Double Date (2/2)

[Some time later — Haunted House]

{Issei Hyoudou}

Stupid Reo and his stupid haunted house.

Who enters a haunted house first thing on a date?

"Are you alright?" Maya asked, walking close to me.

"Y-Yeah." It was nice that she was with me, and it was even better that Reo entered through the second door.

"If you are uncomfortable, we can skip this and go out. There are a lot of rides and fun places to visit even without this haunted house."

She… She is so sweet!

"It's fine, M-Maya." I clenched my fists, gathered all the courage I could, and acted the toughest I have ever been. "Let's go in deeper."

She looked at me once again, giving me enough time to back out.

But I didn't.

"Alright, let's go."

With her hand in mine, locked tightly together to give me enough courage, we walked forward.

It was dark, barely visible. Creaking and crackling noises were everywhere.

"Careful, there might be jump scares around here." While I said this to her, it was more of a reassurance to myself.

Whatever I see is not real; they are just props.

As we walked further, the walls grew mossy and the vision blurry.

There was some sort of smoke, artificially made, that dulled our vision.

I heard footsteps around me, soft but creepy laughing noises.

"It's okay." Maya assured me, but I could barely stay focused.

My body shuddered as we passed by the skeletons hanging from the roof.

It's fine.

It's fine.

Everything is alright; it's just props.

My heartbeat hastened, my breath haggard as it felt claustrophobic inside the place.

But I kept reassuring myself that it was all fine, all the scary things were fake.

"We are almost there," Maya said. "There is light."

Light!

Light meant exit! We are close.

So, with a stronger heart and quicker steps, I walked towards the light.

I was nervous, my heart ached from how fast it was beating.

But I kept a stronger front and reached close to the light.

"T-There we are almost there—"

I extended my hand towards the light, trying to exit the place.

But… But right at that instant.

The moment I pushed my hand into the light.

I… I felt my body go cold, the hair on my body standing, and my heart almost stopping.

"Issei!"

Maya gasped, but it was too late.

I was too late to realize, my brain was too late to realize that it was all just a play.

But my body and mind gave up the moment they felt something grabbing onto my hand as I pushed it towards the light.

"ISSEI!"

My body went cold and my mind numb as everything went black.

I…

The last thing I heard before everything turned dark was Maya yelling.

And after that, all I heard and saw was darkness.

I had lost my senses.

…

…

[Moments Later — Exit Gate, Haunted House]

"That…" Yuuma was stunned. "That was something…"

With this one, I don't think she's acting. There were a few too many jump scares, so it makes sense that she's nervous.

I guess even Fallens can get scared.

She calmed herself and fixed her hair.

"Are you okay?" I asked, giving her a moment to collect herself.

"Yeah, I think I am." She finally regained her composure, returning to the shy, smiling expression she wore before.

"I don't think Issei and Maya are out yet." I could see that Issei was quite nervous going inside, and I don't think he'll get hurt in such a carefully monitored area, right?

"Yeah, should we wait for them?" Yuuma—or, well, Raynare—

Never mind, let's just call her Yuuma. Raynare sounds weird to me.

But yes, Yuuma seemed to want to continue the double date as planned, but I didn't.

"You know, double dates are fun and all, and I also know we decided on this." I looked at the exit gate, waiting for the two to come out. "But I'm not interested in sharing our first date in another couple's company."

I got a message from Rias that Kiba and Koneko were close by, hiding their presence and making sure everyone was safe.

So, well, I could go out exploring on my own a little.

Rias didn't say this; I just want this.

"Didn't you ask me about this?" Yuuma sounded amused. "I mean, I don't mind. But isn't that a bit unfair to them?"

"Not necessarily. I believe they will want some time just for themselves too. Especially since it's their first date as well."

She thought about it for a while.

"And, well, the only reason I suggested this double date was because I thought Issei was being a pervert again and maybe stalking Maya." A total lie, "So, I suggested the double date to make sure he wasn't doing anything weird. And I genuinely didn't know that you and Maya knew each other."

"I was surprised too that she was the one coming on this double date." She rubbed her arms. "She has always been like an older sister to me, so it was quite nice to know that it was her and not someone random that came with us on this date."

"Yeah."

I let her act as she wished.

I mean, I knew it was all a lie, but it was still a girl, so I didn't interrupt her.

"Well… if you want to go and have some 'us' time," I knew her blush was fake, but damn she was really pretty. "Let's go."

Devils are known for temptations.

I didn't know that Fallens could do the same.

But keeping those thoughts aside, I decided to walk with her.

I was careful; she was dangerous, and I didn't want to make a mistake and die.

But I didn't want to just act coy and ruin this moment either.

So, we walked, and I decided to extend my hand—wanting to see if she would take it.

And she surprisingly did.

Grabbing softly onto my hand, showing a soft smile, she tried matching my steps.

Yikes.

Not having any dating experience and using common sense has its limits.

I forgot that you're supposed to match the girl's walking speed, and so after realizing my mistake, I slowed down my pace and walked beside her.

She smiled as she noticed it.

"Do you want to have something to eat?" She asked, and I was craving some snacks.

"Corn Dog?"

She showed a bright smile at the suggestion and nodded enthusiastically. "Let's try!"

I couldn't hide my smile.

Even if it was an act, it was a damn good act.

Any boy would feel happy to have a girl show as much interest as Yuuma was showing.

And, well, we rushed to the nearest corn dog stall and ordered one each.

I took mine with extra mustard, as I enjoy the little kick it gives.

"Do you like sweet things?"

She nodded sharply. "I love them!"

And so our next stop was decided, a cotton candy stall followed by sweet and sour gummies.

By the time we realized, we had too many snacks.

"We… we need to sit somewhere for all of this, don't we?" She asked, a little amused at realizing that it wasn't just me but she too had gotten a little carried away. "Should we go to one of the cafes?"

I looked around, and there were indeed quite a few—many of them couple-themed.

Out here in Japan, cafes are a big thing. You can find any and all sorts of cafes.

But personally, I'm not a fan.

I like my cafes like I like my coffee—plain and simple.

"How about something better?" I asked.

"Like?" She asked back, curiosity piqued.

And with a big smile, I pointed at a certain attraction near the setting sun.

"That."

When she looked, her face brightened.

"Okay!"

…

…

{Raynare}

This guy… Why is he so calm?

I tried everything I could to make him flustered, to make him stumble or force him to make a move. But he remained composed.

"I don't know much about you," he said, gazing out from the Ferris wheel. "If it's not too much to ask and you're comfortable, I'd like to know a little more about you."

His request made me pause. What could I even tell him?

There are only so many lies I can tell before making a mistake and risking exposure.

"It's fine if you don't want to answer."

"No, it's—" I hesitated, finding the situation strangely pleasant.

I was genuinely enjoying myself.

"I don't remember much about my childhood." I did remember, but there was nothing significant. "I remember that my father loved me—or at least, I think he did."

I haven't heard his voice for centuries, maybe even longer.

"Oh…" He looked at me, a trace of concern in his eyes.

"Don't worry, it's a very old story. It doesn't affect me anymore."

It didn't; I had pushed it aside, tried to forget, and it no longer hurt.

When I fell, I felt a sense of betrayal.

But now, with time, those memories had faded, and I felt nothing.

"After my father left my life, another man took me under his wing—a father figure who cared for me as if I were his own daughter."

Everything I do, everything I want to achieve, has always been for him.

"There's not much before that—just hazy memories. My life isn't particularly interesting; I just work to make him proud."

He listened quietly, his calm demeanor unshaken.

I wasn't lying.

I didn't reveal everything, but I was honest about doing everything to make him proud.

"My father passed away when I was quite young," he said, exhaling deeply. His voice was much calmer than before. "Since then, my mother has done everything she can for me. Even as a child, I could sense her pain… the one she hid behind her cheerful façade."

I would have laughed or been indifferent if it were someone else at another time.

But with him… oddly, I didn't feel like interrupting.

"I also want to make her proud. I'm doing everything I can to achieve that. I'm not the sharpest, best-looking, or strongest, but I'm trying to be decent at all of those things to make her happy and proud. Recently, I think I've found a path that could make her proud." He chuckled, though it wasn't a joyful one. "It's not something I can accomplish just yet, but if I keep going, I believe I can make her proud eventually."

We sat in silence for a while, the Ferris wheel completing a full rotation.

"Thank you for sharing." I said, unsure why it felt right to say this.

We're so different; he couldn't possibly understand even a fraction of what I've been through.

My pain is far greater and longer-lasting than his. A Fallen's suffering is incomparable to that of a mortal's.

But… he has a short lifespan. To endure such feelings for a quarter of his life is tragic in its own way.

It's a pity he was born with such powers. Without them, he might have achieved great things and made his mother proud.

"No," he shook his head. "I should be thanking you."

He offered a warm smile, a truly beautiful smile.

And, unexpectedly, I found myself smiling too.

"Do you want to stay on for a bit longer?" I asked, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere and the sensation of being in the sky without having to fly.

He nodded. "We can." He chuckled, surprising me, "We should, shouldn't we?"

I couldn't help but mirror his bright smile. "Yeah."

I had a feeling I'd regret enjoying and being happy like this.

But for now, I just wanted to listen to him.

"And maybe…" I didn't know where it came from. "Would you like to come over to my place after this?"

I usually get close to people only to betray them before killing them, but now…

I didn't know why I said that.

But I didn't mind getting closer to him.

To my surprise, he didn't reject.

"Okay."

Seeing his peaceful smile, I couldn't bring myself to back out.

This…

This is a mistake, isn't it?

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