Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtain.
Tobio opened his eyes.
For a moment, he forgot where he was. The wooden ceiling with the crack in the left corner—oh, right. Still here. Still in Hanyu village. Still in the DxD world.
'Today... what day is it?'
He blinked. Felt his body.
Yesterday's pain had greatly subsided. His muscles were still a little sore, but he could move them normally. His breathing was easy.
The effects of the experiment were starting to fade.
He sat up. Straightened the futon. A habit.
Beside him, the goldfish in its aquarium swam slowly—already used to Tobio's routine. Every morning, Tobio gave it a little food.
Tobio fed the fish. Then walked to the window.
Opened the curtain.
The same view. Yellowing rice fields. Thin mist. Birds flying about. Farmers starting their activities.
A new day.
Hopefully today will be calmer.
---
Warm water flowed over his body.
Tobio examined himself in the mirror. His abdominal muscles were still visible—not as extreme as yesterday, but still there. His shoulders were still slightly broader.
Were these changes permanent? Or would they return to normal?
He didn't know.
But one thing he knew: the bracelet on his wrist had to stay on. Except... during experiments.
But Grandma had forbidden it.
A promise was made.
Must be kept.
He finished bathing. Put on his uniform.
The aroma of miso and grilled fish had been wafting from the kitchen since he was in his room.
Tobio walked to the living room. Grandma Ageha was placing bowls on the table. The same movement every morning—slow, steady, full of love.
"Morning, Tobio." Ageha smiled. "Sit down."
Tobio sat down. "Morning, Grandma."
Breakfast on the table: miso soup, rice, grilled mackerel, tamagoyaki, pickles. The same menu. But Tobio wasn't bored.
"Itadakimasu."
They ate in comfortable silence.
After a while, Ageha spoke. "School as usual today?"
Tobio nodded. "Yes."
"How's your body? Still in pain?"
"Much better now."
Ageha nodded approvingly. "Good. But don't push yourself. If you're tired, rest."
Tobio nodded.
They finished breakfast. Tobio helped wash the dishes. Then took his bag.
"I'm leaving, Grandma."
"Be careful on the road."
Tobio opened the door. Stepped outside.
The morning was bright. The sun was warm on his skin. The rice fields on both sides were beginning to yellow—a sign that harvest was approaching. Some farmers were already in the fields, bent over checking the rice plants.
Midway, Sae appeared from the direction of her house.
"Tobio! Morning!"
Sae ran closer. Her brown hair flowing, a white ribbon on the side. Pink backpack on her back.
"Morning, Sae."
They walked together. Sae chattered as usual—stories about the neighbor's cat giving birth, about difficult math homework, about plans to play on the weekend.
Tobio listened half-heartedly. His mind wandered.
'What day is it today?'
'What's the date?'
He didn't know. In the village, the days felt the same. Nothing distinguished them.
---
The schoolyard was starting to get crowded.
Tobio and Sae entered the gate together. Some children greeted them—Sae answered enthusiastically, Tobio just nodded.
In the classroom, Tobio sat at his desk. Sae beside him.
Not many children had entered yet. The atmosphere was still quiet.
Tobio rested his head on the desk. Closed his eyes.
Tired.
Not physically. But mentally.
All these secrets... were heavy.
But he couldn't tell anyone. Except Grandma.
Saki entered the classroom with her cheerful smile. "Good morning, children!"
"Good morning, Saki-sensei!"
Lessons began. Mathematics—still easy. Japanese—writing another essay. Science—about ecosystems.
Tobio followed half-heartedly. His hand took notes, but his mind wandered.
Why am I here? In this world?
What is my purpose? Or is it just coincidence?
He didn't know.
The recess bell rang.
Children poured out. Sae turned.
"Tobio, want to go to the cafeteria?"
Tobio shook his head. "I'll stay in class."
Sae pouted. "You're always in class though? Come on!"
Tobio smiled faintly. "Another time. I'm tired."
Sae sighed. "Okay. I'll buy you snacks, alright!"
She ran out.
Tobio was alone in the classroom, sitting at his desk. Staring at the empty blackboard.
Then, unconsciously, his eyes shifted to the window.
Outside, the sky was bright blue. White clouds moved slowly. The trees in the schoolyard swayed in the wind.
Tobio stood up. Walked to the window.
Opened it slightly.
A breeze came in—fresh, carrying the smell of grass and earth.
He leaned against the wall near the window. Stared at the sky.
The same sky.
In the old world, he also often stared at the sky. From the window of his large room in the Kurogane house.
Alone.
Waiting for his father to come home.
Waiting for someone to talk to him.
Waiting for something that never came.
Here, he also stared at the sky.
But now... He wasn't waiting for anyone. But why did it still feel empty?
Why was there still something missing?
He didn't know.
Maybe because he was still Haruto. Still the abandoned child. Still the child who was never truly loved.
But Grandma loved him. Sae too.
Why wasn't that enough?
Why did he still feel... hollow?
He closed his eyes. Let the wind wash over his face.
"Tobio!"
Sae entered the classroom with a pack of snacks. She saw Tobio at the window.
"What are you doing over there?"
Tobio turned. "Looking at the sky."
Sae approached. Looked at the sky too. "It's nice, isn't it?" she said. "The sky is clear."
Tobio nodded.
Sae grabbed his hand. "Come on, let's eat! I bought chips."
Tobio smiled. Followed Sae to the desk.
They ate together. Sae talked about the line at the cafeteria. Tobio listened.
And for a moment, that feeling of emptiness lessened a little.
---
Lessons continued. History—about World War II. English—simple conversations.
Tobio followed along normally. Nothing special.
Kenji, in the back row, occasionally glanced towards Tobio. But didn't do anything. Maybe still suspicious, but choosing to stay silent.
Tobio ignored him.
Let him be. He won't give him a reason.
The dismissal bell rang. Children poured out.
Sae packed her bag. "Tobio, walk home together?"
Tobio nodded. "Yeah."
They walked together. Sae chattered as usual—but Tobio was used to it.
At the crossroads, Sae stopped.
"I'll go this way." She pointed towards her house. "See you tomorrow!"
Tobio waved. "See you."
Sae ran towards her house.
Tobio continued his journey alone.
The sun was beginning to descend. The air was cooler. The rice fields on both sides were growing dark.
He enjoyed this. Walking alone in the evening. No need to talk. No need to pretend.
Just him and nature. But his mind was never truly still.
Today... felt ordinary. But why was there a strange feeling?
Like something was about to happen.
He shook his head.
Maybe just a feeling, or maybe he was overthinking.
Tobio knocked on the door. Opened it. "I'm home."
From inside, Ageha's voice answered. "Welcome back!"
Tobio took off his shoes. Put down his bag.
He stepped into the living room—and stopped. On the living room table, there was something.
A cake.
A small cake with white cream layers, decorated with a strawberry on top. In the center of the cake, one candle was lit—a small pink candle.
Tobio was frozen.
Ageha appeared from the kitchen, smiling widely. Her face was radiant. "Happy birthday, Tobio."
Tobio didn't move.
His eyes were fixed on the cake. The burning candle. The red strawberry on the white cream.
Birthday.
Today... is his birthday?
Tobio's birthday.
Thirteen years old.
He forgot.
In the old world, birthdays were always celebrated with formal events. Big parties with important guests. Tiered cakes. Expensive gifts. Cameras. Journalists.
But no one was truly there for him.
His father was always busy. His mother was always beside him—but only for photos. Staff arranged everything. Haruto—just sat, smiled, received congratulations from people he didn't know.
After the event was over, he returned to his room. Alone.
No one truly celebrated him.
No one truly cared.
But now— On this simple table, in this small house.
A small cake with one candle.
A grandmother smiling widely.
No cameras. No journalists. No important guests.
Only Grandma. Only him.
And that cake.
Tobio felt something in his eyes.
Warm. Wet.
'Tears? Is this... tears?'
He didn't remember the last time he cried. Maybe never. As Haruto, he learned not to cry. Not to show weakness.
But now— His eyes were watery.
He couldn't stop it.
Ageha saw that. Her smile softened. She approached. "Tobio..."
Tobio wiped his eyes quickly. But the tears kept falling.
"I..." His voice faltered. "I didn't know... today was my birthday."
Ageha stroked his head. Gently.
"Yes. You forgot, huh?" Her voice was warm. "Thirteen years old. All grown up."
Tobio looked down. Tears still fell. 'Why am I crying? It's just a small cake.'
But this was the first time...
The first time someone celebrated his birthday...
Truly celebrated... Because they wanted to. Because they cared. He couldn't speak.
Ageha pulled him into a hug.
"Cry," she whispered. "It's okay. Here, you're allowed to cry."
Tobio hugged his grandmother tightly.
For the first time in his two lives—he cried.
Not out of sadness.
But because of something he couldn't explain.
Maybe because of happiness.
Maybe because of relief.
Maybe because for the first time, he felt wanted.
A Few Moments Later Tobio finally stopped crying.
He sat at the table, facing the cake. His eyes were still a little red. But his chest felt lighter.
Ageha sat across from him. Smiled gently. "Feeling better?"
Tobio nodded sheepishly. "Sorry... for making Grandma go through trouble."
"Trouble?" Ageha laughed softly. "Making a cake for your own grandchild isn't trouble. It's happiness."
She pushed the cake slightly towards Tobio.
"Come on, blow out the candle. But before that—" She looked at Tobio. "What's your wish?"
Tobio stared at the candle.
A small flame dancing at the end of the wick. Warm. Alive.
A wish.
What should he wish for? With this power... he could change fate.
'I can force outcomes.'
'If I can make anything a reality... Do I even need to wish?'
He lifted his head. Looked at Ageha.
His voice was calm. Too calm for a child his age. "I can change fate... Do I need to wish?"
Ageha was silent.
She looked at Tobio—not with a confused expression. Not angry. But... sad.
Subtly sad. A sadness unspoken.
This child... He had already lost something that all children should have.
The ability to wish unconditionally.
The ability to dream of something without thinking about whether he could make it come true.
Because he could make it come true. And that very fact made him lose... the wonder.
Ageha moved closer slightly. Her hand reached for Tobio's hand. "You still need to."
Her voice was soft. But firm.
"A wish isn't about whether you can or can't." She looked into Tobio's eyes. "If you can determine everything... then you'll lose the reason to wish."
Tobio was silent. Listening.
"A wish..." Ageha searched for words. "A wish isn't about the outcome. It's about what you want... to become real without forcing it."
She stroked Tobio's head. Gently.
"So... keep wishing."
A pause.
"Even though you can make it come true."
Tobio looked down, processing Ageha's words. A wish... isn't about the outcome.
But about desire.
About what he wanted, not about how to make it happen. But about... wanting it.
He looked at the candle again, the small flame burning.
'If that's the case... What do I want?'
He thought.
About Grandma. About Sae. About this village. About living peacefully without fear.
I want...
I want them to be happy.
I want them to be safe.
I want... I can protect them.
Without having to lose myself.
Without having to pay too high a price.
He closed his eyes. "I want to be able to protect the people I love."
"Without having to lose myself."
He opened his eyes, looked at the candle, then blew.
Puff.
The flame went out. A thin wisp of smoke rose.
Ageha smiled. "Happy birthday, Tobio."
Tobio smiled—a sincere smile that rarely appeared. "Thank you, Grandma."
They cut the cake.
It tasted... good. Sweet. Soft. Fresh strawberry on top.
Tobio ate slowly. Enjoying it. "Did Grandma make it herself?" he asked.
Ageha nodded. "Yes. A family recipe passed down. Grandma used to make it for your father too."
Tobio stopped chewing.
"The story about father..." Tobio hesitated. "Can Grandma tell me?"
Ageha was silent for a moment. Then smiled. "Tonight. If you want."
Tobio nodded. "I want to."
They finished the cake. Cleaned up the table.
Ageha made tea. They sat in the living room, enjoying the evening.
Outside, the sun was beginning to set. A golden orange sky. Birds returning to their nests.
Tobio watched it.
Today... A strange day.
I cried. For the first time.
I made a wish. For the first time in a long time.
And I felt... Relief.
Like a burden I didn't realize I was carrying, suddenly lessened.
Maybe this is what they call... being loved.
Maybe this is what he had been looking for all along.
Not power. Not ability. Not recognition.
But this... Simple, with someone who cared.
---
After dinner, they sat again in the living room.
A kerosene lamp was lit—a power outage, as usual when the wind was strong. Warm yellow light filled the room.
Ageha held an old photo album. Its cover was worn.
"This," she said, opening the first page. "Your father, Ikuse Ryuto. When he was still little."
Tobio looked at the photo.
A boy—maybe five or six years old—smiling widely. Black hair. Brown eyes. His face... resembled Tobio.
This was his father.
Tobio's father.
Who died while protecting something? Or just an ordinary accident?
"The story..." Ageha took a breath. "It's long. But Grandma will try to summarize."
She opened the next page. A photo of Ryuto as a teenager—in middle school uniform.
"Your father didn't have a Sacred Gear. He was born without it. But he knew about the supernatural world. Grandma told him everything, just like Grandma told you."
Tobio listened.
"He wanted to become an exorcist. Like his grandfather. But Grandma forbade it." Ageha smiled bitterly. "Grandma was afraid of losing her only child. But he was determined anyway."
Next page—Ryuto as an adult. With a young woman beside him.
"Your mother." Ageha pointed to the woman. "Amane. Pretty, right?"
Tobio nodded. The woman smiled gently. Her eyes were warm.
"They married young. Had you a year later." Ageha looked at Tobio. "You were their happiness."
Tobio was silent.
Happiness. Was I?
Or just... a child they never really got to know?
"They died when you were three." Ageha's voice trembled. "Not an ordinary accident. They... were attacked."
Tobio tensed. "Attacked?"
Ageha nodded slowly. "A low-class devil. Hungry. They were on their way home from the city." She looked down. "Your father... he had no power. But he protected your mother and you. Until the end."
Tobio felt his chest tighten.
He died protecting his family.
Like... maybe someday I will. Die protecting the people I love?
"That devil?" Tobio asked. "What happened to it?"
Ageha lifted her head. Her eyes—for the first time—looked sharp. Not sharply angry. But sharply... cold.
"Grandma killed it."
Tobio was shocked.
Grandma? Ageha Ikuse?
This old woman who weaves and cooks?
Killed a devil?
Ageha saw his expression. Smiled faintly.
"Grandma doesn't have a Sacred Gear. But Grandma has... experience. And some heirlooms from the family." She pointed to the bracelet on Tobio's hand. "Like that."
Tobio stared at his bracelet.
An artifact. Not just a protector.
But maybe also a weapon.
"Since then, Grandma has raised you alone." Ageha closed the album. "And promised not to let you enter that world."
She looked at Tobio.
"But fate had other plans."
Tobio was silent.
Fate, or maybe the intervention of something greater.
Or maybe... just coincidence.
But in this world, coincidence was never truly coincidence.
Ageha reached for his hand.
"Tobio... Grandma can't protect you forever. But Grandma can teach you. Help you prepare." She looked into his eyes. "Because one day, you'll have to choose. And Grandma wants you to choose wisely."
Tobio nodded.
"I understand, Grandma."
---
Tobio lay on the futon.
The goldfish in its aquarium swam slowly. The kerosene lamp beside him had gone out—only moonlight entered through the window.
He stared at the ceiling. 'Today... was my birthday.'
Thirteen years old.
In a new world. With a new family.
Or... a family that already existed, but he was just getting to know.
Grandma.
Father. Mother. Grandfather.
They all died protecting something.
Protecting the people they loved.
And I... also want to protect.
But I don't want to die.
There's a difference.
Haruto died because he chose to. But Tobio—I—want to live.
Want to see Grandma smile. Want to hear Sae laugh. Want to grow up.
Want... to be happy.
Is that allowed? Does he deserve happiness?
In this world full of danger?
In this world where his family died one by one?
He didn't know. But one thing he knew: he had a wish.