Highschool DXD : Gacha Life

Few moments later

The elderly café owner approached our table with a warm smile, her weathered hands carrying a tray of steaming coffee and an assortment of pastries that made Asia's eyes widen with wonder.

"Thank you so much," Asia said in careful Japanese, bowing her head politely. The owner beamed at her effort and patted her shoulder gently before returning to her kitchen.

I watched as Asia carefully selected a small cream puff, taking a delicate bite and closing her eyes in apparent bliss. The simple pleasure on her face reinforced my decision – this girl deserved to experience joy, not betrayal and death.

"While you eat," I said, pulling out my phone, "let me call my friend. Her name is Chysis, and she has a way of... solving complicated problems."

Asia paused mid-bite, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "Akira-san, I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. Perhaps I should just—"

"Asia," I interrupted gently, "do you trust me?"

She met my eyes, and I saw her internal struggle. Everything in her upbringing told her to report to the church as instructed, but something deeper was warning her to be careful.

"I... yes," she said finally. "I do trust you."

I nodded and stepped away to make the call. Chysis answered on the first ring.

"Akira! How lovely to hear from you. Are you calling to thank me for the new wardrobe I had delivered? The navy jacket should complement your eyes perfectly."

"Chysis, I need your help," I said, keeping my voice low. "There's a girl here – a nun with healing abilities. She's been sent to meet some... questionable people at the local church. I think she's walking into a trap."

The playful tone vanished from Chysis's voice immediately. "Fallen angels?"

"Most likely. She's young, innocent, and has no idea what she's gotten into. I was hoping..."

"Bring her to me immediately," Chysis said without hesitation. "I'll prepare a room and ensure she's protected. You did right to call me, Akira."

"Thank you," I said, relief flooding through me. "We'll be there within the hour."

When I returned to the table, Asia was carefully savoring her coffee, her expression thoughtful.

"Your friend agreed to help?" she asked.

"More than agreed. She's expecting us." I sat down across from her. "Asia, I need to ask you something important. Have you ever had any... unusual experiences with church officials? Anything that made you feel uncomfortable or suspicious?"

Her hands stilled around her coffee cup. "I... there were incidents. People who claimed to serve God but whose actions seemed..." She struggled for words. "Dark. Wrong. Why do you ask?"

"Because I have reason to believe the people you're supposed to meet aren't who they claim to be."

Asia's face went pale. "But they had official Church documents. They knew about my abilities, about why I was sent away from Vatican City..."

"Which means they have connections, but not necessarily the right ones." I leaned forward. "Asia, I know this sounds strange, but what if I told you there were people who pose as clergy to take advantage of those with special abilities?"

Her green eyes widened, and I saw recognition flash across her features. "You mean like the ones who... who made me heal those terrible men? The ones who said it was God's will, even though something inside me screamed that it was wrong?"

My heart clenched. Even before the fallen angels got their hands on her, she had been manipulated and abused. "Exactly like that."

Asia set down her coffee cup with shaking hands. "Then what do I do? I have nowhere to go. The Church sent me here, but if these people are like the others..."

"You come with me," I said firmly. "My friend Chysis is... well, she's powerful enough to protect you, and she has experience dealing with people who abuse their authority. You'll be safe with her while we figure out your next steps."

"But I don't even know you," Asia whispered, though her tone suggested she was trying to convince herself more than me.

"No, you don't. But tell me – what does your heart say? When you look at me, what do you feel?"

Asia studied my face for a long moment. "I feel... peace. Like you're someone I can trust. It's strange – I've learned to be wary of people who offer help, but with you..." She trailed off, then nodded decisively. "I'll come with you."

"Good." I stood and left money on the table. "Let's go."

As we walked through the morning streets, I couldn't help but notice how Asia's entire demeanor had changed. The nervous energy was still there, but now it seemed more like anticipation than dread. She asked questions about Chysis, about the area we were heading to, and even made small observations about the differences between Italian and Japanese architecture.

"Akira-san," she said as we approached the more upscale district where Chysis lived, "may I ask you something personal?"

"Of course."

"Are you... are you like me? Do you have special abilities?"

I glanced at her, considering how much to reveal. "I do, actually. Water manipulation and shape-shifting."

"Shape-shifting?" Her eyes lit up with fascination rather than fear. "That's amazing! I've only ever met one other person with abilities besides myself. It's... it's nice to know I'm not alone."

"You're definitely not alone," I assured her. "There are more of us than you might think. Though not all of them have good intentions."

"Like the people at the church?"

"Exactly like them."

We had reached the gates of Chysis's mansion, and Asia stopped short, staring up at the imposing structure.

"This is where your friend lives?" she asked, a note of awe in her voice.

"Chysis has... refined tastes," I said diplomatically. "But don't let the grandeur intimidate you. She's one of the kindest people I know."

As if summoned by my words, the front door opened, and Chysis appeared. She had chosen a more conservative outfit than usual – a elegant burgundy dress that was sophisticated rather than revealing – and her usual predatory smile had been replaced with something warmer and more maternal.

"You must be Asia," she said, approaching with graceful steps. "Welcome to my home. I'm Chysis."

Asia curtsied automatically, her training taking over. "Thank you for your hospitality, Chysis-san. I... I hope I'm not imposing."

"Nonsense," Chysis waved away her concerns. "Akira was quite right to bring you here. Why don't we get you settled in, and then we can discuss your situation properly?"

As we walked through the mansion's opulent halls, I noticed Asia's wide-eyed wonder at the artwork and architecture. But more importantly, I saw her shoulders relax for the first time since I'd met her.

"Your room is here," Chysis said, opening a door to reveal a beautiful guest suite decorated in soft blues and whites. "I took the liberty of preparing some clothes in your size – I hope you don't mind."

Asia stepped into the room, setting down her worn suitcase and running her hand along the silk bedding. "It's beautiful," she whispered. "I've never... thank you."

"There's a bathroom through that door," Chysis pointed out. "Why don't you freshen up, and then we'll have lunch? I imagine you have quite a story to tell."

After Asia had retreated to her room, Chysis pulled me aside.

"Fallen angels?" she asked quietly, as I told her about them being in town, while also keeping this hiding nun, our little secret.

"Almost certainly. They would have used her healing abilities, then killed her to steal her sacred gear."

Chysis's expression darkened. "Over my dead body. That child has been through enough trauma already – I can sense it on her."

"You can help her?"

"I can protect her, certainly. But Akira, you realize what you've done?" Chysis studied my face carefully. "You've just drastically messed with the fallen angels. There will be consequences."

"I know," I said. "But I couldn't just let her walk into that trap. Some things are more important than letting a innocent one walk to their death. Besides, they don't know about her being here, so it's all good"

Chysis smiled, and for a moment, her expression reminded me of a proud teacher.

"What happens now?"

"Now? Now we give that girl a chance to let relax. The fallen angels will be expecting her at the church. When she doesn't appear, they'll start looking. So be ready, if you find Rias questioning about the details of her disappearance"

As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a message from Rias: "Where are you? We were supposed to meet this morning."

I had completely forgotten about the meeting in my urgency to help Asia. "I need to go to the academy. Can you—"

"I'll take excellent care of her," Chysis assured me with a genuine smile "Go handle your devil business. I would take good care of her"

As I hurried toward Kuoh Academy, I couldn't shake the feeling that Chysis's warning carried more weight than I understood. I had saved Asia from her canonical fate, but what else had I set in motion?

I was already late for my meeting with Rias. Whatever consequences came from my decision, I would face them. Some choices, I was learning, were worth the risk of an uncertain future.