I inhaled deeply, taking in the very sensation of breathing familiar air in a familiar place.
The Namikaze household.
My home away from home. My second home if you will. It wasn't in the most ideal circumstances, but I felt so happy at being at this familiar place. Even though it had been only about two days, it felt like I hadn't been here in a million years. Even if it wasn't my real home, I felt so ecstatic at being able to return here.
"C-Come on, Ruto!" My blonde-haired master complained, trying to suppress her blush as she clung affectionately to my side. "I took you here to see your friend like I promised! I-I don't care whether or not you're happy! I-I just want to make sure there's nothing to sidetrack us later on the way to Onii-sama's wedding!" Tsun-der-e~!
After that night we spent together, Ravel had been clinging to me more closely than ever. Even with the prospect of never being my wife, Ravel was satisfied being by my side. Because of our new, close relationship, she allowed me this quick visit back home.
But that brought up the major reason that this situation wasn't ideal… The one major reason this day wasn't as happy as I would have hoped for was because of one unpleasant event…
The wedding between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex.
I would be there in attendance along with my date, Ravel Phenex.
Since that night of passion between us, Ravel has become much more accommodating towards my desires. That was why she allowed me to visit Haru before the wedding. I wanted to check up on him, seeing how he was doing. I had caught glimpses of Akeno-san, Yuuki, and Koneko-chan during the planning stages of the wedding, one or all of them usually standing beside an unhappy Rias. I heard Asia was staying back in the human world. But I hadn't gotten a single status update concerning Haru since the Rating Game.
I took a deep breath. "We're going to have to be quiet so we don't wake up Otou-san and Oka-san." Ravel nodded as we made our way into the house using my spare key. It was a little funny how it felt like I was breaking into what was practically my second home, but the good humor was nothing in the face of the severity of the situation.
Walking through the house gave me a large feeling of nostalgia…
I smiled sadly. Even if this would be my last time being here… I would be satisfied.
"Ya know, Ravel, I never actually thought I'd feel like a stranger in this house." I said almost to myself. "Only a few days and everything already seems so different…"
Rias was being forced to marry Riser, I was no longer able to be by Serafall's side, and there was a large amount of sadness in this atmosphere. I made my way up the stairs, followed by Ravel, following the path I used to take whenever I visited this place. My heart became heavier with each step I took. The sting of the Gremory group's defeat felt so much fresher than it did before.
Ravel didn't say a word, and I could have sworn I saw a weird expression on her face.
But all else was forgotten after I heard a click and then a sharp intake of breath.
"Ruto… Ruto-SAAAAAAAAN!"
I caught only a glimpse of beautiful, golden-blonde hair before a heavy weight slammed against my chest. For a moment, I was too in shock to register the familiar warm arms that wrapped around my torso, followed by an equally warm sensation that spread through my body after I recognized the source of this feeling.
"Asia…" I said it, looking down at that adorable nun's face before smiling. "Aha! Asia!" In my joy, I wrapped my self-proclaimed wife in my arms and lifted her up from the ground, giving her an extra long hug. In a way, I felt relieved. I never heard the announcement that she had been retired from the Rating Game, so I had no idea what happened to her. "I really missed you, Asia! It's such a relief to be able to see you again!"
"Kya!" Asia let out a surprised gasp. I set her down and noticed her face was bright red and she looked so embarrassed. "I-I missed Ruto-san very much as well!" We held each other for a long time, enjoying the presence of the other when—
*COUGH COUGH*
I looked over my shoulder to see Ravel coughing—Not very subtle—into her fist, glaring daggers at Asia while blushing deeply.
I grinned, rubbing the back of my neck. I couldn't help it. It just felt good to be able to hug one of my friends again without it being awkward in a large room with people planning for an arranged marriage that we failed to stop.
"Ruto, I believe you came her for a reason other than to flirt with one of your former comrades." Ravel said, feeling miffed at how familiarly I was acting with Asia.
I coughed once and Asia blushed even more deeply, burying her face in her hands.
"I'm sorry, Ruto-san…" I turned to see Asia gaining a remorseful look. "We lost… I wasn't strong, so Haru-san and Buchou-san had to do all of the fighting… And because of that, you—"
I tapped a fist on her forehead, sighing at the bout of self-blaming Asia was about to get into.
"Asia… Please. Don't go on blaming yourself. If things don't work out, then Rias and the others will need you more than ever. You're the peacemaker, the sticky glue that'll keep us from falling apart." I patted the top of her head. "What's in the past is done and there's no changing it. Thinking about 'What if' and 'I should have' will only cause yourself unneeded pain." I shoved my hands into my pockets. "Besides… The outcome was, in hindsight, rather predictable. You guys didn't have what you needed to beat someone like Riser. With the Phenex's, there are only a few ways to beat them. If it were any other person, you guys would have won for sure, so don't be so hard on yourself, Asia."
Asia seemed uncertain, but nodded. Then she started looking sad again. "Ruto-san… you came here to see Haru-san, didn't you?"
All good cheer vanished from my face, being replaced by a look of sad solemnity. Unable to say a single word, I nodded. Asia understood that I wanted to say nothing else about it. I wanted to see Haru for myself. I didn't want to hear "He was doing so-and-so" or "He's been so-and-so". Whatever his condition was, I wanted to see it with my own two eyes. Asia stood aside and let me walk to Haru's door.
Ravel gripped my hand, staring at me sadly. I gave a soft smile and gave her hand a soft, reassuring squeeze.
"It's fine. Please… just wait out here with Asia."
Ravel frowned, but nodded in response to my request.
With my legs feeling like lead, I walked all the way to Haru's door. Instinctively, I wanted to knock or bust it down, but I knew there would be no point. I gripped the doorknob tightly, trying to calm my trembling hand. Hundreds of worst-case scenarios flashed through my mind. I bit my lower lip, trying to push them out of my mind as I turned the doorknob and pushed forward, entering the room.
It was so quiet. Not even the sound of snores broke this almost depressing silence.
I took a few deep breaths, the sound of my footsteps being the only noise heard in the room.
With great care, I approached the bed and stared down at the figure who laid in it.
I almost broke down again.
There was Haru, out cold. He looked worse than he probably was. His body was wrapped in bandages, as if he had gotten off on the bad end of a horrific accident. It looked like someone had stomped on him several times, ran him over with a steam roller, and then re-inflated him like a cartoon character back to his normal shape. He… He looked so peaceful. One would never have guessed, judging from his expression, that he had only recently been putting everything he had forth in order to save his master whose future was on the line.
My bro had been fighting with everything he had… As usual… I was just so useless.
I patted Haru on the arm, looking away as I fought the urge to cry again. "Haru… you've always been so much stronger than me… No matter how much I train, you'll always be stronger than me. If not in strength, then in willpower. You've always been the person I've admired most, Haru. Just like when we were kids, I acted big and tough, but I was always protected by you. You were always the self-proclaimed protector of your friends." I grasped Haru's hand, pulling up a chair by his bedside. "And, whenever you lose, you always beat yourself up and vowed to get stronger. Whatever physical pain you must be in, your mental suffering must be ten times worse." I gave Haru's hand a quick squeeze, pausing when I felt something odd.
I released Haru's hand, staring at the object clenched tightly within. My eyes widened as I slowly forced Haru's hand open. I let out a sharp gasp as an icy feeling filled my chest. As if acting on reflex, Haru's hand clenched closed once more, acting to protect the object in his hand as if by some unknown instinct. But I had already seen it…
It was Devi-kun.
The fabric of his little red body was torn at certain parts, a button eye was missing, and some parts were singed, but it was, without a doubt, Devi-kun. Haru… he had been holding Devi-kun when he was defeated. He fought Riser… He didn't forget about me. Even though he was fighting for Rias, he… he didn't forget about me. He kept me in his thoughts. A part of me felt amused at the thought that Haru punched Riser in the face with Devi-kun clenched tightly in his fists.
But then I did something else.
I cried.
I tightly held Haru's hand which held Devi-kun.
Teardrops poured down the sides of my face as I held the hand of my best friend… My brother. The person I've known longer than anybody else.
I'm… I'm sorry, Haru. I should've been there. I should be fighting by your side, but… but ever since we became Devils, it's been the same as it always was. You're looking out for everyone else and I can't do anything. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…
"He was holding it, you know…" I jumped, turning back towards the open door to see Asia, her hands clasped in front of her with a worried look on her face. "Near the end of the Rating Game, Haru-san pulled out Devi-kun and said that you were fighting right next to him. Haru-san would have lost much sooner, but…" Asia hesitated, perhaps wondering if her words would make everything better or worse. "... But he kept saying 'Ruto would never give up this easily! I'll keep fighting even if my whole body breaks!'. He kept getting back up with Devi-kun in his hand. When Haru-san finally fell down, Riser took Devi-kun and tried to burn it… Haru-san managed to get Devi-kun back, but… the fight was already decided. Even when he could barely stand, Haru-san was focused on trying to protect both you and Buchou-san."
"Asia…" Even though it confirmed my fears… it also alleviated them in some way. Knowing that Haru also fought for me as well… It made me feel happy. I tried wiping my tears, realizing what Haru would think of me if he saw me like this. Just like I would do for him, Haru would smack me upside the face until I came back to my senses. I stood up from my seat before turning to my blonde friend. "Thank you for letting me be alone for a moment. You too, Ravel."
I looked to the door to see Ravel peeking uncertainly from behind the corner. She nodded, but I couldn't get a good look at her expression.
I sighed. "I suppose I should get going soon." I walked past Asia to return to Ravel's side before I pause, another thought coming to mind. "Asia… I don't know when we'll meet again, but until we do, I want you to keep an eye on Haru for me. Make sure he doesn't do something stupid…" Then I realized that that thought in itself was stupid. "Alright. If he does do something stupid, please be sure to heal him up afterwards." I turned to leave again when I was hugged from behind. I barely turned my head, my eyes widening in surprise when I saw Asia desperately clinging to me.
Tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. "P-Please don't leave… Ruto-san, I don't want you to leave… C-Can I not… go with you? Please?" If I focused hard enough, I could feel Asia's heart pounding in her chest against my back. The pain I was putting this girl through only intensified my own pain. I placed a gentle hand on Asia's arm which was wrapped around my torso.
"No. You can't, Asia." I said bluntly. "You owe it to Rias-senpai to remain here and wait for her." Asia looked like she was about to object. "I know how it feels… To be able to do nothing but watch and be protected by the people you love. But acting recklessly now won't change anything. All we can do is keep each others' feelings in our hearts and hope for the day when we are reunited. No matter how long it takes, I will keep dreaming of that day, Asia. I don't know when it will be, but someday we'll all be together again and laugh like we always used to." I turned to face her and raised a pinky into the air. "It's a pinky promise."
Asia looked close to crying again, but nodded as she hooked her pinky around mine.
In spite of the situation, we both exchanged a small smile with one another. I had never noticed it before, but Asia's eyes were especially beautiful tonight…
"R-Ruto…" We were snapped out of our own personal world by the sound of Ravel's voice. It wasn't as confident as it had been before. Ravel looked outright awkward, shuffling her feet about nervously with her hands behind her back. "We… We have to get going. We can't be late for Onii-sama's wedding." Considering the source of mine and Asia's sadness, Ravel clearly felt awkward about bringing it up. "We… We're family of Onii-sama, so we have to be there ahead of everyone else."
I did my best to regain a straight face, nodding at Ravel. Slowly and reluctantly, I slid out of Asia's grasp and followed after Ravel who led me forward.
Behind my back, I stuck up my pinky. I was serious about my promise.
Someday, Asia, we would all be together again.
Ravel and I returned to the area where we first utilized the magic circle to come here, using it to teleport once more.
We vanished in a large flash of light.