"Ah, home... sweet home."
A young boy muttered softly, taking a deep breath with his eyes closed. He stood in front of a familiar house under the night sky. Any neighbor who might have seen him would probably think he was suspicious. He looked different—not in appearance, but in presence. There was something about him now, something subtle but undeniable, that made people do a double take when passing by.
"This fresh air... ah, damn it—whose cat pissed around here?!" he cursed under his breath, his face contorting in disgust. "Having a heightened sense of smell seriously sucks sometimes..."
Before he could properly bask in nostalgia, his loud grumble triggered the porch light to flick on. The door creaked open—and there she was. The person he'd longed to see the most. His voice dropped to a whisper, thick with emotion.
"...Mom, I'm home."
"Kou-chan? Is that really you?"
"Yeah, Mom. It's me—your one and only handsome so—"
"Where have you been, you ungrateful brat?!"
Just when he opened his arms, expecting a tearful reunion and a warm hug, she bypassed them and instead grabbed his waist and slammed him to the ground like a professional wrestler.
Of course. She was once known as the Iron Gorilla of Tokyo—a retired underground fighter with a fearsome reputation. Her strength hadn't faded one bit. It didn't hurt him—not with his absurdly overpowered body—but he certainly wasn't going to let her know that.
"Ow! What kind of mom suplexes her long-lost son?!"
"What kind of son disappears for a year without a single message?! You should've just stayed gone if that's how it is!"
Yep. That was exactly how he remembered her. Tough love, bark louder than bite. She'd scold him fiercely today, then act like nothing happened tomorrow while making his favorite miso soup. He sat cross-legged on the dirt floor, smiling through every insult. He noticed the faint lines of exhaustion on her face, signs of the sleepless nights spent worrying—but said nothing. This was the least he could do after putting her through that hell.
"What's with all the yelling in the middle of the night, dear? Huh? Is that you, Kousuke?"
"Hi, Dad."
"Say something to him already! Look at that silly smile while I'm giving him an earful!"
"Can it wait till morning? I've got an early meeting—important stuff at work."
"A meeting? That's more important than your long-lost son?! Maybe a meeting with my fist will help your memory!"
"H-Hey, hold on! Violence isn't always the answe—"
"Shut up and take it like a man!"
WHACK!
...
Later, as the dust settled, his dad crouched beside him, rubbing his head and chuckling softly.
"I won't ask where you've been. I figured you'd be okay... but your mother hasn't slept properly since the day you disappeared. She waited every night, hoping you'd come back."
"...I know. From tonight on, I'll be a proper son again."
"Glad to hear it. Welcome home, son."
His mother walked inside without another word, her fury spent. His father gave him one last pat on the back and followed. Kousuke stood in silence, staring down the hallway. Even without saying much, he could tell his father had been just as worried. In the past, he might've missed the subtle emotions—but the new him, the one tempered by battle and loss, could hear the muffled sobs behind the bathroom door.
He said nothing. Just walked upstairs.
"...It's like nothing changed. Like I was never gone."
He smiled faintly, looking around his room—exactly as he'd left it. Dusty computer, messy shelves, unwashed laundry in the corner. It was a sight for sore eyes.
Collapsing onto his bed, he exhaled deeply. For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight he carried—of war, of death, of power—began to lift. Sleep came quickly, and soon he was snoring like a log.
Outside, a figure peeked through the slightly ajar door. His mother sighed, then gently shut it and walked away with a soft smile.
"He really did come back... I think I can finally sleep tonight."
The next day...
"You're really Kousuke? Something about you seems different, though."
"I could say the same about you."
Issei squinted, studying the friend who had vanished without a trace a year ago, now standing casually before him. They were supposed to meet at the train station before heading to Kuoh Academy together—but Kousuke never showed. Issei had waited until he was late for his first day of high school.
He eventually made new friends with shared interests, but the absence of Kousuke left a hollow space. He had searched tirelessly—even with the help of a senior who had special connections—but no leads ever surfaced. It was as if Kousuke had been erased from Earth. His last known location was just a few blocks from the station.
For a while, Issei feared the worst—maybe someone from the 'other side' had taken him. But now, just as mysteriously as he had vanished, Kousuke reappeared.
"I told you—I found myself a girlfriend while you were gone!"
"Yeah, yeah. I know how much you love your 2D waifus. Who is it now? Miku?"
"That's not it! I meant in real life this time!"
Kousuke smirked, watching his friend grow flustered. But behind the smile, something cold glinted in his eyes. Something sharp—unseen by Issei.
He sniffed the air subtly. A scent—faint, but familiar—tickled his senses. Inhuman. He frowned. That couldn't be. He had made sure—absolutely sure—that none of those monsters followed him home. If Issei smelled like that... it had to be something—or someone—on Earth.
"Are you listening? I'm telling the truth! Wait—how about this: I'll introduce them to you! You'll believe me once you meet them!"
Kousuke's eyes narrowed slightly. If what Issei said was true... then he needed to meet this "girlfriend." Whatever had changed his friend—it wasn't natural.
And if she was anything like the monsters he had fought before...
Then he would do what had to be done.
Even if it meant killing her.