Chapter 13.5
"Home."
Crimson Demon Branch Village, Kingdom of Belverg.
Forest.
June, 22. XXXXXXXXX46.
"...And that's how you do it!"
"W-Wow… so cool…"
A teenage raven-haired boy kneels before a little girl, smiling softly as he observes the girl who tried to imitate him. A tiny condensed ball of mana manifested on her fingertip, she gritted her teeth to hold on and stream more mana into it, but it caused overload and the ball turned into specks of light. She was thrown by the force it emitted but fortunately, her brother was there and caught her.
She looked up and giggled happily.
"Onii-chan, I managed to do it!"
"As expected of Komekko-chan! I'm so proud of you!"
He hugged her tightly and she cracked up, smiles plastered on their faces. Such a scenery, certainly could warm a person's heart, seeing a bond between a big brother and his little sister.
"Onii?"
A pitch voice called, he turned his head and his other sibling appeared within his sight. She was still wearing the red dress he gave her back then? Huh. But it seems like it soon would be too small for her. Gotta give her a new one, he noted.
"Ah, Megumin, what is it?"
She developed a habit lately, she often called him 'Onii' Not that he minds it or something but it just came from out of nowhere. He was caught off guard when she called him that!
"Y-You know you have become a teacher there… a-and…"
"Yeah? And?"
"T-That means you could accompany me when the 19380th anniversary of the academy ensues, right?"
Such a rhetorical question.
"Of course."
"Yes!"
She cheered, and he just smiled. Of course he would come to watch as his little sister won the competition. Yes, he has the utmost confidence in this little girl before him. As an older brother, trusting in his little sister is important after all.
"I forgot, when will the event occur again?"
"In a week."
"A week… alright. Are you confident in your abilities?"
"Hah! When it comes to utmost confidence, Onii knows no one's better at showing it other than me!"
Well, that's true. He let out a snicker and smiled broadly, well, before she unknowingly changed her complexion.
...Huh?
All of a sudden, she showed him a look full of concern, distress, upset, everything, and he just stared at her with a raised eyebrow. What's wrong?
What's gotten into her?
"Komekko! Honey! Can you come here? I need some assistance in cooking the dish for lunch!"
"Yes, Okaa-chan! I'll be there! Onii-chan, Onee-chan, I'll be back."
"Yes, of course…"
He looks at the sprinting Komekko's back for a brief moment before looking back to Megumin. And he started to feel anxious. She still showed the same complexion!
"Megumin-"
"I wonder, will you leave me one day, Onii-chan?"
He froze.
"W-When we attended the Academy, I… rarely met you, I barely saw your figure. There's one time when you're gone for a month, and I-I feel so… anxious, worried and distressful. I-I feel lonely. Your presence is different from Yunyun, when I still feel that I need to be a desired rival for her, I could be whatever I wanted in your face. A fool, a little sister, a-a spirited magician, a little kid…
I-I really, really miss the old days. I-I apologize, but I just… I couldn't help it. When I caused mischief without my pride blocking me off, when I laughed whenever I messed something up. And when Otou-san and Okaa-san scolded me, you always s-stand beside me. I feel… free. I feel like a bird, there's no limit to what I can do… Onii-chan gave me the answers I craved, the things I wanted, the life I desired, the companion I cherished, a teacher I hailed, a guardian I needed, the air I preferred…
...Will you ever leave me, Onii-chan?"
…He closed his eyes.
Affection.
He wouldn't forget the deeds he did by turning his back to such a thing.
It's more than fucked up, way more than that.
This person before him is his little sister. A person who stood beside him for almost all his life. And while it isn't directly, it doesn't change the fact that it's technically the truth.
A person who is really…
Precious? Important? Special?
While he'd answer with such replies, experiencing four thousand years of life in the Transcendent Realm broaden his perspective of what most people call-
People who we love.
If, spending a decade with a person could make a person love for the one they spend it with. Then what can spending 4 Millenials constantly thinking precious ones could do to a person?
Not the world, not the star, not the galaxy, not the universe.
They would give their life and their death.
Genuine, pure affection, is truly admirable you know? The one that came from merely spending time with the person one cherished. Something that those immortals, gods couldn't comprehend.
Something that the one who has a piece of humanity within their heart could feel.
A piece of sentiment.
He opened his eyes and saw glistening drops of tears streaming down her face. Her childish, innocent face he wanted to keep from the cruelty of this world.
Insane training regiments, thousands of years of struggle, frequently risking this one life. And what're the purposes for all of them to occur?
Is to protect this person before him.
To protect the people he cherished.
To sacrifice it for their safety.
Witnessing how those who moved forward alone only for themselves at the above. When he saw their eyes dimmed down in the last moments of their lives, he could see the regret, the resentment, the frustration within them.
It's a meaningless life.
He motioned his hand forward, and they landed on the cheek of her face. His fingers could feel the skin of the person before him.
The face he witnessed since the moment it appeared in this world.
For the first time in thousands of years, a drop of tear streamed down through the face of The Conqueror of 99 Heavens.
And for what?
Wealth? Fame? Possession?
It's just for a mortal, a mortal who has a connection with him. A connection that couldn't be exchanged even with the whole universe, or beyond.
It's ironic, really. They searched for why humans could be so powerful. From their habits, their way of thinking, their professions, their perspectives.
It's all false, what could drive humans to achieve the impossible, apart from their curiosity, is…
"Remember when I told you? No matter where I go, I'd never leave your side. You will never be alone. Even when we go through changes, even when we're older. Just remember I told you that when you feel distressed, concerned, sad, "I will find my way back home."
Even if it takes millennia. If you couldn't take it, then I beg you, please hold on, just hold on. And if you think It'd be impossible for me to came back. Just remember, that I would never be lost, as long as you are-"
A hand pointed to the humble house.
"-...there."
...home.
A home where they could come back, a home where they feel comfortable.
A home they desired to come back from whatever the journey they've been through. And a home where they will be welcomed with open hearts, opened arms, and genuine smiles.
A home they swore to protect.
And what's that home? Well-
"...Y-Yes, O-Onii-chan…"
A smile formed itself onto her heart-shaped face, and she jumped into his arms.
"Haah…"
-It's the people who cherish them.
Humans are really simple, huh?