Lovely Angel (High School DxD)

Reuniting with Change 5 (2)

- :|: - Monday Morning : Issei - :|: -

"I'll go ask the Father for directions!"

Issei felt his left hand twitch.

As he watched Irina walk up to the priest, he had a sinking feeling that he knew wasn't just his possessiveness since he really no reason to feel as such. They were both none the wiser as the clergyman made a joke at which Irina giggled. It helped him to calm down a little.

But, he couldn't stamp down the bad feeling he had of the smiling man.

[Partner, calm down.]

'What's wrong with me?'

[You're maturing, Issei.]

He averted his eyes from Irina's figure, feeling guilty, 'I-I know that!' His mom and dad had already given him the talk. Mittlet too!

[It's a little different for a dragon... Although, as an angel-human hybrid, which are already rare to begin with, nevermind your dragon arm, not even I can guess how it'll be for you.]

An unusual anger bubbled in his core. 'It's not that! Something's wrong but I don't know what!'

Ddraig huffed. He could only assume Issei's angelic biology was messing with the dragon's connection to the world through the boy. Maybe it had to do with the card that had revived Issei. After all, it was still in its testing phase when the dragon forced it into Issei's soul through the gateway in the [Boosted Gear]. So, he wouldn't be any help to the brunet. However, if the boy was so adamant, something must be up.

It could also be the lack of Gabriel's calming aura, which was finally allowing his dragon energy to act out.

[Sorry. I'm still having issues with our connection, even after all these years. But, do note your maturing state. You should check in with Gabriel when you see her. It has been a while since she's drained your arm after all.]

The broken connection and himself awakening while Issei was just shy of an infant were both major red flags to a "bad end."

'Will do.'

The dragon only grunted before closing his eyes in the void of the [Boosted Gear].

Talking to Ddraig served to calm him mentally. However, the boy just couldn't shake off the feeling nor the strain of his left arm, which he hid behind his back. His right hand was holding the arm still.

—There was a tap on his nose. "Issei, why are you so tense?" So, focused on calming his arm, he lost sight of his surroundings and where he was a moment. He waited till the clergyman closed the door behind before he revealed his throbbing left arm. His eyes were still closed as he pulled up his sleeve.

Irina gasped at his veiny arm. Unable to help herself, she gathered his trembling fist into her hands. Her touch was light but warm. "Is there anything I can do?"

He gritted out a harsh "No."

"Do you think the Holy Maiden can help?"

That was assuming she awake. Either way, he did not know. "I don't know."

Holding him by his tense hand, she led him. The purple-eyed girl was oblivious to the effort it took for him to not crush her fragile hand in his grasp.

He absolutely refused to do so. It wasn't a matter of if, when or but.

"It wouldn't hurt to try."

...