Chapter 20: Every angel seeks his demon

My right hand rests on her head and I gently stroke her hair.

"Next step, meet the bishop." My hand leaves her head and I walk towards the exit.

As I leave the school gate, my phone starts ringing and when I see who's calling, it's Ruby herself.

"Hi Ruby, I did what you asked."

"Um... wait a minute, brother, I'm painting my toenails."

She's calling me while getting a manicure? What is this girl thinking? She could at least focus a little, since even when she calls she doesn't want to get straight to the point.

"Be quick, sis, I'll be busy in a minute." With a neutral expression, I watch the street as cars pass by so as not to get anxious.

"Okay! So, I was wondering if you'd be interested in going to the ice cream shop with me? Since my penultimate semester is ending soon and... I don't really have to do anything since I'll already be approved for next semester."

Funny, she's already celebrating without even completing the task of getting the minimum grade to pass. This girl is really cocky... but confident because she believes she'll pass anyway.

Her grades were almost where they needed to be, so she really won't have to work too hard to pass.

"Thanks for the invitation, Ruby, but I'll be busy this afternoon. Can we do it another day?"

When I offered to go out another day, Ruby was silent for a few seconds. I said hello to see if she was still on the line, and she was able to respond.

"Hi, hi, sorry, I was putting away my manicure bottles... It's fine, Aqua, let me know when you want to go, okay? Good luck."

The call ended, she just hung up on me without even letting me say goodbye, but that's okay.

"The bus is here, I'll grab my clothes at home and meet Asia at the monument."

[Time - 5:50 PM / Location: At the Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Monument (Kyoto)]

Wearing a dark blue plaid dress shirt, black jeans, and white sneakers, I was really well dressed. I never usually wear clothes like this... the wardrobe really has great taste in fashion.

Looking at my wristwatch, there were ten minutes left until Asia Argento's arrival, and I was standing in front of the entrance to one of Kyoto's most popular monuments.

Since I was waiting for her, I decided to drink one of the bottles of water I had brought in my bag in case I got thirsty.

"Hm? Is that her?"

From a distance, I noticed a familiar silhouette climbing the stairs... with her beautiful blonde hair flying in the air.

"You're right on time, Asia."

"Phew, and I thought I was going to be late... that's a huge relief." Asia breathed deeply, relieved by the situation.

With a worried look, I silently offer her a bottle of water, and she looks at it with disdain on her face.

"Drink some water, or you'll die of thirst, Asia." With a neutral expression, I open the cap and hold the bottle in front of her.

"I insist, you don't have to offer me that, Aqua... I'm a devil too, so I have a certain resistance, you'll need it more than me." Asia looked to the side, watching people walking around the monument from afar.

"As for me, I don't even care about thirst, and your healing magic won't take away your thirst either, in a few hours you may feel like wetting your mouth." I explain this with the bottle in my hands and using the cap to close it, I put it back in the bag and continue on my way.

"Aqua."

"Hm? Yes?" I look at Asia who was behind me, and quickly the bag disappears from my hand.

"Glub glub..."

Asia silently stole my bag of water bottles and started drinking one of them to wet her mouth and hydrate herself.

Suddenly, I start smiling without thinking about it. Inside, I feel good seeing Asia drinking water nonstop now. What a positive feeling.

"I only drank to make you happy, and I know that... it would do me good too if I drank."

Asia gently hands me the bag and gives me a shy smile.

"Even the big fire inside you needs to be extinguished a little, doesn't it? Devil." Holding out my hand to her, Asia gives a little laugh and slaps my hand as if it were a high five between two friends.

"You're really smart, Aqua. I'm already loving this first date." Asia moves on with enthusiasm on her face, and I end up putting my hand on my forehead, looking down with a small smile.

"You're hopeless, aren't you? Let's enjoy ourselves then."

When Asia has already gone ahead on the path, I calmly follow her toward the monument to enjoy the view.

[Mission progress (Asia): 50%]

"Hey Aqua, looks like you're enjoying your walk... can I play too?" A girl with a sadistic voice appears, speaking from a dark alley that hides her face, where she slowly disappears into the darkness.