DxD: Transfer Student

Chapter 13: A Walk by the River

As she looked at the aquarium she had visited twice but never indeed observed, Mai Sakurajima shook her head in resignation and followed Badr out of the aquarium.

"Since it's neither the company nor the place where you first noticed the symptoms, it must be somewhere you frequent, right?"

Badr analyzed, offering his two guesses: "Either near your home or your school... speaking of which, Mai, what about your family?"

Although others might not remember, surely her family would.

Upon hearing this, Mai Sakurajima's expression noticeably changed, becoming tense.

"We can visit those places later..."

She hesitated before speaking, avoiding answering Badr's question.

"Eh? It's still early," Badr insisted, knowingly stepping into a sensitive topic.

"I said we'll go later."

Mai's tone turned firm, making it clear she wouldn't take no for an answer.

Badr stared at her for a couple of seconds. Seeing the displeasure on her face, he shrugged.

"Alright."

He decided not to push further, recognizing her inner conflict. Reflecting on it, he realized Mai had avoided discussing her family.

Could it be that she was estranged from them?

---

Perhaps aware of her attitude, Mai Sakurajima fell silent.

She walked ahead without a word, not indicating any particular destination, and they moved forward aimlessly.

Badr didn't mind. He had the entire day free and didn't care about wasting some time.

The sound of an engine roared behind them as a motorcycle sped towards them.

Badr stepped aside early, but Mai Sakurajima, lost in thought, didn't move in time.

The rider, unable to see Mai, almost collided with her.

In a crisis, Badr reached out and pulled Mai into his arms.

The motorcycle zoomed past them with a roar and quickly disappeared.

Holding Mai by the waist, Badr looked down, meeting her eyes.

After a brief moment, he released her calmly, saying softly, "That was dangerous."

Mai nodded, acknowledging the trouble her condition caused.

"Thank you."

Badr waved it off, continuing to walk alongside her.

"Besides the situation just now, there must be many other inconveniences," Badr remarked, glancing at Mai's beautiful profile.

"Yes, being unable to buy the cream buns from that bakery is quite annoying."

Mai spoke lightly, her eyes on a nearby bakery.

The inconveniences of being invisible went far beyond being unable to buy buns. Mai mentioned the least essential issue in the most casual tone.

Badr glanced at the bakery and suddenly took Mai's hand, walking towards it.

"Two cream buns, please."

The shop assistant smiled, "Sure, please wait a moment."

Soon, Badr had two cream buns in his hands.

Throughout the transaction, the assistant never once glanced at Mai's location, clearly unable to see her.

"Here."