"Do not push yourself, Momo..."
"Momo, don't overdo it. We're worried about you."
"I'm fine, Michikatsu. And you too, Himiko. I can't keep skipping school forever, can I?"
I told Momo she should rest for a few more days, but she insisted she couldn't stay away any longer. I took her hand as she prepared to head back to class. Even though she had become a Demon by receiving my blood, she was still the same person mentally, and both Himiko and I couldn't help but worry.
"But you know, now that Momo has become a Demon like Brother and me, I feel like we're truly a family! It feels like we finally have a place where we all belong together!"
"Hehe~ I feel the same way, Himiko. Now that I'm a being like Michikatsu... what happened wasn't entirely bad—Ouch!"
I gave Momo a light flick on the forehead for her careless words.
"Do not... speak so lightly of such things."
"Uuu... I'm sorry..."
Momo pouted, looking adorable, but I had to be firm. What happened nearly cost her her life. Hearing the person who was actually on the brink of death say it 'wasn't so bad' didn't sit right with me. I had to lecture her.
"Value your own life... more than anyone else."
"Yes... I'm sorry, Michikatsu..."
I patted her head as she stood there looking dejected, then pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ear.
"You are to be my partner... never forget that you are not alone."
"Yes... Husband. ♡ I love you."
Seeing Momo bury her face in my chest with a look of pure bliss made my own mood lift. However, Himiko was watching us with a huffed-out expression.
"Puuu... Brother, what about me? I'm your adorable sister, too!"
"Of course... You are also precious to me, Himiko."
"Really?! Hehe! ♡"
Himiko lunged into the hug as well, purring against me like a cat.
"Yes..."
Holding them both, I made a silent vow. To them, and to Kaina who wasn't here right now—I would make sure they were all happy. Without fail.
.
.
.
Lunch break.
"Breathing Styles?"
"Indeed... one should at least be able to defend oneself. I highly recommend learning how to use them."
I suggested that Momo and Himiko learn Total Concentration Breathing. There was no guarantee they wouldn't find themselves in danger again, and I couldn't be by their side every second of every day. Especially for Momo—she needed to be able to protect herself.
"I shall teach you... the secrets of my Moon Breathing."
Even if they couldn't master Moon Breathing itself, they might be able to derive their own unique styles from it. Since they were now Demons, they had access to Blood Demon Arts and physical capabilities that transcended normal humans, but against high-ranking Pro Heroes with specialized strength Quirks or top-tier Villains, raw power alone wouldn't be enough.
"I'll do it! I don't want to be a burden who can't do anything for her husband ever again..."
"I'll do it too, Brother! I want to be someone you can rely on, not just someone you have to carry!"
And so, the two of them officially became my disciples.
.
.
.
A few days later...
"Guh..."
"Ugh... I can't do it anymore..."
"Stand up. Your stamina recovers quickly as a Demon... do not seek mastery with such a half-hearted attitude."
The two of them were training intensely in the Tsugikuni training hall. Initially, I had considered asking Yoriichi to help teach them Sun Breathing, but just like in the original series, Yoriichi's teaching skills were nonexistent. He was a natural genius who simply did things, and his explanations were as incomprehensible as a riddle. I had given up on that idea early on.
"I'm sorry, Brother."
"Do not let it trouble you. Being able to perform a feat and being able to teach it are two different matters."
I consoled my earnest younger brother. Himiko also reached out to pat his arm.
"Yoriichi, don't worry about it! Instead, we can just watch you and try to learn by seeing how amazing you are!"
"That's right! Your Breathing is so beautiful and warm. Just watching it makes me feel stronger!"
Momo chimed in as well. Hearing Momo call him "Young Master" as the brother-in-law of her future husband was quite cute.
"Now... we begin again."
"YES!!"
At my command, the two of them scrambled back to their feet.
In this world, we don't have Nichirin Swords to determine their elemental affinity, but as long as they master Total Concentration Breathing and basic weapon techniques, they will already be far stronger than most Pro Heroes.
Combined with the transcendent endurance of a Demon—especially since they both received high concentrations of my blood and reached the Upper Rank—their physical stats and regenerative abilities were on a completely different level.
Between breathing exercises, I also spent time teaching them how to hone their unique Blood Demon Arts.