Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V2 Chapter 17

Chapter 17: “A big name just showed up?” ③

Natsuki felt dizzy at the sight of Haruko smiling and the ruler of the demon world fidgeting like a middle schooler with a crush, a scene that could only be described as surreal.

“Uh, so… what should we do about this?”

Natsuki attempted to take control of the situation but was at a loss for how to proceed.

“Hey, Natsuki. How come Taichiro-kun is here at our house? Are you acquainted with him?”

“Ah, well, Sa… I mean, Taichiro-san and Pureheart-san here are Koume-chan’s father and brother.”

“Oh my, really? Koume-chan’s father is Taichiro-kun? And her brother too? Natsuki, you should have told me we had guests. I would have dressed properly; how embarrassing for your mother.”

“No, Haruko-san, you always look wonderful!”

“Oh my, Taichiro-kun, you always say the nicest things!”

Haruko was visibly pleased with Satan’s compliments.

Seeing Satan’s obvious affection for her mother, Natsuki felt disheartened.

Koume looked like she was about to throw up any moment.

“Well then, since you’re here, Taichiro-kun and Pureheart-san, please stay for dinner. Oh, but we’re short on meat. I’ll go buy some more.”

“Mama Haruko! There’s no need to feed these old guys sukiyaki!”

“Hey, Lucifer. Take this and buy some quality meat.”

Satan took out a long wallet from his pocket and tossed it to his son. Catching the wallet, Lucifer stood up with a resigned “Alright, alright.”

“I’m happy to have a meal with dad after such a long time! Big brother, buy a mountain of premium meat, okay?” 

“…Koume-chan, my daughter, you’re quite direct.”

“My sister… Even if your voice lacks sincerity, just being called ‘big brother’ by you makes me happy.”

Koume’s attitude did a complete turnaround at the prospect of indulging in piles of expensive meat.

Ginko couldn’t help but grimace at Koume’s sudden change of demeanor, and even Satan and Lucifer appeared saddened by it.

Seeing Lucifer preparing to leave, Natsuki followed suit.

“I’ll come with you if that’s okay.”

“That would be a big help. Thank you.”

Natsuki, carrying a shopping basket, gave an apologetic look to Ginko, who couldn’t hide her dismay at being left behind, before quickly exiting the living room.

As they walked towards the shopping district, people they passed were captivated by Lucifer’s beauty. 

Teenagers on bicycles crashed into poles, and a housewife out jogging sprinted full speed upon seeing him. Even men couldn’t help but follow him with their eyes, amazed at his handsomeness.

“Natsuki Yura-kun.”

“Yes?”

It was unclear whether Lucifer was unaffected by human gazes or if being the focus of attention was an everyday occurrence for him; he remained calm.

“I apologize on behalf of my father. The thought that he was getting close to your mother… While I can’t kill him, I’ll do my best to seal him away for about fifty years.”

If he were to be sealed for fifty years, his mother would have aged significantly by then. 

She might even have lived out her natural life. 

By that time, even Natsuki would be considered an old man.

While fifty years might seem short to demons, it’s more than a lifetime for humans.

“No, it’s fine.”

Natsuki said with a wry smile. It seemed Lucifer was trying to be considerate, but honestly, Natsuki felt that as long as his mother was happy, that was all that mattered.

There was a time when Natsuki thought he might never return after being summoned to another world. He spent years there, wondering how his mother was doing.

Thankfully, he was able to return at the same moment he left, but the thought of what could have happened otherwise was chilling.

That’s why Natsuki believed his mother needed someone to support her. 

The idea that this someone might be Satan was questionable, but if his mother chose Satan, then Natsuki was prepared to accept that.

“I don’t want to seem like I’m defending my father, but I don’t believe he approaches people with mere playfulness or frivolity, even if he might have ulterior motives. In fact, I’ve never seen him act as embarrassingly fidgety as a lovesick teenager before.”

“Is that so? Then, maybe that’s alright?”

“It’s hard to say. Koume-chan doesn’t talk much about family matters, but we have different mothers. However, our father has always shown us love and affection. I can’t say he’s been a good father without reservation, but he’s not a bad one either.”

“Yeah. It doesn’t seem like Koume-chan truly hates Satan-san, so I have no doubts about their relationship as a family.”

“Thank you.”

“But if my mother truly wants to be with Satan-san, I won’t oppose it, though I’m not sure if I should bless such a union.”

Natsuki said with a wry smile, to which Lucifer shrugged in agreement.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

By the way, Taichiro-san is genuinely in love with Haruko-san.