Returnee from Another World - Zetro Translation

Chapter 31: Clouds Over the Firmament

The night after administering the Poison of Muleduel to Kaede, I was on my way back from Yasunaga’s shop, forcing down liquor that wouldn’t get me drunk. Suddenly, an arm was thrown around my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

“Hey, you’re James Masuda, right?”

“…Yes, that’s me.”

“Knew it. Thought it was you.”

“Have we met before?”

“Nah, first time meeting you.”

I wasn’t completely unaware of his approach.

In fact, I instantly recognized him as someone I’d rather avoid. But the timing was bad. I’d just stepped out of the shop onto the main street, with no chance to slip away.

It was Akuzawa Hitoshi.

I’d seen him briefly at Yasunaga’s cabaret club before, but this was our first real conversation. Back then, I’d only glimpsed his face before leaving, so this counted as a first meeting. Yet, a prickling unease crawled up my spine, like it was burning.

I knew the feeling well—a vague, indescribable disgust manifesting as caution. In the other world, that instinct had saved me multiple times. It was a bad omen.

Akuzawa’s aura showed no black (【Hostility】). But calling him friendly would be a stretch—auras are tricky like that. For now, he didn’t seem intent on immediate harm.

“I’m Akuzawa Hitoshi from the Hayashido gang. Mind sparing a moment to talk?”

His words were polite, but his demeanor carried an undeniable pressure. His imposing, rugged frame didn’t help. Most people would shrink just from a big guy like him cornering them on the street.

“The Hayashido gang, huh? Nice to meet you. So, what does someone like Akuzawa from the Hayashido gang want with me?”

“Heard you’re working with my brother Yasunaga on a new venture.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Yasunaga and I go way back. We were young punks together, getting into all sorts of trouble.”

“Oh, Yasunaga’s brother, huh? I happened to cross paths with him, and yeah, he’s been good to me.”

Yasunaga wouldn’t blab carelessly, but Akuzawa must’ve sniffed out the money. Since my dealings were through Yasunaga, it wasn’t surprising the gang had heard. It was technically their business, after all.

“Heard you’re an outsider. That’s some odd fate. But if it’s profitable for both sides, that’s all good. Word is, you’re making a killing.”

“Thanks to Yasunaga, yeah, I’m doing alright.”

“Must be nice in times like these. I’m scraping by just to eat tomorrow.”

“No way you’re suggesting I cut you in, right?”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t get me wrong. You think I’d mess with my brother’s gig? That stings. I’m just here to make a connection. Though, yeah, I was hoping for a piece of something good.”

Akuzawa gestured dramatically, denying any ill intent.

He wasn’t trying to muscle in, at least not directly. With Yasunaga and even Shindou above him in the loop, it’d be tough for him to interfere.

“A connection, huh? Problem is, I’m swamped with Yasunaga’s business. Sorry, but I can’t meet your expectations.”

“Don’t be so cold. ‘Even a chance meeting is fated,’ right? I’m a loyal guy, you know.”

“It’s not about brushing you off. I’m just keeping things small-scale, not spreading myself thin.”

“I’m not asking for a cut. Just saying, if you’re in a pinch, give me a call. Yasunaga’s better at business, but for rough stuff, I’m your guy.”

“That so? I’m not exactly struggling in that department.”

“But you’ve got one foot in the underworld now. You might run into someone in your way down the line, right?”

“Maybe.”

“When that happens, I’m your guy. How we handle it depends on your wishes—and your cash.”

I’d braced for him to nitpick, but he was pitching himself to me.

This is peaceful Japan, after all. He’d never guess the guy he’s chatting up is a hardened killer from another world.

“Here’s my card. Call if you need me.”

“Right…”

“Catch you later.”

Akuzawa said his piece and walked off.

As Yasunaga had said, he was good at worming his way in. He pulled back cleanly but kept control of the conversation. His tough-guy grin, flashing suddenly, was enough to lower anyone’s guard, making you think, “Maybe it’s fine to give in a bit.”

But his aura lacked white (【Goodwill】) or yellow (【Interest】). Normally, approaching a stranger would show some yellow, but not with him.

Watching him stride down the street, humming cheerfully, I felt a bad premonition.

◇

“Ayano, isn’t this position a bit much?”

“Is it too cramped?”

“Nah, I’m fine, but aren’t you uncomfortable? Our tub’s not exactly built for two to lounge in.”

Back home, I was in the bath with Ayano.

Why was I saying this? Because Ayano was lying in the narrow tub, holding me like a baby in her arms—an absurd setup. My legs didn’t even fit, dangling over the edge.

“I don’t want you to drown, Shuu.”

“Drown in a bathtub? Come on.”

“No way. You never know. And why were you drinking?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“I’m not scolding you. I’m just surprised. You never touched anything illegal before, and now you’re drinking.”

“Got a bit carried away with a friend.”

“Sounds fun.”

There was no malice in her “fun” comment.

Some women might ask that with sarcasm, but Ayano’s words felt purely curious. The old Ayano, prideful and queen-like at school, would never have responded like this.

“Not jealous?”

“It’s weird, but I’m not. Before we got like this, I thought cheating guys were the worst.”

“And now?”

“Now, being with you makes me so happy. I miss you when I’m waiting, but that’s it.”

“Hm, that so?”

“And, well—”

Ayano’s hand slid to my lower body.

Her gentle, tracing touch hardened me instantly. Her daily blowjobs had made her skilled at handling me. Apparently, she spent all her time thinking about how to please me.

“Your cock’s so hard. You haven’t let it out, right?”

“Doesn’t matter if I did once or twice. I’m not that old.”

“I know your cock’s full of energy, but I can tell if you’ve cum or not.”

Her white hand moved slowly up and down in the water.

I leaned into her, surrendering to the pleasant sensation.

“By the way, have your breasts gotten bigger?”

“You noticed?”

“Yeah, kinda.”

“They have. My bra’s tight, so I’m thinking of going up a cup size. It’s my growth spurt, but this big?”

“You sound annoyed.”

“The guys at school already stare at my chest. If they get bigger, it’s worse.”

“They’re not going anywhere. They’re just looking through clothes. No big deal.”