Mom traced the name written in the handbook with her finger.
The third child for them. Hyoudou Issei.
"Your father chose the name 'Issei,' you know? Because he wanted him to live with the utmost sincerity (Issei). ...Though, he's turned out to be such a pervert that I'm afraid he's not quite living up to such a dignified name."
We could only give her a wry smile at that.
But I think Big Brother grew up to be the kindest person in the world. He might be a bit too much of a lecher, but he's kinder than anyone I know. I think Mom knows that, too.
Mom smiled warmly.
"Seeing how you all react to him, maybe he isn't failing his name after all. He's become so dependable, and he thinks more deeply than he lets on... He's grown into a man in ways we don't even see. And yet, he's still my darling son. It's a strange thing."
"Was the birth difficult?" I asked.
"Oh, heavens yes! It hurt so much I thought, 'I'm actually going to die!'"
"I-it hurts that much...?" Asia stammered.
"It's the path every mother walks. Venelana-san told me she had a hard time when she had Rias-san, too."
Rias looked surprised. "You spoke with my mother about such things?"
"Hehe, we're 'Mom-friends,' after all! Anyway, no matter how much time passes, your child is always your baby."
Mom winked and turned the pages of the album. It started with Big Brother as a baby and followed his growth. There were solo shots of him, and family photos of the three of them.
Then, from a certain page onward, the family grew by one. It was the date I had come into this world.
Mom looked at me with tender eyes.
"And from here, I gained a daughter. Hyoudou Miu—our daughter. Our precious, truly precious daughter."
When I first met them, I was terrified I wouldn't be accepted. Even with Issei there, I was scared. Would they accept someone—something—as mysterious as me?
But Mom and Dad never made a face. They called me family. They called me their daughter. They gave me my name.
I am Miu, daughter of Sirius, the Demon King of Ast-Arde. That is a fact that will never change, and one I never want to change. Being Sirius's daughter—my father's daughter—is my pride.
But the Mom and Dad who call me daughter now are also my precious family.
Mom stroked my hair and smiled gently.
"Miu, you are our daughter. Even if we don't share blood, even if I didn't give birth to you, you are our precious girl. That will never change, no matter where you are or what happens."
In that moment, something hot traced down my cheek.
It wasn't sadness. There wasn't a shred of pain in my heart.
I was just... just so happy. We had lived as a family for years, but hearing it said like that again... I was so, so happy!
Mom turned her gaze to Asia.
"And Asia-chan, too. You call us Mother and Father. To us, you are also our precious daughter."
"....!"
Being called 'daughter' so directly, Asia's tears began to fall uncontrollably. She let out a sob and lunged into Mom's arms, weeping into her chest.
"Yes...! I am your daughter...! I'll stay with you forever...!"
Mom stroked Asia's hair with a gentle, wry smile.
"Goodness, such a crybaby. Issei will scold me if he finds you like this. But... I'm truly happy now. Issei was born and grew up so strong. Miu came to us, then Asia-chan, then Rias-san. Now, I have so many daughters."
Mom whispered as if reflecting on a long journey.
"It's been a long road. A truly long one. But perhaps our lives were meant for this happiness. When I think of it that way, all the struggles were worth it... or something like that."
She said it jokingly, but I knew she meant it. Her smile was that of someone who truly felt blessed. You can't fake a smile like that.
"..."
I thought I saw a shadow near the living room door... Was that...?
I seemed to be the only one who noticed. Mom put her hands on our shoulders.
"Please look after Issei, okay? He can be quite stubborn... he might push himself too hard in places we can't see. I want to be his support, too. But the only thing we can really do is protect the home he returns to..."
Mom sighed. I—no, we—all took her hands.
"It'll be okay. Big Brother would never do anything to make everyone sad. He'll always come back to us. No matter what."
"That's right," Rias added firmly. "We are the comrades and family who support Issei. We may not match his strength, but we are the ones who have fought by his side."
"And if Issei-san gets hurt, I'll be the one to heal him!" Asia declared through her tears.
[Miu Side: Out]
I had slipped into my room and collapsed face-down on my bed. I lay there... and I cried.
I had overheard Miu and the others talking in the living room. Since they were talking about me, I'd gotten curious and eavesdropped a little...
I didn't know. I never knew how my parents felt. I never knew the depth of the emotions they poured into raising me, their only son.
The babies who came before me—my older brothers or sisters. If things had been different, I might have had a sibling to look up to.
Hearing Mom's story, a flood of memories rushed back to me, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling.
"...Are you crying?"
A voice called out. I looked up to see a woman with fiery red hair standing there—Ignis.
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and muttered, "I just didn't know. I didn't know the feelings Mom had when she gave birth to me. I didn't know how much Dad had been waiting for me to be born. I only found out today."
"I see." Ignis nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed beside me. She stroked my cheek and smiled.
"A parent's love is incredibly deep. They care for their children far more than the children ever realize. People say a mother is strong, and it's the absolute truth, you know?"
Ignis gave a little chuckle.
A mother is strong, huh? She's right about that. I feel like I could live a thousand years and never win against her. Actually, that goes for Dad, too.
"Issei, you were born as a blessing. Not by some god, but by being loved by your father and mother. To be brought into this world with that love... that is true happiness."
"Yeah... I guess so."
"Your father and mother... every time you go to the battlefield, their hearts feel like they're being squeezed tight. But they don't stop you, because they know it's what you want. If they stopped you, you would live with a regret that would never fade. So, they suppress their own feelings for your sake."
For my sake... Come to think of it, we'd had a similar talk just before Loki attacked. Mom had tried to stop me with tears in her eyes, but Dad had understood my resolve... Dad's heart must have been screaming just as loudly as Mom's.
"I'm a pretty terrible son, aren't I...?" I whispered.
Suddenly—Ignis reached out and pinched both of my cheeks, pulling hard!
"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! What are you doing!? What are you doing!?"
I tried to scramble away, but she wouldn't let go! Since when was Ignis this strong?!
After I struggled for a bit, she finally released me. Ugh, my face is stinging...
As I rubbed my cheeks, Ignis pointed a finger at me.
"Honestly, you just don't get it. You coming home safely—that is your act of filial piety. To them, the ordinary days spent with you, the girls, and the rest of the family... that is their happiness."
"....!"
"Do you understand? If you're grateful to them, then just keep smiling by their side. That's more than enough."
...
...
...Crap. I was going to cry again.
This "Useless Goddess" is actually acting like a goddess! This "Lustful Onee-san" is actually acting like a big sister!
Dammit, the tears won't stop... A double-whammy of emotions!
I wiped my eyes and gave a firm, smiling nod. "Yeah!"
Ignis beamed, looking satisfied with my answer.
Man... I'm getting soft. Am I getting old? No, wait, I'm still a teenager!
Still, whenever Ignis says something actually profound, it really hits home. In a good way. It's genuinely moving!
...That was my mistake. I let my guard down.
While still smiling, Ignis suddenly shoved me down onto the bed! Before I knew it, she had produced chains from nowhere and was shackling my wrists and ankles to the corners of the bed!
"Wh-what?!"
"Ufufu~. I thought this would be the perfect chance to try something out! ☆"
Ignis reached into her clothes and pulled out—a Gender-Swap Gun?!
"Wait, hey! You were hiding that?!"
"Eh? You call that hiding? Hmph, against me, that little hiding spot didn't stand a chance! Now then... Gender Swap! ♪"
ZAP-ZAP-ZAP-ZAP-ZAP!
"GYAH!"
The beam from the muzzle caught me dead center! In the next instant, my hair lengthened, my body softened and curved... and my breasts surged in size!
I'm a girl again?! Why has this been happening so much lately?!
Looking at my female form, Ignis licked her lips. A chill ran down my spine!
"Now then... Girl-Issei..."
Ignis began to crawl toward me slowly. I tried to back away, but the chains kept me pinned.
"No... no, no, no! Wait! Calm down! Do you really think there's a demand for me moaning?!"
"There is for me!"
"You idiot! Weren't you just attacking Tiamat the other day?!"
"That was then, this is now. Besides, Girl-Issei is just so cute. Your breasts are huge, and you look so... appetizing. So, with that said..."
"Hey... wait... you idiot... s-stop! STOOOOP!"
"It's time to eat! Thanks for the meal!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
I did it again! ☆
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