High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

”Issei, like you said, there were so many things I still wanted to do. There were new recipes I hadn’t tried, a legendary dish at a restaurant I had a reservation for, a fish I’d asked the old guy at the market to save for me... I never even got that bottle of booze I asked Walküre for... Dammit! I just realized! I forgot to fix one step in the recipe I gave my mom!”

Wright looked up at the sky and screamed in frustration.

I should have known. It was all about cooking! Even in death, that’s all he thinks about! I’m shocked for an entirely different reason now! You really are the ”Cooking Hero” through and through, aren’t you?

But as the thought crossed my mind, Wright’s expression turned solemn.

”And... I regret leaving my mother all alone. And... making you carry such a heavy burden.”

My eyes widened.

”My words forced a weight on you that you never should have had to carry,” Wright continued. ”Normally, you would have gone back to your own world and lived a normal life. I’m the one who destroyed that possibility. When we sparred just now, I felt it. I felt the emotions that drove you to become this strong. I looked into your eyes and I understood—I saw the things you’ve been through. You’ve suffered a lot, haven’t you? And... you’ve probably spent every day blaming yourself for my death. I’m sorry, Issei.”

Why was he apologizing?

He saved my life. He had nothing to be sorry for.

That day was my fault—

I started to speak, but Wright cut me off with a bright, refreshing smile.

”But, I don’t think my choice was a mistake. Maurice used to say that life is just a series of choices. Everyone tries to choose the path they won’t regret, but no matter what you pick, there’s always going to be some regret, big or small. So, I figured... if I’m going to have regrets either way, I might as well pick the choice I can live with the most.”

Wright stood up, looking out over the city of Audelia.

”I made the choice that made the most sense to me. You’re alive, and I’m glad it was you, Issei, that I entrusted my will to. The fact that you’re all standing here now is proof I was right. So, instead of an apology, let me say this: Thank you. Thank you for answering my wish. Thank you for stepping up and doing what I couldn’t.”

”...!”

You idiot...!

How am I supposed to respond to that?!

”What’s this? Are you crying? Did you turn into a crybaby while I wasn’t looking?”

”Shut up! It’s your fault for saying stuff like that!”

Wright laughed as I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. This bastard has been teasing me since the day we met. It was so typical of him that it actually made me feel at peace.

When his laughter subsided, Wright looked at me with total sincerity.

”Issei, I think your coming to our world wasn’t an accident. It was destiny. I think a man named Issei Hyoudou was born to bring worlds together.”

”Hey now, don’t go exaggerating. My circumstances are weird, sure, but I was just a normal guy to begin with.”

”Maybe. That’s just my own theory. But your power... it’s something that connects everyone’s hopes and feelings, right? That light radiating from within you—isn’t that what it’s for?”

The way Wright looked at me—it was as if he was looking deep into my soul, speaking as if he knew everything. Maybe dying and coming here gave him a perspective he didn’t have when he was alive.

”Anyway,” Wright said, ”what I’m trying to say is: keep looking after everyone. And from here on out... just keep being yourself.”

”I get the first part, but what’s the second part supposed to mean?”

”Exactly what I said. You’ll change, but I want your essence to stay the same—the same honest, perverted moron, Issei Hyoudou. My best friend, and everyone’s Hero. Right, Issei?”

Being called a ”Hero” by the real Hero felt strange.

But somehow, hearing him say it made something click. A weight that had been dragging on my heart for so long finally fell away.

Wright grinned and held out a fist.

”I’m counting on you, Mr. Super-Pervert Hero.”

”Leave it to me, Mr. Cooking Hero.”

I thrust my fist out and bumped it against his.

The things he entrusted to me hadn’t changed—if anything, the list had grown. But the feeling in my heart was the exact opposite of that day. It felt clear and bright, like the endless blue sky above us.

Wright gave me a thumbs-up and pointed behind him. A door had appeared out of nowhere.

”The back exit is that way. It’s about time, isn’t it?”

”Yeah. Everyone’s waiting. I have to go. People are waiting for me.”

I started walking, passing by Wright. With every step, the distance between us grew.

I stopped in front of the door. Without turning back, I spoke.

”Hey, Wright.”

”Yeah?”

”Thanks.”

”Sure thing. Oh, one more thing. Go check on my mom every once in a while, okay? She thought of you like a son, too.”

”Of course. I’ve got that covered.”

With those final words, I reached for the doorknob.

Thanks, Wright.

I’m glad I got to talk to you. I’m glad I got to hear your voice again.

Because you acknowledged me, because you entrusted me with your dream again... I can finally look straight ahead.

When I opened the door, the red-haired woman was standing there.

Ignis looked at me. ”Are you finished?”

”Yeah. I’m good now. I heard what I needed to hear.”

”I see. Then let’s go. Everyone is waiting for you.”

”Yeah. Let’s go. Back to everyone.”

I took the hand Ignis reached out to me, and stepped forward.

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