"At last…!"
Jeanne dropped to her knees as if receiving a divine revelation, arms flung wide open toward the heavens. Her face shone with pure, unfiltered joy, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked up at the sky.
"The weekend is finally here!"
The long-awaited day had come—the precious, once-in-a-lifetime occasion where she could enjoy a fun and relaxing date with her tentative younger sister. Just the thought of it made her heart flutter like a girl in love.
For someone like Jeanne, even the act of waking up early felt like a cruel punishment—a weight so suffocating, it made her want to hibernate for an entire month just to recover.
And yet, she had endured that soul-crushing routine for a full week straight.
A week!
Tears welled up in her eyes as she raised her hands higher, trembling.
"Hallelujah..." she whispered, her voice cracking with relief, as if she'd been freed from captivity.
"…What are you doing, Jeanne?"
A flat yet subtly concerned voice pierced through the silence.
Jeanne turned her head to the right, locking eyes with Ophis, who stood there with a faint furrow between her brows.
For anyone else, the Dragon's expression might have seemed unreadable, but Jeanne had somewhat since grown accustomed to decoding the subtle shifts behind that stoic mask. It wasn't much—just a sliver of understanding—but it was enough.
"…It's nothing, Ophis-chan," Jeanne replied with a sheepish smile, quickly brushing away her dramatic posture like it had never happened.
In truth, she had just finished a monumental task—one only possible with the divine computing power of Metatron's supercomputer-grade processing system. She had simulated nearly infinite outfit combinations, sifting through them with the intensity of an artist sculpting a masterpiece. And at last, she had selected the perfect ensemble for Ophis.
And the result?
Adorable. Transcendently so. The kind of cuteness that could melt the hearts of entire families, that could bring peace treaties to warring nations if weaponized.
Ophis was dressed in a crisp white blouse paired with a flowing black skirt that reached her ankles. The outfit itself was modest, even simple by some standards.
But on Ophis, it shone. The stark contrast between the colors enhanced her quiet presence, and with her naturally doll-like features, the look became utterly disarming.
Who needed revealing outfits or flashy designs? Jeanne scoffed at the thought.
Neither her original self nor the saintly version of Jeanne d'Arc could tolerate the thought of children being made to expose excessive skin. It wasn't just a fashion preference—it was a matter of principle.
True, Saint Jeanne had worn some rather bold costumes during the days of the game, but those were circumstances beyond her control. Her original personality had always leaned toward comfort over allure. Sweaters and sweatpants were her typical uniform.
But now that she was Jeanne, and not just playing her, she figured she might as well wear something a little more stylish—though she still drew the line at anything too revealing. She had her limits.
…Thighs were fine. Dolphin shorts were dangerously comfortable. Exceptions could be made.
Today, she wore a coordinated outfit of her own—a similar white blouse tucked neatly under a long skirt, though hers was paired with a soft beige cardigan that fell loosely over her shoulders, exposing just a peek of the blouse's collarbone line. Just enough elegance, just enough modesty.
The finishing touch had been her favorite part: she had carefully braided Ophis's long black hair to mirror her own, creating a harmonious balance between the two. It was a quiet dream she had always harbored—to match outfits with a younger sister during a casual day out.
And judging by the subtle glimmer in Ophis's eyes when she saw their reflection side by side, Jeanne could tell she approved.
That was enough.
Jeanne wouldn't dare complain.
"Where should we go first, Ophis-chan?"
Jeanne spoke cheerfully as they stepped outside, their fingers intertwined in a warm, gentle grip. The sunlight spilled across the pavement like a blessing, and the cool breeze danced around them as if celebrating their outing.
"…Hungry."
Ophis's reply was short and simple, but her voice carried an unspoken weight, a quiet urgency that made Jeanne blink.
"Oh—right! I totally forgot we skipped breakfast… But no matter!"
Jeanne puffed out her chest with pride. She had been so caught up in the excitement of the day that, the moment her eyes fluttered open that morning, she'd rushed to wash up, drag Ophis out of bed, and get them both cleaned and dressed like a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Meals? What were meals in the face of such anticipation?
Still, hunger couldn't be ignored forever.
As they entered the more populated part of town, the streets buzzed with life—laughter, distant music, and the clinking of café glasses filled the air. Among the crowds, Jeanne had begun to notice patterns: certain archetypes emerged in every outing.
There were the planners, armed with digital itineraries, reservations stacked to the hour, and backup plans for every contingency. Perfect precision.
Then there were the roamers, carefree wanderers drawn only by instinct, weaving through alleyways and slipping into places that felt right.
Jeanne? She was somewhere in the middle.
A generalist.
She had made a brunch reservation—because who in their right mind would risk missing out on pancakes?—but the rest of the day was left to spontaneity and the occasional detour to places Sona had recommended. The student council president, oddly thoughtful for someone so strict.
Still, Jeanne had more on her mind than just a carefree stroll. One of her subtle missions for today was improving their shared home's comfort. The mattress had been bothering her lately—too stiff, too small. It was a minor complaint, but one that had quietly festered into a full-blown shopping quest.
And besides… buying new clothes for Ophis didn't sound so bad either.
"Thankfully, President Shitori recommended this fluffy pancake place! Doesn't it look tasty, Ophis-chan?"
Jeanne leaned over with sparkling eyes, showing her phone screen to Ophis, which displayed photos of golden pancakes stacked high, topped with cream and glistening syrup. Just looking at them was enough to send her into a daydream.
But Ophis's gaze didn't land on the pancakes.
"…Who?"
"Hm?" Jeanne blinked, tearing her eyes away from the fluffy goodness. "What'd you say, Ophis-chan?"
"Who is Shitori?"
The name landed like a pebble dropped in still water. Jeanne tilted her head in surprise, then gave a soft chuckle.
"Oh, she's the student council president. A devil, if I remember right. She gave me a few recommendations when I transferred in. Nothing serious."
She waved it off casually, not expecting much from the question.
But Ophis's next words were as still and sharp as a blade.
"…Enemy? Opposite to Jeanne?"
Jeanne blinked again, stunned by the unexpected intensity in Ophis's tone.
"Huh? No, no. Ophis-chan… that's sweet of you to worry~"
She reached out and gently patted Ophis's head. The girl leaned into her touch like a cat, letting out a soft, contented purr that warmed Jeanne's heart.
"Why would I go around killing people just for being different? Isn't that kind of unfair? We're all just people, aren't we?"
"…But opposite?"
Ophis's question came again, softer this time, but still lingering in the air like mist.
Jeanne continued stroking her hair with a small, fond smile.
"I'm not just any angel, you know. I may be called an Angel—but I'm different."
Her voice dropped into a whisper, as if speaking a truth only she could understand.
'An angel not of this world…'
She mused to herself, the thought echoing faintly in her chest.
Ophis studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod, apparently satisfied with the answer. Her grip on Jeanne's hand tightened, just a little.
"Then let's go eat pancakes," Jeanne declared with a bright smile, her voice ringing like a bell as she pulled Ophis forward into the bustling streets.
The two girls strolled through the crowd, drawing more than a few glances.
Jeanne's blonde braid swayed behind her, her outfit polished yet soft, elegant without being excessive. Ophis, walking beside her in a matching set, looked like a porcelain doll come to life—silent, refined, and curiously clinging to Jeanne's hand as if afraid of being swept away.
The fluffy pancake restaurant wasn't far. Nestled between a book café and a boutique filled with handmade trinkets, the storefront had a rustic charm. The sign above the door was written in looping cursive, glowing faintly like it had been blessed by heaven itself.
As they stepped inside, a warm scent wrapped around them—vanilla, browned butter, and something impossibly soft.
Ophis blinked once, her eyes widening just a little.
"…Sweet," she whispered.
Jeanne's heart almost burst.
"Right? I told you it'd be amazing!"
They were soon seated near the window, where soft sunlight spilled across the table. The menu was a dreamy list of impossibly fluffy pancakes: strawberry cream towers, caramel banana stacks, and a mysterious seasonal special named "Angel's Fall."
Jeanne didn't hesitate.
"One Angel's Fall and a strawberry cream, please~ Oh, and a warm milk for the little one."
Ophis didn't object. Her attention was fixed on the display case filled with syrup bottles and jars of whipped butter.
The server smiled at them before walking away, clearly charmed by the sight of the oddly dressed pair.
Jeanne leaned back in her seat, letting out a relaxed sigh.
"This… this is what I live for," she said dramatically, staring up at the ceiling like she was ready to cry tears of joy.
"I swear, Ophis-chan. If the pancakes are even half as good as they smell, I'm never going to leave this place. I'll become a local ghost. I'll haunt this building and guard the syrup bottles for eternity."
"…Haunt?" Ophis asked, blinking again.
Jeanne stifled a laugh, waving her hand.
"Kidding, kidding. I'm still alive and kicking, aren't I?"
Ophis reached forward and touched Jeanne's cheek, her fingers cool and light.
"…Alive."
That one word carried an odd weight.
Jeanne's expression softened. She reached up and held Ophis's hand against her cheek, before pinching it.
"Yeah," she smiled. "Alive. And I'm glad you are too."
The moment passed in silence.
Then the pancakes arrived.
Jeanne sat up like a soldier at attention. A literal tower of golden perfection was placed before her, crowned with a swirl of whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar that glittered in the light.
Ophis's strawberry cream stack was almost too cute to eat, like something straight out of a dream.
Jeanne clapped her hands together.
"Let's dig in!"
They took their first bites together.
Warm, fluffy, sweet—and in that moment, Jeanne truly believed heaven might exist after all.
Ophis quietly chewed, her expression unreadable… until she blinked twice and reached for another bite, faster than before.
Jeanne grinned.
Hooked.
The silence that followed their first bites was not awkward—it was sacred.
But not because Ophis was eating on her own.
Because Jeanne was feeding her.
Jeanne carefully sliced a piece of the strawberry cream pancake with the edge of her fork, making sure the whipped topping didn't slide off. With delicate precision, she lifted it and brought it to Ophis's lips.
"Say 'ah,' Ophis-chan~"
Ophis blinked once. Slowly, she leaned in and took the bite without a word. She chewed in silence, the soft fluff of the pancake dissolving into sweetness against her tongue. Her expression didn't change, but her eyes narrowed just a little—contentment, if one knew how to read her.
Jeanne leaned forward on her elbows, grinning like she'd just won a prize at a festival.
"This should be a crime," she hummed under her breath. "Feeding you pancakes like this… I might ascend on the spot."
She cut another bite, this time from her own plate—"Angel's Fall," it was called. Ironic, really.
"Alright, try mine. It's fluffier."
Ophis opened her mouth again with the obedient stillness of a doll, letting Jeanne feed her a second bite. She chewed slower this time, processing. Then… a small, barely audible sound slipped from her lips.
"…Mnn."
Jeanne's fork halted midair. She stared at Ophis as though she had just seen a miracle.
"You… made a noise?"
Ophis blinked at her.
Jeanne clutched her chest, as if wounded by cuteness. "Ophis-chan, you're too powerful… You're going to kill me with sweetness before the sugar does!"
"…No dying," Ophis said, just barely frowning.
"Oh, come on, let me die dramatically just once, for effect!" Jeanne laughed. But Ophis wasn't amused. She reached out and tugged gently at Jeanne's sleeve.
"No dying."
Jeanne stilled.
And then smiled, quietly.
"Alright, alright. No dying. Not even from how adorable you are."
She dipped the next bite in syrup before offering it again. Ophis leaned in, lips brushing against the fork as she accepted the third mouthful. Her small hands remained folded in her lap, unmoving, almost ceremonious. It was as though she understood something unspoken—that being fed like this was a kind of ritual, an act of trust and closeness beyond words.
Each bite came slower now. Jeanne wanted to savor the moment. The warmth of the food, the way Ophis's eyes followed her hand, the delicate sound of their plates and forks filling the quiet space between them.
A few nearby patrons glanced their way. Some smiled. Others stared. Jeanne ignored all of them.
Let them look.
She was here, in this perfect sliver of morning, feeding her dragon-turned-little-sister pancakes in a cozy café.
Nothing else mattered.
When the last bite was eaten, and Ophis licked a smudge of cream from the corner of her lips with quiet dignity, Jeanne leaned back and sighed.
"I can die hap—"
She didn't even get to finish.
Ophis was already glaring.
"…No."
Jeanne chuckled, ruffling her hair with the back of her fingers. "Fine, fine. I'll live forever. Just so I can keep feeding you pancakes every weekend."
Ophis blinked. Then, gently, she leaned her head against Jeanne's shoulder.
--+--
The moment they stepped out of the café, Jeanne felt it—the gentle tug of reality returning.
Gone was the soft lighting and warm aroma of vanilla. In its place came the bustling energy of the weekend crowd, the glint of sun reflecting off glass storefronts, and the hum of music spilling from every direction.
Ophis, still holding Jeanne's hand, walked a half step behind her, eyes flickering over every new sight like a cat in unfamiliar territory. She clung closer now—not out of fear, but out of preference.
Jeanne's lips curled into a small smile.
This was nice.
"So," she said brightly, pointing down one of the mall's polished corridors, "next stop: the Temple of Comfort. Also known as… the mattress store."
She struck a dramatic pose, hand on her hip.
Ophis tilted her head.
"…Mattress?"
"Yes!" Jeanne leaned down, whispering as if she were sharing a holy secret. "Our current one just isn't it. It's kind of hard, too cold, and it makes weird noises when I roll over at night. I'm a saint, not a monk—I deserve plushness."
Ophis blinked, expression unreadable.
"…I like yours," she murmured softly.
Jeanne faltered.
A quiet beat passed between them. Then she gently squeezed Ophis's hand.
"Mm… that's sweet, Ophis-chan. But don't you think it's time we both sleep like queens?"
Ophis gave a small nod, not entirely convinced but trusting Jeanne's judgment.
The mattress store was just around the corner—a spacious boutique with ambient lighting, faux bedroom displays, and row after row of beds that looked more like they belonged in a luxury palace than a retail space.
A staff member approached with a practiced smile.
"Welcome to SoftDreams! Looking for anything in particular today?"
"Yes," Jeanne said, her tone suddenly shifting to noble confidence, "a bed that will make me regret ever leaving it."
The staff laughed politely, gesturing them further in.
"Right this way."
They were led past the minimalist frames and firm mattresses to a section labeled CloudTouch Series. Jeanne's eyes glittered like a child walking into a toy store.
"Oh… oh my stars," she whispered.
She dropped Ophis's hand just long enough to climb onto one of the displayed beds—an ivory-stitched monstrosity layered with memory foam, down padding, and a luxurious topper that molded perfectly to her shape.
The moment she laid down, she exhaled like a dying heroine in a drama.
"This is it. This is where I belong now."
Ophis stood by the edge, watching with a strangely pensive look.
"…Too soft?"
"No," Jeanne replied, eyes still closed. "Too perfect."
After a long moment, she patted the space beside her.
"Come up here, Ophis-chan. You should try it too. We're choosing together."
Ophis hesitated, glancing around the store like she was making sure no one would stop her. Then, with graceful movements that didn't match her small size, she climbed up and nestled herself beside Jeanne.
She laid down stiffly, arms at her sides, staring up at the ceiling like it might collapse on them.
Jeanne turned to her.
"Well?"
Ophis blinked slowly. Then, almost imperceptibly, she sank half an inch into the bed. Her eyes widened just a little.
"…Warm," she whispered.
Jeanne grinned. "Right?"
Ophis didn't respond—she was already curling into the comfort of the mattress, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket that had been folded at the foot of the display bed.
Jeanne watched her for a moment, then turned her head and stared up at the ceiling as well.
She could feel it—the way the tension in her lower back vanished, the way her muscles forgot their stiffness. She let out a quiet breath.
They hadn't bought it yet.
But this… this felt like home.
"We'll take this one," Jeanne said aloud, startling the staff who had been hovering politely a few meters away.
"Ma'am, don't you want to compare—"
"No," she said firmly. "This is the one. My bones have spoken."
"…Understood. We'll prepare the invoice."
As the employee stepped away, Jeanne glanced at Ophis, who was now curled up at her side, her breathing slow, her expression relaxed.
Jeanne gently brushed a strand of dark hair behind Ophis's ear.
"Not bad, huh?"
Ophis murmured, barely awake.
"…Not bad."
--+--
A/N: The mall arc isn't done so don't worry. As always thank you for the support and the Power Stones.
Also.
MY SHAYLAS THEY'RE SO CUTE
I was grinning writing this entire chapter. It's nice having jeanne show more emotion cause she's with her little sister(tentative).
Also, Ophis be rizzing her up for no reason. I might have something like an omake where ophis gets too close and Jeanne's like "Ima be arrested!!!" then Ophis suddenly ages herself. I think itd be pretty funny.
Also, I say mall arc but it'll be done in another chapter. How long can a hangout even be?
I wrote about pancakes cause I was reading a manga where they had a scene like that and I was lowkey drooling. I myself never actually had fluffy pancakes. I'm just imagining what it would taste like.
I trained for this chapter by reading slice of life manga, how's that?
Also, another rant. It turns out the guy who said I was desecrating Jeanne, you know the review? It seems just because I'm using Jeanne and changing her personality is the reason he gave the review. Something about descerating the image of Jeanne d'Arc as vile or disrespectful.
I personally don't think I made the Jeanne aspect vile or disrespectful, lazy and apathetic, maybe.
I'm a disgrace!(weeping)
So it's like he's a Jeanne hyperfan. I can't really do much about it, if it was personality or plot something I could, but there is a reason why I made a middleman personality in the first place.
I wanted a character that could utilize all 3 Jeannes cause I like their abilities and skills and their general compatibility with the DxD world and thought it'd be fun to write, but Jeanne d'Arc the saint as is has no reason to change forms if I had her be the middleman, which is why I added in a neutral personality that had the capacity to use all 3.
Though I may be neglecting Jeanne Alter...
So since a middleman was necessary, changing jeanne was inenvitable so I tried to compromise with the filter and the occasional inner thoughts of said vessel, but it seems I was making jeanne too vile and disrespectful anyways.
Sorry!
Also, Metatron is just too broken! Please someone give me a scenario where Jalter would be better than Metatron, cause I have no idea!
I've decided to spare one Fallen Angel though.
Can yall guess who?
Thank you for reading my rant.