Life.4 I'm Saving My Friend!

Part 1

SLAP!

A sound echoes in the club room. The sound came from my cheek.

I was slapped. Buchou slapped me on my cheek.

She has a serious expression.

"How many times do I have to repeat myself? No is no. I can't allow you to save that Sister."

I visited the school after I couldn't save Asia and reported the story to Buchou.

Even after I reported what happened, I proposed to go to that Church.

Obviously, to save Asia.

But Buchou on the other hand said that she wouldn't get involved in this matter.

I wasn't able to agree with her decision, so I tried to convince her even though I knew it was rude. That's why she slapped me.

The first slap I ever received in my life hurts more than I thought. Especially my heart hurts.

I have been continuing to betray Buchou who holds high expectations for me.

But still, there are things that I can't give up on.

"Then I will go by myself. I'm worried about the ritual thing. The Fallen Angels are doing something from behind the scenes. There's no guarantee of Asia's safety."

"Are you really that stupid? You will definitely be killed if you go. You won't be able to come back to life anymore. Do you understand?"

Buchou tries to talk calmly, but she is talking to me as if she is warning me.

"Your actions will affect not only me but also the other members! You are a Devil of the Gremory group! You need to be aware of that!"

"Then let me out of this group. I'll go there as an individual."

"I can't do that! Why don't you understand?"

I think it's the first time I've seen Buchou this enraged.

I have been causing a lot of trouble for Buchou. But there are things that I can't back down from.

"I became friends with Asia Argento. Asia is my important friend. I won't abandon my friend!"

"...That's a wonderful thing. I think it's amazing if you can say that face to face. But that is different than what we are talking about now. The relationship between a Devil and a Fallen Angel is not as simple as you think. The two sides have been glaring at each other for hundreds and thousands of years. If you show them a single gap of weakness, they will come and kill us. They are our enemy."

"Wasn't blowing away the enemy the Gremory's way of doing things?"

"..."

We glare at each other.

I didn't back off. I look straight into her eyes.

"That girl was originally from God's side. She is a person that we cannot ever coexist with. Even if she went with the Fallen Angels, it doesn't change the fact that she is still the enemy of us Devils."

"Asia isn't our enemy!"

I denied it strongly. A kind girl like her can't be our enemy!

"Even if she isn't, she has nothing to do with us. Ise, you have to forget about her."

Even if she says it like that, there's no way I can forget about her!

Then Akeno-san comes and whispers into Buchou's ear.

What is it? Did something happen? Akeno-san also has a serious expression. But it looks like it isn't because of Buchou and my discussion.

Buchou, who is listening to Akeno-san, makes a serious face.

Just as I thought, something definitely happened.

Buchou looks at me, and then looks at the remaining members.

"I've got an urgent thing to do now. Akeno and I will go out for a bit."

—!

N-No!

"B-Buchou! I haven't finished talking—"

Buchou put her index finger on my lips.

"Ise, there are a couple of things I need to tell you. First one. You think that a [Pawn] is a weak piece, right? Am I right?"

I nod quietly to her question.

"That's a big misunderstanding. [Pawn] has a special ability that no other pieces have. That ability is the [Promotion]."

Promotion? What is that?

"Just like the actual chess game, [Pawn] can change into other classes if they reach the opponent's base. They are able to promote to any other piece besides the [King] piece. Ise, when you step foot in the location I acknowledge as "Enemy's base", you are able to change into any piece besides the [King]."

Oh man! So I can promote to Kiba's [Knight] class, Koneko-chan's [Rook] class, and also even Akeno-san's [Queen] class!?

"Since it hasn't been that long since you became a Devil, there are restrictions, so it's probably still impossible for you to be promoted to the ultimate piece, a [Queen]. But you could change to other classes. If you wish strongly for [Promotion] within your heart, then there will be a change in your ability."

Amazing! Just listening to it gave me a lot of information!

If I add the promotion with my Sacred Gear, then I might be able to beat that priest!

"Also one more thing. It's about the Sacred Gear. When you use your Sacred Gear, just remember this."

Buchou starts to stroke my cheek with her hand.

"—Desire. Sacred Gear is driven with the power of desire. And it also determines the power for it as well. Even though you are a Devil, your will to desire hasn't been lost. The stronger you desire, the stronger your Sacred Gear will respond to you."

—Desire.

The power of desire will activate the Sacred Gear...

So if I strongly wish for it, this will activate.

"There's one last thing you should never forget, Ise. Even a [Pawn] can take down the [King]. This is basic in chess. This truth also applies for the Devils' chess pieces. You can become stronger."

After saying that, she teleports to some other place through the magic-circle along with Akeno-san.

The only ones left are me, Kiba, and Koneko-chan.

After I take a deep breath, I was already determined to go and was about to leave.

"Hyoudou-kun."

Kiba calls me.

"Are you going?"

"Yeah, I am. I have to go. Asia is my friend after all. I'm the one who has to save her."

"...You will get killed. Even if you have the Sacred Gear, and even if you use [Promotion], you can't take down a group of Exorcists and Fallen Angels by yourself."

Logical answer.

I already know that. I'm very aware of that.

"Even so, I'm going. Even if I die, I will set Asia free."

"Good determination, that's what I would like to say but it's still reckless."

"Then what am I supposed to do!"

I shouted at him, but he says it straight at me.

"I'm going too."

"Wha..."

I lost my words after hearing something unexpected.

Of course. I just heard something that I wasn't expecting.

"I don't know much about Asia-san, but you are my comrade. Even though Buchou said that, there's a part of me that respects your decision. Also, I personally don't like Fallen Angels and priests. I detest them."

...This guy probably has some kind of past as well.

But to hear the word "comrade" from him...

"Remember what Buchou said? "When you step foot in the location I acknowledge as "Enemy's base", you are able to change into any piece besides the [King]". So isn't she indirectly telling us that "I acknowledge that the Church is the location where the enemy of Rias Gremory is"?"

"Ah."

I finally realise it.

I see, so that's what she meant.

That's why she told me the information about [Promotion].

"Buchou indirectly approved you to go. Of course, I think she also means that I should support you as well. Buchou may have some kind of plan. If not, she would have stopped you by locking you up somewhere."

Kiba laughs.

...Buchou, thank you very much!

I have witnessed how gracious Buchou is once again, and thanked her from the bottom of my heart.

If I come back safely, I will work harder!

I'm thanking Buchou who isn't here silently, and a small build girl approaches me.

"...I'm going as well."

"Wha-, Koneko-chan?"

"...I feel uneasy for only having you two go."

Koneko-chaaaaaaaan! I can't tell what's going in her mind since she doesn't show any expression, but I feel like I just witnessed her kindness hidden in her!

"I'm touched! Right now, I'm so deeply touched, Koneko-chan!"

I became emotional with this girl's word.

"H-Huh? But I'm going as well...?"

Kiba puts on a sad smile. I know, Kiba. Thank you.

I thought that a troubled handsome is a bit cute.

All right! With this it's possible! We can do it!

"Then let's go for a rescue mission with the three of us! Wait for us, Asia!"

Like this, the three of us headed towards the Church.