Arthur found a nice-looking family restaurant and went inside with Asia. Warm lighting and the soft clatter of plates created a peaceful atmosphere. They took a small table near the window, sunlight still spilling in from outside.
They introduced themselves properly, and Arthur ordered a large meal for both of them. Asia watched quietly as bowls of steaming noodles, rice, and bread were placed in front of them. She waited politely for him to begin eating first, then took her first bite.
The moment the food touched her tongue, tears welled up in her eyes.
"It's delicious..." she whispered, voice trembling.
Arthur pretended not to notice, simply smiling and continuing to eat.
While they ate, he asked gently why she had come to Kuoh Town. Asia explained that she had been kicked out of her old residence and had heard that people she trusted were living in a local church. She had set out to find it but got lost along the way.
As she spoke, she clutched her hands tightly on her lap, trying to keep her smile steady.
Inside, Arthur was thinking intensely.
'Should I convince her to stay with me? If I let her go, there's a real chance she'll die because the plot has already changed... but is that really okay?'
[If the host decides to let her go, I can assure you there will be another meeting before the event where Ms. Asia Argento dies.]
'You mean the event with Freed Sellzen? The one where he kills the contractor?'
[If the main mission continues, I can assure you that you'll find her safe and sound that day.]
Arthur closed his eyes briefly, weighing the risks.
'In that case, I'll at least ask her to stay with me. If she refuses, I'll save her later.'
He took a sip of water and spoke calmly.
"Hey, Asia. Don't you want to stay at my house for a while? I'm actually looking for someone to help clean. I can pay you well and give you a place to live safely. At least until you find the church."
Asia halted mid-bite. She lowered her chopsticks gently, thinking seriously. Even though she was innocent, she wasn't naive. She could sense bad intentions easily, yet all she felt from Arthur was warmth and genuine concern.
That sincerity made her chest tighten.
But even so, she didn't feel right accepting such kindness after everything.
"I'm sorry, Arthur-san. I really appreciate your offer more than I can say, but... for now, I would like to continue to the church. It's something I must do."
She bowed several times in gratitude, her cheeks flushed and eyes glistening.
Arthur nodded without disappointment, his voice steady.
"I understand. In that case, take this."
He placed several bills and a piece of paper with his address written neatly on it into her hand.
"If you need help or change your mind, don't hesitate to come find me. My door is always open."
Asia looked down at the paper for several seconds before gently pressing it to her chest.
"I will never forget your kindness, Arthur-san. Thank you... truly."
They stepped outside the restaurant. The sun had fully set, painting the sky deep blue. Streetlights flickered on one by one as Asia dragged her suitcase, taking careful steps toward her destination.
"See you later, Asia."
Arthur watched her silhouette grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared behind a bend in the road.
'I can't help but worry… but for now, I'll trust she'll be safe.'
He turned away and walked home. On the way, a part of him was tempted to head directly to the abandoned church and eliminate the fallen angels and that insane exorcist.
But in the end, he didn't.
After arriving home, he completed his daily mission, took a hot bath, and spent time practicing [Ruler's Authority], learning finer control of its pressure and range. He trained his martial techniques until sweat poured down his back.
Finally, exhausted, he collapsed into bed and drifted peacefully into sleep.
The next morning, a strange feeling woke Arthur earlier than usual. Soft noises drifted from the kitchen below, the sound of utensils clinking together.
He quietly descended the stairs, curious and alert, preparing to confront whoever had entered his house.
When he reached the doorway, he stopped suddenly.
A girl with long black hair stood at the stove, wearing the Kuoh Academy uniform beneath a chef's apron that hugged her voluptuous curves. Her hair was tied in a ponytail that reached her waist, swaying slightly as she cooked.
"Good morning, Akeno. What are you doing in my house?"
The intruder was none other than his fake girlfriend.
"Ara ara~ You don't seem surprised at all."
Akeno lifted a spatula to her lips in a teasing gesture, then stepped forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. He didn't respond, still caught between thoughts of Asia and confusion about his feelings.
Akeno paused, eyes flickering with a hint of disappointment before quickly masking it with a smile and changing the subject.
"A quick background check is enough to find where you live, and breaking in with magic is even easier. What intrigues me is why you look so calm."
Arthur sighed. It was true. He rarely used the key to enter his house, instead flying in with Shunpo.
"I just wanted to come and make breakfast for my cute boyfriend."
Eggs sizzled in the pan and the smell of bacon filled the air.
"I see..."
Arthur wanted to say something about their relationship, but a part of him wanted to hold onto this warmth. So instead of speaking, he wordlessly helped set the plates and prepared coffee.
"Would you like something to drink? I think I have some tea bags."
He didn't like tea, but remembered the previous owner of the body drinking it.
"If it's not too much trouble~"
They sat at the breakfast bar, eating in comfortable silence. Time didn't matter. With teleportation, they would never be late.
Akeno suddenly spoke, voice softer than usual.
"You're so cold, you know? After everything we did yesterday on the rooftop, I thought you might love me even a little."
Under her composed smile, there was vulnerability. Akeno had complicated feelings. He was handsome, strong, and mysterious, and although their relationship began as deception, she couldn't deny her growing curiosity... and interest.
She knew Arthur had lied about some things. She had felt his power. She was sure he saw their true forms back then.
But he never treated her differently. He never worshipped her beauty or acted desperate for her attention. He looked at her body sometimes with desire in his eyes, but always pulled back, always controlled himself.
And that bruised her pride more than she expected.
"Sorry about that. I've just been thinking. It wasn't about you."
Arthur watched her carefully, and suddenly made a decision.
In a split second, he used Shunpo, appearing behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her gently against his chest.
"I guess I'll have to pay more attention to my cute girlfriend."
Akeno froze. She had provoked this, but she didn't think he would do something so bold. For someone who toyed with others confidently, she suddenly felt inexperienced, her heartbeat thunderous.
Without thinking, she leaned back into him, resting her head against his chest, letting herself relax in his arms. She didn't want to push him away.
For someone abandoned, hunted, and left alone for years, the simple warmth of a genuine embrace was overwhelming.
She closed her eyes, letting the moment swallow her.
But after a long silence, she softly cleared her throat.
"Ahem. It's getting late. I should wash the dishes so we can go to school."
Akeno slipped from his arms, turning quickly so he wouldn't see the deep red flush across her face.
She tried to recover her usual composure.
"Go get dressed. We'll leave soon."
Arthur chuckled quietly, and instead of letting her pull away, he caught Akeno's hand and gently pulled her back toward him. She let out a small gasp of surprise as he guided her onto his lap, straddling him.
Their faces were only inches apart, breaths mixing, her heartbeat loud enough that he could almost feel it against his chest.
"Arthur…" she whispered, voice trembling in a way he had never heard before.
He didn't wait.
Their lips crashed together, and the world vanished around them. Akeno's hands clutched tightly at his shoulders, fingers curling into his shirt. Their mouths moved hungrily, pulling and devouring each other's breath. Each kiss deepened, sharper and more desperate, their breathing turning ragged.
"Mmm… ah…" soft sounds escaped her involuntarily, trembling against his lips.
A spark of raw power surged between them, like electricity running through their bodies. Lightning flickered faintly beneath Arthur's skin from the Lightning God Armor's essence, and Akeno instinctively pulled that power in with each kiss.
Every time their lips pressed together, energy transferred like a pulse of heat, drawing a shaky sigh from her throat.
Nnh… haa… the sound vibrated against his mouth, sending a shiver down his spine.
Her hips pressed instinctively closer as she leaned forward, kissing him deeper. Arthur's hands slid firmly around her waist, pulling her against him with controlled strength. The intensity grew until it almost felt like breathing each other in.
The kiss turned slower, heavier, every exhale trembling.
Their mouths parted for air, a thin trail of breath between them, and Akeno let out a soft, helpless moan as she felt another surge of lightning energy slip through their connection.
"Haa… Arthur…" her voice quivered, half-breathless, half-pleading.
When the kiss finally broke, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his head against her voluptuous chest, letting his forehead rest there. Akeno silently placed her hand on his head and gently stroked his hair, her heartbeat still racing.
For a moment, neither spoke.
They simply stayed like that, holding each other, sharing warmth in silence that said more than words ever could.
And that was how the morning ended.