When My Doorbell Rang at 5am, I Got a Wife - Chapter 37: "You're the founder." "Huh, me?"

Chapter 37: “You’re the founder.” “Huh, me?”

I was feeling down about the gap between Erika and me as people, but…

“So, what is your purpose?”

Hinagiku-san, a civil servant, asked the men in black who were lying on the ground, while maintaining a completely calm expression.

“Hmph, who would tell a dog of the state? We are noble martyrs who burn with a sacred mission. Even if we are subjected to torture more terrible than death, we will not talk.”

However, the leader of the men in black laughed scornfully and then shut his mouth in a straight line and fell silent.

Hinagiku-san asked them various questions, but they didn’t react at all.

Their subordinates were the same.

“They’re completely silent. That’s why I hate blind religious faith.”

“Religious faith? From the way you say it, do you have some idea who these intruders are, Hinagiku-san?”

Hinagiku-san, who shrugged her shoulders, mentioned something very specific, and I felt a considerable sense of unease.

“Yes, let’s ask the founder directly. If the founder tells them to talk, they’ll be happy to talk, and they’ll all be eager to speak first.”

“The founder? Who are you talking about?”

“Of course, Tooru-san.”

“Huh, me?”

I, who was suddenly told “You’re the founder” by Hinagiku-san, pointed to my face and asked back in a silly voice.

“Yes, it’s Tooru-san.”

“No, no, no, why am I the founder? I’ve lived a completely non-religious life since I was born.”

But that’s how most Japanese people are, right?

Going to the shrine in January.

Praying to the spirits of ancestors during Obon.

Celebrating Christmas every year, even though we’re not Christians.

Eating year-end soba with the sound of the temple bell in the background on New Year’s Eve.

I had a very common view of religion in Japan, taking only the good parts of events and ignoring the rest.

—Oh, sorry, I just went a little too far.

Since I started living alone, I haven’t really celebrated Christmas.

I was trying to look good in my head, sorry.

But Hinagiku-san continued to speak without seeming to care about my doubts.

“Their true identity is likely that of those who possess the power to summon beings from another world—in other words, they regard Tooru-san as an avatar of the Goddess of Otherworldly Transference and Reincarnation, and furthermore, they revere him as a Kyouso (cult leader). They are members of the Pacific Rim Secret Religious Society, “Atlantic Summon.””

“The Pacific Rim Secret Religious Society ‘Atlantic Salmon’? It’s a pretty delicious-sounding name…”

“It’s not salmon, it’s ‘summon.'”

“Oh, yes.”

“They are a huge secret society with members and collaborators spread across a wide area of the Pacific Rim region.”

“Hmm…”

I’m at a loss for words when I’m suddenly told such a ridiculous story.

What else can I say besides “Hmm…”?

“They probably knew about Tooru-san, who summoned Erika-san from another world, and tried to take him back to make him their founder.”

“That’s a pretty far-fetched story. It’s too far-fetched for my head to keep up…”

I thought it was just a romantic comedy about living with a girl summoned from another world, but it turns out it’s actually a worldwide action movie about fighting an evil secret society.

Am I in the position of a top agent like 007?

“You don’t have to understand right away. What I’m saying is this. They should listen to anything the founder, Tooru-san, says. Please ask them on my behalf.”

“Hmm… well, I don’t mind asking a question, but I think it won’t work even if I ask them.”

“Please try it anyway.”

“If you say so… well, are you members of the Pacific Rim Secret Religious Society ‘Atlantic Summon’?”

Hinagiku-san asked me in rapid succession, and I asked them half-believing—or rather, 99.9% doubtful.

But what do you know!

“As the founder said, we are members of the Pacific Rim Secret Religious Society ‘Atlantic Summon.’ We have come today to welcome the founder.”

As soon as I heard my words, the leader-like man opened his mouth, and then all of them, who were lying on the floor, straightened their backs while lying down.

“Oh, um… I see.”

I didn’t expect it to be a serious story.

“I am Exsia, one of the top executives, and I am currently acting as the founder’s proxy. I am the de facto number one, except for the founder.”

The leader-like man (henceforth Exsia) began to talk freely, even though I didn’t ask him, and he started talking!