Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 23: “Gyoza and Fried Rice Are the Best, Right?” ②

Chapter 23: “Gyoza and Fried Rice Are the Best, Right?” ②

The gyoza party?

Absolute blast.

The fried rice that Satan and Kazuto whipped up was pure chef’s kiss, and everyone crowded around the hot plate, grilling dumplings together.

It was all laughs and chaos—debating the perfect level of crisp, yelling when one stuck to the plate, and celebrating each golden-brown batch like it was a festival.

By the time the gyoza were done, Jack and Nancy had wrapped up their space-call home

and joined the party right in time for dinner.

At the Yura household, gyoza was usually eaten with basic soy sauce and vinegar, or whatever store-bought dipping sauce happened to be lying around.

But tonight?

It was a sauce showdown.

Kazuto loaded his vinegar with a mountain of chili flakes.

Koume went all in with soy sauce, vinegar, and a fiery spoonful of doubanjiang.

Ginko pulled out miso sauce like a gourmet pro.

And Satan? Wasabi soy, of course. Full commitment.

Everyone started swapping sauces and trying each other’s combos, shouting stuff like, “Yo, this one slaps too!” and laughing their heads off.

Meanwhile, Jack and Nancy sampled every single one like judges at a serious culinary tournament, carefully debating which was the ultimate gyoza sauce.

Then suddenly—

“Whaaat!? You’re having a gyoza party without me!? That’s sooo unfair!”

Leviathan strolled in like he owned the place, pouting dramatically.

Haruko chuckled and patted the seat next to her, motioning for him to join.

He happily plopped down, cheeks still puffed out.

That made Satan scowl with jealousy—only for his daughter to glare at him and mutter, “Ugh… Jealous demon king is so gross.”

And just like that, the good times kept rolling.

But Natsuki knew—

Once dinner was over, the real boss battle would begin.

He didn’t want to start a fight with his mom during dinner.

So the true showdown… was happening after dessert.

(Heh… With the genius strategy of a Hero fresh from another world, convincing Mom will be a piece of cake!)

“Hey, Mom!”

“Yes?”

“I’ll handle the dishes tonight! Why don’t you kick back, crack open a beer, and watch some TV?”

“My? Well… if you insist~”

Step one: earn Good Son Points by doing the dishes.

Step two: get her a little tipsy and in a good mood.

(…I’m too powerful. It’s scary.)

Natsuki moved like a pro—washing the hot plate, scrubbing dishes, drying them off, and loading the dish dryer.

He was a domestic ninja.

(Dang it… Maybe I should’ve bought her a dishwasher with Minazuki Family money as a surprise gift.)

After wiping his hands clean, he thanked Nancy and Leviathan for helping out.

Then he quietly approached his mom from behind.

“Mooom~, may I offer you a nice shoulder massage?”

“Huh? Natsuki, are you trying to butter me up for some allowance?”

“No no no, not at all—actually…”

“Well, what is it then? I promise I won’t get mad, just say it.”

The beer had clearly done its work—

Her voice was soft, her mood was relaxed, and her guard was down.

This was it. The moment of truth.

Natsuki took a breath… and decided to lay it all out.

“—I’m heading to Kyoto tomorrow.”

No response.

Just silence.

Except for Satan, who was sitting across from Natsuki’s mom, quietly letting out a—“Pyeeeehhhh…”

A soft, pitiful squeal, like a demon on the verge of tears.

“―Jesus.”

The moment Natsuki saw Satan’s face scrunch up like he was about to cry, he knew.

He’d messed up.
And all he could do… was stare at the ceiling in silent defeat.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Koume: “What’s with the dramatic English all of a sudden?”

Next time—

Round Two.

Let’s fiiiight!!