Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 01: "I've Returned, But Isn't My Home the Best?"①

Chapter 1: “I’ve Returned, But Isn’t My Home the Best?”①

“I’ve decided to date this girl!”

“Huh?”

Natsuki Yura was confronted by the all-too-familiar face of his childhood friend.

“Wait? Huh? I’m back!?”

Looking around, he saw familiar everyday scenes: middle and high school students walking with cell phones, adults in suits, cars on the streets.

“Natsuki? What are you talking about?” 

Asked his childhood friend, Yuto Miyahara.

Yuto was a clean-looking boy, taller than Natsuki, with neatly trimmed flaxen hair hanging just below his ears. Despite being only a third-year middle schooler, he had a mature air about him.

Natsuki had resented him for years, but seeing his face after “several years” brought back a sense of nostalgia.

“Been well? Man, it’s really been a while! As popular as ever, I see! Well, I have things to do! See you around!”

“Wait! Natsuki!?”

Ignoring Yuto’s call, Natsuki couldn’t help but run away.

The feel of sneakers on asphalt, the carefree laughter of boys and girls his age, the convenience store that sells everything, the old supermarket, the neighborhood auntie’s restaurant, the somewhat stylish café – everything felt “nostalgic.”

Natsuki was certain he had “finally returned.”

He realized he was back to the day he was “called to the other side.”

“—I’ve returned!”

The sudden shout startled those around him, but he didn’t care.

(Six years… I’m back in Japan! Back on Earth! Back to my world!)

He was on the verge of tears.

Finally, he had returned.

(From that damned other world, I, I―)

“I’ve returned!!!”

It felt like six years had passed for him.

But in this world, it was just a little while ago.

― Yura Natsuki had been summoned to another world as a hero.

In that world, he was caught up in battles between humans and demons, told that the only way to return to his original world was to defeat the Demon Lord – a typical scenario he fought through desperately.

He fought alongside humans, who sought to exterminate the demons and even betrayed their own, against the demons who united for the sake of their brethren and fought for their right to live in the world.

Used and thrown into horrific battles, desiring not to die, he fought.

He killed monsters, demons, humans, spirits, beasts, and even gods, and finally returned to Earth.

“Hahaha, serves them right! Idiots! Using me as they liked, if they want to kill each other so badly, let them do it till they die! I’m out of there!”

Thinking of the people from that other world he would never meet again, Natsuki continued to shout.

He was surprised that time hadn’t progressed much here upon his return, but it was actually a relief.

It was good not to be treated as missing or presumed dead.

It was comforting to know he hadn’t caused his family grief.

Above all, he was moved to tears with joy that his precious youth hadn’t been wasted in such a world.

This body is not the one that grew in the other world.

It’s the slender body of a fourteen-year-old, a third-year middle schooler.

Of average height, with an unremarkable face and not particularly long legs, born into an ordinary family.

Yet, this normalcy is incredibly precious to him.

He’s grateful to have regained his current self.

“What’s for dinner tonight? I can’t remember. Oh right, my online order arrives today. I used all my saved-up allowance for those sneakers and clothes I’ve always wanted as a celebration for moving up a grade! Ah, I can’t wait to get home. I want to eat Mom’s cooking. I want to sleep in my own bed!”

Breathless, he ran.

In the other world, he could run long distances at full speed without trouble, but now he feels the reality of being back in his original body. 

Not out of shape, but no longer having that special physique, he feels out of breath after just a little running. 

He longs to ride a bicycle again, never wanting to deal with those unruly horse carriages ever again. 

He races through the nostalgic streets of his school route and spots the two-story house with a red roof.

― His beloved home.

“I’m home! What’s for dinner tonight!?”