Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: “Being treated as a VIP sure is tough”

After saying “I’m off” to his mother and getting a ride to the front of the junior high school in Ginko’s car, Natsuki waved back to Jack with his refreshing smile, Nancy with her delicate smile, and Koume, who leaned out the window to wave energetically.

His classmates seemed surprised that Natsuki was dropped off by such attractive adults, but he decided to move on before anyone could ask him anything.

A short distance from the school gate, he noticed a well-known German-made black car. Standing beside the car, a woman in her thirties dressed in a pantsuit bowed deeply as she saw Natsuki, indicating she was there to pick him up for the Minazuki family.

“Natsuki Yura-sama, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Hiragi Yata, and I serve the Minazuki family. I deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused yesterday. While the head of the Minazuki family will formally apologize, Miyako-sama is like a disciple to me. If you still harbor any anger, please do not hesitate to tell me.”

Hiragi Yata’s voice had a calm and composed tone to it.

But there was a discernible tension in her demeanor. 

She might be assuming that Natsuki was displeased by the confrontation with Miyako Minazuki the previous day. To be honest, Natsuki had been annoyed and irritated, but after encountering Yuto, experiencing an encounter with the unknown, battling an angel, demolishing a building, and having a sushi party at his home, the events were so packed that his memory of Miyako was only faint.

“No, if an apology has been made, that’s enough.”

“I’m grateful for your generous heart. Please allow me to guide you to the Minazuki household.”

“Ah, thank you. …I’ve never ridden in a foreign car before, so I’m quite excited.”

“It’s a regular car, so please feel free to get in. We’ve prepared some beverages for you, so feel free to enjoy them during the ride. This Hiragi will drive you to the Minazuki household, risking her life if necessary.”

“…You don’t need to risk your life, though.”

“As Yura-sama is a valued guest, we cannot afford any mishaps. Although you might already guess, this car is equipped to deal with psychic powers, curses, witchcraft, magic, and even bullets, so please rest assured.”

“…Ehhh.”

Though he didn’t say it out loud, it seemed Hiragi was overestimating Natsuki. 

Even if Natsuki possessed the power of a hero, there was no way he could discern the specific countermeasures installed in a foreign car he was unfamiliar with. He might sense that some precautions were taken, but how could he possibly know about bulletproof measures?

“Please, get in.”

“T-Thanks.”

When Hiragi opened the back seat for him, Natsuki cautiously got into the car. The inside was empty.

The comfort of the seat was incomparable even to the chairs in the principal’s office or the sofas in the police chief’s office.

For Natsuki, the realization that car seats could be made of leather was astonishing.

His mother’s compact car, while spacious, was truly ordinary. Ginko’s car, to be honest, was a bit of a clunker, so it felt almost unfair to compare its luxury, which was wonderful in its own right.

In what appeared to be the armrest area, there were chilled carbonated drinks and varieties of tea placed. 

Not that he suspected them, but it would be troublesome if they were poisoned, and it would feel somewhat awkward to ask to use the restroom at the Minazuki household, so he decided to refrain.

“Then, we shall depart.”

“Please do.”

The car started smoothly. Natsuki, able to use a foreign car like a taxi, felt like a VIP.

“Yura-sama. Once again, we appreciate your visit to the Minazuki household today.”

“Oh, no problem. I also want to clear up any misunderstandings and hope to get along well.”

“It’s reassuring for the Minazuki family to hear you say that. …However, aside from the head of the Minazuki family, the retired elders of the clan can be somewhat troublesome, so please try not to engage with them directly.”

“Ah.”

“Today, the head of the family, Mio-sama, and Miyako-sama were scheduled to meet you, but I stepped in. If you feel any discomfort later, please feel free to punish this Hiragi.”

“Punish, you say…”

(I wonder if she has a masochistic streak, saying she’s a servant? Or is there something about serving the Minazuki family?)

Natsuki was well aware that the elders of old families could be fussy.

In another world, elders, sages, and senates—basically, anyone with “elder” in their title—tended to be troublesome.

Natsuki generally respected the elderly, so he didn’t mind much.

“Just between us, the elders are afraid of you, Yura-sama.”

“Huh?”

“They don’t know how to deal with someone who possesses unknown powers that they can’t understand, so all they can do is bluff. Please think of them as pitiful weaklings and show them mercy.”

“I’ll, uh, do my best.”

Hiragi Yata, without underestimating Natsuki despite him being a junior high student, treated him with the utmost respect as a guest. 

Natsuki, for his part, didn’t have a bad impression of Hiragi but felt intimidated. He knew that someone like her, dedicated to her master, would bite back in a dire situation, even if victory seemed impossible.

He hoped it wouldn’t come to that but decided to stay on guard.

After a while of silence, they approached the foothills near the outskirts of Mukaijima city. 

The number of houses dwindled, not that there were fields either, but they passed through a road covered with bamboo groves until they reached a large samurai mansion.

“Wow, a samurai mansion! This is so exciting!”

Natsuki quickly got out of the car, stretched his back, and looked around with interest, wondering how Mukaijima city had such a mansion.

He noticed several “eyes” watching him but didn’t mind.

As he passed through the sturdy gate, about ten men and women, presumably servants dressed in traditional attire, were lined up on both sides, bowing their heads.

Whoa. Am I supposed to walk between these bowing people? That’s quite a challenge for a middle schooler!)

“Being treated as a VIP sure is tough,” Natsuki couldn’t help but feel it.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

We’ve arrived at the Minazuki household. 

Next time, the meeting with the head of the family.

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