Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 09: “A Fluffy Soak in the Hot Spring?”

Chapter 09: “A Fluffy Soak in the Hot Spring?” ②

“Anyway, why the heck did you two—Abeko and Abemi—come to Mukaijima City in the first place? If Amaterasu hadn’t stepped in, you both would’ve been chopped in half by now.”

“Wait—did you just say that kinda weird?”

“Must’ve been your imagination. Now hush.”

Koume’s question got a reply from none other than Kirara Abe.

“Also! Could you not keep calling us Abeko and Abemi!? I’m Kirara Abe!”

“Ah, so that’s Abeko. Got it.”

“You’re not even listening! Don’t make me thank you for that nose-hook earlier, I swear I’ll do it!”

“…You’ve got some twisted tastes, girl. You flashed your nose-hook face in front of Natsuki and now you’re grateful? Well, far be it from me to turn down free stuff. I’ll accept your thanks—in cash.“

“Why the heck would I pay you!? I found my perfect prince and you nose-hooked me in front of him—I’m gonna kill youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!”

“Where’d you even pick up that ‘prince’ talk from? What’ve you been reading?”

As Koume doubled over in laughter,

Kirara lunged in pure rage—

But before she could get anywhere, she was locked in a tight hold by her older sister, Onsa.

“Let go of me, Onsa!”

“…You keep it up, and I will knock you out. How are you losing your temper more than me, the hothead of the family? Look, they’re willing to talk. So let’s talk, alright?”

“…Hmph. Do whatever you want.”

With a sulky glare, Kirara sank into the hot water until just her mouth was above the surface.

A clear sign she had zero intention of saying anything.

Onsa sighed at her sister’s pouty display. 

“Well, whatever.”

Then she turned back to the group and started explaining.

“We want to kill Shuten Doji. That much is the shared goal of every spiritualist in Kyoto. Just keep that in mind first.”

She continued after laying down the groundwork.

“And those so-called ‘hardliners’ who are out to kill not just Shuten Doji, but all oni and youkai? Most of them are people who’ve lost someone—someone close—to those monsters. It’s revenge, plain and simple.”

“…Kinda harsh to say it like that, but… yeah, that’s a classic psychic backstory.”

“Exactly!”

Onsa laughed dryly at Miyako’s quiet comment.

Ginko and Mio nodded knowingly too.

People who lived in the shadows as psychics—

They all had reasons, for better or worse.

Some didn’t fit in with normal society.

Some were stuck with their powers and had no other paths.

And some—like many in this room—stepped into this world because something they loved was taken from them.

The most dangerous type?

The ones with real power who also had something precious ripped away.

“In the Abe family’s case… that would be our little brother, Madoka. He watched his best friend get killed right in front of him.”

Koume and Ginko exchanged sharp glances.

Here it comes.

“S-S-S-So, yeah! I, uh, did hear something about that before, but… c-could you, you know, tell us more?”

“…Why are you stuttering like crazy?”

“I am not stuttering!”

“…Koume-san, that was some awful acting.”

Ginko gave Koume a flat look, unimpressed with her lack of subtlety.

But Onsa didn’t seem to care and kept going.

“Anyway, whatever. Back when we were kids—well, I guess we still kinda are—Madoka got attacked right in front of us. By an oni. And not just any oni—one of the big ones.”

“Hoo boy…”

“See, members of the Abe main family have insanely strong spiritual power. To oni, that makes them premium-grade snacks. In today’s world, where pure bloodlines are almost extinct, humans with top-tier spirit energy are prime targets for oni trying to power up.”

(THERE IT IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSS!)

(THERE IT ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!)

Koume and Ginko didn’t say a word out loud,

But the look they shot each other screamed silent panic.

Madoka’s rich spiritual energy was a problem all on its own,

But more than that—those oni had probably sensed it.

Sensed that Natsuki was the real deal.

A perfect, pure spiritual bloodline.

And they were just kids.

For an oni, acting on raw instinct, there was no way they’d hold back with such a feast right in front of them.

That said…

Why Natsuki had survived that kind of attack still remained a complete mystery.

“These days, you don’t really hear about Shuten Doji himself eating people. His underling oni, yeah, they’ll snatch up humans and chow down. Oni just love hunting humans. So if that’s the case, then Shuten Doji probably does it too. I’ve never met the guy, but from what I’ve heard—he’s definitely that type. Which means… the next ones we gotta watch out for are his kids.”

“Oh? So the big guy’s got kids?”

“Yup. And they’re stupid strong. Most of the oni in Kyoto are just annoying in terms of numbers, ‘cause they’re all weaklings. But the ones keeping those punks in line? It’s not Shuten Doji himself—it’s his brats.”

Onsa practically spat the words out in disgust.

“Leading the pack is Ibaraki Doji, followed by Hoshiguma Doji, Kuma Doji, Torakuma Doji, and Kin Doji. Ibaraki’s the worst of them, but don’t underestimate the rest—they’re all monsters. I fought Kuma Doji once… and this is what I got for my trouble.”

Onsa turned around and pulled her towel slightly aside.

Across her back were five brutal scars, slashed deep by vicious claws.

It looked like she’d been torn open by a beast.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Natsuki-kun: “Hot! Too hot! Yoshimasa-kun! Why are you so good at blasting heat!? Did you work in a sauna in your past life or something!?”

Shino-no-no-no-no: “What is with this kid!? HOT—okay, that’s enough already!”

Meanwhile, in the sauna…

Yoshimasa was unleashing pure sauna domination.

Chapter 09.5: Interlude – “Wait, It’s the Greys!?”

“Hey there, Jessie. Didn’t think I’d run into you on Earth of all places.”

“It’s been a while, Jessie. When I heard you got attacked by pirates the other day, I was seriously worried—but I’m so glad to see you safe and sound like this.”

Gathered around a round table in the Yura family’s living room were Jack Randock Jasper Williamson Chamber Hanamaki, his fiancée Nancy Peety Lottrott Nigelmary Akaboshi, and his younger sister Jessie Randock Jasper Williamson Chamber Hanamaki.

“I’m happy too~! I came to Earth looking for Kazuto-sama, and can you believe it!? The family taking care of Onii-chan and Onee-chan just happens to live super close to him! And Kazuto-sama himself is nearby too—this has to be fate!”

While the three Greys celebrated their cheerful reunion,

Satan—wearing an apron, no less—quietly served them tea.

“Thanks~! Japanese green tea is delicioussss~!”

Jessie happily sipped away, and Satan gave a polite bow in return before leaving the room.

He climbed the stairs to Natsuki’s room muttering, “There are three Greys all in one place right now… That’s terrifying.”

“But Jessie, you haven’t met Kazuto yet, have you?”

“That’s right~! I had a job lined up right after landing on Earth, so I was super relieved~ But it’s been non-stop busy! Still, if Onii-chan and Onee-chan are staying here, that must mean Kazuto-sama is close by too, right~?”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“What’s wrong~?”

Jessie tilted her head as Jack fumbled awkwardly for words.

Seeing him struggle, Nancy stepped in for him.

“Actually, Kazuto-kun is probably over at the Minazuki house right about now. Y’know, the one currently hosting you, Jessie.”

“WHYYYYYYYYY!?”

“…I’ve been wondering for a while now—why does Jessie sound like a foreigner trying really hard to speak Japanese?”

“Not important right now~! Onii-chan! Onee-chan! I’m sorry! If there’s even a chance I can see Kazuto-sama, I’m going hooooome!”

“Fufu, go get him, Jessie.”

“Thankyoooou~!”

With a big wave, Jessie dashed out of the Yura house full of energy.

Jack quietly watched her go, then pulled Nancy gently into his arms.

“To think… my little sister, who was so sickly she couldn’t even get out of bed, is now running around all energetic like that. It really makes me happy.”

“It really does. She used to spend all day reading picture books and dreaming about Earth… And now she’s here, just like us. It’s honestly kind of beautiful.”

“Kazuto’s a good guy. I’d trust him with Jessie.”

“Oh my, Jack—that’s still a bit early, don’t you think? These things take time. Let’s keep watching over Jessie properly.”

“You’re right. Goodness, I really am a bit of a worrywart.”

“My, my… but Jack, you’re not just a worrywart when it comes to Jessie, are you?”

“Hey now, I worry about you too, Nancy. All the time.”

“Oh, Jack…”

Hahaha.

Fufufu.

Just like a scene straight out of a warm, old-school American sitcom, Jack and Nancy smiled at each other sweetly.

And just outside the room, peeking in nervously… was Satan.

Trembling slightly.

“…Wait, isn’t that the same Kazuto that even Amaterasu-Omikami and Samael have been fussing over!? No, Kazuto-sama!! Please—please share some of that ridiculous popularity power with me! I just wanna get things going with Haruko-shan already!”

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Johnny Drannack Jasper Williamson Chamber Hanamaki (Jack and Jessie’s dad): “Ever since Jessie fell for a human and ran off to Earth, the house has felt so empty… As her dear old Pappy, I must judge this human boy myself! Ughhh, of all places, why Earth!?”

Uh-oh.

It felt like even more aliens were about to start showing up any moment now.