Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 07

Chapter 07: “Isn’t This a Super Peaceful Village?”②

Nurarihyon’s house turned out to be a surprisingly grand samurai residence.

In the well-maintained garden was a large pond, where koi swam alongside a kappa.

As they waved at the kappa, they were led into a traditional tatami room.

“Here’s some tea and yokan. It’s homemade, so I hope it suits your taste.”

“Thank you! I didn’t know you could make yokan at home. I’ll dig in!”

A cute girl, about eighteen years old with a traditional bob haircut, brought out the tea and yokan.

After thanking her, they eagerly took a bite.

The yokan had a gentle sweetness, far less sugary than usual, but it was leagues ahead of anything Natsuki had ever tasted before.

It had a delicate, comforting flavor that paired perfectly with the tea. Natsuki couldn’t help but think that whoever made it must have a kind heart.

“This is absolutely delicious!”

“Fufu, thank you so much.”

The girl smiled warmly, bowed to Natsuki and Nurarihyon, and then left the room.

“By the way, that girl just now? She’s a zashiki-warashi.”

“…Wait, I just met a zashiki-warashi!? I’m so lucky!”

“Nacchan, you’re a good kid. I really like humans like you.”

“Flattery won’t get you anything but a Holy Sword and a Demonic Sword!”

“Please don’t bring those out!”

Natsuki and Nurarihyon sipped their tea and let out a relaxed sigh.

The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.

If you listened closely, you could hear the cheerful voices of yokai enjoying themselves in the distance.

“Hey, Nacchan. You’ve seen a bit of this village now, haven’t you? What did you think?”

“Everyone seems to live peacefully.”

“Right? There used to be a lot more of us yokai all over Japan, but as nature disappeared and fewer humans could see us, we started losing our places to belong. Still, that’s just the way the times change, and I’m not one to complain about it.”

“I think it’s okay to complain about that, though.”

“We yokai adapt to the times, so it’s fine. Nowadays, some live quietly in places like Tono, like the kappa you helped the other day who never strays from its old home. Others move from place to place, searching for new lands. And then you’ve got groups like the Kyoto faction, building their own isolated worlds just for yokai.”

“Yeah, I see.”

Nurarihyon’s gentle smile deepened as he looked at Natsuki.

“I wish we had more time, but since you’re a middle schooler, your schedule is tight. Still, coming here, did you get to see how yokai live their lives, just like humans?”

“Yeah. Yokai have families, friends, and live happily, kindly, and harmoniously, no matter what kind of yokai they are. I think that’s a really wonderful thing.”

“Thanks for that.”

Not all yokai are as peaceful as the ones in Tono.

In fact, some of the yokai here possess incredible power.

And above all, Natsuki still didn’t fully grasp the strength of Nurarihyon, known as the leader of all yokai.

Just as there are good and bad people among humans, there are likely good and bad yokai as well.

But to Natsuki, that only made yokai and humans seem even more alike.

“Hey, Nacchan. Do you know why I brought you all to Tono?”

“So we wouldn’t become enemies, maybe?”

“Exactly.”

Nurarihyon straightened his posture, placed his hands on the tatami, and bowed deeply.

“—Lord Natsuki Yura. We, the yokai of Tono, are content to live quietly in the shadows of human society. Please, we humbly ask that you do not see us as enemies.”

Natsuki realized the true reason why Nurarihyon had suddenly appeared and brought them to Tono.
For better or worse, Natsuki had fought and defeated figures like Mammon and Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
Nurarihyon wanted to determine what such a human could become to the yokai—friend or foe.
And, perhaps, Natsuki hoped, Nurarihyon had decided to see him in a positive light.

If that was the case, then Natsuki’s answer was already decided.

“I promise I won’t become enemies with the yokai of Tono.”

Natsuki responded sincerely to Nurarihyon’s earnest request.

“—Lord Yura, thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Nurarihyon, trembling with relief, slowly raised his head to look at Natsuki before bowing deeply once more.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

This turned out to be a serious chapter. But don’t worry—there’s battle coming too!

If you enjoyed the story, a follow, review, or comment would really encourage me.

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