DxD: Transfer Student

Chapter 14: Mai's Struggle Between Anger and Affection

"Because you deliberately provoked me, I had no choice but to respond."

She was concerned about such a trivial matter.

What an adorable personality she has...

Badr couldn't help but smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "How about I let you slap me to vent your anger?"

"Really?"

Mai Sakurajima seemed eager to try.

"Come on, I love being tormented by pretty girls!" Badr's face was full of anticipation.

His response left Mai dumbfounded.

"...Are you a pervert?"

She couldn't help but blush, letting out a small huff as she decided to let it go.

Badr just smiled silently in response.

After a moment, Mai finally realized what was happening.

"Did you say that on purpose?"

Her beautiful eyes blinked, a dangerous glint appearing in them.

"Oh? Is that what you think?" Badr didn't answer, just raised an eyebrow with a smile.

This small change in expression left Mai feeling helpless, as he seemed to have the upper hand.

"Do you still want to hear my explanation?"

"Of course! I won't miss a single word."

"I'm disgusted by you and don't feel like talking anymore." Mai huffed, turning away as quickly as flipping a page.

"Come on, Devils are the best listeners."

Badr snapped his fingers with a light smile, settling into a 'listener' mode.

Mai glanced at him with annoyance but chose to reveal her inner thoughts.

"In the third year of middle school, because of a photoshoot for a photobook, I had a terrible experience with my mother..."

When she mentioned her mother, her words noticeably paused before she continued:

"Also, my manager. She signed a contract without my consent, breaking the agreement that 'no swimsuits were allowed' by claiming 'it would sell well.'"

Thinking back to those times, Mai's face clearly showed her dissatisfaction.

"To her, I was just a tool to make money!"

Her words were filled with bitterness.

Badr tilted his head, beginning to understand the situation.

So that's why she had a falling out with her family...

And used quitting the entertainment industry as a form of revenge...

"But didn't you enjoy acting? Giving up your passion over this seems a bit too much."

Badr calmly expressed his view.

Mai instantly felt dissatisfied, clearly not hearing what she wanted.

"So you don't understand at all!"

"You're right. My parents died early, so I can't understand, and I'm sorry for that."

He spoke so calmly that it caught Mai off guard.

"You've already figured it out, haven't you? But you won't admit you acted impulsively without considering a better solution."

"You're so annoying." Mai glared at Badr angrily.

Badr remained calm, "Didn't I say you could hit me? I've been waiting."