Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 32: “You’re Not Even Trying to Hide It, Huh?”

Chapter 32: “You’re Not Even Trying to Hide It, Huh?”

There’s no way someone named Koutarou Osake could not be suspicious.

Like, that name basically screams, “I freaking love booze!!”

No chance this guy’s a regular dude.

And sure enough, Natsuki could totally sense the guy’s spiritual energy.

It was subtle—hidden pretty well—

But if you’re born with power, it’s nearly impossible to mask it completely.

All living things carry a bit of power.

So when someone tries to hide theirs?

It just makes them stand out more.

And Natsuki knew exactly how to chase that weird “off” feeling until the truth showed itself.

“W-W-Wait! You’ve got it all wrong, kid! I’m just a slightly alcohol-loving construction foreman, out here lookin’ for a wife!”

“…That’s a cover story, isn’t it?”

“I’m telling you, I’ve got a real job! I even pay my taxes!”

“You’re telling me you’re a responsible taxpayer!? Why the heck is Shuten Doji working a legit job and paying taxes!? You’re a youkai! Live free and wild!”

“Wha… S-Shuten Doji? N-No way, man! I don’t know any cool, classy, devilishly handsome oni like that!”

“Pffft! What if he’s ugly as sin and smells like feet!?”

“My feet don’t stink!! And for the record, I consider myself a fine middle-aged gentleman, thank you very much!”

“Yup! We got ourselves a Shuten Doji over here~!”

“D-Dammit! That was like something straight out of a crime drama—textbook interrogation trick!”

“I know, right? Thanks for playing—buh-bye now!”

With a crackling buzz, Natsuki drew his holy sword—now fully charged with lightning.

Shuten Doji flailed, clearly panicking.

“Waitwaitwait, hold up—things are moving way too fast! Can’t we slow this down!? What’s with kids these days—don’t they even pretend to listen anymore!? Y’know how in light novels there’s always that one super long-winded explanation scene? Let’s do that!”

“I’ll listen after I kill you.”

“Okay yeah, even I can’t talk from beyond the grave! Hold up—if you slash me with that dangerous sword, you’ll cut the truck too! What about the poor neighbors!?”

“Collateral damage is acceptable.”

“THIS KID IS TERRIFYING!! Let’s sit down, eat some tonkatsu, and talk this out! We can talk like civilized people, right!? Please!?”

“Ohhh? And why would Shuten Dōji—the guy leading Kyoto’s oni—suddenly want to sit down and chat like a good little citizen~?”

“W-Wait, seriously! Let’s rewind a bit here!”

“Rewind from where?”

“I’m not the one leading the oni.”

“—Oh?”

…Okay, Natsuki had to admit—

That was actually kinda interesting.

Shuten Doji didn’t reek of blood.

If Natsuki had to guess, the guy hadn’t eaten a human in well over a decade.

No killing intent either.

And apparently?

He genuinely just wanted to eat some tonkatsu.

Natsuki thought it over for a second, then finally said:

“…Fine. I’ll play the light novel protagonist and sit through your long, dramatic monologue.”

“Phew… thank goodness. I really didn’t wanna die without cracking open that special bottle I’ve got back home.”

“See, that’s more like the Shuten Doji I imagined. Weirdly comforting, actually.”

■

Some time later—

Natsuki found himself in a private room at a tonkatsu joint… and it was at least three times fancier than he’d imagined.

“Ahem! I’d like to propose a toast—To Natsuki Yura-kun, who traveled all the way from Mukaijima City to kill yours truly, the one and only Shuten Doji, and to the wonderful friends who came with him—cheers!”

“CHEEEEERS!! YEEAAAAAAHHHH!!”

…And just like that, a full-blown dinner party had somehow kicked off.

～～Afterword～～

Shuten Doji: “Let’s just talk things out first, okay!?”

Hero Natsuki: “Nope!”

Shuten Doji: “This kid’s terrifying!!”

…Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.