Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 05

Chapter 05: “A Big-Name Yokai, Huh?”

“Alright, it’s decided! Nacchan, Yu-chan, and Sen-chan are all heading to Tono together!”

“Wow, you’re really cutting down that distance fast…”

“Let’s gooo!”

“Who the hell is Sen-chan, you damn old man!?”

The Nurarihyon had gone from calling them kids to being overly familiar in an instant. While Yusuke was all for it, Senju clearly wasn’t having it.

As for Natsuki, he found the Nurarihyon’s personality oddly endearing, so while he had a few remarks to make, he didn’t actually dislike the guy.

“But seriously, how are we getting to Tono? Are we flying there?”

At Natsuki’s question, the Nurarihyon held up a hand to calm him down.

“Don’t rush it, kid. Flying isn’t something just anyone can do. Even as a yokai among yokai, I can’t just fly through the sky. That’s where Ittanmomen-san comes in!”

“Here I am!”

With a cheerful voice, a large piece of cloth fell from the sky.

“…What is this?”

“One of the most popular yokai, easily in the top ten—the great Ittanmomen himself!”

“No, this is just a piece of cloth. A big, square piece of cloth. Something’s off here.”

“…We agreed not to mention that.”

“I never agreed to that!”

When he thought of Ittanmomen, Natsuki had imagined a long, thin strip of cloth. But what actually appeared was a large white square.

It had no face, no visible features, and it was impossible to tell where the voice was coming from.

In a way, Natsuki had to admit—it was very much what you’d expect from a yokai.

“It’s not like you’re some magic carpet from a story.”

“Come on, bro, let’s not get caught up in the details!”

“It feels like I’d sink right through if I sat on this thing. Kinda scary.”

“You’ll be fine! I’ll hold firm!”

“Hold firm where!?”

“Bro, stressing over the little stuff will make you go bald! Just hop on like the others!”

“…Wait, Yusuke-kun and Senju-san are already on it!? Why are your eyes sparkling!?”

Natsuki sighed as he looked at the scene: the Nurarihyon sitting cross-legged in the middle of the Ittanmomen, with Yusuke and Senju seated properly, looking all excited.

“Natsuki-kun… think about it. This is the ultimate fantasy moment. There weren’t any Ittanmomen in the other world, after all.”

“Well, yeah, because there weren’t any yokai over there!”

“Yura! As a guy, you should be honored to ride on Ittanmomen-san!“

“Senju-san, you glitch out sometimes, you know!? And why are both of you this hyped up so early in the morning!?”

Letting out another deep sigh, Natsuki lightly kicked off the ground and floated onto the Ittanmomen.

“I’m fine flying on my own. This thing doesn’t look very stable, and it’s kinda scary.”

“You can fly too, bro? That’s cool, but I’m faster than you. Faster than a bullet train, even!”

“Oh really? All I see is a future where the three of you get thrown off this thing. But hey, if you’re faster than a bullet train, good for you. Still, I’m probably faster. I’ve got God Speed, after all.”

“Whoa, getting all high and mighty like a god, huh? Well, I’ve beaten Idaten before, so there!”

“Not pretending to be a god—pretending to be a god-slayer.”

“Heh.”

“Huh.”

Natsuki and the Ittanmomen, with its passengers aboard, rose high into the sky.

Even though Natsuki still couldn’t figure out where the Ittanmomen’s face was, he somehow felt their eyes meet, and sparks seemed to fly.

“If you’re so confident, how about a race, bro?”

“You’re on!”

The Nurarihyon and the others tried to interject with a panicked “W-wait, hold on!” but their voices didn’t reach Natsuki or the Ittanmomen.

In the next moment, Natsuki, brimming with magical energy, and the Ittanmomen, surging with yokai power, started their high-speed race across the sky.

Meanwhile, the Nurarihyon and the others fell into the sea near the coast of Iwate, unnoticed, and were rescued by some kind-hearted mermen.

As for the race between Natsuki and the Ittanmomen, it ended in a draw.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Merman: “Hello, boys. You seem to be drowning—do you need some help?”

Yusuke: “Gyaaaaaah! Your voice is so gentlemanly, but you’re a freaky-looking merman! Swap out for a mermaid instead!”

Merman: “Hahaha! What an energetic boy! Now, grab on. I’ll take you closer to shore.”

And so, that amusing exchange happened… but that’s a story for another time.

After their race, Natsuki and Ittanmomen-san came back to pick up the three stranded passengers.

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