Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: “If you have business with me, shouldn’t you be the one to come here?” ①

“―Thanks for the meal! Onigiri, I think, are far more important to the world than any holy sword. They’re treasures, true treasures!”

Natsuki, having finished the lunch his mother had prepared on the rooftop, gently patted his stomach and took a sip from his bottle of tea. 

“Yes! Even the tea I took for granted tastes amazing! Well, I didn’t eat or drink anything in that other world, though.”

Being summoned to another world hadn’t excited Natsuki at all, but what brought him even closer to despair was the food there.

Meat was just thrown on the fire to cook, and vegetables were only boiled in water and salt. The drinking water was so murky that a single gulp seemed like it would upset his stomach. Considering parasites and diseases, there was even a chance he might end up journeying from that other world to the next.

Even among the nobility, meat was merely sliced and plated. Soup was served in pretentious dishes. And water, which seemed luxurious, was simply poured into fancy glasses – something that made him want to interject and ask if they couldn’t do something more with the lemon they were adding.

The difference between them and the commoners was mainly in their lavish use of salt and pepper, the expensive wines they drank, and the fact that their meals were prepared by servants.

Boiling the water, properly cooking the meat, peeling the vegetables… if he started listing these, there would be no end. Natsuki, convinced that eating in this other world would certainly send him to the next, did not touch the food at all. 

But it was impossible to survive six years without eating or drinking.

It was tough at first. When he felt hungry, even the poorly preserved food and seemingly bacteria-infested water seemed appealing. But he resisted. He bit into his arm, drank his own blood, licked his sweat, and continued to endure. 

He had this feeling that if he ate anything from that other world, he might never be able to return to his original world.

It was impossible for a growing boy to last three days on an empty stomach, and Natsuki felt like he was going insane. Hunger and fear writhed within him, and just when it seemed his sanity would give way first, his body underwent a change. 

Hunger and thirst disappeared, and a surge of strength filled him. At the time, he thought, “Maybe I’m just amazing?” But later, he learned that he had been absorbing the magical energy overflowing in the air and converting it into life force.

Natsuki felt rejuvenated, but he grew increasingly disgusted with the humans around him. They kept saying selfish things like, “Hurry up and fight the demon race,” “Reclaim the land,” “I want a demon slave,” “Keep the women and children alive for labor.” 

He absolutely refused to improve their livelihood or teach them anything good, as heroes do in isekai genres.

“Come to think of it, the demons were living a life closer to ours, using magic.”

He had no interest whatsoever in what the inhabitants of that other world were doing now.

“Well then, I want to attend classes this afternoon—so you can come out now.”

Natsuki said, somewhat reluctantly, as he approached the entrance to the rooftop. A girl then appeared. 

“You noticed me. It seems you really do have powers.”

“Who are you?” 

The girl with lustrous black hair reminded Natsuki of a checkered doll from his memories. Not only her hairstyle but also her appearance was impeccably refined. 

She was a beautiful girl who would likely grow into a classic Japanese beauty, different from the Western-looking people of the other world. Her well-defined nose, sharp eyebrows, and, above all, eyes that seemed to possess a strong will, left a lasting impression.

“Hmph, joking around like that. Aren’t we classmates?”

“…Um, was it Matsumoto-san?”

“It’s Miyako Minazuki! Where did you get that other name from?”

“Ah, right, right. Minazuki-san, yes. Of course, I remember you very well. Weren’t you sitting next to me?”

“No, I wasn’t!”

Miyako Minazuki, the girl with a well-composed face, shouted in anger.

Natsuki tilted his head in confusion. 

After all, it had been six years in his perception, and those were harsh years spent in another world. Naturally, his memories of classmates’ faces and names were vague.

(Hmm, I remember the face of that princess who was having an affair with her father’s friend while saying she wanted to marry a hero or fight the Demon King.)

Miyako, perhaps irritated by Natsuki’s lack of response, stomped over to him. 

Standing in front of him, she looked down at Natsuki and stated clearly.

“Well, whatever. You’re here for a reason, right?”

“The Minazuki family has detected Yura-kun’s power. We demand an explanation. Please come to the Minazuki residence.”

“Eh? No way!”

Natsuki refused without hesitation. 

Miyako, apparently not expecting a refusal, stood with her mouth agape in surprise.

“…What did you say?”

“No, see, if they need something, they should come to me. Anyway, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

At Natsuki’s words, Miyako’s face burst bright red with anger.