Highschool DXD: I am Issei

"...It's because I didn't pray enough," Asia muttered quietly, wiping the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

Her lips curled into a fragile smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "It's because I'm clumsy. I'm so stupid that I can't even eat a burger by myself."

She laughed softly, but the sound was brittle—more like someone trying to convince herself everything was okay rather than actual amusement. Her voice trembled, each word a forced note in a song she didn't believe in.

I just sat there, watching her, unsure of what to say. Seriously, who expects to get hit with a tragic backstory on a casual date? And to think, I actually remembered the devil she saved—the one that ended up causing her everything.

What was his name again? I forgot.

Asia turned her gaze upward, her voice growing quiet again.

"This is also a trial that the Lord gave me. Since I'm a clumsy nun, He gave me this suffering. So, I have to endure it."

She laughed again, bitter and hollow.

"You don't have to say anything anymore…" I muttered. She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to herself—trying to rationalize the pain, the betrayal, the loneliness.

And then her eyes brightened a little, as if clinging to the last piece of hope in her heart.

"I'm sure I'll make lots of friends one day," she said, her voice cracking. "I have a dream. I want to go buy flowers with a friend. Go shopping for books. Just talk… laugh... do normal things."

Her tears fell freely again, but this time there was a smile, too—a smile built on hope.

I couldn't just sit there anymore.

"Asia… if you want… I'll be your friend," I said, awkwardly. "No. Scratch that. We are already friends."

She turned to look at me, her eyes wide.

"I mean, I'm not great at this emotional stuff. And I don't really know how to comfort people... but you're not alone anymore. You've got me."

It was the only thing I could think to say. I wasn't trying to be dramatic or anything. I just thought—this is probably what Issei would've done.

She blinked, lips quivering. Her smile became just a little less forced.

That's when I felt it—a sudden chill.

It felt like my body recognize this chill.

That oppressive pressure. Like cold fingers running down my spine.

I turned.

Standing just a short distance away was her—*Raynare*.

Wings black as pitch unfolded slowly behind her back, catching the fading sunlight. Her posture was elegant, deliberate. That smug, condescending smirk sat comfortably on her lips, as if she were greeting an old toy she thought she'd already thrown away.

"Well, well," she said with a mocking smile, tilting her head. "Didn't I *kill* you a while back?"

I stood up slowly, shielding Asia with one hand. My heart beat faster, but my mind stayed calm.

So this was her. The one responsible for Asia's suffering. The one who had pretended to love and then murdered Issei Hyoudou.

And yet...

I wasn't angry.

She looked at me like I was nothing. She didn't even recognize me—not really. I was just a leftover mistake she thought she'd already cleaned up.

Funny, I thought seeing her again would stir something—rage, grief, betrayal.

But there was only this cold, distant clarity.

"I'm not the one you killed," I said plainly. "You mistook me for someone else."

She blinked, then smirked.

"Doesn't matter. Trash is trash. And I'm here for the girl."

"No," Asia whispered behind me. "Please… not again…"

Raynare's gaze slid to her with a predator's amusement.

"Aww. How cute. Did you two bond over sob stories and cheap snacks?" She chuckled. "Let's go, Asia. You've had enough freedom."

Asia didn't move. Her fingers gripped the edge of the bench tightly.

"I don't want to go back," she said.

Raynare's eyes narrowed.

"You don't get to want anything. Remember what happens if you don't listen to me?"

Her smile turned sharp. Cold.

She pointed a finger at me.

"This little friend of yours? He dies. Slowly. I'll make sure of it."

Asia gasped, frozen by fear.

I said nothing.

I didn't move.

I wanted to fight her. Every nerve in my body screamed to launch myself at her and make her pay. But I knew my limits. Right now, in this moment, Raynare was stronger. Recklessly jumping in wouldn't change anything.

And it wouldn't save Asia.

My fists clenched at my sides.

Asia stood up slowly behind me.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, voice trembling. "I'm so sorry, Ise-san…"

I shook my head.

"You don't have to apologize."

Raynare raised an eyebrow. "Huh. You're not gonna beg? Cry? Threaten me?"

"I'm not that emotional," I said. "But I will take Asia back."

For a moment, Raynare looked mildly surprised.

Then she laughed.

"Well, this is refreshing. Most humans scream when I show up."

"Good for them."

She rolled her eyes. "Tch. Let's go, Asia."

Asia hesitated.

I looked at her.

"It's okay," I said gently. "You don't have to say anything. Just go… for now."

"I—" she started.

But Raynare grabbed her wrist.

"I'll be seeing you soon, boy," she said with a wink, then opened her black-feathered wings.

~~~

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