High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Days after Kokabiel's attack.

After club, Miu, Rias, Asia, and I hit the supermarket for Mom's errands.

"Got everything?" I ask, holding the basket.

"Yes, all items checked," Asia replies, glancing at the list.

At the register, a familiar cashier grins. "Issei, errands? With such beauties on a date?"

"Nah, just shopping," I say, paying. Wish it was a date!

"ISSEI! Dating Miu, Rias, AND Asia?!" Matsuda yells from another register his part-time job.

Bad timing, man! The manager's glaring!

The cashier chats with Miu. "Wearing a yukata to the Tanabata festival again? Last year's was cute."

"Big brother's been busy, so maybe not…" Miu trails off.

"You two were inseparable last year," the cashier chuckles, handing me change.

On the way home, Asia asks, "What's Tanabata?"

Rias explains, "It's a Japanese festival on July 7th. You write wishes on tanzaku and hang them on bamboo, praying to the stars. The most famous story is about Orihime and Hikoboshi."

As Rias tells Asia the legend, I notice Tanabata flags around town. Time flies last year, Miu and I went with Matsuda and Motohama.

"Last year was your first Tanabata, right, Miu?" I say.

She smiles, nodding.

Flashback: One Year Ago

Lunch break. Miu and I eat bentos together, as usual.

"Big brother, what's Tanabata?" she asks.

Right, she wouldn't know. She arrived last summer, after Tanabata.

"It's a Japanese tradition. On July 7th, you write wishes on tanzaku and hang them on bamboo. Like praying," I explain.

Never worked for me, though no girlfriend!

"Why July 7th?" she asks.

"It's… uh…" I freeze. What's the origin again?

Crap, I forgot! Orihime and Hikoboshi… what's their story?

Sweating, I pull out my phone. "Gimme a sec, I'll look it up."

Miu laughs as I die inside.

Tanabata Legend

The Sky God had a daughter, Orihime, a skilled weaver. Pitying her endless work, he found her a diligent cowherd, Hikoboshi, to marry. They fell in love, but neglected their duties, playing all day. Clothes ran short; cows grew sick. Furious, the Sky God separated them across the Milky Way. They grew sadder, working even less. The Sky God promised they could meet on July 7th if they worked hard. Since then, they reunite annually, unless rain keeps them apart.

Evening. Miu and I walk home under a sunset sky.

"Orihime and Hikoboshi meeting once a year is nice," Miu says.

"Yeah, but rain can ruin it," I reply.

"Gods should make it sunny for them," she pouts.

Tanabata flags line the streets. Couples and families, some in yukatas, pass by.

"Where's the festival?" Miu asks.

"Shopping district and station plaza. It's packed every year," I say.

"Wanna go?" I ask.

"Yes!" Miu grabs my hand, beaming.

Her cuteness kills me!

Then BAM! A hand slaps my shoulder.

"Mom!?" Miu and I gasp.

Mom smirks, holding shopping bags. "I knew you'd plan this. Hurry home!"

She drags us back, sprinting.

Forced to shower after the dash, Miu and I bathe together. Her… growth is noticeable. Very energizing!

I change into casual clothes and wait in the living room. Twenty minutes later, Miu enters in a polka-dot blue yukata, hair up, looking adorable.

"How's it look?" she asks, twirling shyly.

"Perfect!" I say.

Mom grins. "My choice is flawless, right?"

"Mom, I'm proud to be your son. Amazing!" I reply.

We snap photos like crazy, filling my camera. Memory card's full? I've got spares!

"Siscon…" Ddraig mutters.

"Proud siscon!" I retort. "You don't get Miu's cuteness, Ddraig!"

"Exactly! He needs a lecture!" Mom adds.

"Why me?!" Ddraig protests.

"Battery's low!" Mom shouts.

"Got it!" I swap it.

"I'm being ignored!" Ddraig wails.

"The festival's gonna end!" Miu laughs nervously as we keep snapping.

At the station plaza, bamboo stalks are adorned with tanzaku. Stalls sell yakisoba and candied apples. Crowded as always.

"Like a summer festival," Miu says.

"Yeah, but summer fest has more stalls," I reply.

Last year, Miu didn't wear a yukata. This year's a treat!

I spot Matsuda and Motohama waving.

"You guys here too?" I say.

"Every year," Matsuda replies.

"For wishes," Motohama adds, showing his tanzaku: "A cute girlfriend!"

Matsuda's is similar, written obsessively.

…Kinda like me back then.

They notice Miu's yukata. "So cute!" they gush.

Miu smiles. "Thanks!"

They collapse, smitten, then turn on me. "Why do you get such a cute sister? Unfair!"

"Life's unfair," I say, dodging their fists.

I grab tanzaku yellow for me, pink for Miu. At the writing table, I pause. Normally, I'd wish for a girlfriend.

But now, glancing at Miu, I know my wish.

I write: "Make Miu happy."

Not a wish my resolve. I'll make it happen.

"Done?" I ask Miu.

"Yup," she smiles.

"What'd you write?"

I show her mine. Her eyes widen.

"It's my goal, not a wish. Writing it feels right," I say. "Are you happy here, Miu?"

"Of course! With Dad, Mom, school friends… and you, Issei. I'm happy," she says.

"Then I'll make you happier. My Tanabata vow," I say. "Your wish?"

She blushes, showing her tanzaku: "Be with Issei forever."

She touches my chest. "I want us together always. Okay?"

I ruffle her hair. "Forever, Miu."

The clear night sky sparkles with a river of stars. Are Orihime and Hikoboshi embracing like us?

Recalling Miu's cuteness, she hugs my arm. Her softness through her summer uniform perfection!

"Issei and Miu had such a moment!" Asia gasps.

"Miu's a strong rival!" Rias adds.

You read my memories!? How!?

"With passion, memories are readable!" Rias declares.

"Stop reading my mind!" I protest.

"I'll write a tanzaku to be with Issei!" Asia says, hugging me.

Rias joins, her chest pressing against my back. Amazing!

But we're in the street! Too bold!

"Let's all go to Tanabata this year," Miu suggests.

The Occult Research Club plans a group outing. Our home's gotten lively!