DxD: The Dragon Oppai {Chapter 26: Question about magic!! } (Patreon)

Serafall quickly glanced down and asked, "How does it look on me?"

She had chosen a sexy punk outfit that matched Issei's style. It consisted of a cute sleeveless black top, a black and red frilly skirt, fishnet stockings, black boots, and armlets.

"You look awesome. Next time we go stunt riding, you should definitely wear that," Issei complimented her.

Serafall continued trying on various outfits for the next hour. Surprisingly, Issei started to feel more at ease in the store and didn't despise the shopping experience as much as he had anticipated.

When they finally left the store, Serafall was back in her magical girl cosplay, carrying multiple bags of new clothes. She appeared to be in a great mood, much to Issei's relief. They continued shopping for several more hours, buying the Milky Spiral Seven video game and other random games. Finally, they ended up at a random restaurant in the mall, chosen by Issei.

As they entered the restaurant, they noticed many couples dining together. Issei couldn't help but feel awkward, wondering how Serafall perceived the situation.

'This day has been...almost like an actual date. And now we're in a couple's diner? Jeez...I hope she doesn't misinterpret this. I had no idea it was a couple's diner,' Issei thought, maintaining his calm exterior.

Serafall glanced around at the couples in the room and quickly looked down, feeling embarrassed. "This place looks nice," she commented.

"Hopefully...I've never been here before," Issei replied, stealing a few glances at nearby couples.

"Hey, Issei, thanks for coming with me today. It means a lot to have someone to go to these things with," Serafall said nervously.

"Yeah, no problem, Serafall," Issei responded, unsure of how to continue the conversation and quickly looking away.

"When I texted you last night and you didn't reply...I thought maybe you didn't like me or something. Many people think I'm weird," Serafall confessed honestly.

"There's no denying you're a bit weird, but that's what makes you interesting. It's boring to be like everyone else, anyway," Issei remarked.

Serafall blushed at his comment, looking up at him. "You're-"

"Hello, are you two ready to order?" a waitress interrupted Serafall, causing her to abandon her train of thought.

They placed their orders with the waitress, and once she left, the previous conversation lost its momentum.

Attempting to prevent any awkwardness, Issei spoke up, "So, what's the deal with the whole magical girl thing? I've been curious why you're so into it."

"Oh, that? Well, it's kind of a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" Serafall asked.

Issei nodded, saying, "Yeah, I mean, it seems like something an older girl wouldn't be into."

Serafall frowned, saying, "I guess it's because I never really had much of a childhood, to be honest."

"Why?" Issei inquired.

"Well, my family is...pretty wealthy, and they have a somewhat elitist mindset, if you know what I mean. As the eldest and the heir, I didn't have much of a childhood. My parents groomed and trained me so much when I was young that I ended up resenting it as I grew older. One day, I stumbled upon magical girls, and it changed my life. I felt a genuine connection, as if it filled a void within me. I know it might sound...silly, but that's why I like it," Serafall explained with shy honesty.

Issei nodded sympathetically. "That explains a lot. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way. To me, it represents freedom. You can't always live your life by someone else's rules. You have to forge your own path if you want to truly enjoy it."

"Yeah...my parents are somewhat ashamed of it, but my sister is their heir now, so I guess my choices aren't really important to them anymore," Serafall sighed.

Curious about her sister attending his school, Issei cautiously asked, "How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

Serafall seemed slightly alarmed by the question, looking down for a moment before replying, "Oh... I did mention that, didn't I?"

Issei quickly shrugged, realizing he may have overstepped his boundaries. "Sorry, forget I asked. It's none of my business."

"It's okay," Serafall finally replied.

"Don't take it the wrong way. I wouldn't care if you were older. I was just curious," Issei tried to diffuse the tension, hoping to reassure her.

Serafall finally answered, "I suppose you could say I'm old enough to get married."

Issei looked at her, cocking his head in confusion. "It's surprising you aren't already, considering your family's expectations."

"That's what my parents keep saying...but I don't want to marry anyone unless I love them. I guess my selfishness in wanting genuine affection is just another reason for them to think less of me," Serafall shrugged.

"Your parents sound like some uptight rich people I know," Issei remarked, thinking of devils in general, unknowingly hinting at the irony behind his statement.

Curiosity piqued, Serafall asked, "Hey, Issei, are you religious by any chance?"

He looked at her, shrugging in response. "Not really. I had a childhood friend who was Christian, I think. But I'm too caught up in my own life to get involved in prayers and worship. Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering if you believed in the supernatural," Serafall explained, her face filled with curiosity.

Issei hesitated for a moment before answering, "You mean like actual magic, ghosts, demons, and all that stuff?"

Serafall nodded, eagerly awaiting his response. "Yeah...what would you think if all that stuff was real?"

Issei shook his head, contemplating her question. "Honestly, I wouldn't care much. Even if it was real, I doubt I'd ever get involved with any of it. I have my own goals and challenges to deal with."

Curiosity still gleamed in Serafall's eyes as she continued, "If it was real, would you ever want to experience something special like that? Like learning magic or encountering supernatural beings?"