Returnee from Another World - Chapter 42: Escape Drama

Chapter 42: Escape Drama

T/N: Lots of characters now and author is not giving enough context for native english readers to know who is talking, so I’ll be adding post-dialogue narration on who said what.

Yukari Higuchi completely ignored Nishikuse’s greeting.

Without even glancing at him, she shot up from her seat and barked at Miki, who stood deferentially beside Nishikuse.

“Miki, what the hell are you thinking?!”

“Y-Yukari-san? Why are you here?”

“Shoko was freaking out, saying you got sucked into some weird cult and haven’t been back to your apartment. She came crying to me. I tried contacting you multiple times, and you ignored me!”

“Uh, I’ve been… kinda busy.”

“Hmph, busy, huh? Fine, I’ll let the phone thing slide, but trying to drag Shoko into this cult? What’s that about?”

“No, it wasn’t about recruiting her. I just thought if Shoko experienced what I did, she’d understand how I feel.”

“What? You know it’s against our rules to pull people in against their will, right?”

“I know, but…”

“Hey, young lady, no need to yell. Miki-san didn’t mean any harm,” Higashikawa interjected.

“Sorry, but outsiders stay out of this. I’m talking to Miki right now,” Yukari snapped, glaring down at Higashikawa.

Her face radiated anger, clearly unimpressed by Higashikawa from the start.

Amid the tense atmosphere, Nishikuse sat heavily on the sofa, arms crossed, silent. His mild expression masked what I was sure were lecherous thoughts. Rather than listening earnestly, he eyed Yukari like he was sizing her up.

But I was more distracted by something else—Yukari’s left leg.

Her stance and slight movements seemed off. It’d been a while since we met at the school gate, but was she still injured?

“If you’ve got some problem, Miki, you should’ve talked to me or Shoko first. Sure, if it’s about money, we might not be much help, but you could’ve at least said something. Relying on complete strangers instead? That’s pretty cold.”

“Yukari-san… it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it? You never seemed interested in religion before.”

“It’s not about problems. I don’t know how to explain it so you’d understand. It started small. Listening to the Founder’s teachings, I realized my past mistakes. It felt like my heart was cleansed, like this is where I belong.”

“What? So you’re saying this whatever-church is your home now, even if it means cutting ties with me and Shoko after all these years?”

“No, I don’t want to cut ties. I just want you to understand how I feel.”

“Huh. You used to prioritize us over everything, even when you were shacking up with some guy…”

“This isn’t about a promise with you.”

“That’s not the point! For something this big, you should’ve talked to us first!!”

From their conversation, Yukari and Miki were clearly close.

Shoko, another friend, had told Yukari about Miki’s cult involvement, prompting Yukari to come here.

It seemed unrelated to me at first, but Yukari’s involvement was the issue.

I had no memory of any connection with her. I’d even forgotten about Sayaka for a while, so my memory was clearly faulty. If I’d actually known Yukari before, what was our relationship? Her brother Nobuo and I aren’t close, so a connection through him seems unlikely.

“Hmm, it seems you two have some complicated issues. Takagi, this is personal, so keep believers away from the guest room,” Nishikuse finally spoke.

“Yes, sir,” Takagi, a middle-aged man, replied, leaving the room.

Only Higashikawa, Nishikuse, Yukari, Miki, and I—silently observing—remained, five in total.

As dusk settled, an awkward silence hung in the dim guest room.

“Let’s sit and have some tea to calm down. Nothing gets resolved when tempers flare. Cool off and talk it out,” Nishikuse suggested, starting to rise but pausing as if struck by a thought.

“Oh, I forgot where the teacups and leaves are stored. I leave the main hall to the believers. Miki-san, where are the cups?”

“I know, Founder. I’ll get them.”

“No, I should be serving our guest, but if you don’t mind…”

As Miki disappeared behind a partition, Yukari reluctantly sat.

Nishikuse’s odd phrasing caught my attention, so I followed Miki quietly.

Given his lustful nature, he was likely plotting something.

A prime target like Yukari walking into his trap? Nishikuse wouldn’t let that pass.

Sure enough, as Miki prepared tea, she pulled a familiar vial from her pocket.

No doubt Nishikuse’s orders. It showed how addicted Miki was to him, willing to offer her friend as a sacrifice.

I couldn’t hear what Nishikuse told her, but he must’ve deemed it safe to reveal the aphrodisiac’s secret.

Knowing the vial caused intense pleasure, Miki understood she had to obey Nishikuse to get it.

I got why Nishikuse felt safe spilling the secret, but using the aphrodisiac on Yukari now worried me.

How effective would it be on someone unwilling?

Even if it aroused her, it wouldn’t guarantee compliance. Repeated doses would erode resistance, but a single dose likely wouldn’t work perfectly.

Nishikuse must know that. Was he planning to hold her until it took effect?

It seemed reckless, but not surprising for a conman like Nishikuse. Feeling confident after Miki, he might take such a bold move. Higashikawa wouldn’t plan something this sloppy, so it’s likely Nishikuse acting alone.

Miki returned, placing tea for everyone on the table and sitting beside Yukari.

Unsuspecting, Yukari sipped the tea.

“Miki, Shoko’s worried. Come home, and we’ll talk it out. If you insist this is your place, I’ll accept it and let it go.”

“But…”

“That might be best,” Nishikuse chimed in.

“Eishin?” Higashikawa questioned.

“See, even this guy agrees. Haa, haa… Let’s do that… Ahh!!”

“You’d be happier with your friend, right, Miki-san?” Nishikuse said, standing and forcing his way onto the sofa beside Yukari.

“Haa, haa… W-Wait, what are you… Ahh! S-Stop!”

Miki and Nishikuse flanked Yukari, their hands moving in sync.

Miki wrapped her arms around Yukari’s, while Nishikuse placed his hand on her thigh.

“Hey, Eishin, are you serious? This is bad, isn’t it?” Higashikawa protested.

“Don’t worry. Leave this loud chick to me. This is the quickest way to shut her up.”

“You bastard!! Don’t touch me with your filthy hands—Ahh! Haa, haa… What’s this?”

“Hold her, Miki. I’ve got her pinned, so make her drink the rest.”

“Sorry, Yukari-san.”

“No, stop!! Ngh, gulp… Miki, y-you… haa, haa.”

Nishikuse restrained Yukari, pinching her nose.

Miki, from the other side, forced the remaining tea into Yukari’s mouth.

“Eishin… You think this’ll work?”

“It’s fine. You worry too much, Keibun. I handled Miki just fine, didn’t I?”

“She’s different. Damn it! What’s done is done. If you’re doing this, make sure it sticks.”

“Got it. With that stuff, there’s no issue. I’ll keep her in the basement until she’s tame.”

“That’s the only way. Is she someone who can vanish without trouble?”

“Yeah, Miki said it’s manageable. Only her workplace and Shoko would worry, and Miki can handle Shoko.”

“That’s something. We need to talk later, Eishin. I’m not saying don’t mess with women, but consult me first. If this fails, do you know how bad it’ll get?”

“I know, I know.”

“Ahh, ahh!! Damn you, Miki!!” Yukari cursed, struggling to break free.

But Nishikuse, likely over 100 kilos, pinned her down. Even Yukari’s tomboyish strength couldn’t budge him, especially weakened by the aphrodisiac.

“She’s fighting hard. Don’t worry, she’ll feel good soon. Then I’ll send her to heaven with my cock. Miki, give her another dose.”

“Yes.”

“Haa, haa… I’ll kill you! I’ll never forgive you! Ahh, ahh, STOP!!”

Yukari would surely fall to Nishikuse if this continued.

Her strong will might resist the aphrodisiac’s pleasure for a few days, but confinement would break her eventually. Nishikuse’s plan wasn’t entirely wrong—the aphrodisiac’s addictiveness could drive criminal acts.

But would it really go that smoothly?

If they failed and got caught, I could just disappear.

Yet, I felt an uneasy premonition. Was it because Yukari might be tied to my past?

I’d only met her recently, and I’m not close with Nobuo. There was no reason to help her.

So why did I act?

Without thinking, I pulled Ninetails Pain from my dimensional storage and swung it at Nishikuse.