Scammed by the Creator (DxD Fanfic)

Chapter 20: I don't think you understand

"... Why did you take me here?"

"Hmm? I thought you would enjoy hanging out in this place, was I wrong?"

Riser said as he and Issei both stood in front of a bookshelf filled with a variety of doujins and porn magazines. Making Issei look at him with a weird expression on his face. Not expecting for him to comfort him in this kind of way, but he still felt touched due to the concern he was showing towards him.

"Just pick whatever you want and I'll buy it for you. I don't lack any money so even if you tell me to buy everything in here... it is possible"

"I don't know if you're mocking me by rubbing the fact that you're rich to my face or... you're just being sincere"

"... If it makes you happy then yes, I am rubbing the fact that I'm rich to your face, you poor peasant"

"You son of a-"

Issei tried to curse but stopped himself. Remembering that Riser is only trying to cheer him up after a devastating heartbreak. He couldn't really explain what he experienced to his parents, so he had no one to rely on and their was no one who comforted him all this time. Only Riser, his archenemy, showed a bit of concern towards him.

"... Thanks, Yaki- *cough* Riser"

"Don't mention it... it's looks like you've been through a lot"

"... Yeah..."

Issei weakly nodded his head before tears started to accumulate at the corner of his eyes. But he resisted the urge to cry and wipe his tears with his sleeves before they fell. Making Riser feel extremely nervous seeing Issei like this.

'What the fuck happened between him and Rias? Shit... His already traumatized because of Raynare so I really fucking hope that this experience wouldn't completely traumatize him from approaching any women'

He thought to himself with a frown as he remembered the contents of the light novel. Even though it seemed like Issei was alright after being betrayed and killed by Raynare. It left a deep scar in his heart and it affected his relationship with Rias and the others from advancing.

He couldn't confess to them due to his trauma and he was extremely afraid that he'll get rejected. He was afraid that all of the intimate actions that the girls has done was just them teasing him or leading him on just like what Raynare did. Even though he was aware that Rias and the others wouldn't do this, he couldn't shake off the unease and fear in his heart due to his trauma.

Though this trauma interfered with the advancement of his relationship with others. This trauma somewhat helped him shift his attention to other aspects such as getting stronger and protecting those he cares for. The previous Issei was too focused on getting a girlfriend, which interfered with his vision, this made him an easy target for Raynare to manipulate. After the trauma, he never once brought up his extreme desire to have a girlfriend.

'... It eventually worked out in the end with Asia, Akeno, and Koneko confronted him about this and helped him get over this trauma... but right now... the relationship between Rias and Issei is a bit... distant. So, if Rias letting him go further intensify this trauma... everything I worked hard for will go down the drain. Shit shit shit!! This is really fucking bad!!'

Riser thought to himself as he gripped the doujin in his hand tightly. Feeling anxiety spread throughout his body while cold sweat run down his back.

'No... let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe it isn't bad as I think it is and I could still patch things up'