadn't had time or inclination to personalize it. Basic furniture, some books from Sona, his school supplies, and nothing else that suggested someone actually lived here.
"It's very clean," Asia said diplomatically, setting her basket on the small table. "And organized. That's nice."
Kazuki laughed. "You're too kind. It's empty is what it is. I haven't really had time to make it feel like home."
"Perhaps we can fix that," Asia said, unpacking her basket. "After lunch, if you'd like, we could go shopping for some things? Decorations, maybe some plants? It would be nice to have something living here besides yourself."
The casual assumption that they'd spend the day together, the genuine desire to help him make his space more comfortable—it touched Kazuki more than he wanted to admit.
"I'd like that," he said softly. "Thank you, Asia."
She beamed at him, and Kazuki was struck again by how genuinely pure her smile was. There was no calculation, no hidden agenda. Just honest kindness.
As they ate—and Asia's cooking was excellent, far better than anything Kazuki had managed for himself—they talked. Asia asked about his training, and Kazuki found himself describing the brutal but effective lessons from Koneko, the complex magical theory from Sona, and the energy control work with Rias.
"You're working so hard," Asia said, her green eyes full of admiration. "Learning everything so quickly. It must be overwhelming sometimes."
"It is," Kazuki admitted. "Sometimes I wake up and can't quite believe this is my life now. Devils, magic, chaos energy... A month ago, I was just a normal guy. Now I'm apparently some kind of supernatural anomaly that everyone's interested in."
"Do you regret it?" Asia asked quietly. "Being reincarnated?"
Kazuki considered the question. Did he regret it? His previous life—the fragments he could remember—hadn't been particularly special. And yes, his current existence was complicated and dangerous, but it also had purpose. Meaning.
"No," he said finally. "I don't regret it. My benefactor gave his life to save me and give me this chance. The least I can do is make the most of it."
Asia nodded, understanding in her expression. "I felt the same way when Buchou saved me. My previous life was... complicated. The Church cast me out for having a Sacred Gear they didn't understand. I was alone, used by fallen angels, and then Buchou gave me a new life. A new family. Sometimes I wake up scared that it's all a dream."
There was pain in her words, old wounds that hadn't fully healed. Kazuki reached across the table and took her hand.
"It's not a dream," he said firmly. "You're here, you're real, and you belong. Whatever the Church said about you was wrong. You're one of the kindest people I've ever met."
Asia's eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed his hand tightly. "Thank you, Kazuki-san. That means a lot to me."
They finished lunch in comfortable silence, and then Asia insisted on healing him properly. Her Sacred Gear—Twilight Healing—manifested as rings of golden light around her fingers, and when she placed her hands on his shoulders, warmth flooded through Kazuki's body.
It was different from the chaos energy he wielded. Where his power felt wild and primordial, Asia's was gentle, nurturing, fundamentally aligned with healing and growth. The two energies should have been incompatible—holy power and chaos—but instead they harmonized, creating a sensation of deep restoration.
"Your energy is so strange," Asia murmured, focused on her work. "It doesn't reject my healing like normal devil energy would. It's almost... welcoming? Like it recognizes that I'm trying to help."
"Maybe chaos energy is more adaptable than people think," Kazuki suggested. "It existed before the concepts of holy and unholy, right? Maybe it doesn't care about those distinctions."
"That would be wonderful," Asia said wistfully. "A power that doesn't see divisions between light and dark, holy and demonic. Just... power, used for whatever purpose the wielder chooses."
As she worked, Kazuki felt his energy reserves filling back up, the soreness in his muscles fading. Asia's healing was remarkably effective—within minutes, he felt almost back to full strength.
"You're incredible at this," Kazuki said when she finally pulled back, breathing slightly harder from the effort. "Is it always this effective?"
"Usually, yes," Asia said, though she looked troubled. "Though some devils find my healing uncomfortable because of the holy aspect. They tolerate it because it works, but they don't enjoy it. You're the first person who seems to actually find it pleasant."
"Their loss," Kazuki said. "That was the most relaxed I've felt since my reincarnation."
Asia's smile returned, brighter than before. "Then we should make this a regular thing. After your training sessions, if you'd like, I could help you recover. It would give me practice, and it would help you avoid the kind of complete depletion that happened last night."
"Deal," Kazuki agreed immediately. Having Asia's healing regularly available would be a huge advantage, and honestly, he enjoyed her company. There was something calming about her presence, a respite from the constant tension of his new life.
They spent the afternoon shopping in Kuoh's commercial district. Asia proved to have surprisingly strong opinions about interior decoration, steering Kazuki toward items that would make his apartment feel more lived-in without being cluttered.
A small bookshelf for his growing collection of magical texts. Some comfortable cushions for the couch. A set of proper dishes instead of the mismatched collection he'd been using. And plants—Asia insisted on plants, selecting several hardy varieties that could survive even neglectful care.
"Living things make a space feel like home," she explained as they carried their purchases back to his apartment. "They need you, in a small way, and you need them. It creates a connection."
As they arranged everything in his apartment, Kazuki found himself watching Asia work. She hummed softly as she positioned plants on the windowsill, adjusting them to catch the best light. Her movements were graceful, economical, speaking to someone who'd learned to find joy in simple domestic tasks.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Kazuki said as they took a break, sitting on his newly cushioned couch with tea Asia had insisted on making.
"Of course," Asia said, her expression open.
"What was it like? Being cast out by the Church? If you don't want to talk about it, I understand, but..."
Asia was quiet for a moment, staring into her teacup. "It was terrifying," she said softly. "The Church was my whole world. I'd been raised by nuns, trained as a holy maiden, taught that my purpose was to serve God through healing others. When they discovered my Sacred Gear could heal devils and fallen angels—beings they considered enemies of God—they called me a heretic. A witch."
Her hands trembled slightly. Kazuki set down his own cup and moved closer, offering silent support.
"They stripped me of my position, cast me out with nothing. I was alone in a world I didn't understand, with no money, no home, no purpose. The fallen angels found me first. They pretended to be kind, pretended to care, but they just wanted to use my Sacred Gear for their own purposes." Asia's voice cracked. "When Buchou saved me, defeated the fallen angels who'd enslaved me, and offered me a place in her peerage... it was like being reborn. She gave me everything the Church took away—family, purpose, a home."
Tears were streaming down Asia's face now. Without thinking, Kazuki pulled her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment, then melted against him, sobbing quietly into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to break down like this."
"Don't apologize," Kazuki said firmly. "You survived something traumatic. You're allowed to have feelings about it."
They stayed like that for several minutes, Asia crying out old pain while Kazuki simply held her. Eventually, her tears subsided, and she pulled back, wiping her eyes with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," she said again. "That was—"
"Human," Kazuki interrupted gently. "That was human, Asia. Or devil. Whatever. The point is, it's okay to hurt sometimes. It means you're alive and capable of feeling. Don't apologize for that."
Asia looked at him with something like wonder. "You're very wise, Kazuki-san. More than someone your age should be."
"Dying once gives you perspective," Kazuki said with dark humor. "You realize what's actually important and what's just noise."
"Is that why you don't seem afraid?" Asia asked. "Even when you're facing stray devils or dangerous situations, you don't seem scared. Cautious, yes, but not afraid."
Kazuki considered that. "I think... I think I'm more afraid of wasting this second chance than I am of dying again. My benefactor sacrificed himself to give me this life. If I spend it being paralyzed by fear, then his death meant nothing. So I push forward, I take risks, I try to make each day count."
"That's beautiful," Asia whispered. "And very brave."
"Or very stupid," Kazuki said with a slight smile. "Koneko would probably vote for stupid."
Asia laughed, the sound watery but genuine. "Koneko-chan cares about you, you know. She wouldn't train you so hard if she didn't. That's how she shows affection—by making you stronger."
"Is that what that is?" Kazuki muttered. "I thought she just enjoyed making me suffer."
"Maybe a little bit of both," Asia admitted with a mischievous smile that looked adorable on her usually innocent face.
As the afternoon wore on and Asia continued helping him make the apartment more comfortable, Kazuki found himself relaxing in a way he hadn't since his reincarnation. There was no pressure here, no political maneuvering, no life-or-death training. Just two people who understood loss and loneliness, finding comfort in each other's company.
When the sun began to set, Asia reluctantly prepared to leave.
"Thank you for today," Kazuki said as he walked her to the door. "This was... exactly what I needed."
"I'm glad," Asia said, smiling up at him. "And remember, if you ever need healing or just want to talk, I'm here. We're allies, right? Friends, even?"
"Friends," Kazuki confirmed. "Definitely friends."
Asia's smile widened, and on impulse, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Good. Then I'll see you on Monday, Kazuki-san. Rest well."
She hurried away before Kazuki could respond, leaving him standing in his doorway with a hand to his cheek and a bemused expression.
That girl was going to be dangerous to his heart, he could tell.
Sunday passed quietly. Kazuki spent the day reading through Sona's assigned texts, practicing basic magic circle formations, and generally allowing his body to fully recover. The apartment felt different now—more like a home than just a place to sleep. Asia's influence lingered in the carefully arranged plants, the comfortable cushions, the sense that someone cared about his wellbeing.
Monday morning arrived, and with it, a return to routine. Kazuki made his way to Kuoh Academy, enjoying the spring weather and the normalcy of walking to school like any regular student.
He was halfway through his first class when he felt it—a disturbance in the energy around the school. Subtle, but definitely there. Something supernatural had entered Kuoh Academy's grounds.
Kazuki glanced out the window and saw two figures approaching the school gate. Both wore long coats despite the warm weather, and even from this distance, he could sense the holy power radiating from them.
Exorcists. From the Church.
His stomach sank. This couldn't be good.
The teacher continued her lecture, oblivious to the supernatural tension building outside. But Kazuki noticed other students shifting uncomfortably—the ones who were part of Rias's or Sona's peerages, sensing the same thing he did.
The classroom door opened, and one of the administrative staff poked her head in. "Excuse me, Sensei. We need Kazuki Ryōta to come to the office, please. Urgent matter."
Every eye in the classroom turned to Kazuki. He gathered his things calmly, ignoring the curious whispers, and followed the staff member out.
But instead of heading to the office, she led him toward the old school building. As they walked, her form shimmered and changed—revealing Tsubaki Shinra, Sona's Queen.
"The exorcists are requesting a meeting with all supernatural entities in the school," Tsubaki explained tersely. "Apparently, the Church has business in Kuoh. Sona-kaichou and Rias-sama are handling it, but they want you present. Your chaos energy makes you... politically interesting to the Church."
"Should I be worried?" Kazuki asked.
"Probably," Tsubaki said bluntly. "The Church can be unpredictable. Some factions are reasonable. Others are fanatical. We won't know which we're dealing with until we talk to them."
They entered the Occult Research Club room to find Rias and Sona already there, along with their peerages. The atmosphere was tense, everyone prepared for potential conflict.
Rias looked up when Kazuki entered. "Good, you're here. The exorcists will arrive shortly. Let me be clear: do not attack unless they attack first. We're technically at peace with the Church, and I'd like to keep it that way."
"What do they want?" Kazuki asked.
"They claim to be tracking stolen holy swords," Sona said, adjusting her glasses. "Excalibur fragments that were taken from the Church's vault. Their investigation led them to Kuoh."
Before Kazuki could ask more questions, there was a knock at the door. Rias straightened, her demeanor shifting into that of a high-class devil noble.
"Enter," she called.
The door opened, and the two exorcists walked in.
The first was a young man with brown hair and a serious expression, carrying himself with the confidence of an experienced warrior. He radiated holy power, controlled but potent.
The second was a girl about Kazuki's age with chestnut hair tied in twin tails, violet eyes, and an energetic presence that seemed at odds with her exorcist robes. When her gaze swept the room and landed on Kazuki, she froze.
"Kazuki?" she whispered, her eyes going wide.
Kazuki stared back, confusion and recognition warring in his mind. He didn't know her, couldn't remember her, but something in his fragmented memories stirred. A sense of familiarity, of importance.
"I'm sorry," he said carefully. "Do we know each other?"
The girl's expression crumbled. "You... you don't remember me? It's me, Irina. Irina Shidou. We were childhood friends before I moved to England!"
Childhood friends. The words triggered something—flashes of memory too fragmented to fully grasp. A girl with a bright smile, playing in a park, promising to stay friends forever.
But the memories weren't his. They belonged to the original Kazuki Ryōta, the person he'd been before his benefactor's reincarnation had rewritten his existence.
"I'm sorry," Kazuki said again, genuine regret in his voice. "I have gaps in my memory. From before my reincarnation. I don't remember my childhood clearly."
Irina looked like he'd struck her. The male exorcist put a hand on her shoulder, steadying her.
"Perhaps we should start with introductions," he said diplomatically. "I'm Xenovia Quarta. This is Irina Shidou. We're exorcists under the Vatican's authority, here to investigate stolen Excalibur fragments."
Rias nodded graciously. "I'm Rias Gremory, and this is my territory along with Sona Sitri. We're willing to cooperate with the Church's investigation, provided it doesn't threaten the peace."
"Of course," Xenovia said. Then her eyes fixed on Kazuki, sharp and assessing. "But first, I'd like to understand what you are. Your energy is... unusual. Not quite devil, not quite anything else."
Here we go, Kazuki thought. Another complication, another threat, another political mess.
His new life was certainly never boring.