Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 8 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 11===
As he jumped through the dimensional boundary — all light and sound disappeared from Basara’s surroundings. Basara was enveloped in a jet-black darkness that was even darker than when he closed his eyes. And then, immediately after that moment during which all five of his senses went blank — Basara landed softly at the bottom of that darkness. At the same time, a dazzling bright light spread out before him. And before he realised, Toujou Basara had already returned to a familiar room. It was the living room of the Toujou residence. ''I’m back''…before he even had time to feel relieved—

“——!?”

Basara received an unexpected surprise. It was because the group of five including Mio had all collapsed on the living room floor.

“H-Hey…!”

Basara became worried that something had gone wrong for the girls who had returned just before him.

“……?”

However, he noticed that their breathing was calm.

''…They’re just asleep, huh….''

The reason why Basara didn’t lose consciousness when he crossed through the dimensional boundary — was it because he crossed over with a calm state of mind, or was it also the mischief of Sheera? Knowing that it wouldn’t be a problem in either case, Basara stroked his chest in relief as he stood up. Then

“…………”

Toujou Basara looked around at the place that he was in once more. Reflected in Basara’s eyes was the place that he was supposed to return to, and the place where the girls whom he held precious resided. This was — what Toujou Basara wanted to protect.

''…I see.''

Perhaps Sheera had put the girls to sleep and made sure that Basara was the last one to return just so that he could see this. To show him the importance of returning to the place where those precious to him were waiting. If Basara ever gave up on himself, the girls whom he cared for, and the girls who also cared for him would feel saddened. That was something that he didn’t want.

“No, that’s not it…”

Toujou Basara realised his own true feelings. He didn’t want to lose any of them. He wanted to continue seeing their smiles forever. He wouldn’t allow anyone to take that away from him. That was — Toujou Basara’s desire.

“…I told you, I’d do my best.”

In order not to let down the words that he had said to Sheera just earlier, he vowed never to give up and to keep searching from now on — for a road towards the future where he wouldn’t have to lose anything important. He decided — no, prepared himself for it.

“…Mmm.”

Suddenly, a slight murmur and movement was caught in his peripheral vision. One of the sleeping girls awoke. It was Mio. Mio had always worried about not being a human, having the blood of a demon, and dragging Basara and the others into her troubles. But this time, at last, Mio could be released from that fate. So, when they returned to this house — Basara had already decided what he was going to say to her.

“Basara…?”

As Mio recognised his figure with her still drowsy eyes, Toujou Basara said to her with a gentle smile

“—Welcome home, Mio.”

With that single sentence, all of his feelings had been conveyed.

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