Sandalphon came running the moment she heard the news from her angel subordinate. She didn't stop to consult her father or any of her Seraph superior. It was a straight flight to the Underworld.
Asahi approached and pinched Sandalphon's cheeks. "Stop doubting me so easily."
"W-Why are you the leader of the Underworld then?"
She was lightheaded, unable to form rational thoughts. If sadness could cause an angel to fall, she would be a Fallen Angel by now.
Sandalphon stared at him, baffled. "T-Then, you're still with Heaven?"
"I'm engaged to Gabriel." Asahi gave a straightforward answer. "God is my future father-in-law, you know?"
Sandalphon was taken aback. His engagement had yet to be announced, and even Gabriel, her supposed best friend, hid it from her.
"B-But you're—"
Asahi made her shut up with a hug. "You're so adorably dumb."
For an angel who had lived for a long time, she was surprisingly dense. Even denser than Gabriel at times.
The angel tilted her head, her cheeks flushed. "Adorably dumb? You can't call me dumb and adorable… it makes no sense."
Asahi loved how easily she forgot her main objective and corrected him.
"You still think I betrayed you?" he asked, stroking her silky blonde hair. "Tell me, my dear student."
"No…"
"You still doubt me. Okay, let's go to Heaven. I'll explain everything."
He took Sandalphon's hand. Sandalphon quickly teleported to her room with a magic circle. When they arrived in God's room, Gabriel was already waiting there with Biblical God.
Gabriel leaned into Asahi's arms for a hug. "Asahi…"
"Brat, you destroyed the devil kings and became one top-level terrorist. Is this what you meant by 'Leave the Underworld to me' during that meeting?"
Unlike his criticism, God didn't seem mad over his actions. Rather, he seemed happy as if his son-in-law got an A+ on his mark sheet.
"You're the best father-in-law." Asahi gave a thumbs up. "And yes, I wanted the Underworld. Better in my gentle hands than those arrogant, uncultured devils."
"Were those hands gentle when you slaughtered the devil kings?" The old man asked with a sly smile. "Hehe, what a fine way to make your debut as my successor."
"Father…" Sandalphon noticeably raised her voice. "Is this really okay? ...We are natural enemies of devils. Is it fine for Teacher to be their leader?"
"Teacher?" God's face descended into a serious frown. "My student is my daughter's teacher… Does that make me your grand teacher?" God asked some strange questions. "As for your previous question, yes. Devils were created because of me. It's normal for me or my successor to kick them around for a while."
"I see…" Sandalphon turned to Asahi with an awkward smile. "I'm sorry, Teacher. I doubted you for nothing."
With the misunderstanding cleared, she was quick to admit her mistake and apologize.
"Teacher this, Teacher that," Biblical God said with a yawn. "Just be husband and wife already. I'm tying your knots."
God was in a far better mood today. The achievement of his future son-in-law elated him. After all, he didn't need to lose any hair over the crazy devils in the Underworld.
"Husband and wife…?" Sandalphon asked with wide eyes. "My teacher… husband, wife, tying knots, what?"
Sandalphon's brain failed to keep up with the sudden situation. She had thought of marrying Asahi at least twice even though it was forbidden. Asahi was God's successor, who was her father. Wouldn't that make Asahi her father? Now when God brought up the topic, she was flustered.
Asahi could see that Sandalphon wasn't ready. As much as he liked her, she was far too pure to even consider him as a man.
(Sucks…)
'Sucks…'
God chuckled. "Yes, husband and wife. I have also created a home for you, Asahi, and Gabriel… you can do anything there without worrying about fall."
"I…" Sandalphon didn't know what to say. The most she could think of was watching anime and training with Asahi?
Gabriel, on the other hand, was corrupt to her core. Even in God's presence, her halo flickered crazily. She could fantasize about acts that Sandalphon wasn't even aware of. But she calmed herself down for the sake of Sandalphon. Gabriel took Sandalphon's hand and gently hugged her, imitating Asahi's way of comforting.
"Take a deep breath now and release your tension."
"...Yes, Lady Gabriel."
The blonde angels hugging each other made up for perfect sight. Asahi couldn't help but appreciate their beauty again. The usually decisive and graceful Sandalphon was acting like a little sister.
Gabriel was gentle with Sandalphon, but her gaze toward God was filled with bitter emotion. "Father… don't force it on Sandalphon. She isn't a tool you can throw away whenever you want."
The Seraph was mad this time.
God gave a wry smile. The Seraph, who couldn't even talk to him without fumbling, was showing such a strong reaction to his decision. "I never thought of Sandalphon as a tool. She will be happy with Asahi, like you."
"I love Asahi… everyone knows that. Sandalphon isn't aware of love… Your heart is in the right place, but your method is wrong. Let Asahi and Sandalphon make this important decision. Don't interfere between love, got it?" Gabriel became heated up the more she defended her friend. "...These are my honest thoughts… sorry if I said too much."
Instead of fighting his daughter, God glared at his son-in-law, his eyes clearly saying, 'Why haven't you seduced Sandalphon?'
Asahi slipped his arms around both Gabriel and Sandalphon. "Gabriel, good job."
Gabriel's face lit up as if she had achieved the greatest feat in the world. "Asahi… thank you."
Asahi was shocked. Usually, she'd be shivering in delight, asking for headpats for at least an hour. That had become the norm.
'Gabriel grew out of her headpat phase?'
He was proud and a bit sad. How could he call her a headpat slut now?
"Actually," Sandalphon muttered. "I don't mind getting married… if Teacher can spend time with me every day."
She was aware of a woman's duty in Heaven: giving birth to new angels. A necessary ritual to increase their population. It would be a convenience for a short while, but she will get to train with Asahi more, getting more powerful, and eventually becoming worthy of being a friend of Heaven's leader. She wanted to be what Michael was to God. A friend slash subordinate who could carry Asahi's burdens.
Even God was speechless this time.