"Even if Azazel was willing to let her into Grigori, Akeno would refuse. She would hate anything to do with fallen angels, even herself."
Not much is known about Shuri from the original series. But from what I'm seeing, she's a brilliant woman. Being able to predict the actions of the two people closest to them almost exactly is terrifying, and I'm not going to get tired of repeating it.
"Why would you trust me with your daughter? You only met me today."
It doesn't make sense. Why would someone as smart as her leave her daughter in the hands of a stranger?
"I have no one else to trust."
It's a simple phrase, but I can feel all the emotion that Shuri exudes.
A young girl, who one day found a wounded man and ended up falling in love with him. But her family did not accept this relationship, and she was expelled from her clan. Akeno, a product of their relationship, is a target to be eliminated by her own family.
She has no one she can trust with her daughter in case something terrible happens to her.
What Shuri must be feeling on the inside every day knowing all of this, added to the events of recent times...
It's got to be terrible.
I had already made a decision, even before I met Shuri. But on reflection, and after getting to know Shuri better, my decision has been fortified.
"I... am not going to take care of your daughter. An offspring is a responsibility of its parents, not of strangers."
The answer I give Shuri is clear and concise, leaving no room for doubt.
"Sigh... I didn't expect much, but well. I'm asking you to at least not turn your back on my daughter if she needs your help in the future."
Shuri, in a desperate attempt, is trying to tie me to Akeno somehow.
"I will try."
That's the last thing I say to Shuri before I go inside the Shrine.
"Thank you."
I hear Shuri's slight appreciation as I go into the Shrine.
The rest are inside the same room, each in the same place as before. The only difference is that Akeno sits on her father's lap as she embraces him, burying her face in her father's chest.
Barakiel looks at me with narrowed eyes. He seems like he wants to find some answers in my face.
"It's time to train," I say as I dodge Barakiel's gaze.
Kuroka and Raynare rise at once as they listen to me. It is the custom that I am the most strict person with the schedules, so I usually mark the time that the training begins and ends.
"Akeno, Dad has to go to work. See you tonight, okay?"
Barakiel lifts Akeno from his seat so that he can leave and follow us to Nephilim.
"No! I want daddy to stay home!"
I think Akeno is acting like a spoiled child right now. She is holding Barakiel's body tightly, refusing to let go.
"You should stay here with your family, Barakiel. Akeno may still be scared, so it's better that you stay with her."
Even if she's acting like a spoiled brat, it's perfect for my plans. Retaliation may come immediately, and I haven't prepared for it yet, so it would be best if Barakiel stayed home for the day.
"I... it's okay. I'm sorry, Raynare. I'm not gonna be able to train you today."
"No, -hic-, don't worry."
The tears threatened to come out of Raynare's eyes.
"Don't cry, Raynare. I thought you didn't like my training, but it seems you don't. To make up for this afternoon's workout, we'll double the intensity tomorrow."
"No need, really."
"Don't be modest, Raynare. You want us to triple it?"
"We doubled the training! We doubled it!"
I feel sorry for Raynare.
I remember it was she who told me that Barakiel was a serious guy who couldn't understand subliminal messages and advised us not to make strange jokes with him.
Now she's the one who's suffering because she didn't follow her own advice.
...…
Kuroka, Raynare and I left the Shrine. Shuri, Barakiel and Akeno were at the Shrine's door, ready to say goodbye to us.
"Akeno, can you come here a moment?"
Akeno looks at me in confusion for a moment and looks at his mother. Shuri seems to have her doubts as well but finally nods to Akeno.
She approaches me with a quick step.
In terms of height, she is only slightly smaller than Kuroka. I suppose she's about 140 cm tall, I'm a little taller than her.
I put my mouth to Akeno's ear and whisper a question.
"Yes! We have enough for four!"
"I see, thank you for responding."
"No problem. I like you a lot, Drako."
Akeno returns to her mother with the same quick step as she had approached me.
"Hope to see you soon, Kuroka, Raynare and Drako! I had a lot of fun!"
Akeno yells at us as we walk away, and she raises her hand to say goodbye.
"Maybe it's sooner than you think..." I mumble.
.........…
We're back at Nephilim.
There are only three of us since Barakiel has stayed behind in his family.
"You guys can go train, I have to get ready for tomorrow. If I don't... I'll die.
It seems Raynare is on the verge of despair. Doubling the intensity of the training has got to be a hell of a thing for her.
"No, we're not gonna train."
No, that's not what we're going to do.
We have more important things to do for now.
"Pack your stuff, Raynare. We're moving out."