An irresistible heart and will

Chapter 5 - Identity crisis

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

[Ddraig speaking]

{Albion speaking}

<<past wielders speaking>>

                                                                                      ...

In a sauna, two gorgeous nude young women are seated one spot apart; One of them gifted with long sublime crimson hair, cyan eyes, and a voluptuous figure. The other is a bespectacled one with a slim figure, her black hair styled in a short bob cut and amethyst eyes.

 "I made a grievous mistake. I failed as a master; I was blind to see what he was being tormented by. Will things be same anymore? does he still love?" The crimson haired beauty confessed remorsefully to her best friend. "He hasn't responded to any of my calls, texts or magic circles. Even my other servants are in a depressed state without his presence. Nothing feels the same anymore and the most dejecting thing - it is all my own doing, Sona." 

The bespectacled girl, Sona Sitri, Heiress of the Sitri clan, sat with mixed emotions as she heard everything. " Truth be told, I am disappointed in both parties - Disappointed in Issei because of him feigning ignorance and not seeing the clear as day signs. Despite you and the others showering him with tenderness and affection. Yes, I understand what the heinous fallen angel did, but still he should have communicated with you. Equally I'm disappointed in you too, Rias; he has done so much for you and your beloved peerage. He has always put his life on the line for you - the fight against Riser, him pushing past his limit to defend you from the Hakuryuukou, the rating game against me, Loki and Fenrir and so on. Furthermore, he helped your peerage fight their inner demons and accept themselves for who they are... Something that makes me envious of him as I couldn't help you in that regard despite being your best friend." Sona finished her explanation as she removed her foggy glasses and wiped them. She was genuine regarding her words.

Rias slouched further into her seat with a guilty expression.

"In hindsight, you and the others should have communicated with him properly and explain that you have romantic feelings for him. I'm sure that would have given him the confidence and courage to confess to you." Sona added on.

"How can I make it up to him? How can I have the dignity to face him after I selfishly turned against him." Rias muttered. Despite being a couple of days, it feels like it has been weeks since she last saw him. She misses everything about him - his scent, his hair, his goofy face, his touch.

"When you meet him personally, the first thing you need to do is apologize and ask his for his forgiveness. Of course, forgiveness is not earned in one night; it can take time and give him his personal space." Sona explained. "Speak to him only when he is ready."

The Sitri heiress's explanation created a momentary lull. Rias sighed forlornly.

"What I dread is that it will be too late to apologize, and things will not be same anymore." Rias said with her lips quivering.

"Look you can redeem yourself and win him over is by triumphing over Sairaorg's team. After that you, the others and him should have a conversation and try to make amends. This is all I can offer: improve your leadership, be better organized, and be determined to make the most of your time." Sona reprimanded - Sona knows that Rias has only herself to blame, but she does not want her friend and rival to descent further to self-loathing.

"Ravel-chan said the same words..." Rias's voice cracked. "Perhaps you are right... I will win against Sairaorg and achieve my dream of being a world champion - most importantly I will do it for my servants as I have lamentably failed the man whom I dearly adore."