Highschool DxD: I have a Dimensional Travel System

Chapter 224 - Ais: Mahiro Didn't Lie To Me!

"Sorry, I missed our appointment that day."

Ais lowered her head, her face filled with disappointment, like a child who had done something wrong, and apologized.

Ever since she was stopped by Loki and the others the day before yesterday, Ais had been in a state of unease. 

After all, Mahiro had clearly promised to meet her that night, but she hadn't been able to go.

Ais is a very simple person. 

However, her mind is more sensitive and delicate than her stoic expression suggests.

In the anime, Ais had saved Bell. 

However, because of Bell's own reasons, he would run away every time he saw her. 

This made Ais feel as though she had done something wrong to make him so afraid of her. 

To make amends, she even sought advice on how to apologize to Bell.

Now, Ais knew she had missed her appointment with Mahiro, and her guilt weighed heavily on her. 

In fact, the next day, she had gone to the Hostess of Fertility to look for him. 

However, Mahiro had already left to explore the dungeon, so they didn't meet.

Ais lowered her head, her heart uneasy, and she didn't dare to look into Mahiro's eyes. 

She knew it would be normal for him to scold her at this point, but she felt conflicted. 

She was afraid to hear his reprimand, yet part of her wanted to hear it.

Riveria and Tiona both looked at Ais in surprise. 

They had never seen her with such an expression before. 

This was probably the second time in recent days that Ais had shown an emotion other than her usual stoicism. 

It even made them think, "So Ais can show such emotional expressions too."

Ais had always been a model member of the familia, with nothing to worry about except for her occasional recklessness. 

Even when criticized, she would only show a troubled or puzzled expression at most. 

But what was happening now?

"I don't really like being stood up," Mahiro said rather bluntly.

Ais clenched her hands tightly, nervous, and apologized again in a low voice: 

"I'm sorry."

As she spoke, her head lowered even further, and anyone could feel the sadness in her heart. 

Her fragile figure looked pitiful, evoking the urge to hold her and comfort her.

"However, I'll let it go this time. I guess you had your reasons for missing the appointment," Mahiro said slowly, just as Ais was growing so nervous that her breathing quickened. 

"But if there's a next time, I don't want you to miss it again."

"Okay!" Hearing this, Ais suddenly raised her head. 

The sadness on her face vanished, replaced by joy.

"Wait, handsome guy," Tiona said, looking at the two of them. 

She had finally snapped out of her earlier excitement and now stared at Mahiro with a suspicious expression. "Aren't you the one who beat up Loki and then tried to trick Ais?"

Riveria also looked at Mahiro with a slightly complicated expression. 

She had felt that Mahiro's name sounded familiar, and now, reminded of the incident, she realized who he was.

Tione, on the other hand, had already guessed his identity. 

She didn't look at Mahiro with suspicion or blame but rather with curiosity.

"Trick her?" Mahiro couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Mahiro didn't lie to me!" Ais said, looking at Tiona. 

Though her voice was soft, those who knew her well could tell she was a little upset.

"I'm sorry," Tiona said immediately, putting on an apologetic smile and clasping her hands together. 

"I just said that without thinking. I believe Mahiro didn't lie to Ais."

Hearing this, Ais nodded slowly.

"So you're that Mahiro?" Riveria spoke up.

"If you mean the person who beat up Lady Loki, then yes, that's me," Mahiro said with a shrug. 

"I don't think I'm famous enough for anyone to pretend to be me."

"Sorry, it's just that I heard Ais mention before that you could help her improve her strength. That's why I had to ask," Riveria explained.

In truth, it wasn't entirely Riveria's fault. 

There was a big difference between Mahiro and the impression she had of him. 

In fact, the two didn't align at all.

Most of Riveria's impressions of Mahiro came from Loki. 

According to Loki, Mahiro was just a rookie adventurer with a bit of talent—perhaps stronger than the average rookie but still someone who had tried to take advantage of Ais's desire to grow stronger and deceive her.

But based on what Riveria had seen today, that impression was completely overturned. 

What kind of rookie adventurer could reach the seventeenth floor alone? 

What kind of rookie adventurer could defeat a floor boss single-handedly? 

Even some Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers couldn't do that. 

Was this really a rookie?

Riveria couldn't help but doubt the accuracy of Loki's information. 

At this point, she even wondered if Loki had been drinking too much cheap wine lately to make such a misjudgment.

"I heard Miss Tiona call you 'Mama Riveria' earlier."

"Do you think of yourself that way?" Mahiro asked with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Ais, Tiona, and Tione with a hint of curiosity.

The corner of Riveria's mouth twitched. 

She realized how strange the boy's focus could be.

"No, it's just that Riveria is always managing this and that, like an old mother. 'This isn't allowed,' 'That isn't allowed,' so we all call her 'Mama Riveria,'" Tiona explained excitedly.

Hearing this, Riveria had the urge to strangle Tiona. 

Couldn't she keep these things to herself? 

Her calm eyes turned icy as she glared at Tiona.

Tiona, who had been about to reveal more embarrassing stories about Riveria, immediately shrank back and chuckled nervously. "Uh, that's all…"

Riveria retracted her gaze.

"Sounds like a very responsible leader, Riveria," Mahiro said with a smile.

His words made Riveria, who had been feeling exasperated, relax a little. 

She gave him a slightly appreciative look.

"It's just that these guys often do things that make me worry, so I have to be strict," Riveria explained.

"I understand. That's why you're concerned about the relationship between me and Ais," Mahiro said.

"Sorry, it's just that the situation is unusual," Riveria acknowledged.

"I didn't lie to Ais," Mahiro said calmly. "Ais should know that."

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