Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 13: “That Seems Kinda Suspicious, Doesn’t He?” ①

Chapter 13: “That Seems Kinda Suspicious, Doesn’t He?” ①

“Hah? Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Shinonome stared in disbelief, totally thrown off.

In response, Natsuki just casually started explaining what he remembered.

“Well, on the day I met Madoka-kun—and you too, Shinonome-san—I had this soft, hazy memory come back to me. From when I used to live in Kyoto.”

“What do you mean soft?!”

“I mean, I remembered playing with Madoka-kun in Kyoto. Like, hanging out at a shrine, going to festivals together… that kind of thing.”

“Wait—are you seriously saying you were Madoka’s friend back then? Natsuki Yura-kun?”

“Seems like it.”

“‘Seems’!? Which is it!?”

Shinonome definitely wasn’t in the mental space to go, “Oh wow, cool, so the supposedly dead childhood friend is alive and well—neat!”

He clearly had a hundred questions spinning in his head—

But right now, he was just opening and closing his mouth like a fish, trying to form words that wouldn’t come.

“W-W-Wait, hold up. Let’s say you really are Natsuki Yura-kun, Madoka’s childhood friend. Do you remember meeting me at all?”

“Uhh… not really sure, honestly. Oh—but I do remember my mom being super happy when we lived in Kyoto. She told me I made a friend named Madoka-chan. So I think I’m not mistaken.”

“…If even your mom says so, I guess there’s some credibility there. But still… man…”

“I get it. You’re talking about how I supposedly got killed by an oni, right?”

“Exactly. Madoka came back covered in blood. Said his friend got killed by an oni.”

“Hmm. I feel like I kinda-sorta remember getting attacked? But also maybe not?”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“Well, according to my mom, I came home covered in blood but completely unharmed. Like, zero injuries. But it looked like I’d gone through something terrifying, and I just… lost my memory. I didn’t remember anything about Kyoto for the longest time.”

“…If a kid gets attacked by an oni, yeah, memory loss makes sense. That’d mess up anyone. But the thing is—you’re here. Alive.”

“And I don’t even have a single scar to show for it.”

Both Natsuki and Shinonome fell into quiet thought, murmuring together, “Hmm…”

Then Kazuto raised a hand.

“Um, can I say something real quick?”

All the guys turned to look his way.

“So Madoka-san was with Natsuki-kun when they were attacked by the oni, right? Was he hurt at all?”

“…Not a scratch on him. But he came back drenched in blood.”

“That’s the part that doesn’t add up. I get that they were attacked by an oni. But right after that, you and your siblings were taken into protective custody. That wasn’t because you showed up to save your brother, right?”

“Yeah… I figured someone would bring that up eventually.”

With a resigned sigh, Shinonome made a slightly bitter face and continued.

“This is something only our other little brother knows for sure, but—”

He gave a short preface… and then dropped the bombshell.

“Natsuki-kun was attacked first. Then Madoka got attacked after him. And right then—an oni stepped in and saved him.”

“An oni saved him?”

“Yep. Ibaraki Doji. One of Shuten Doji’s daughters. She’s a major figure among the oni… but she’s also the one who saved Madoka’s life. And she’s been helping us out too—because she wants to take Shuten Doji down.”

Kazuto, Senju, Yusuke, and Seishiro all fell completely silent—

Then swallowed hard, feeling the weight of what they’d just heard.

“NOPE, SHE’S TOTALLY THE CULPRIT—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

“It’s settled! Ibaraki Doji is 100% the true mastermind behind the attack on Natsuki-san and Madoka-san!”

Natsuki and young Yoshimasa both shouted dramatically, flat-out refusing to buy Shinonome’s story.

As far as they were concerned, there was only one possible suspect: Ibaraki Doji.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Yoshimasa: “In the name of Uncle Seishiro! The truth is out there… probably… maybe… hopefully one day!”

Seishiro: “I deeply apologize for my nephew!”

Natsuki-kun and Yoshimasa’s Amazing Deduction!

Hero’s Case Files: Returnee from Another World—Anyone Suspicious Gets Instantly Sliced!

…has absolutely not begun!