Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V2 Chapter 01

V2 Chapter 01: “Having breakfast with the family is pretty nice, isn’t it?”

On the morning of the fifth day after Natsuki Yura returned from another world. 

Despite experiencing eventful days filled with encounters with aliens, battling an angel, and slaying a land god, the breakfast table presented a serene scene.

Since his mother had gone out drinking with a friend last night and stayed over, the breakfast Natsuki and Ginko prepared was simple, enjoyed together by everyone.

“By the way, Natsuki-kun, what are you planning to do from here on?” 

“Huh?”

As Natsuki was putting soy sauce on a soft-boiled fried egg atop steaming rice, Ginko, who had the day off and was having just toast with jam and coffee, asked. 

“I mean, I know you’re still in middle school, but you have high school entrance exams coming up, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know there are high schools that specialize in training psychics?”

“Well…”

“Interested in going?”

“Not really!”

“Thought so!”

Ginko had asked merely out of curiosity, already anticipating Natsuki’s response.

“At this point, it’s doubtful that Natsuki attending an educational institution would lead to any growth. What’s the use of learning from those inferior to him?”

“Koume-san may say that, but even those with less skill can be excellent teachers.”

“Ginko, did you attend that school?” 

“Of course! I was overflowing with talent, so I got in through a recommendation. …Though I was expelled right after summer vacation ended.”

“What did you do?”

“I really wanted a spirit sword, so I beat up a visiting instructor who was a spirit sword user and took it.”

“That’s robbery, isn’t it?”

“It was a formal duel! But the guy turned out to be some big shot’s son, and he went whining to his parents. It was such a hassle that after I beat them up too, I got expelled. Unfair, right!?”

“I may be a troublemaker myself, but Ginko, you’re something else.”

“By the way, the spirit sword I got then is named Hanako.”

“That name’s decided then? Your naming sense is so bad it’s despairing.” 

Listening to Ginko and Koume’s exchange, Natsuki continued to eat his rice, thinking.

The existence of a school for psychics seemed fittingly fantastical, but he felt there wasn’t much left for him to learn—Natsuki’s abilities leaned more towards magic than psychic powers. He preferred straightforward combat, using the hero’s power and the holy sword to blast enemies with high firepower.

He had learned the basics from a self-proclaimed sage in another world, but the ultimate strategy always boiled down to moving faster than the enemy and annihilating them with overwhelming force. 

It might be called brute strength, but it was the quickest way.

By the time he became as powerful as the Demon Lord, battles tended to be long, yet fights between equally strong opponents often ended quickly.

The Demon Lord himself had fought for only about ten minutes, and the Demon God for about two.

Truth be told, Natsuki had never engaged in a prolonged battle. It wasn’t necessary, or perhaps there hadn’t been an opponent that lasted longer than the Demon Lord.

(I wonder if I can actually fight a long battle?)

Suddenly, the question popped into his mind, but he dismissed it as pointless to ponder. 

After all, he had no interest in attending a school for psychics, especially when he was planning to enjoy a leisurely life.

He only anticipated troubles like those in light novels: disputes with heirs of prestigious families, classmates with secret backgrounds being targeted by evil organizations, or inadvertently getting wrapped up in battles. 

He had had enough of that from being summoned to another world. 

“Thanks for the meal. Well, I’m off to school, but what’s everyone else doing?”

“I plan to check on the repairs of the spaceship. I can also contact my family from the ship, so I want to make regular updates.”

“Me too.”

“I see. Hopefully, the repairs finish quickly.”

“No need to worry, my friend. The pre-marriage trip was originally planned for about ten years, so by the time our trip ends, it should be fixed without a problem.”

“A trip isn’t supposed to last that long, is it!?”

“Is that so? A friend of mine once went on a trip for about twenty years?”

Natsuki forced himself to accept that differences in lifespan likely meant differences in how time was perceived.

He figured his mother probably wouldn’t mind if Jack and Nancy stayed for ten years, and there was a chance they might move to another town or country eventually. Until then, he wanted to enjoy living together happily.

“I just want to laze around all day tomorrow. I’ve been roped into helping out the Minazuki family.”

“Helping out?”

“Yeah, helping to clean up the house and the mountain that Natsuki-kun sliced through to make them presentable again.”

“Sorry about that, and thank you.”

“No worries at all. Working behind the scenes is part of my job.”

Ginko said, puffing out her chest proudly, with jam on her cheeks.

Natsuki was thankful to Ginko for dealing with the aftermath of his actions, even if it was her job.

“I’m off to the liquor store! Of course, with Ginko driving.”

“Eh!?” 

“Since we drank all of Mama Haruko’s alcohol, it’s only polite to restock. And while we’re at it, I want to buy a variety of drinks other than beer! Having wandered without settling down for so long, I want to enjoy a drink at home in warmth! I’m in the mood for some fine liquor to get a little tipsy!”

“Ah, okay. Do as you like.”

“First off, let’s buy some damn expensive whiskey or brandy with Ginko’s money!”

“You just said you wanted ‘a little good liquor,’ so why did it suddenly become ‘damn expensive’? And why are you planning to drink on my dime!?”

“What are you saying, we’re family, aren’t we?”

“…That’s quite a convenient family. Alright. I’ll give you 5000 yen.”

“Fool! Don’t you know about the recent price hikes on alcohol?”

“That’s exactly why I want you to keep it within the range of 5000 yen!”

Not well-versed in alcohol, Natsuki decided to do a quick search on his smartphone. 

Indeed, it seemed that beer, whiskey, wine, and brandy had all seen price increases compared to a little while ago.

It wasn’t just alcohol; everything from electricity bills to food was getting more expensive. 

“I see, so it’s all God’s fault then.”

He concluded, ready to pin the blame on God and put away his phone, when a message came through.

“Hm?” 

It was from Kazuto.

Considering all that had happened yesterday, Natsuki hoped Kazuto hadn’t been adversely affected as he opened the message, and then—

“Pfft!” 

Natsuki burst out laughing. 

Amidst the gathering stares, he laughed so hard he could barely breathe. 

Kazuto’s message was brief:

[―Looks like my shitty brother can’t get it up anymore.]

Natsuki couldn’t stop laughing, pleased that his spell was working just as he had intended.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Yuto: “Eh? Why? No, wait, this can’t be happening. Why won’t it rise? Get up, get uppppppppppppppppppppppppp!”