Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: “Isn’t this quite a troublesome family?” ②

In the outskirts of Mukaijima city, at the Minazuki house.

In a tatami-floored sitting room filled with the scent of straw mats, Kaya Minazuki sat formally, with her guard Hiragi Yata standing behind her, listening to the report from Miyako Minazuki, the next head of the Minazuki family, about her encounter with Natsuki Yura and its outcome.

“…I understand the situation. Also Mio, thank you for your follow-up with Natsuki Yura-dono.”

“No problem.”

Sitting formally beside Miyako was Mio, the eldest daughter of the Minazuki family. 

Contrasting with Miyako, who resembled a sleek, black-haired beauty like a traditional Japanese doll, her sister Mio was slightly taller, with tanned skin and bleached blonde hair.

If Miyako gave off the air of an honor student, Mio would likely give the opposite impression.

“M-Mother…”

“Yes?”

“I broke the spiritual sword, our family heirloom… Please forgive me!”

Miyako apologized with such force that her forehead almost touched the tatami. Next to her, the broken spiritual sword was sheathed. 

Broken as it was, it felt like nothing more than a lump of iron, devoid of any spiritual power. It had lost its significance as a family treasure.

Miyako braced for a reprimand as she apologized, and Mio tried to intercede, but their mother Kaya spoke first.

“There’s no need to worry about it.”

“Eh?”

“The sword Miyako had was just a spiritual sword. It’s not the Minazuki family’s heirloom.”

“Eh? What?”

“It’s only logical. We wouldn’t entrust the family treasure to an inexperienced successor. Rest assured, the true heirloom is safely managed under my watchful eye, the head of the family.”

With no change in her expression, Miyako was astonished as her mother revealed that the broken sword was not the family heirloom.

“I gave you the spiritual sword to foster your growth, but it seems to have led to your arrogance instead. As a mother and as the head of the family, I am deeply disappointed. Above all, I instructed you to approach Natsuki Yura-dono with respect as an emissary. Why did it come to fighting? What meaning was there in making an enemy of him? Because he’s a classmate, a fellow student? If Natsuki Yura-dono were truly an enemy, you would be dead by now. Be thankful to him.”

“…Yes.”

“Let me make it clear, the spiritual sword I entrusted to you is also a valuable weapon. Don’t expect any allowance until you’re an adult.”

“…Yes.”

Miyako, looking downcast, was also relieved that the scolding was less severe than she had anticipated.

Her mother continued calmly,

“Miyako, you will skip school tomorrow. Hiragi will go to fetch Natsuki Yura-dono, but it’s not desirable for you to be there since your actions have likely made him wary.”

“B-but…”

“You will be present for the conversation with Natsuki Yura-dono. Until then, stay in your room and reflect on your actions. You will also undergo training under Hiragi at a later date. Don’t expect the training to end until your arrogance and pride are gone.”

“…Yes.”

“You may leave now.”

“…I apologize for my behavior.”

As Miyako bowed and left, Kaya called her other daughter’s name.

“Mio.”

“Yes.”

“What kind of person was Natsuki Yura-dono?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Not sure? What do you mean?”

Mio then shared her impression of Natsuki, addressing Kaya’s curiosity.

“He seemed strong, but I couldn’t tell how strong. It’s like there’s a huge wall in front of me, and even when I look up, I can’t tell how high it is… That’s the kind of impression I got.”

“I see. There’s no doubt about the difference in power. Neither I nor Hiragi can be sure if we could stand against Natsuki Yura-dono’s magical power, even for a short time.”

Mio knew her mother’s prowess.

Kaya, a prodigy called so from a young age, had defeated many demons and spirits.

She also ruthlessly overcame all other family candidates for the headship, leaving them unable to recover and securing her position. Such a mother was unusually expressing doubt. Though Mio couldn’t grasp it fully, it indicated that Natsuki must possess great strength.

“However, he’s mysterious.”

“Mysterious?”

“Yes. Where does a middle school third-year boy get such immense magic power? And why magic power, not spiritual power? It was so extraordinary that I thought he might be from a demon clan, but the reports say he’s human.”

“Yes, he’s definitely human.”

“Then I thought he might be from a lineage of witches, but it’s unlikely that a male descendant of witches, who generally despise revealing their blood, would be in Japan. So, he might be an unpredictable factor for us.”

To Mio, Natsuki seemed like a strong yet ordinary boy. 

At least, that’s how she felt. 

But considering he bisected Miyako, he couldn’t be called normal.

Not normal, yet appearing normal, which is distorted.

She found herself slightly curious about him.

“Mio, thank you for your hard work today. I’m sorry to have put you in the position of covering for Miyako’s blunder. You should rest today as well. And tomorrow, when Natsuki Yura-dono arrives, please join us.”

“Yes. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Alright.”

After Mio left, only Kaya and Hiragi remained in the room. 

Kaya, letting out a small sigh not shown to her daughters, wore a smile.

“The power that Natsuki Yura-dono possesses… is incredible.”

Hiragi’s shikigami had been monitoring Natsuki from a distance. Of course, he had noticed it, but they decided it was necessary to keep watch just in case.

They hadn’t anticipated Miyako’s confrontation, and it was too late to stop her. They decided that if it led to Natsuki’s anger, so be it.

The outcome was surprising: Miyako was cut in half and then miraculously healed.

Kaya or Hiragi could bisect a person, but healing them afterward was beyond their capabilities. 

Spiritual power is not omnipotent. 

Although there are specialists in healing among their clan, even they couldn’t fully restore someone nearly dead from being bisected.

But for Kaya and her family, Natsuki’s healing ability was a minor detail.

What caught their attention was the extraordinary power of his magic sword.

Even from the shikigami’s perspective, it was clear that his sword was a masterwork, far surpassing the spiritual swords of the Minazuki family. 

The way he wielded and controlled such a magical sword was also remarkable.

“If only Miyako’s behavior had infuriated him enough to attack the Minazuki household, things would have been simpler.”

“…Kaya-sama, please be cautious. You never know who might be listening.”

“It doesn’t matter. I am, in fact, hoping for it. That Natsuki Yura-dono might be the one to destroy this Minazuki house.”

Kaya Minazuki wore a twisted smile, her thoughts drifting to the boy she was to meet the next day.