CH 10: START OF A BUSY NIGHT

"Hm…"

Issei opened his blurry eyes and looked at the situation around him. He didn't know when he fell asleep, but clearly he wasn't in his bed right now. As he raised his body from his laid down position, his gaze crossed that of a golden-haired young man. Azrael,

"Sorry, Onii-san. Did I fall asleep for too long?"

Issei saw Azrael smile a little as he said,

"Just a few minutes. It seems like your training was harder than I thought. You simply needed to take some rest."

Issei scratched his head in confusion, he didn't remember training that much harder than usual, still, he didn't try to think too deeply before saying,

"Oh, you must be right. Ok, Onii-san. I gotta go. It's a little late right now."

Azrael waved his hand as he watched the boy run as he went away. He couldn't help but sigh,

What he did was basically a pocket memory. Issei was only ten years old. Without extraordinary circumstances, making him enter the world of the supernatural would be too hasty. That's why he gave all the info he had and sealed them.

If Issei ever meets a supernatural event that endangered his life or that someone close to him, this seal would activate and all the memories from today would be released. 

What's more, it could potentially stimulate the apparition of his sacred gear. 

Finally, he decided that for his remaining time in Kuoh town, he would train Issei in martial art rather than weapon art. 

In a country such as Japan, It wasn't easy to walk around with a  sword or a gun. Even more so if he was right about the kind of sacred gear he could potentially awaken. Training in the art such as boxing and so will be essential. 

'I wonder if I am too calculating sometimes.'

He had the bad habit of seeing everything in a matter of gain and loss. It wasn't a bad way to see the world, but it was without a doubt a very lonely one.

'Well, no need to make all this drama for this. I have more important things to do.'

After making all those decisions in his head, he began to walk toward the bath. Today had been a long day, and after washing the girls he would go get some rest before the main event.

---

Frankly, he thought that the Japanese bath style was truly beautiful. It reminded him of those of his country, albeit with a different style. Once he reached the bathroom, he began to disrobe himself before entering and then entering.

There, he couldn't help but slap his head at what he saw. A naked Irina was pinning down another Xenovia. Thankfully, Xenovia played around and didn't try to fight back otherwise he would have seen blood.

He clapped his hands in order to get their attention,

"Girls, girls, stop it. How many times did I tell you to not fight here? Irina, Xenovia after the bath you'll have to clean everything here by yourself. Take this as punishment."

The two abashed girls simply nodded without complaining. They knew that they had no leg to stand on.

Seeing their reactions, he sighed and took a seat. It didn't take long for Xenovia to come and dutifully wash his back. Frankly, for those two there was nothing weird about it. Even in the Vatican, he never took a bath alone nor ever washed himself. Japan wasn't the first country to invent a communal bath. 

There in Rome, he always took a bath with the sisters and the females' exorcist. He even had a team of maids who would wash him from head to toe. It wasn't anything strange for him. Of course, despite being a little sheltered and pampered, he knew that it wasn't exactly normal either. It was still alright when he was a child, but a teen washing with a group of nubile and mature women wasn't exactly an image of virtue.

Still, he didn't really care. He once asked Dulio why they did that and he received a startling explanation.

Firstly, because of his origin, the women of the church felt safer with him and saw him as something more than a man. As such, even if he wished, they wouldn't be that reluctant to give their bodies to him.

Secondly, most of the women present were more helper than anything else. Few exorcists took the vow of chastity and as such, they were free to love as they wished.

Finally and perhaps more importantly, he was a great catch. Simply put, having his child would be like hitting the jackpot ten times in a row. From what he knew, even the right to bath with him was strictly regulated and depended on contributions. It was even one of the sources of revenue of the church. Griselda even set up some kind of black market about it.

The day he learned that information, Azrael understood that there were still many things he couldn't understand and decided to simply stop thinking about it. No matter what, bathing with a group of beautiful women was neither a bad thing. 

As he began to relax while Xenovia was washing his back, he said, 

"Irina, come in front."

That girl was such a handful, a true little tomboy. Thankfully, she never pushed the limit and her talent was undeniable. 

 As she sat on the stool in front of him, he took a basin full of moderately hot water and poured it on her. After that, as he began layering soap on her scalp and began to wash it, he asked,

"Hey Irina, you like Issei right?"

Irina was startled and tried to jump back, but he already anticipated it and put a hand on her head, stopping her short.

"Release me~! release me~! Meannie~!"

She struggled for a little while, but finally gave up when it became clear that she had no hope of escaping. Xenovia, who was still washing Azrael back couldn't help but snicker a little. She didn't understand much about love, but seeing Irina in such a situation was simply funny.

"*Sigh*, Why I am even bothering? What will happen will happen."

At first, he wanted to advise her to confess to Issei. After all, she would soon go to England with her father. Who knew what could happen? Wouldn't it be better to at least tell her feelings? But then, he remembered once again that they were only 10 years old. 

He might have been more mature than them at the same age, but circumstances shaped personality.

"Forget it. I will wash your back fast and then you go enter the bath."

The rest of the time was spent leisurely. Xenovia and Irina played around while he simply closed his eyes and rested. Tonight might be very important and he needed to be in optimal conditions to tackle the problems that might occur.

'Well, let's just hope that nothing bad happens.'

It was on this thought that the bath finished. After drying the two little girls, he sent them to their beds before going to his room. He needed to rest a little.

---

Before going to his room, he went to see Diethelm and Shidou

"Tonight, I must accomplish something very important. I do not know what will happen, but, No matter, do not disturb me."

After giving his instructions, he began to walk away with a determined expression. This night would be an important milestone for him. He couldn't afford any disturbance.