Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 60.6: Interlude – "Kyoto is Looking Real Suspicious Right Now."

Chapter 60.6: Interlude – “Kyoto is Looking Real Suspicious Right Now.”

—Shinonome Abe was a man beyond reason.

From the moment he was born, he possessed overwhelming spiritual power.

So much so that low-level yokai and evil spirits would vanish just by getting too close to him.

By the time he entered elementary school, he had already surpassed his father—the current head of the Abe family.

And just before entering middle school, he “sparred” with his father and completely demolished him.

And it wasn’t just raw power.

He had this strange habit of disappearing on a whim, hunting down powerful yokai, and coming back with piles of money.

On the other hand—

He never really made any friends.

Instead, he cherished his family, especially his younger siblings, and treated those under his command with great care.

To anyone he considered “family,” his kindness ran deep.

But to his enemies?

He was ruthlessly cold.

In the world of spiritual affairs—

Especially among the spirit mediums affiliated with the Institute—

Shinonome Abe was hated like poison.

And for good reason.

One day, he just strolled into the Institute’s prestigious psychic academy alone…

And wiped the floor with every well-known student and teacher they had.

In short, he pulled a classic dojo takedown.

Then to make things worse—

A few days later, he mailed back the school’s nameplate cash on delivery with a note that basically said, “Actually, never mind. Don’t want it.”

That right there…

Was why so many people couldn’t stand him.

Because he was so out of the norm, even as a spirit medium, Shinonome Abe was often considered dangerous.

Not only could he control yokai—

He even invented a spell that transferred any damage he took onto the yokai he controlled.

No matter the opponent, he had never lost a battle.

Many in the business believed that if he prepared properly, he could even take Shuten Doji’s head.

—And yet, the very same Shinonome Abe…

Was now planning to start a couple-style video channel with Ibaraki Doji—

The daughter of his mortal enemy, Shuten Doji.

Even for his younger brother, Madoka Abe—

There was no way he could’ve seen that coming.

“…What the hell are you doing?”

“—Madoka?”

■

To Madoka, his older brother—who was a good few years older—

Wasn’t quite a father figure, but still someone he owed a lot to.

Their actual father… wasn’t exactly what you’d call a responsible parent.

So Madoka knew just how much Shinonome had struggled to raise them.

He was grateful.

He respected him.

Even setting aside spiritual powers—

He looked up to him… as a person.

“…Even I know who that woman is. That’s Ibaraki Doji, ain’t it?”

“Madoka… can you just listen for a second?”

“So it’s true… You really are working with the oni… And what the hell is this, some kind of livestreaming gig? Are you kidding me!?”

“W-We haven’t actually uploaded anything yet. Today’s supposed to be our first shoot.”

“Like I care! I knew you were getting all chummy with oni, but I didn’t think you were dating one. So in the end, it’s all just about doing whatever suits you best, huh?”

“You’re wrong, Madoka! She’s not the kind of girl you’re thinking of!”

“Then what is she!?”

“—She’s the one who saved your life, Madoka.”

“…Ha?”

It was the second time today that Madoka found himself doubting his own ears.

“…What did you just say?”

“This girl… Miss Ibaraki Doji, she saved your life. That day when you were attacked by oni… the one who brought you back to the Abe household… was her.”

“…That can’t be.”

“She knew exactly what would happen if an oni got too close to the Abe family. Even so—when she saw you all bloodied and barely holding on, she didn’t look the other way. She chose to save you. And honestly… even among humans, I’ve never met anyone with a heart as kind as hers.”

“Like hell I care! You’re just piling on all these sappy lines—get lost, you rotten excuse for a brother!”

Without another word, Madoka turned his back and bolted, making it clear he wasn’t about to stick around and listen anymore.

■

“Hah… can’t believe Madoka managed to tail me. Guess I’ve still got a long way to go.”

“…Are you really okay with this?”

“Not really. But… using each other to reach our goals—That’s the agreement you and I made, isn’t it? Lying to my own brother does hurt, but… the part about you saving his life is true, after all.”

“…Yeah. That’s true.”

“My goal is to kill Shuten Doji and the rest of the oni.”

“And mine… is to live peacefully alongside humans.”

■

“Agh, that damn brother of mine… no… there’s no point getting mad. My brother was always a supporter of coexistence. So I guess it’s not that surprising that he’d end up with an oni woman. But that doesn’t change a damn thing. I’ll kill the oni. And that’s not about to change now.”

“Well said, truly well said.”

“…You lot again? I already told you—I’m not joining your extremist faction. Do whatever the hell you want.”

“That’s more than enough for us. We, the hardliners, will eliminate Shinonome Abe and kill Shuten Doji. Just make sure you stay out of our way.”

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Looks like things are starting to stir in Kyoto!?

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