The sun was setting.
The evening glow painted the road in gorgeous colors.
"Combat... it's so exhausting, isn't it?"
Utaha rubbed her sore shoulders, feeling as if her body was filled with lead.
'Koneko-chan was so small and cute, but she fought so violently.'
'Well, I suppose that's to be expected from a senior Devil.'
"This is just the beginning."
Ayato said. "And perk up. We have other things to do."
Utaha asked curiously, "What else is there?"
"Find a nun."
"Of course. My Devil master has finally set his sights on a nun."
"It's not like that."
Ayato explained. "She's probably connected to those Fallen Angels."
If he remembered correctly, that was the case.
But with the state of this world, he wasn't entirely sure.
"Uh..."
Utaha blinked and pointed to the side.
"Is that the girl you're talking about?"
"Hmm?"
Ayato followed her gaze and also showed a hint of surprise.
Standing there was a girl wearing a nun's habit, with dazzling long blonde hair.
At that moment, the girl was staring at a hamburger shop, constantly swallowing her saliva.
'This girl... might be surprisingly easy to read.'
Watching the girl, Utaha's eyes flickered.
Realizing that Ayato meant no hostility towards the girl, Utaha, having already settled into her role as a servant, chose to help him out.
She quickly walked forward a few steps and invited, "Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Eh?" The girl was startled.
Watching this, Ayato nodded with satisfaction.
Good!
'Utaha was already becoming a proper servant.'
...
The sky gradually darkened.
Inside the hamburger shop, Ayato and the other two sat down face to face.
On the table, besides hamburgers, there were various other snacks.
Looking at the food before her, Asia Argento felt conflicted.
Even though she was very hungry, just following strangers inside made her feel somewhat embarrassed.
She wanted to leave, but she was really, really hungry.
"Don't just stare, eat something. My treat."
Ayato found this girl, whose every emotion showed on her face, somewhat amusing. "Or do you think these are junk food?"
"No, not at all."
Asia shook her head hastily, then said softly,
"Th-then... thank you very much."
With that, Asia picked up a hamburger and began to eat.
At first, she took small, dainty bites, then faster and faster, stuffing her cheeks full, her expression one of pure contentment.
"It's delicious. This is so delicious."
Utaha asked instinctively, "Haven't you ever had a hamburger before?"
"No, I haven't."
Asia shook her head. "The church didn't have things like this, just bread."
"..."
Utaha fell silent.
'What kind of life had this girl lived before?'
'Was the church even being stingy with its nuns?'
Once Asia could eat no more, Ayato spoke: "Asia, can we talk now?"
"How do you know my name?"
Asia's eyes widened. "Have we met before?"
"This is our first meeting, but I know you anyway."
Ayato said. "A nun who can heal Devils... you're probably the only one, right?"
'What?'
'Th-this-this-this!'
Asia froze for a moment, then her body began to tremble slightly.
She wondered if these two kind people before her also Fallen Angels?
She had only just escaped.
Unconsciously, Asia's expression became sorrowful.
'This must be because my faith wasn't devout enough, and the Lord was punishing me.'
'What is this woman thinking about with her dramatic expression changes?'
Watching Asia's vivid expressions, Ayato felt helpless.
"Don't be afraid. I mean you no harm."
Ayato explained. "We're not with the Church, and we're not Fallen Angels either."
Asia froze for a moment, then her pretty face turned bright red.
'Asia, what are you thinking? How can you suspect the benefactors who gave you food?'
"Master is right, because we are Devils."
Utaha put on a perfect villainous smile.
"D-Devils?"
Hit by one shock after another, Asia's body went completely stiff.
"Hey, don't scare her like that."
Shaking his head helplessly, Ayato said, "Although we are indeed Devils, we truly mean you no harm."
Meeting Ayato's sincere eyes, Asia gradually calmed down.
'If it was this person... then he was trustworthy.'
For some reason, she had that feeling.
"Master, you weren't this gentle with me back then."
Utaha sounded a bit jealous.
'Couldn't this master speak nicely?'
'Why was his head full of dirty thoughts when he was with me?'
"Really? I thought you liked that way of communicating."
"Perverted Master, do you have some misunderstanding about what 'like' means?"
"You didn't say that when I was replenishing your magic."
Hearing this, Utaha's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't continue.
Her mind was filled with images from that time.
Ayato looked at her with surprise.
'Why did it feel like Utaha's venomous tongue was getting weaker?'
But Asia was the priority now, so Ayato continued speaking to her: "You're probably homeless right now, aren't you? If you don't mind, I have a spare room at my place."
"Really, can I?"
Asia's eyes widened, filled with joy and surprise.
Ever since being expelled from the Church, she had been homeless.
Those words hit her hard.
"Of course!"
Ayato smiled.
...
Ayato's Home.
After asking a few questions, Asia had fallen into a deep sleep.
Utaha sat on the sofa in the living room, looking at Ayato with surprise: "How unexpected. My perverted master actually did nothing?"
"What did you think I would do?"
"She's a beautiful girl, after all. At the very least, I thought you'd force her to become your servant."
Ayato took a juice from the fridge and drank some: "Her faith in the God is very strong. It's not that easy."
Thinking of Asia's experiences, Ayato felt somewhat conflicted.
He didn't consider himself a good person...
But he also believed he wasn't completely without morals.
And besides, a servant meant nothing if not voluntary.
Looking at Ayato, Utaha felt as if her understanding of him had been refreshed.
'My master was quite complex, wasn't he?'
'But that made him even more attractive.'
"Alright, it's late. You should get some rest."
Ayato stretched and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
Utaha asked instinctively.
"Nothing much. This is my childhood friend's territory after all. Since I have some information about those Fallen Angels, how could I not take action?"