Ryusei lay across the couch, head pillowed in Rias' lap. Her half-black, half-white hair spilled over Rias' legs as her eyes fluttered, dangerously close to drifting into a nap.
"Comfortable?" Rias asked, brushing a strand of hair from Ryusei's face.
"…Mmhm," Ryusei hummed drowsily.
Just then, the door opened.
Two figures stepped inside, their white cloaks trimmed with gold and blue, the embroidered crosses marking them unmistakably.
The first girl lowered her hood, revealing sharp brown eyes framed by chin-length blue hair with a green fringe streaking down the right side. She carried herself with cold precision, as if every move was calculated.
"I am Xenovia," she said simply, her voice clear and unwavering.
The second girl pulled her hood back as well. Violet eyes, long chestnut hair tied into twin tails with blue scrunchies—her expression was softer, but her posture still disciplined.
"And I'm Irina Shidou. It's… been a while, actually," she added with a faint smile, glancing around the room.
Ryusei cracked one eye open, watching them with mild curiosity, then yawned.
Xenovia's gaze swept over the club members, firm and unyielding. "We are here on behalf of the Church. Fallen angels have stolen fragments of Excalibur. Our mission is to retrieve them." She crossed her arms, her voice cutting like steel. "Do not interfere. This is holy business. Should you get in our way, I will not hesitate to cut you down myself."
Rias' expression remained calm, but her blue eyes hardened. "You don't have to worry about that. I would rather die than ever work with Fallen Angels."
The tension between the two women was palpable.
Meanwhile, Ryusei yawned again, shutting her eyes.
'Ah, that's right. The fake Excalibur…' she thought lazily, curling closer into Rias' lap. 'Guess it's starting. Still… I should really do my daily quest.'
Irina's violet eyes lingered on Ryusei, her expression shifting to sudden recognition. She blinked once, twice—then gasped softly.
"…Ryusei? Ryusei Okkotsu? It is you!" she exclaimed, stepping forward with a smile. "Do you remember? Back when we were kids, the three of us—me, you, and Issei—used to play together! You've grown so much!"
The room grew quiet, all eyes turning toward the couch where Ryusei was still sprawled in Rias' lap.
Ryusei opened one eye again, staring at Irina blankly. Then she sighed, rolling onto her side.
"...Nope. Don't remember you."
Irina's smile faltered. "Eh? Y-You don't remember me at all?"
Ryusei gave a dismissive wave of her hand, the same way someone would shoo off an annoying fly. "Go away. I'm trying to nap."
The dismissal was so blunt, so casual, that Irina froze in place. Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue—but Xenovia placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Don't waste your time. Sentiment has no place in our mission." Xenovia's tone was sharp, and she turned her eyes on Rias' peerage. "Let's leave."
As the two turned toward the door, Xenovia suddenly stopped, her gaze locking onto the blonde nun standing timidly behind Rias.
Asia.
Her violet eyes widened, then hardened. "You…"
Asia flinched.
"You were once known as the 'Holy Maiden.' Asia Argento. You possessed the rare gift of Twilight Healing… and yet here you are. A Devil, oh how far you've fallen."
"Th-that's not—" Asia stammered, clutching her chest.
Irina shifted uncomfortably, but Xenovia's voice only grew harsher. "To think someone with a sacred gift would throw it all away for this. You don't deserve to wield God's blessing. In fact…" She reached behind her back drawing a giant sword. "I should cleanse you here and now."
Asia stumbled back, trembling.
"Enough!" Issei's voice rang out, startling everyone. He stepped in front of Asia, arms outstretched protectively. "You're not laying a finger on her. Asia's one of us now—she's family!"
Xenovia narrowed her eyes.
Before Issei could answer, another voice cut in. "If you're picking a fight…"
Kiba finally arrives standing near the door, glaring at both girls. "…Then I'll join him."