DxD: Tempest Lord (Rewrite Up)

Poolside Shenanigans

Issei Hyoudou and Asia Argento sat on opposite sides of the girl's bed. The atmosphere in the room was tense, and awkward.

Asia felt... nervous, in front of Issei's gaze. A kind of feeling she had never felt before.

She hated it. She hated feeling like this, especially when Issei had done nothing wrong. He hadn't done anything, so why was she so on edge?

As for Issei... he just couldn't figure out what to say. His mind was running a mile a minute. This was the closest they had gotten to each other. She was always earnest about making friends, and kind to everyone.

But now, ever since that day... Asia was more reserved, more quiet. She would flinch if someone touched her her unexpectedly.

Issei knew exactly why. And he wanted to help her. But how?

This was going to be difficult. Very, very difficult.

"It's been a pretty rough week, hasn't it?" Issei started dryly. It was the only opening line he could think of that would actually come out of his mouth.

Asia stayed quiet, but eventually nodded. Okay, good. At the very least, she would respond to him.

"Has... anyone at school been bothering you? Is it too much for you right now?" He asked gently.

Asia bit her lip, and lowered her gaze. She seemed to think about it deeply. Issei waited patiently for her response.

After a few minutes, Asia shook her head.

"Are you sure?" He asked, just to be certain.

Asia trembled for a moment, mustering her strength.

"...I..." Her voice was hoarse from going unused for too long. "...I... want to keep going to school."

Issei smiled softly. He was happy to see the resolution on her face, even if it was only a little.

"Okay." He nodded. "Um..." The boy continued, now starting to feel a bit awkward. "How are you... feeling?" He asked.

Asia took a moment to gather her thoughts. She turned her head and stared out the window.

"I..." She began slowly. "I think... I will be okay." Asia started. "I was just... really scared before." She explained. "And... I know things like that will happen again in the future." She continued. Asia clenched her fists.

Asia turned to Issei, and the pawn saw her eyes water. "I just need to trust in myself and everyone else, too. That when something like that happens again, I..."

Asia's voice cracked. "I..."

Issei hugged Asia as the girl began to sob. He clenched his teeth as he thought about that day.

Seeing losers act up pisses me off.

The gist of it is, it doesn't matter what you do, or how hard you try. Because you'll never be able to beat me.

And so, the two held up each other. They sat in silence, until Asia's tears finally dried up.

Asia clutched onto Issei's shirt. She built herself up, before speaking. Her voice was less hoarse than before, but it was still recovering. "Issei, I-"

"I love you, too."

Asia froze, as her heart did a strange movement in her chest. Did she... hear that right?

Asia shot her head up, looking at Issei with wide eyes. The brown haired pawn was staring at her seriously.

"Issei...? What did you just-"