Save Asia and Naruko! 1

(Menma P.O.V)

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, after I took Asia around the town for the day but she was kidnapped by Fallen Angels, 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. My heart especially 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 from 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 both glared at one another. Isn't this the time Naruko-chan comes in and defends my actions… say, where is Naruko-chan? I've not seen her since yesterday… What's wrong with Kiba? He seems agitated. I didn't notice until now as my focus was on Buchou but now looking around… I can't see her at all.

"Where's Naruko-chan?" I spoke up my doubt. Kiba's eyes became angry at my words. Hey! Can you calm down that killing intent!?

"It seems the Fallen Angels have got to her. Last night, there was a struggle and I can't confirm if she is alive or dead. Yuuto was the one to discover, and it's taking everything from me to convince him not to go after the Fallen Angels! I've been up for 28 fucking hours because I had to make sure he didn't go! He was actually going to stray for her! Ugh, I'm so exhausted! I want to fucking sleep!"

When Buchou said that, my heart sank. The Fallen Angels have done something to Naruko-chan? Have they taken her? They must've! She isn't dead! She can't be dead! The Fallen Angels have both Asia and Naruko-chan!? What kind of justice is that!? Why take her… don't tell me that they plan to take her Sacred Gear also!?

"A-And why aren't you helping her Buchou!? She's my friend! I know you don't get along but she's my most important friend! You can't ignore her, can you!? Even if there's a slim chance she's alive, then we have to take it, don't we!?"

"...Menma, the thing is… to save Uzumaki, it might cause a war..."

"Fuck wars! I'm going to save her and Asia! They are both in trouble! And I couldn't even protect either of them!"

"Don't speak to me like that! It might not matter to you, but to me..."

Just then, Akeno-san got Buchou's attention. 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.

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

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

Buchou put her index finger on my lips.

"Menma, 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 be promoted to any other piece besides the King piece. Menma, when you step foot in the location I acknowledge as the enemy's base, you are able to change into any piece besides the King."

Oh man! So I can be promoted to Kiba's Knight class, Koneko-chan's Rook class, and also even Akeno-sans 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."

The power of desire will activate the Sacred Gear…

"There's one last thing you should never forget, Menma. 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.

"Namikaze-kun. Are you going to save this Asia-san and Uzumaki-san?"

"Yeah, I am. I have to go. Asia and Naruko-chan are my friend after all. I'm the one who has to save them."

"…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 and Naruko-chan free."

"No, you are wrong. I will be the one to set Uzumaki-san free. I'm going, even if you don't. I have to save Uzumaki-san."

...Damn, I think he has fallen for Naruko-chan. The determination in his eyes. The strong words he used when expressing a wish to save her.

"…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'm moved by the loli girl!

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

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