By assimilating Trihexa, Asem's power was growing exponentially with every passing moment. That power was immense enough to shatter Old Man Maurice's sword and snap the Durandal wielded by Grandpa Strada. Even with those two working as a team, Asem stood on an entirely different plane of existence, backing them both into a corner. Having exhausted our energy in the previous battles, neither I, Old Man Maurice, nor Grandpa Strada stood a chance against Asem as he was now. Just as that overwhelming despair threatened to swallow us whole, the light appeared.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Big Brother."
Miu offered a gentle smile as she spoke.
It was immediately obvious that she had barely managed to make it here, leaning heavily on Alice's shoulder for support. Even if the wounds from her previous battles had been healed by Asia's magic, her stamina was completely drained. And yet, Miu still directed her usual warm smile toward me. Strong, kind, and unyielding, no matter how painful things got...
It wasn't just Miu. Alice, Rias, and the others who were supporting her had all pushed through those fierce battles to rush to my side. They had kept hope alive for us...!
From within the rising smoke caused by the earlier bombardment, Old Man Maurice and Grandpa Strada leaped out and returned to our side. The moment they landed beside me, both of them collapsed to their knees. Their shoulders heaved as they gasped desperately for air. Grandpa Strada had already reverted back to his original elderly form. It seemed both of them had fought right up to their absolute physical limits against Asem in his Trihexa-absorbed state.
Sweat poured from the old man's forehead as he grimaced in pain, yet a confident smirk tugged at his lips.
"Geez... you guys are late. Even we have our limits, you know? Still, I'm glad you made it. Glad you made it in time. Asia, Koneko-chan, go treat Issei."
"Wait—Maurice?! Pull yourself together!"
Alice cried out in panic, hearing the old man sound so weak for the first time.
Never before had we witnessed a scene like this. To us, the existence of the "Sword Saint" was absolute and overwhelming. A supreme swordsman who could defeat any foe with an easygoing smile. For an old man like him to be pushed this far...
Liesha rushed over to the old man, placing her hand on his chest to support his body.
"You pushed yourself far too hard, Maurice. No matter how strong you are, look at who you were fighting."
Beside them, Xenovia and Irina were supporting Grandpa Strada, who looked just as deeply exhausted as Old Man Maurice.
Xenovia spoke up.
"Your Holiness, I am deeply sorry for our delay."
"Think nothing of it. I merely did what was required of me. Warrior Xenovia, Warrior Irina—you have done exceptionally well to make it here."
Irina responded to the old man's words.
"Yes! We have reliable comrades with us, after all. Your Holiness, please leave the rest to us!"
"We will never allow the light of hope you two risked your lives to preserve to be extinguished."
Hearing the bold words of his two pupils, Gramps nodded with a satisfied smile.
Asia and Koneko-chan hurried over to my side. Both of them threw themselves into my arms, hugging me tight. Looking at their faces, I saw tears shimmering at the corners of their eyes.
"Issei-san, you're all battered and bruised again... but I'm so glad...! I'm so happy I can talk to you like this again! You're alive, and you came back to us! Just that alone makes me..."
"I was so lonely when I couldn't talk to you, Senpai... I was waiting for you the whole time, you know?"
Though teary-eyed, both Asia and Koneko-chan gave me heartwarming smiles. A soft green light emanated from Asia's hands, wrapping around me to heal my wounds, while Koneko-chan touched my body to stabilize the chaotic ki within me. The dual healing from the outside and inside instantly eased the pain wracking my entire body.
As I received their treatment, Miu crouched down beside me. She reached out a hand and softly touched my cheek.
"Big Brother..."
"Miu..."
We stared into each other's eyes, our expressions filled with deep affection and lingering sorrow.
Even without words, I understood Miu's feelings completely. And Miu undoubtedly understood mine. I knew it—I knew it would come to this. We had been waiting for this exact moment for so long—
"BIG BROTHERRRRRRRRRRRR!!"
"MIUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"
We burst into tears and squeezed each other in a fierce embrace! That's right! We had been waiting for this all along! The long-awaited moment of sibling bonding!
"It's been so long since I got to cuddle my Big Brotherrrrr!"
"It's been way too long, Miuuuuuuu!"
This warmth! This scent! This heartbeat! Finally, my sweet little sister is back in my arms!
Inhale... Exhale... Ahhh, I can feel it refilling... My severely depleted supply of sister-energy—Imoutonium—is finally being restored...!
Then, Alice's sharp response exploded right on cue!
"I knew this was coming, but I'm gonna call it out anyway—what is with this completely out-of-nowhere sibling drama?!"
"Haaah... hugging Big Brother for the first time in forever... This is the absolute best..."
"Are you ignoring me?!"
Now, now, Alice-san, don't raise your voice like that. This is a sacred ritual between brother and sister. Without this, we literally cannot function.
As Miu and I held each other in our long-overdue hug, Diarmuid wandered over to us.
"Nii-ni... Nee-ne... Can I... join too?"
""DIAR-CHANNNNNNNNN!""
Miu and I immediately pulled the blushing Diarmuid into our arms! Being hugged so tightly made her look a bit breathless, but her flushed cheeks were full of pure happiness.
"Nii-ni... Nii-ni... I'm so glad I got to see you... I'm so glad..."
Tears welled in Diarmuid's eyes as she whispered.
What is this... dammit...! I don't even know what to say anymore! The rare sweet side of a normally aloof little sister is way too cute! Is this paradise?! Big Brother is going to die of moe overload!
"Issei-san! It's not fair that Miu-san and the others get all the attention!"
"I want a tight hug too, or I'm going to be mad."
Gasp! A double upturned gaze from Asia and Koneko-chan at a time like this...?! Asia puffing out her cheeks adorably, and Koneko-chan twitching her cat ears while wagging her tail... This... THIS ISSSSSSSSS!
"PFFFT!"
I erupted into a fountain of blood. Yep, blood came spurting out in massive quantities. A heavy nosebleed followed suit.
"Issei-kun?! How much blood can you possibly throw up from something completely unrelated to the battle?! Also, you're flexing your sister complex way too hard in the middle of medical treatment!"
Oof, even Kiba's straight-man retorts feel nostalgia-inducing now.
Holding back the nosebleed that came right after, I managed to speak up.
"Hey, it wasn't just the sister complex this time, okay?! The pure healing power of Asia and Koneko-chan played a part too... Though yeah, Miu and Diar-chan already pushed me past my absolute limit. The Imoutonium levels reached critical mass."
"What even is Imoutonium?! Just how obsessed with little sisters are you?!"
"What a foolish question! If I'm separated from them for a few days, I literally start going insane!"
"That is a medical condition! We need to get you checked out at a major hospital immediately!"
"It's already too late for me!"
"You said it yourself! You just admitted it's too late!"
No one can cure me! This love goes on forever!
"Y-Yuto-senpai's retorts have gotten so much sharper...!"
"Y-Yuto... did his personality change or something?"
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