Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 61: "Did I Lose My Memory or Something?" ①

Chapter 61: “Did I Lose My Memory or Something?” ①

Natsuki Yura was a hero who had returned from another world.

His strength was overwhelming—he had slain gods in that world, and even after coming back to Earth, he’d fought and defeated renowned gods and demons alike.

—And yet, that very same Natsuki Yura was now lying on a silver platform, with his arms and legs tightly restrained.

“…Wait, wait, Jack-san, this is weird. Something’s definitely off here. We were supposed to be talking about recovering my memories, but now it just feels like I’m about to have some mysterious metal piece implanted in me! And the fact that you and Nancy went back to your Gray alien forms is seriously creeping me out!”

Yes—Natsuki looked like a poor soul who had just been abducted by aliens.

“…Whoa, I’m Lucifer, right? But still, this is my first time on a spaceship and I’m kinda hyped!”

“…Whoa. I’m the Demon King, but it’s also my first time on a spaceship, and honestly I’m so scared I could cry.”

Sitting nearby like an audience were Koume Lucifer—who looked thrilled, and the Demon King Satan, whose face had gone pale.

“Why the hell did things end up like this!?”

—Let’s rewind about an hour.

■

Natsuki was stunned by his mother’s words.

And it wasn’t just him.

Koume, Ginko, Jack, Nancy, and Satan—who all knew about Natsuki’s encounter with Madoka Abe and the fact that Madoka’s late friend had the same name—were equally shocked.

Ginko, especially, whispered something odd under her breath.

“…A reunion after memory loss, emotions reignited… Looks like we’ve got our script for this year’s drama.”

Natsuki decided to ignore her for now.

“Wait, hold on. I’ve been to Kyoto? Seriously?”

“…Didn’t you just remember that?”

“I didn’t actually remember anything. I just had this weird dream, so I thought I’d ask… But seriously?”

(Wait, calm down, Natsuki Yura. A hero doesn’t panic. Just because you’ve been to Kyoto doesn’t mean you’re connected to Madoka-kun, right?)

No way things could be that convenient. That’d be pushing it even for fate.

“When you were around ten years old, Natsuki, you stayed in Kyoto for about a month. There was a lot going on at home and at school, so we had you live with an acquaintance there to give you a change of pace.”

“I have absolutely no memory of that.”

“…I know. You made a really sweet friend while you were there and seemed to be enjoying yourself every day. But then, one day, you came home covered in blood. It looked like something truly terrifying had happened… Originally, we planned for you to live in Kyoto for at least six months, maybe even a few years—but we had to bring you back right away.”

“What the hell happened to me?”

“That’s what I don’t know. You were so scared. Your memory was a mess, and you were panicking nonstop. Then, after a few days, you suddenly seemed back to normal… Except you’d completely forgotten everything that happened in Kyoto. That’s when I started to panic.”

Haruko had apparently spoken with her acquaintance in Kyoto and even taken Natsuki to a hospital.

The conclusion was that he must have experienced some sort of severe psychological trauma—and as a defense mechanism, his mind had locked away those memories.

Sometimes those memories never came back.

Other times, they resurfaced out of nowhere.

But in the end, not even the doctors could predict what would happen.

They had considered ongoing treatment, but in the end, Haruko chose to return with Natsuki to the city they were familiar with—Mukaijima.

Natsuki never recalled anything about his time in Kyoto, and Haruko, too, chose to treat it like it had never happened.

Years went by like that.

“…Just to be sure, do you know someone named Madoka Abe?”

“Natsuki… so you remembered that much.”

“Whoa.”

“I only met him once to say hello, but he was such a sweet child. Before you lost your memory, you talked about Madoka-chan every single day… But in the end, we left Kyoto before you could even say goodbye. I hope he’s doing okay.”

Haruko pulled out an old photo album and began showing everyone pictures from when Natsuki had stayed in Kyoto, sharing her memories as she went.

But Natsuki wasn’t really paying attention anymore.

(Seriously? Stuff like this actually happens? No, no—hold on. I’m alive, aren’t I? Then who’s this friend of Madoka Abe’s that supposedly died? And more importantly… is the Madoka Abe I met really the same person as back then?)

Natsuki’s confusion only deepened.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

The Kyoto flag has been stacked to the max~

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