Lucifer's Escape

The Hero is Here

"... Hero?"

"... What are you doing here?..." Urushihara asked through coughs and smoke, his tears still stained his face.

"Maou told me to check this street while him and Ashiya took the one a a couple blocks down. I believe Suzuno is—" Emi Yusa. The Hero. Was untying his wrist from the cross he was tied to. She had seemingly just defeated Olba and his friends. Seeing as the fire had stopped and he could see Olba passed out from the corner of his eye. She did not take orders from Maou like Ashiya did... she was doing out of a sheer want to. She could easily strike him down with her holy sword. If anything, Maou answered to her most of the time, not the other way around.

Yet, here she was. Saving one of his Demon Generals. And he had nerve to interrupt her. "No, I mean... why are you coming to look for me? To try and help me? You don't answer to Maou like Ashiya-" His words were cut off by coughing. Meanwhile, Emi lifted him up and carried his light frame on her. His head rested on his shoulders as she effortlessly carried him out of the building. Walking with him holding onto her.

"I already called the police on this place. I told them how they kidnapped you. Now, you're coming to my apartment for a little while, okay?" Emi said. It was not a request. She seemed to want to take care of him, but... why? Why would she want to protect him? Maou and Ashiya didn't even want to- so why her?

"... But why?..."

Emi turned to him in shock. "What do you mean why?! You have burns on your arms and legs, you look like you haven't eaten in months, and you're clearly suffering form some kind of lung issue with how raspy your voice is and how much you're coughing! Why wouldn't I take care of you?! I'm the Hero!" Emi stated, raising her voice, making Urushihara flinch and curl up in her arms, burying his face in her shoulder. Emi realized the mistake that she made.

Urushihara was terrified. She made Urushihara cry, and now he was shaking and hiccuping in her arms. Emi couldn't believe the sight in front of her. She made a demon cry. Though... he could barely be called a demon at this point. He was starved, and his bones were incredibly visible. He also had large bags under his eyes, and was breathing unevenly- Emi was worried for the small teen.

"... I'm sorry, Urushihara... I shouldn't have shouted at you..." Emi sighed, still holding the shaking boy, as she continued to walk down the road, back to her apartment. "... It's just... you're in pain right now, aren't you? I couldn't call myself the Hero if I didn't help you..." Emi said.

Urushihara was still shaking, but his sobs quieted. "... B- but... Y- Yusa... I- I'm... useless... I'm a NEET, and a worthless one... Maou and Ashiya hate me-" He was cut off by Emi putting a finger to his mouth.

"Don't talk. You need to save your strength.
I don't know what Olba has been telling you, but they are searching for you like crazy! They were begging me and Suzuno for help, and not sleeping at all! We were all worried about you! Urushihara... they will be very happy to see that you're back..." Emi said, and they soon arrived at her apartment.

Emi unlocked the door to her actually multiple-roomed, decent apartment, and set him down on the couch.

Urushihara soon fell into a deep unconsciousness, still gripping onto Emi's sleeve.