Elopement

Laying on her small, hard bed, Asia stared blankly at the dirty ceiling in her tiny room. She didn't have a complaint, or rather, this was how she had been living since she was used to frugality. Yet, even if she was used to such a place, in this place, it was strangely tight and made her unable to breathe. Unlike the church where she lived previously, while it might not be huge and she might not be wealthy, it was enough, especially when she knew that she could be of help to everyone. 

Yet, in this place, when she thought about what all of the people and supernatural beings in this place did in this city, she couldn't breathe and closed her eyes tightly as she tried to stop the tears that were about to come out. 

A part of her wished to scream for help and have a knight in white armor come and help her, save her from all of this. 

'Masa...' 

When Asia thought of this young man, a smile subconsciously formed on her thin, small lips. This life of hers was painful, but even so, a god never gave a trial that she couldn't do, and instead, a god gave her sweetness during her bitterness. 

When she thought of him, her heart was filled with fluff and warmth, thinking of the days they spent together. 

Yes, their meeting might be short, but even so, it was enough to overwrite everything that she had experienced. 

All of that was nothing compared to his meeting with him. 

In Masa's mind, everything they did was nothing but just ordinary, yet this mundaneness was one that Asia sought after as she had never experienced in her life, especially after she was known the saint and then, even worse, the heretic. 

'This is why...' 

That was why Asia knew that it was better for her to leave since she knew that her existence would bring nothing but trouble for Masa. Even though she had just come yesterday, she knew herself, what kind of group she had joined, and she knew if Masa was involved in her trouble, then—

'This is good.' 

Closing her eyes, Asia kept replaying the time they spent together, thinking how wonderful it was. If there was a heaven in this world, then it was probably where they met. 

Yes, she knew that this might seem like she was easy, yet like a single string that could bring her escape from her hell, Masa gave her hope, a gentle light that she needed the most. 

'Masa...' 

Asia might not be able to see him again now, but even so, she could see him in her dreams. 

"Asia! Asia!" 

Asia even heard his voice call her name. 

"Asia!" 

"...it's not a dream?" 

Asia quickly opened her eyes and realized that the voice she had heard wasn't just a dream, but reality! 

Still, she was in a daze for a moment before she quickly got up, put on her clothes in a hurry, and left her room to meet him. As expected, she found him at the entrance of the church. "Masa? What are you doing here?" She was confused but also excited, yet at the same time, she was also anxious, thinking about all the people that might cause him trouble, especially when she thought about how merciless they were. 

"You should go back!" 

Her voice appeared to be nervous and clearly hurried. 

"No, I won't." 

"Masa..." 

Asia wasn't good at forcing people, and she was the type that would quickly accept everything, a pushover who thought that everything was a trial of god and that sooner or later, everything would be alright. 

In other words, a genuinely good girl, but Masa wasn't a good guy, so—

"I am sorry for before." 

"...why did you apologize?" 

"I am sorry for not stopping you at that time, but now, I have no hesitation, so come with me, Asia. Come back with me. Be my family."

"..." 

Those words were simple and clear, yet they made Asia daze. 

Still, Masa also realized that he might have been a little too forward. "I know this might surprise or scare you, but... I can see that you are unhappy here, and you hide your sadness when we are together. I don't like that. Our meeting might be short, but even so, I hope you are happy.

"Come with me, Asia. I will make you happy." 

Elopement. 

This was probably how his invitation appeared to be, but while this was too straightforward, this was what Asia wished to hear the most. 

Yet—

"I-I can't..." 

"Why? Do you hate me?" 

"No! I like you! I want to be with you! I-I am happy to hear your words..." Asia's face flushed in shyness, clearly happy with Masa's words, but then, when she thought of the group she had joined, she made her decision. "But... but... There are many dangerous people around me and... and because of that, you might be in danger!" 

How much she wished to be with him, she, herself, was clear about that feeling, yet she knew that the danger around her wasn't something that she should bring to Masa. This was enough, she thought. At least, before everything was over, she could see him for the last time, but when she thought of running away again, her hand was held again, and this time, it was tight. 

"M-Masa?" 

"Do you really mean it? Do you wish me to leave? If you really wish me to leave, then please say it as you look straight into my eyes?" 

As he said those words, Masa looked into Asia's eyes earnestly. Probably, kissing her right away might have broken her defense and the hesitation within her heart, yet somehow, he felt that it was wrong to do that to a pure girl like her. 

After all, unlike Raynare, Asia wasn't a bitch. 

Asia was pure, kind, and gentle, and the reason she pushed him away was that she didn't want him to be in danger. 

For such a girl... how could he give up so easily? 

"I..." Asia's eyes reddened, and her tears couldn't be stopped. "Of course, I want to leave with you! I want to be with you, but... but... you don't know that—" Her words stopped since she was hugged by him tightly. 

"That's enough. Those words are enough to make me protect you, so you don't have to worry." 

"...you might be killed." 

"It's fine." Masa looked at Asia softly and said, "At least, for the last time, I have a cute girl like you in my arms." 

"...." 

Asia blushed furiously and wanted to hug him tightly, but—

"How cute~! Ah~! How sweet that it makes me disgusted~!" 

"Don't say that, Freed. Love is a good thing, right? After all, our god teaches us to love." 

"Oh, but our god is dead, though." 

Asia was stunned, but Masa quickly stood in front of her. "Stand behind me." 

"Raynare told me something interesting would happen at the church, but I never expected to see something like this." 

Yet, compared to all the people and supernatural beings present, this figure's presence eclipsed everyone else. 

With five pairs of crow-like wings that spread behind his back, a man with long black hair and pale skin smiled in amusement as he watched Masa and Asia. 

Still, Masa had to say that Raynare worked fast since the person who came out this time was one of the leaders among the fallen angels. 

"Kokabiel."