The sky began to turn golden, and the clouds drifted slowly as if sweeping away the long day. The evening breeze rustled the leaves in the small yard of the Hyoudou household, creating a gentle rustling among the sounds of crickets beginning to emerge.
The front door opened slowly.
Issei stepped inside, still wearing his school uniform, bag on his shoulder and white mask hanging from his hand. His breath was heavy, yet his steps were light—as if the mental burden outweighed his physical exhaustion.
He looked around the warm house. A gray fabric sofa, a small wooden table, and the aroma of food from the kitchen greeted him.
In a soft, but sincere voice, he said:
"I'm home..."
From the living room, the television played quietly, showing the evening news. On the sofa sat two familiar figures.
Hyoudou Juzo, the father, dressed casually with a calm but attentive face, turned slowly. Beside him, Issei's mother, wearing an apron after cooking, looked toward the door with a gentle smile.
"Welcome home, Issei," Juzo said warmly. "How was your first day at school?"
Issei stood at the entrance for a moment, lowering his head. His fingers clenched. He tried to find the words.
"I... caused a mess."
Immediately, his parents' expressions turned serious. They exchanged a glance before Issei's mother gently asked, "What happened, dear?"
But before Issei could answer, a soft voice echoed in his mind.
{Are you going to tell them everything?} asked Ddraig, full of consideration.
'Not now... but I can't keep hiding it. Even though I don't remember anything about them, somehow... I feel like they really care about me.'
{That's your decision as their child. I'm no one when it comes to family matters. But... at the very least, don't disappoint them.}
'Thank you... Ddraig.'
Issei took a deep breath, then stepped into the living room. He stood in front of his parents, bowing deeply.
"...Dad, Mom. I... actually—I've lost my memory."
Juzo and his wife widened their eyes.
Issei continued, his voice quiet but honest, "…I don't remember my childhood, my friends, my school, or even... you as my parents."
Those words shook the room. Silence fell. Only the soft sound of the television remained in the background.
"Ever since I woke up... on that Christmas night, I've felt empty. Maybe you noticed I stopped acting weird. I heard gossip at school... that I used to be known as a pervert. One of the 'Perverted Trio'."
He let out a small—bitter—laugh. "I don't know what to do."
Tears flowed from the corners of his eyes.
"And now... I can use magic."
His mother covered her mouth, holding her breath.
Issei continued, his voice trembling. "Tomorrow... if I don't wake up, don't try to wake me. I'll be sleeping all day. But actually, I'll be training inside my consciousness. In this world—there are angels, devils, youkai, even beings far more powerful. I have to become stronger. If... if one day they come here... I want to be able to protect you."
His legs trembled. His heart opened. His breath hitched.
Then—a warm embrace welcomed him.
His father and mother stood up and hugged Issei tightly. No words were spoken for several seconds, only the sound of soft sobs and the embrace that enveloped the hidden wounds of his soul.
Juzo, the father, gently patted Issei's back.
"Thank you... for being honest. Even if you don't remember anything… you're still our son. And you'll always be our son."
Issei's mother stroked his hair gently. "You're not alone. If anything happens—anything at all—just tell us. Don't keep it to yourself. We're your family."
Issei lowered his head into their embrace. His tears fell onto his mother's shoulder.
"...I'm sorry… I'm sorry I can't remember you..."
"It's okay," his mother replied. "Our love doesn't depend on your memories."
But on Christmas Eve last month, for Issei—it was not just an ordinary holiday.
It was a day of rebirth.
The day when Hyoudou Issei chose to face his destiny, not as the perverted boy known in school, but as someone who would stand between humanity and the supernatural world.
And before entering the world of intense training with Ddraig, there was one thing he now had for sure:
A place to return to.