Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 24: “Gyoza and Fried Rice Are the Best, Right?” ③

Chapter 24: “Gyoza and Fried Rice Are the Best, Right?” ③

“…Natsuki. Sit down.”

“…Okay.”

Haruko set down her beer, stood up, and headed to the kitchen.

Once she took a seat, she gestured for Natsuki to do the same.

For some reason, Koume and the others turned off the TV, straightened their backs, and sat in perfect seiza.

Clearly, no one was jumping in to rescue him.

“I’ve been suspicious since you brought up Kyoto the other day. Knowing how you are, I figured you might actually go through with it… sigh. I guess I should be glad you at least asked for permission first.”

“…I’m sorry. But I really do have to go to Kyoto.”

“You’ve got a proper reason, I hope?”

Now Natsuki was in trouble.

Because no matter how serious his face looked, there was no version of “I’m going to Kyoto to murder Shuten Doji” that would land well with his mom.

Not even a little.

(Okay. Think. THINK. Koume-chan? Ginko-san? Don’t look away now! Come on, Leviako-san—you’re the only one making eye contact, but you’re tilting your head like this is a game of charades! Oh God. Wait—no, not you, God. I mean your son! I’ve never met him, but c’mon, throw me a bone here!)

He sent a desperate prayer out into the void.

No answer.

Yep.

The gods really did not care about humans.

Natsuki felt despair deep in his soul.

“To protect the peace of Kyoto.”

“…I hope you realize I’m being serious here.”

“…To visit Madoka-chan. Someone I met a long time ago.”

“You found out where she is?”

“Yeah. I kinda ran into him by accident. Met his big brother and sister too. And it sounds like things are getting a little messy over there, so I thought I’d go lend a hand.”

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“No-no! Totally true! Promise!”

Haruko crossed her arms and closed her eyes like she was deep in thought.

A heavy silence fell over the Yura family’s living room.

“…Looking in your eyes, I can tell you’re not lying. Boys grow up so fast… I’m sure there’s stuff you can’t tell your mom, huh.”

“…Mom…”

“‘Go ahead and do what you need to do. Just make sure you come back safe’—Is that what you thought I was gonna say? Like some corny drama mom?”

“Hweh?”

Suddenly, Haruko stood up and grabbed Natsuki’s face.

Her fingers dug in like a vice—and a wave of pain hit him hard enough to make his skull feel like it might shatter.

“OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!”

“Even when you barged into that shady agency’s office… Even when you stormed your high school and pantsed all the delinquent boys… Even when you beat up those college guys so bad they cried—I knew you were always doing it for someone else’s sake! But Kyoto of all places?! You were traumatized there as a kid and even lost your memories! What the heck are you thinking?!”

“S-Sometimes a boy’s gotta do stuff, even if it means getting yelled at by his mom!”

“If you destroy any cultural heritage sites, you know we can’t pay for that, right!?”

“Why are you talking like I’m 100% gonna destroy something?!”

“Because you’re you! If anyone’s gonna accidentally torch a national treasure, it’s Natsuki!”

“What kind of barbarian do you think I am!?”

Natsuki tried to defend himself, but Koume, Kazuto, and the others were all nodding along with Haruko like, “Yeah, she’s got a point,” which made him tear up a little.

■

A few minutes later…

“U-Uh… is my head shaped like a gourd now? Be honest. Am I good?”

Natsuki was crouched on the tatami, cradling his head.

Haruko looked down at him and let out a long, exhausted sigh.

“Haaah… Honestly. If you ran off to Kyoto like you were running away from home, that’d just be even worse. So I’ll let it slide this time. But don’t go overboard! Got it?!”

“Yes, ma’am!!”

“You really know how to sweet-talk your way through anything, don’t you? I’m still worried though… Maybe I’ll give Ashiya-kun a call and have him keep an eye on you while you’re in Kyoto.”

His mom let out another long sigh…

But somehow, somehow—Natsuki got permission to go to Kyoto.

(Kyoto’s stupid oni jerks… This pain, this bump on my head—it’s all your fault!! You will learn to fear the wrath of this grudge!! The one heading to Kyoto now isn’t just any hero… I am… Galaxy Kappa Hero, NATSUKI YURAAAAA!!)

Yeah.

Natsuki was holding a massive grudge against the oni of Kyoto.

■

Same time, somewhere in Kyoto…

“Hey, did you hear? Kin Doji bit the dust.”

“Pfft. He was the weakest of us Four Heavenly Kings anyway! Getting beat by a human—how embarrassing.”

“BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Let me explain!!

Galaxy Kappa Hero: NATSUKI YURA  is the dark-evolved form of Space Kappa Hero: James N.Y. Kappa II!!

You know… the kind of stuff that only happens in the movie version!