Moreover, Issei was carrying all of them.
Issei smiled.
"Well, maybe I bought a little too much. But it's a necessary expense, right? Dad also told me to buy you whatever you want."
"...But won't it be a waste of money? So many things..."
"No, no, it won't be. These are necessary for Miu to get used to this world. That's not a waste. So don't worry. ...On the contrary, if I didn't buy this much, Dad would probably scold me."
Issei said with a wry smile.
Hmm, is that so?
Issei drank the tea he'd just bought from a vending machine, then handed it to me.
"Thirsty, aren't you?"
"Ah, thank you..."
I took the plastic bottle, and as I was about to drink from it---I noticed. I noticed it.
This is---i-i-indirect kiss, isn't it...?
...Does Issei know?
I glanced at Issei---.
"Haaaaah... Ah, I'm sleep-deprived, alright."
He was yawning grandly.
Even though my heart was pounding so much! I'm getting carried away all by myself, like an idiot!
I took a sip of tea and asked Issei.
"Couldn't you sleep?"
Issei scratched his cheek with a wry smile.
"Nah, I was doing some research. Thinking about where to take you today... I tried to make it a course Miu would enjoy, but... how was it?"
"...!"
I only just noticed, but there were faint dark circles under Issei's eyes. Proof that he had stayed up late.
He went that far for me...
Knowing that, both feelings of apology and happiness welled up inside me...
"Um... thank you, Issei."
"Hm?"
"Today was really... fun."
"I see. That's good then."
Issei gave a soft laugh and stood up, stretching his back. Then, he gently placed his hand on my head.
"To be honest, I was quite anxious. I haven't really gone out with a girl like this much. If you had fun, Miu, that one word makes all the effort worth it."
A gentle smile. I know this face. I've seen it before.
When I was a devil princess, I sometimes overheard Ulum and others, my father's retainers, talking about the Red Dragon Emperor, Hyoudou Issei, in the castle.
---A warrior who stands at the forefront more than anyone, braver and nobler than anyone.
That was Ulum and the others' assessment of Issei.
What kind of person could be described like that, even by an enemy? Curious, I sometimes peered at battlefields with long-distance magic.
What I saw there was a red dragon helping devil people. Sometimes he'd unleash lewd techniques and get punched by women, but even so, he'd extend a hand to those who couldn't fight anymore. Even if they were his enemies.
If he thought something was wrong, he would even stop his allies to help his devil enemies. Doing such a thing on a battlefield would normally be considered wrong. But I might have been drawn to that straightforward demeanor.
Issei's face now was the same as it was then. Very gentle and warm. His feelings were conveyed through the hand placed on my head.
Now... I wonder if I can say it...?
I tightly clenched my hands and whispered softly.
"Uh, um... Th-that is..."
"Hm? What's wrong? If there's somewhere else you want to go, I'll take you."
"Uh... um, it's not that... Th-that is---"
My heart pounded faster. I could feel myself getting nervous.
It's embarrassing. If I suddenly change how I address him, will he think it's strange? Such thoughts swirled within me.
Still... I want to call him that.
"...B-big... brother."
"...Huh?"
Issei's face became blank at the words I let slip.
It felt like time had stopped. A long silence, as if a minute stretched into an hour.
Coming back to himself, Issei's voice trembled.
"D-d-d-did you just s-s-s-say 'Big Brother' just now...?"
"U-um... I-I want to call Issei... 'Big Brother,' I guess..."
"...!"
Issei's eyes widened. He looked as if he had heard something unbelievable.
...Oh no, is it really no good?
But then again, if someone suddenly changes how they address you, that's what happens. And... it's probably uncomfortable to be called that by someone not related by blood... right?
I started to feel down and regretted my own actions---it was at that moment.
"I-Issei...? A-are you crying?"
"Uuuugh! I never thought... that being called 'Big Brother' would be this touching! Waaaahhhhh!"
"Eh, eh eh eh eh!? Issei!?"
He's shedding tears like a waterfall!?
Is it really something to cry that much about!?
"Ah, no good! The tears won't stop! Damn it, I don't have enough handkerchiefs!"
"That's so exaggerated..."
"Exaggerated, my foot! I tell you! To be called that by Miu... my heart just trembled, somehow! I'm so happy and so moved, the feeling won't stop! You're too cute, damn it!"
"Whoa!"
Suddenly, Issei hugged me. He wrapped his arms around my back, holding me tightly.
"Call me that as much as you like! Or rather, call me! If possible, one more please!"
Eh---. So this is what Issei is like.
I felt like I'd seen a new side of Issei.
But I was incredibly happy that he responded to my feelings, and so,
"Big Brother..."
"Yes! One more time!"
"Big Brother."
"It makes me cry! One more time, please!"
"Big Brother!"
"Ahhh... I might even die happy now..."
"Why does it come to that!?"
"Alright, this is a commemoration! First 'Big Brother' commemoration! Let's take a picture! Line up thereeeee!"
From that day on, I was able to call Issei 'Big Brother.'
"Ahahahaha... Big Brother was crying tears of joy on the train ride home too, back then..."
I clearly remember all the stares we got from people around us.
I never thought he'd be that happy... I guess I was pretty embarrassed...
But I don't regret it. I'm glad I said it then.
Hehe, memories are really important, aren't they? Not just memories in your mind, but I think it's important to keep them in a tangible form like this too. I think our memories will continue to grow from now on, but we have to preserve those too, right?
Our lifespans as devils are long. We'll continue to walk with Big Brother for decades, centuries, millennia. I don't know what kind of future awaits us, but as long as I'm with Big Brother, we can go anywhere---.
As I was thinking such thoughts, the door to my room opened.
"Is the tidying up progressing?"
It was Big Brother who entered. Seeing that he didn't have his bag, he must have returned to his own room first before coming here.
"Oh, welcome home. The tidying up is going just as---"
I stopped mid-sentence as I realized. It hadn't progressed at all.
Oh no... I shouldn't have been looking at the album!
I took all the books off the shelf because I wanted to organize them, so the floor is a mess!
"Waaahhhhhh! I did it againnnnnn!"
I clutched my head! What should I do! I came home early, but I haven't made any progress at all!
Tears wouldn't stop flowing from my own foolishness!
Seeing me like that, Big Brother gave a wry smile.
"Ahahaha... I'll help you too, alright? Then it'll be done in no time, won't it?"
"Really!? Thank you, Big Brother! I love you!"
After this, my collection was neatly organized.
(Miu's Side Out)
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