Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 30: “Did We Almost Get Isekai’d Just Now!?” ①

Chapter 30: “Did We Almost Get Isekai’d Just Now!?” ①

“KYOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

“WE’RE HEEEEREEEEEEEEEEEE!!”

Natsuki and Koume stretched their arms toward the sky and screamed right outside Kyoto Station.

Naturally, everyone nearby turned to stare—with wide-eyed horror.

“…This is so embarrassing.”

“Y-Yeah, kinda.”

While Natsuki and Koume were fully embracing their tourist energy,

Senju and Yusuke quietly backed away, doing their best to pretend they weren’t part of this circus.

Koume, looking like a literal overseas supermodel, could almost get away with it.

But Natsuki?

Born and raised in Japan?

Yeah, this wasn’t it.

The crowd’s reactions said everything.

For Koume: “Whoa, she’s gorgeous!” “Look at those legs!”

For Natsuki: “…Yikes.”

Like they were watching a poor, lost puppy flail around in public.

“If I were wearing a school uniform, I could’ve passed as an excited middle schooler on a field trip…”

“Too bad. You’re in casual clothes. Oh look—some tourists are taking your picture.”

“Why is he posing for them!? With a smug face, no less!”

“He’s even throwing an arm around their shoulders. So friendly.”

“He’s got hero-level charisma too, huh.”

“We’re both heroes, and yet… he’s on another level.”

“I mean, one of him is already a lot. Two of him? That’d break the world.”

“Yeah… good point.”

Senju and Yusuke could only laugh awkwardly as Natsuki kept living his best life.

And then—

It happened.

“W-Wait—uh, why are the tourists swarming us!?”

“Hey, Natsuki! W-What the heck—Oi! Why are you people stuffing manju into my pockets!? I don’t need your spending money! Stop it! Quit it! My pockets are gonna explode!!”

A wave of overly friendly tourists crashed into Natsuki and Koume like a tidal surge.

By the time Senju and Yusuke blinked and said, “Huh?” the two had already vanished into the crowd.

“…So, uh.”

“…Yeah?”

“…Did we ever, like, pick a destination or plan or anything?”

“…Not that I recall.”

“THEY’VE GONE AND GOTTEN LOSTTTTTTTTT!!”

“YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!”

■

“Haa… haa… Man, that was intense. Got swallowed up by a mob of uncles and aunties—and now my pockets are bursting with snacks and coins! Also, where the heck am I!?”

Natsuki pulled out a manju, popped it into his mouth, and started walking through a quiet back alley.

“This feels kinda nostalgic. I don’t even fully remember it, but… I think I ran through this street with Madoka-chan back when we were kids.”

Images flickered through his mind—

Sharing ice cream with a young Madoka, sipping ramune together.

He felt this warm little glow rise in his chest… along with a strange curiosity.

(…Why did I ever forget this?)

“It’s like… this weird mix of nostalgia and sadness hitting me all at once.”

Natsuki wondered—

What would life have been like if the oni hadn’t attacked him and Madoka?

Honestly… he couldn’t even imagine it.

The only thing he could say for sure?

A version of Madoka not consumed by revenge… would’ve been nice to see.

But that future never came.

“Since I’m in Kyoto, I should really try talking to Madoka-cha—Er, I mean, Madoka-kun…”

Lost in thought, Natsuki wasn’t paying attention to where he was going.

So when he turned down a side alley—

A giant truck was suddenly right in front of him.

“Ah—crap.”

～～Afterword～～

Don’t walk while deep in thought, okay?
Also—no walking while on your phone! Ever!!