Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 05.5

Interlude – “Thor in AKIHABARA, Huh?”

Thor, the God of Thunder, decided to take care of some errands before the maid cafés opened.

His father, Odin, had asked him to buy a box of trading cards if he could find them, but Thor had no idea where to look.

His stepbrother, Loki, had also given him a long shopping list, requesting multiple character figures and plastic models from a mobile game.

On top of that, his mother and wives wanted Japanese home appliances.

“Well, this is a problem. Where should I go to find everything? Looking around, people are entering stores, so maybe I can figure it out… but it’s all so confusing.”

Thor was overwhelmed by his first visit to Akihabara.

The bustling streets didn’t match what he’d seen in videos. There were too many people and too many stores to make sense of.

Passersby occasionally glanced at the towering foreigner with curiosity, but no one approached him.

While Japanese people are known for their kindness, it’s rare for anyone to strike up a conversation with a foreigner out of the blue.

“This is troublesome. I do have acquaintances in Tokyo I could call, but they’re all working, and I’d hate to bother them.”

“You there! You seem to be in a bit of trouble!”

“Hm?”

A voice called out from behind him. Thor turned to see a slightly chubby young man, probably in his twenties, wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, and glasses.

“I heard you speaking in Japanese about being lost, so I figured we could communicate. Apologies for startling you by speaking from behind.”

“Oh, a Japanese otaku! —Ahem, my apologies. I am Thor, son of the great god Odin! And currently… lost!”

“Well, well, what a carefully crafted character! I must say, I don’t dislike it. Your outfit, too—it’s so authentic it feels like you stepped right out of mythology! Ah, pardon my rudeness. My name is Masashi Saotome.”

The God of Thunder, Thor, and the young man, Masashi Saotome, shook hands firmly.

Clad in leather armor, Thor’s appearance would have raised suspicions anywhere other than Akihabara, where it could pass as cosplay.

It took some serious nerve for Masashi to approach someone like Thor without hesitation.

“So, Lord Thor, may I ask what business brings you to Akihabara?”

“Actually, my family sent me on some errands. And I want to visit a maid café.”

“Hmm, I see. Let’s take care of your shopping first, then. Maid cafés have been dwindling in number recently, but I happen to frequent one. I’ll guide you there afterward.”

“…As expected of a Japanese person—so kind. No, that’s wrong. Masashi, it is you who is kind. Thank you. I’ll rely on your help.”

“Not at all! We’re all here to help one another in times of trouble.”

Thor spent the day enjoying Akihabara under Masashi’s guidance.

Although he couldn’t find the exact cards Odin wanted, a clerk Masashi knew secretly brought out some alternative cards for him.

Thor managed to buy the figures Loki wanted and also found the Japanese home appliances that his mother and wives had requested.

He was deeply impressed by the helpfulness of the staff at Japan’s electronics stores.

At lunchtime, they visited a maid café, where Thor delighted in having a heart drawn on his omelet rice and taking photos with the maids.

He tried to treat Masashi to a meal as a thank-you, but Masashi ended up treating him instead.

By evening, it was time to part ways.

“Masashi… my friend. Today has been an incredible day. Meeting someone like you in this faraway land is something I am truly grateful for. Thank you.”

“I had a wonderful time as well. To think I’d enjoy Akihabara with someone from overseas like this… I’m honored to be called your friend.”

The two shared a firm handshake.

“If I could, I would love to share a drink of friendship with you. But I’ve found someone I’ve been searching for, and I must go meet them. Still, parting with you here feels like such a loss. How about this? I’d like to invite you to my homeland sometime soon.”

“Oh, that would be amazing! It’s a promise!”

Thor and Masashi exchanged contact information, hugged, and promised to meet again in the future.

“Farewell, Masashi! Until we meet again!”

“Take care, Lord Thor! I look forward to our reunion!”

Little did Masashi know, he would later be invited to Asgard by Thor and meet Odin and the Norse gods.

And even less could he have imagined that he would eventually join Natsuki and the others on their adventures.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Since it’s Sunday night, here’s an interlude—though it does connect to the main story!

By the way, Thor did sense the race between Natsuki and Ittanmomen-san, but he decided to prioritize enjoying Akihabara.

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