Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: “Encounter with the Unknown, Isn’t That Crazy?” ①

“Hamburgers, shakes, fries, taiyaki, takoyaki, it’s all so amazing!”

To kill time before returning home, Natsuki indulged in some street food.

While his mother’s cooking was fantastic, he had been craving all the things he used to eat without a second thought.

This binge-eating was also a way to relieve the stress from the continuous events involving the troublesome trio: Miyako, Anzu, and Yuto.

“Whoever thought of hamburgers is a genius, right? How can something as simple as meat sandwiched between bread be so delicious? And adding cheese to it is practically madness! Shakes are incredible, too! Drinking ice cream is such a wild idea! And fries, well, they might seem pretty normal, but I just can’t stop eating them. Taiyaki, with its sweet bean paste wrapped in dough, is obviously going to be delicious! And whoever invented takoyaki should be crowned king!”

Natsuki was utterly impressed by Earth’s food culture.

He also wanted to try ramen, fried rice, udon, soba, chilled Chinese noodles, okonomiyaki, crepes, cakes, smoothies, lattes, omurice, hayashi rice, beef stew, grilled meat, and simmered fish dishes. There was so much more he craved.

Naturally, his stomach was full, so he’d have to revisit these cravings another day, but growing Natsuki was confident he could handle dinner easily.

(The worst thing about that world was how unappetizing the food looks. Food is a fundamental part of life. If the appearance of food in that world is so despairing, isn’t that world doomed? The demon side’s food was slightly better. But isn’t it crazy that the most delicious thing there seemed to be some strange fruit growing on trees?)

While reminiscing about the other world that had now become a mere memory, he pedaled his bicycle, internally spewing thoughts like “I’m glad I made it back,” “I’d never go there again, not even for money.”

The second-hand bike he got from the neighborhood guy was surprisingly comfortable.

In the other world, he mostly traveled by horse-drawn carriage, which was often painful for his behind.

Even after capturing a Pegasus, flying through the sky was unexpectedly shaky. Eventually, he realized that flying on his own was more comfortable, but during group activities or triumphal returns, he had no choice but to endure the discomfort.

(Come to think of it, I wonder if the Pegasus is doing well. I gave it to the demon lord’s daughter, but is she taking good care of it? I’ve heard they’re incredibly delicious, though I’ve never tried one. Well, never mind that!)

“Maybe it’s time to head back home. —Huh?”

It was while he was passing through the shopping district, heading down the alley towards his house.

Suddenly, all signs of people around him vanished.

Houses were lined up, but no matter how intently he listened, there were no sounds of life. No human voices, no barking dogs or meowing cats, not even the raucous cawing of crows. It was a world of silence.

(Do I feel cut off from the world? This isn’t like a barrier. What is this?)

He sensed no magical or spiritual energy. He couldn’t feel any hostility, but there are many who can attack without hostility, and he, Natsuki, could also kill someone without harboring any ill will.

As he stopped his bike and looked around cautiously, something suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

“―Huh?”

It was in the shadow of a utility pole.

The street lamps cast a dim light on parts of the road, and there “it” was, within that light.”

“―Huh? What is this?”

It was a small, humanoid figure, but clearly not human.

It was a bit shorter than Natsuki, who stood around 160 centimeters, probably not even reaching 150 centimeters.

Its head was large, and its arms were long, yet it had short legs and a long torso.

What was most striking were its large, pitch-black eyes that seemed devoid of any emotion and covered most of its face.

“No, wait, this can’t be—”

As much as the seemingly absorbing eyes were concerning, what was most memorable was its grey skin.

It was either naked or wearing a full-body suit; either way, it was entirely grey.

Even Natsuki, who had defeated demons, dragons, and even gods in another world, was genuinely frightened.

After all, “it” was what people commonly refer to as a Grey Alien.

“Konnichiwa, Earth creature. I am what you call an alien.”

“An encounter with the unknown!?”

The hero, returned from another world, had gone beyond fantasy and made contact with the cosmos.