What's there to forgive?

Issei stared at Sirzechs for a moment, processing that he was humble and nice enough to apologize to someone WAY beneath his level. He was definitely easy to get along with. "... actually... I'm going to have to reject that apology," Issei finally said after a moment.

"...I see. Fair enou-" Sirzechs started to sigh, but Issei held up his draconic hand.

"Because you have nothing to apologize for," he finished.

Sirzechs blinked. "Oh? And why is that?" he inquired.

"Well, to be blunt, before I became a Devil, I really was nothing special. In fact, I was pretty damn pathetic," Issei admitted with an awkward chuckle. Yeah, looking back kind of made him cringe. "But the point is, I totally was... Still am... A rather infamous pervert, and a bit of an idiot who didn't really put much effort into anything that didn't involve girls. Then, suddenly, I have power over one of the sexiest girls alive, and in a position of political power among supernatural entities? Honestly, I can totally get why someone would think I'd go crazy with it. I have many flaws, but lack of self awareness, at least about those traits, is not one of them."

"True enough. In fact, I'd say you're a bit more overly proud of your biggest flaw instead of oblivious to it," Sirzechs joked.

Issei snorted, before he continued, "My point is, in your position, I would definitely have done the same thing to make sure my sister, if I had one who ended up turned into a submissive genie, and in the hands of a known pervert like me, if not something even more drastic. So no, I don't hold you having doubts against you... To be frank, if you didn't, I would be questioning what the hell was wrong with you. You were well within your rights to verify that Rias was safe with me."

"...and the fact that I used you to a degree?" Sirzechs inquired.

"I don't see it that way. You were doing what you could for Rias, and honestly, even if I knew your plan, I wouldn't have done anything differently. What does it matter if you used me to help your sister? It was mutually beneficial," Issei pointed out. "Yeah, maybe I would have appreciated being in the loop, but I already knew all I needed to to succeed, so I can live with you keeping some cards close to your chest. You didn't do anything wrong by us."

"...heh, you have a good head on your shoulders," Sirzechs chuckled, placing a hand on Issei's shoulder. "...that said..." His grip suddenly tightened, not hard enough to hurt, but definitely enough to let Issei know that that could change in a moment, and his aura flared slightly. "Don't make me regret trusting you with my sister... Okay?" he asked, a pleasant smile still on his face, which did absolutely nothing to hide the potential menace Issei would have to answer to if he ever went too far with his power over Rias.

"Eeep!" Issei yelped, sweating heavily. "Of course not! Never!" he swore quickly, and as fast as it had appeared, the aura was gone, and Sirzechs loosened his grip on him.

"So long as we're clear~!" he chuckled, withdrawing his hand.

"...what happened to not giving me the "Shotgun talk?"" Issei then asked, whining slightly.

"I never said I wouldn't! Only agreed with Rias that our talk wouldn't be "just" about that!" Sirzechs chortled. Right. There was the exact words thing again. Issei made a mental note to try reading between the lines of anything Sirzechs said in the future. "Besides, being a big brother is a huge responsibility! Gotta enjoy the perks of it, like having an excuse to scare someone shitless! Trust me, when you get badass enough, you'll see the entertainment value in slightly flexing your power towards someone you don't have any immediate plans to use it on every now and then!"

Issei gulped and nodded. "Right... So, was that all?"

"Yes, that just about covers all I wanted to discuss. Just know this," Sirzechs nodded. "You've really impressed me. And even some of the more uptight members of our society are sure to become intrigued by you soon, once the Rating Game is shown. You have potential. Plus, the Welsh Dragon joining the Devil Faction is something noteworthy," he added.

"Welsh Dragon?" Issei blinked.

"One of the names we have for the Dragon residing in your gauntlet. Regardless, keep up your training, fulfill more contracts, and you'll move up the ranks of Devil society in no time. You'll have your own Peerage before long if you keep this sort of thing up," Sirzechs nodded.

Issei paused at that notion. "That is good to know," he grinned, before heading out.