DW DXD Remastered Chapter 16 Cleaning the Room (Patreon)

After what felt like an hour of emotional whiplash, Miki and Gorou were finally calm. Miki was still muttering about guest lists and flower arrangements under her breath as she thought of the coming future marriage of her son and her future daughter in law. “White lilies? No, roses. Maybe a traditional wedding? Oh, how romantic!”

“Mom,” Issei groaned weakly from where he sat on the couch. “Please stop planning my life.”

“I am your mother. It is literally my job.”

Gorou, arms folded and nodding sagely, added, “A man must accept his destiny, son.”

“My destiny is my decision not hers!” Issei complained.

Meanwhile, Tamamo stepped back from Issei, stretching her arms high above her head. Her multiple golden tails fanned out behind her in a satisfied wave. “There!” She declared proudly. “Good as new! My darling husband is now fully restored! Ufufu! You may thank me now!”

Issei rolled his shoulders experimentally. Feeling improvement as he no longer has any pain, or stiffness, not even a bruise. He then let out a deep breath. “Wow… that actually feels amazing.” He stood up, flexed his fingers, then looked at her sincerely. “Thanks, Tamamo. I really appreciate it.”

Tamamo beamed like she had just conquered a nation. But before she could bask in the praise for too long. Yuuka spoke out as she crossed her arms with a pointed look. “You should appreciate me too.”

Issei blinked. “Huh?”

“I was the one carrying you home,” She said, lifting her chin slightly.

Issei immediately grinned, noticing the pout on Yuuka’s face. “You’re right! Thank you, Yuuka!”

Yuuka quickly looked away, her cheeks faintly pink. “Y-Yeah. Whatever. Just don’t make it a habit.”

Issei simply smiled softly. Near-death experience aside, this wasn’t so bad. He stretched once more, exhaling. “Now that I’m not half-dead, I guess we should figure out where you guys are sleeping.”

Miki perked up instantly. “Oh! We have an extra room! It’s small, but it should be fine for—”

“No need!” Tamamo said and declared confidently, stepping forward.

Causing everyone to turn to her.

Tamamo gave a mischievous sweet smile. “For I shall be sleeping in my darling’s room, of course~!”

“HUH?!” Issei said as he choked on air. Before he could even process that—

“Oh no you aren’t!” Yuuka snapped, stepping forward and planting herself firmly beside him and the fox. “I’m sleeping with him!”

Issei’s brain quickly short-circuited. “WAIT, WHY?!”

“Because I’m his real first girlfriend! If anyone’s sleeping in his bed, it’s me!” Yuuka said with a huff, crossing her arms.

Tamamo grinned as her ears perked and her tails swayed lazily. “Oh my? Are you challenging me, little girlfriend?”

Hearing Tamamo’s mocking tone caused Yuuka’s eyes to twitch. “I WILL FIGHT YOU.”

“Ara~? Such spirit! Very well. Let us settle this in the sacred arena of bedding arrangements!” Tamamo said as her smile widened.

Miki clapped enthusiastically. “Oh! A wife battle! How fun!”

Garou nodded sagely. “Ah, youth.”

Issei, horrified, felt his soul begin to leave his body. “MOM. DAD. DO NOT ENCOURAGE THIS.” He was about to physically insert himself between them, when a small tug stopped him.

“I want to sleep with Papa too.” Sakura said as she stood there, clutching his sleeve causing everyone to freeze.

Miki gasped dramatically. “Oh my?! Dear, our Issei really did bring home a family!”

Gorou sniffled, wiping away a fake tear. “I’m so proud. My perverted son won’t die alone.”

“I am still right here.” Issei said with a groaned and held his head in his hands

Misuki stepped forward with a soft chuckle, gently patting Sakura’s head. “I think it’s best if you sleep with me tonight, little one.”

Hearing that she wouldn’t be able to sleep with her savior caused Sakura to pout. “But Papa’s warm and safe.”

Issei felt like his brain was overheating as this is too much. Eventually, with some gentle convincing, Sakura agreed to sleep with Misuki.

Which is when Tamamo grabbed Yuuka’s wrist dramatically. “Come, Yuuka! Let us claim our rightful sleeping place!”

Yuuka nodded firmly. “For once, I agree with you.”

Miki pointed upstairs cheerfully. “Second floor! First door on the right!”

Issei froze and his eyes widened in horror as he remembered the state of his room from his posters, his collection and his entire carefully curated archive of lonely teenage coping mechanisms. “Girls, wait! I should at least—!”

Too late, as the girls marched upstairs and Issei quickly sprinted after them. “WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—!”

The door to Issei’s room swung open and then fell silent as Tamamo and Yuuka stood frozen. Their eyes slowly scanned the room from wall to wall as they saw the scantily clad posters, the fully stacked magazines and the carefully arranged figurines in poses that could only be described as “ suggestive.”

Issei felt as if he was going to die until Yuuka was the first to break the silence as she stepped inside and looked at the room as if she had stumbled onto an active crime scene. “Oh… my… GOD.”

Tamamo tilted her head slowly, golden eyes gleaming. “Darling. Dearest. Beloved husband of mine~?”

Issei gulped. “Y-Yeah?”

Her smile was too soft and too gentle. The smile of someone about to end a bloodline. “What… is this?”

Yuuka picked up a particularly NSFW magazine, her hands trembling as she flipped through it. Saw a single page then slammed it shut as her entire face turned red. Her glaring eyes burned into Issei like molten fire. "WHAT. IS. THIS?!"

Issei felt sweat pouring down his back as his brain was screaming to think of a response. “I—It’s not what it looks like, I can explain.”

“No.” Tamamo and Yuuka spoke in unison as they didn’t want to hear his excuse. They then turned to look at each other and nodded. They began grabbing everything that they disapproved of.

Tamamo scooped up stacks of magazines and flung them into a trash bag. Yuuka ripped all the scandalous posters off the wall with terrifying efficiency.

“WAIT, STOP!” Issei panicked and lunged forward to stop them.

Only for Tamamo to shove him back with a single finger and onto the bed effortlessly. “Oh no, darling~! You don’t need these anymore! As you have us, now!”

“Yeah!” Yuuka snapped. “Why would you need this stuff when you have the real thing?!”

Issei choked and turned red. “THAT’S NOT THE ISSUE!”

Tamamo sighed dramatically and pressed a hand dramatically to her forehead. “My poor, pitiful husband… hoarding these relics of loneliness…” She sniffed and wiped a fake tear from her eye. “But don’t worry, my love! From now on, I shall personally fulfill your every need~!”

“TAMAMO STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!” Issei yelled and turned even redder.

Yuuka’s face was also bright red, but that didn’t stop her from stuffing things into a trash bag. “We’re still getting rid of it!”

One by one, his magazines, his posters, his prized possessions, years of careful selection were now gone, and disappeared into the abyss. Issei could only watch in horror. His life’s work, his treasured collection… Years of carefully curated material was now gone. In the end, Issei was left drained, collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

It is then that Miki peeked in. “Oh! Are you girls cleaning his room? How wonderful! Please get rid of all that garbage!”

“MOM, NOT YOU TOO!” Issei complained as no one was on his side.

Then it was Gorou, who leaned against the doorway. “I think it’s about time, son.”

As the final remnants of his treasured collection vanished into the garbage bag of doom, Issei continued sprawling on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. "I hate my life."

Tamamo giggled, plopped down beside him. "Now, now! No need to be sad, my dear! With us around, your life will be much more… exciting"

Issei felt a chill down his spine as that wasn’t reassuring at all.

Yuuka huffed, crossed her arms and punched his shoulder lightly. “Yeah, and maybe you might stop being such a pervert.” She then sighed, softer this time shaking her head. “We left your games. And most of the figurines are boxed up. But the rest? Gone.”

Issei quickly turned his head slightly, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Wait… not all my figurines, right?”

Yuuka hesitated and Tamamo smiled innocently.

Issei shot upright. “WAIT. WHICH ONES ARE GOING TO THE TRASH?!”

Yuuka glanced at the garbage bag and Tamamo clasped her hands together, tilting her head, sweetly. “Ara? There were a few that seemed… excessively too suggestive for my dear husband to keep”

Issei’s face drained of color and his eyes widened in sheer horror. “No.”

Yuuka avoided eye contact.

“NO.”

Tamamo gestured to the trash bag. “Farewell, plastic temptresses~”

“NOOOOOOO!” He yelled as he dove toward the bag.

But Tamamo effortlessly caught him mid-lunge and gently pushed him back onto the bed like he weighed nothing.

“"Ah-ah-ah! No take-backs, darling! The purge is complete!”

“BUT MY COLLECTION!” Issei wailed.

Miki, who was still here, smiled warmly from the hallway. “Now you can focus on real women, sweetie!”

Issei stared at the ceiling again. “I hate my life.”

Tamamo leaned close, whispering near his ear, her voice playful and dangerous all at once. “Oh? You have no idea, darling”

—--------------------------------

With Issei’s room now spotless and his soul still mourning the violent eradication of his precious collection, he sat on the edge of his bed in complete emotional ruin. The walls were bare. The shelves were clean. It all felt so wrong.

Tamamo meanwhile stretched gracefully, arching her back as her golden tails fanned out behind her. “There!” She declared proudly. “Now our sleeping space is perfectly clean!”

Yuuka crossed her arms, chin lifting slightly. “Yeah. Our sleeping space.”

Issei groaned, rubbing his temples and dragged his hands down his face. “You guys didn’t have to throw out everything,” He muttered weakly.

Tamamo tilted her head, fox ears twitching in faux innocence. “Oh~? Should we have kept some?” She asked sweetly. “Perhaps you had… specific favorites you wished to preserve?”

Issei’s entire body went rigid and pale. His mind instantly jumped to the emergency stash. ‘There’s no way they found those, right?’

“NO. FORGET IT. THE ROOM LOOKS GREAT.” He said it far too fast and loud.

Tamamo’s golden eyes gleamed, giggling, watching him sweat. “Fufufu! I wonder?”

Yuuka narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What does she mean, ‘I wonder’?”

“NOTHING!” Issei shouted. “NOTHING AT ALL.”

Before Tamamo could push him further toward cardiac arrest, the door creaked open. Misuki stepped inside, arms crossed, sharp blue eyes glinting with quiet amusement. A knowing smirk tugged at her lips. “Sakura is currently being spoiled rotten by your parents,” She announced calmly.

Issei blinked. “That fast? It’s only been, like… a few minutes.”

Misuki leaned against the doorframe, utterly relaxed. “Your mother has officially declared her the most adorable granddaughter in the world. Your father is currently attempting to win her favor by showing her old baby pictures of you.”

Issei went pale. “…He wouldn’t.”

“And from what I witnessed,” Misuki continued smoothly, “it’s working. She’s already calling them ‘Grandma’ and ‘Grandpa.’”

Issei groaned and slowly slid his hands down his face again. “God, this is escalating so fast.”

Tamamo giggled behind him, tails swaying in clear amusement. The pink-haired Servant looked positively delighted by the situation, her golden eyes shimmering with mischief. She clasped her hands together, pressing them to her cheek. “Ufufu~! She’s quite the clever little girl,” Tamamo purred. “Securing her place in the family so quickly. A true prodigy in the art of affection.”

Yuuka, who had been quietly observing, exhaled softly, some of her earlier irritation fading as she shook her head. Her long black hair swayed slightly, and though her expression remained neutral, there was a soft fondness in her gaze. “Well… at least she’s happy. That’s what matters.”

Issei meanwhile leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling. ‘Yesterday, my biggest problem was surviving another fight. Today, I have a daughter. An adorable, cunning little strategist who conquered my parents in under ten minutes. Should I be impressed or terrified? Maybe both?’ But before he could spiral further—

“Master, can you bring me closer to your computer?” Sherri’s calm voice rang out from the Dimensional Watch.

Issei blinked. “Uh… sure?” He stood and walked toward his desk, scratching his head. ‘Why does she need physical access?’

Before he even reached the chair, a thin metallic cable shot out from the Watch with surgical precision and plugged directly into the USB port causing the screen flickered violently. Before code exploded across the monitor. Before the government websites appeared online.

“Initiating database infiltration… Access granted. Rewriting identities.” 

Issei froze and his brain lagged. Then caught up and he panicked again. “WAIT, WHAT?!” Lines of code scrolled at inhuman speed ranging from school records, residency files, national identification systems. Flashing in and out of existence as if reality itself was being edited. “Sherri! Are you hacking the government?!”

“Affirmative,” She replied smoothly. “Creating official identities, school records, and legal documentation for Yuuka, Misuki, Sakura, and Tamamo.”

Tamamo clapped happily, her ears twitching in delight. “Oh~! How efficient!”

"You’re welcome," Sherri responded with an almost smug satisfaction.

Issei meanwhile continued to stare in horror. “I feel like we can get into serious trouble!” He shouted, flailing uselessly at the monitor.

“Incorrect,” Sherri responded. The screen flashed one final time. The chaotic scrolling settled into clean, perfectly formatted documents with seals and digital signatures. “The data I have modified is completely authentic and undetectable. According to all records, these identities have always existed and there are no illegal traces of the modifications.”

This assurance only caused Issei’s eye to twitch further. “That just makes it WORSE!”

Ddraig’s deep voice echoed in his mind, amused with a mix of amusement and exasperation. (Partner… I believe it is time you accept that your life will never be normal again.)

Issei opened his mouth, fully prepared to argue. But then he thought about it and concluded that there was no going back. His life had already been a chaotic mess ever since he got the Dimensional Watch. But now? Now he had an artificial intelligence casually rewriting government databases, a magical Gauntlet, and a fox goddess who encouraged this insanity, and a little girl who had already won over his parents in under an hour. Normal was dead. Buried. Six feet under with no chance of revival.

Issei slumped in his chair, shoulders sagging in complete defeat. "Yeah. Okay. I give up."

(Good. Acceptance is the first step to peace.) Ddraig said, letting out a deep, satisfied chuckle.

Tamamo, ever the opportunist, beamed and patted his head lovingly, her fluffy tails swaying behind her. “Don’t worry, my dear! From now on, your days shall be full of excitement!”

Issei groaned as that wasn’t comforting at all.

The screen flashed again and a set of newly generated documents appeared in crisp digital text.

Misuki Hana → Registered as legal resident and business professional.Yuuka Hana → Registered as a homeschooled transfer student.Sakura Hyoudou → Registered as Issei’s adopted little sister.Tamamo-no-Mae → Registered as Mizukame Hyoudou. Wife of Hyoudou Issei.

Issei’s brain shut down for all of three seconds. Then Tamamo gasped excitedly, as her ears perked up and her tails began to wag in enjoyment. “Wait, darling! If I am Mizukame Hyoudou, that means I shall enroll in your school as your wife~!”

Issei froze. “Wait—WHAT?!”

Yuuka groaned loudly and threw her hands up in frustration. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”

Tamamo twirled happily, looking entirely too pleased with herself. “Mikon! Just imagine it! Walking hand in hand to school! The entire student body whispering of our eternal devotion and love~!”

Issei quickly felt lightheaded at the sudden attention he would receive. “Tamamo, NO.”

“Tamamo, YES~!” Tamamo said, pouting while batting her eyelashes.

Yuuka angrily clenched her fists. “I swear I will fight you.”

Tamamo gasped dramatically. “Oh? I accept!”

Issei slammed his forehead against the desk with a loud thud.

Meanwhile, Sherri continued calmly, completely ignoring their antics and continuing her work. “To facilitate integration, I have created individual bank accounts for Misuki, Yuuka, and Tamamo. All legal and financial matters will be supported.”

Misuki nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good start. I’ll need to reestablish myself and figure out how to make a living in this world.”

Yuuka frowned. “Should I get a job too?”

“No,” Misuki replied firmly while she shook her head. “You should at least finish high school. With your records, you’ll transfer in easily.”

Yuuka sighed. “Fine. But I’m not dealing with high school nonsense alone.”

Tamamo raised her hand cheerfully. “I shall attend as well~!”

“That makes it worse!” Yuuka says while groaning.

Issei sighed in resignation and rubbed his temples. “Alright, but first, I’ll have a talk with the faculty at school, to learn about how to enroll you girls. But I don’t even know if we’ll be in the same class.”

"Don’t worry about previous grades and documents. I have them already prepared." Sherri replied instantly.

Misuki nodded, trusting Sherri as she crossed her arms, deep in thought. A sharp glint of determination then flashed in her eyes. “I need to figure out how to reestablish myself. I was once part of a successful company, but after my ex-husband took over, I was left with nothing.” A faint bitterness laced her words, but she quickly pushed it aside, refocusing. She then glanced at Sherri. "How much money do I have to work with?"

Sherri’s voice was calm as ever. "Based on the funds you brought from your world, you currently hold approximately 5 million yen in savings."

Issei nearly choked. "Wait… 5 million yen?!"

Misuki tilted her head with a frown, looking completely unimpressed. "That’s not nearly enough for a startup."

"It’s not enough?!" Issei yelled as his voice cracked slightly. He had never even seen that much money in his life, and she was acting like it was pocket change.

"Would you like me to embellish some extra funds from bank records? I can generate an additional 50 million yen without detection." Sherri added calmly,

Issei went even paler. “Wait Sherri, that’s fraud!”

This causes Sherri to be confused by his reaction. “It is only fraud if detected.”

“IT’S STILL ILLEGAL!”

Misuki chuckled softly. With that amount, it should be possible to get started. But the moment we have the money, we’re putting it back."

Yuuka raised an eyebrow. "What kind of business do you plan on making?"

A slow, confident smile crept onto Misuki’s face. "Something… familiar. My last business involved luxury goods and services. I think I’ll start with that again."

Tamamo clapped her hands together, her ears perking up. "Oho~! A businesswoman! I admire that!"

Sherri somehow nodded along. "Very well. I will assist in setting up official business registration and digital records."

Issei meanwhile slumped against his bed, stared at the ceiling. “I feel like I just watched a heist movie in real time.”

Ddraig let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. (And this is only the beginning, Partner.)

Issei let out a long, exhausted sigh.

—-----------------------

Night finally began to settle. As Issei carried futons to the extra room, setting them up for Misuki and Sakura.

Meanwhile Tamamo and Yuuka? They had flatly refused to sleep anywhere but next to him.

Not that Issei would ever complain. Having Two beautiful girls pressed close against him, warmth on both sides, while feeling the softness of their Oppai pressed against him was a dream come true for the young man.

Still, even with that blessing, his body felt drained and exhausted. His mind replayed everything that had happened from the battles, the war, the chaos, and the sheer insanity of traveling to another world to finally coming back home like it was just another Tuesday. He barely had time to process it all. He barely had the time to process any of it.

Just before lights out, Gorou and Miki called him downstairs with their expressions showing seriousness.

“Issei,” Gorou said firmly, “you’re taking the day off tomorrow.”

“Huh? Why?” Issei asked, confused.

Miki simply crossed her arms, staring him down like only a mother could. “Because you just came back from ANOTHER WORLD after fighting in a BLOODY WAR.”

Gorou nodded in agreement. “Yeah, son. Take a damn break.”

Issei opened his mouth to protest. Then stopped as they had a point. ‘…Yeah. That was fair.’ He then exhaled slowly and went blissfully to sleep in the arms of Yuuka and Tamamo.

—---------------------------------

Kuoh, Hyoudou Household

The next day.

The morning light spilled through the Hyoudou home as the family took the rare opportunity to relax, spending the day together and getting to know their new guest better.

Issei sat at the family table with the posture of a man who was emotionally done. His body and mind were finally well rested after a good night's sleep. 

Across from him, Sakura sat happily nibbling on tamagoyaki prepared by Miki like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted. And beside her new granddaughter was Miki, who was watching her like any proud grandparent. “So cute… so polite… so precious…” Miki whispered, practically vibrating with joy.

Gorou sat back with a cup of tea, looking like he was trying very hard to be cool. He wasn’t succeeding as his joy couldn’t be hidden.

Misuki meanwhile was a composed, mature woman as always, sipping calmly, while Yuuka sat with her arms crossed, visibly trying to pretend she wasn’t enjoying the peace.

Tamamo was… Tamamo as she practically glowed with satisfaction at being in the center of domestic life, her three tails could be seen swishing lazily behind her.

That peace lasted until Gorou set his cup down. “So-” He said, slow and careful, like he was walking through a minefield. He lifted a finger and pointed between Misuki and Yuuka. “Let me get this straight. You two got saved by my idiot son…” Issei, knowing where this was going, stiffened. “…because he decided to fight a serial killer?”

Misuki nodded once, as she had to look away as she remembered that night. “That’s correct.”

Yuuka exhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing as the memory hit. “He heard my scream for help and when he saw what was happening, he moved to help us.”

Gorou and Miki turned their heads toward Issei in perfect sync.

Issei scratched the back of his head, suddenly fascinated by a random spot on the wall. “Uh… yeah?”

A long silence followed.

Issei could feel their gazes pressing down on him. He braced himself, waiting for the shouting or the lecture from his parents.

Instead, both parents sighed at the same time.

“You are definitely our son.” Gorou muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Miki’s expression softened as she looked back at Misuki and Yuuka. Her voice turned warm and protective. “I’m glad you’re both safe.” Then her gaze snapped back to Issei and her smile vanished. “But Issei, please, try not to pick fights with murderers next time.”

Issei didn’t even think as the words slipped out. “No promises.”

Miki sighed in resignation as her shoulders dropped. She let out a slow breath that carried equal parts love and exhaustion. “I don’t know why I expected better.” 

The conversation drifted after that, the tension easing back into something manageable. 

Miki leaned forward a bit, eyes bright with curiosity again. “So, Tamamo-chan,” She said, voice gentle, polite and interested. “Tell us more about yourself.”

Tamamo sat with perfect posture, looking pleased to be asked. Her ears twitched, tails swaying in a calm rhythm behind her. “Oh my. Where to begin?” She said sweetly. “My dear husband summoned me as his Servant, Caster. But before that, I was known as Tamamo-no-Mae.”

Miki blinked. “That name sounds familiar…”

Across the table, Gorou stopped moving. His cup froze halfway to his mouth and his face lost color. “Wait.”

Tamamo tilted her head cutely while smiling. “Yes?”

Gorou’s eye twitched as he remembered where that name was from. “Tamamo-no-Mae? As in THE Tamamo-no-Mae?”

Tamamo clasped her hands together proudly. “Ufufu. The one and only.”

Miki looked between them, still confused. “I don’t get it. Why is the name  important?”

“Honey. Our son married one of Japan’s greatest monsters.” Garou turned slowly to his wife and spoke with his voice strained. 

Miki blinked, then her body went still as she blinked again. She then turned her head toward Tamamo, while shaking. “Wait,” Miki said carefully. “You mean the nine-tailed fox from the legend that almost brought our country to ruin?!”

Tamamo puffed her cheeks, ears twitching. “Ara. That’s so rude, Mother-in-law! The circumstances were simply not in my favor!"

Issei dropped his forehead into his palm. “Why are you making it sound worse?”

Miki stared at the table for a second, gathered herself, and exhaled hard. “Fine,” She said, voice tense but determined. “We’ve already gotten used to the weirdness our son brings home.”

Tamamo’s smile brightened instantly and her eyes glinted with mischief. “Oh, but before that,” Tamamo added, as if it were a fun detail, “I was a goddess. The great and mighty Amaterasu herself.”

The room went completely silent.

Gorou’s cup slipped from his fingers and smashed on the floor. Tea splashed across the tiles and Gorou stared down at it as if he didn’t know what to think.

Miki simply stared, as if her brain refused to process further.

Yuuka covered her face with one hand and groaned with a deep, exhausted sigh. “Why are you like this?”

Tamamo simply looked pleased with herself.

Issei’s mouth opened and closed. But he couldn’t find the words to save the situation.

Miki finally inhaled, slow, careful, and then looked away as if she needed to keep herself from short-circuiting. “Well,” She said with her voice tight, forcing herself back into motion, “What about you, sweetie?” She turned to Sakura, trying to regain control. “Tell us about yourself.”

Sakura hesitated at first, fingers twisting in her lap. Then her voice came out quietly carrying weight. The moment she recounted the horrors she suffered in the Matou household, the torture, the abandonment of her biological family, the fear, the pain, the loneliness. The way she had been treated like she was less than a person. The way her own mother had left her behind.

The room quickly changed as she spoke as Miki’s hands started shaking and Garou’s jaw tightened until his teeth ground.

Issei felt something cold settle in his chest, familiar and ugly. He remembered the rage. He remembered the moment he saw what they had done to her and how his hands had wanted to crush everything in reach.

Miki’s voice trembled as she reached out to grab her granddaughter. “You poor girl… how could your own mother abandon you like that?”

Garou’s fists clenched, knuckles turning white. “And those bastards who tortured her. If I ever see them…” His voice lowered into something dangerous. “…I’ll personally break their legs.”

Issei nodded, expression hard. “I know, but Tamamo and I rescued her and have dealt with them.”

Miki sniffled as she pulled Sakura into a tight hug. “Don’t worry,” Miki whispered, voice thick. “You’re with us now. You’re our family.”

Sakura froze for a moment, like her body didn’t know what to do with this kindness. But then her arms lifted, slowly and she hugged back.

Issei watched it happen and felt his throat tighten. He told himself it was nothing. He told himself he was fine. He was used to blood and monsters and combat. This should not hit harder than a war. It did anyway.

Later, when the mood finally lifted again, Miki and Garou sat across from Issei with the same look on their faces, pride and fear.

Miki exhaled. “Issei, I am proud of you for saving Misuki, Yuuka, and Sakura.”

Garou nodded, voice quieter than usual. “You did good, son.”

Issei’s chest warmed at that. He didn’t hear those words often, not like that.

But then both parents leaned in at the exact same time.

“BUT PLEASE STOP LOOKING FOR DANGER!” They yelled in unison.

Issei instantly recoiled. “I’M NOT LOOKING FOR IT! IT FINDS ME!”

His parents were entirely unconvinced and Garou’s expression didn’t change as he took another sip of tea that was given to him by Tamamo like he didn’t believe a word. “Mmm-hmm.”

Miki crossed her arms. “At least try not to get into fights every time you leave the house.”

Issei groaned and sank back in his chair.

Tamamo, ever the mischief-maker, smiled sweetly, the kind of smile that never meant anything good for him. “Oh, don’t worry, Mother-in-law,” she said. “I’ll keep a very close eye on him.”

Issei didn’t like the emphasis.

After hours of talking, bonding, and too many shocks for one family, the house settled into a quieter rhythm again. The energy shifted back into something steady.

Miki tapped her fingers against the table. “Alright, son. You told us about your adventures, your fight with a murderer, your fox wife, and how you adopted a child.”

Garou grunted. “Still not over that last part.”

Miki ignored him and leaned forward. “But there’s something we haven’t seen yet.”

“What’s that?” Issei said with a swallow.

“The gauntlet,” Garou said. “And the watch.”

Issei stood and took a breath. He felt the familiar pulse in his left arm. Power answered him like it always did now. Emerald light gathered, and the Boosted Gear formed with a flash, as dragon-shaped metal wrapping around his arm and the jewel in its center glowed.

Miki leaned back, eyes wide and Garou let out a loud whistle. “That’s actually cool.”

Issei glanced at his dad. “You’re taking this better than I expected.”

Garou shrugged. “I have my moments.”

Miki stared at the gauntlet, then at Issei. “And this was inside you?”

“Yeah,” Issei said quietly. “Since I was born.”

“Funny I don’t remember you being born with a red metal gauntlet.l” Garou said scratched his head. “Man. What happened to the days when all we had to worry about was you passing math?”

Issei groaned. “Dad, please.”

A deep voice rolled through the room. (Greetings, humans.) Ddraig spoke.

Miki and Garou froze so hard they looked like someone hit pause on them.

The jewel on the Boosted Gear pulsed as the voice continued. (I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor. The Sacred Gear you see before you is my dwelling, and your son is my current host.)

For a moment, there was silence.

Miki slowly turned her head toward Garou and Garou slowly turned his head toward Miki. Then Miki turned back to Issei. Her voice came out flat. “You have a dragon in your hand.”

Issei nodded. “Uh. Yeah.”

Garou rubbed his chin, studying the gauntlet like he was trying to judge its build quality. “Didn’t expect that.”

Miki leaned forward, eyes narrowed at the jewel. “So, Mr. Dragon. How did my son end up with you?”

(Fate, destiny, or perhaps sheer misfortune. The Sacred Gear was sealed within him from birth. It remained dormant. Until recently, it had remained dormant. Now, however, he wields one of the most powerful weapons in existence.) Ddraig says with a chuckle.

Miki paled and Garou’s grin widened. “So you’re telling me my son is a badass.” The father said with a smile.

Issei’s posture straightened immediately. “Hey. That’s a nice way to put it.”

(A reckless one, but yes.) Ddraig rumbled in amusement.

Miki exhaled sharply. “Great. He already had no survival instincts. Now he has dragon powers to make that worse.”

Garou patted Issei on the back. “I think it’s cool.”

Miki scowled as snapped her head toward him. “DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM.”

Issei was about to say something when a mechanical chime sounded from his right wrist.

“Shall I introduce myself now?” Sherri’s calm voice followed.

Miki blinked. “Who was that?”

Issei raised his right arm and the Dimensional Watch hummed with its screen lighting up. “Mom, Dad. This is Sherri. She’s an AI built into the Dimensional Watch. The thing that sent me to the other world.”

Miki stared at the watch and Garou tilted his head. “Can it play music?”

Issei stared at him. “Dad. Seriously.”

Sherri spoke again. “To clarify, I am an advanced artificial intelligence designed for multi-dimensional traversal, combat assistance, and information analysis. I am the direct overseer of all recorded data within the watch.”

Garou whistled. "That's pretty fancy."

Miki’s eyes sharpened. “Wait. If you store all information, that means you know everything Issei has been up to.”

“Correct.” Sherri answered.

Miki’s gaze gleamed. “Please, tell me everything.”

Issei yanked his arm back like the watch was about to betray him. “WHOA. NO. WE DO NOT NEED THAT.”

But Sherri continued anyway. “Would you like a full summary of his interactions, actions, and decisions during his time away?”

Issei turned pale and felt true fear. The fear of his mother learning every reckless choice, every close call, every moment he nearly got himself killed, and every moment he said something stupid while thinking he was being cool. Issei swallowed hard. “Sherri,” he said, voice strained, “please don’t.”

Tamamo leaned in beside him, smiling. Yuuka watched with narrowed eyes and Misuki’s expression turned curious and sharp.

Miki meanwhile folded her hands calmly on the table, patiently waiting and Issei realized he was trapped.

Done. Tell me what you think.