Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 34: “Shuten Doji’s Side of the Story, Maybe?” ①

Chapter 34: “Shuten Doji’s Side of the Story, Maybe?” ①

Once Natsuki and Senju finally snapped out of their tonkatsu-induced food comas and stopped making blissed-out faces,

Shuten Doji cleared his throat and reset the mood.

“Never thought the Natsuki Yura—straight outta Mukaijima City and all over the news lately—would personally come to Kyoto just to kill little ol’ me. I’m honored, really.”

“…You’re seriously saying you’re the Shuten Doji?”

Senju asked for confirmation—because, y’know, kinda important.

Shuten nodded.

“Can’t exactly go full transformation mode here, but yeah—I’m Shuten Doji. I’ve lived long enough that I’ve gotten real good at hiding my spiritual energy.”

“…I just had tonkatsu with a literal legendary youkai. That’s insane.”

Senju was doing his best to keep it together, but the awe and excitement were written all over his face.

“Oh, C’mon now, Senju. You’ve already met Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, and freakin’ Gray, haven’t you? The beauty standing right in front of you is Lucifer, and Satan’s here too. And now you’re getting all shaky over a local Japanese youkai? For real?”

“…Listen here, mixed-blood girl. In Japan, this guy’s kind of a big deal.”

“Bigger than Amaterasu?”

“That’s not fair! Nobody beats the freakin’ sun goddess! That’s like cheating!”

“Well, yeah…” 

Senju let out a tired chuckle and relaxed a little.

Sure, you couldn’t really compare Shuten Doji to the literal sun goddess—

But among youkai, he was absolutely in a league of his own.

A legendary monster from the age of chaos, when all sorts of freaky spirits and beasts roamed the land.

To any Japanese psychics, Shuten Doji was someone you showed serious respect—

And maybe just a little fear.

“…Still, kinda a bummer he’s an old dude. I was really hoping the ‘Shuten Doji is actually a beautiful woman’ theory would turn out true.”

“You never change!! Yusuke! Your obsession with non-humans runs so deep, even Koume-sama is speechless!”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to disappoint. But hey—there are actually some real lookers among the oni. Want me to introduce you?”

“Wait, really!? I mean—NO! A hero must resist the temptations of darkness! …Also, here’s my contact info.”

“…Bro, you caved way too fast!”

“…Not gonna lie, I kinda like honest guys like him.”

So yeah—turns out Yusuke’s particular brand of monster-girl love…

Totally included oni-girls too.

“…I can’t believe I’m the straight man in this situation. Must be something in the Kyoto air.”

“Kyoto’s got nothing to do with it! Anyway—I already know you guys met with Shinonome Abe. Also heard the humans are fighting amongst themselves over how to handle the oni.”

“You’re surprisingly well-informed.”

“Well, I do live here. …That said, if I’m being completely honest? I couldn’t care less.”

“Come again?”

Not just Koume—

Even Senju and Yusuke, who had been mentally fantasizing about cute oni girls—

All turned to look at Shuten Doji in surprise.

“I really am Shuten Doji, no doubt about that. But I haven’t eaten a human in decades. Last time I did was during the war. Ever since then, I’ve been living like a regular guy—got a job, pay my taxes, even vote in elections!”

“…You’re more civically responsible than most actual citizens.”

Senju muttered, caught somewhere between shock and disbelief.

And honestly? Who could blame him—

No one expects Shuten Doji, the legendary youkai, to be out here living like your average middle-aged office worker.

“Huh? So wait, Shuten Doji-san… you’re not leading the oni anymore?”

“Nope.”

“Then who’s in charge of the Kyoto oni now?”

Yusuke hit them with the most obvious question of the day—

And Shuten Doji didn’t even blink.

“—My kids.”



～～Afterword～～

Meanwhile, somewhere else…

Nacchan: “Excuse me! One more tonkatsu and rice, please! Make the rice a big bowl, thanks!!”