Chapter 51 The Disappointing Hero Meets A Visitor
Higashimura Tadayuki entered the cafe a little late. He waited at the order counter. "You're treating me, right?" he asked again. Shibuya nodded, and he ordered fourteen chocolate chip donuts for 290 yen each, and nine seasonal cakes for 525 yen each. That was all they had in the case. He said he would share them with his coworkers and neighbors.
Nada Kyouko also asked, "You're treating me, right?" The situation was such that he couldn't refuse, since he had ignored her advice. She ordered a store-exclusive latte that used a lot of pistachios for 1350 yen. Shibuya himself chose the cheapest blend coffee.
Higashimura Tadayuki, after receiving drinks and food, said, "Ah, should I buy a tumbler too?" but reconsidered.
Upon sitting at the table, Higashimura immediately sought confirmation.
"Is it the police? Uncle Yanashima, right?"
Upon hearing this, Shibuya felt the urge to hold his head. Not only their names but also their occupations were exposed. It was evident that Yanashima learned about Higashimura Tadayuki through his profession, and that was indeed the case.
Even if denied at this point, Higashimura would likely seek confirmation from Yanashima. While wanting to answer honestly, they also aimed to avoid causing trouble for Yanashima.
"Indeed, I heard about you from Yanashima-san, but..."
"Ah, it's okay. I don't really care about that old man."
Higashimura responded not so much with indifference but rather with a hint of happiness.
"Can I ask why?"
To Shibuya's question, Higashimura paused for a moment before starting to speak.
"Well, you see, I've known him for a long time..."
"Yeah?"
"Whenever I go to his house, he's always practicing, you know? And when I was a kid, I asked him, 'You're always practicing, aren't you tired of it?' And do you know what the old man said?"
"What was that...? Is it something like Yanashima-san is a master in kendo and enjoys it?"
"No, he said, 'I hate it, I absolutely hate it!'"
"...Huh?"
"'I hate it, I absolutely hate it,' but because of that, continuing it is like defeating oneself. That's what he said. I didn't really understand it when I was a kid..."
"..."
"Uncle must have been quite scared about this matter. But not bending himself as a policeman, isn't that refusing to lose to oneself? It's more important than feeling strong with skills and all, right?"
"...Yes, I think that's correct."
For someone like him who tried to quickly run away from Higashimura Tadayuki, it's a painful story. Glancing over, even Nada next to him had a solemn expression.
"Being able to stand firm in a critical moment, believing in oneself, it's about how much you've won against yourself until then. Uncle was the one who taught me that, I'm glad he hasn't changed even now. So, if I could truly become his son, I would have been happy."
Higashimura said that with a slightly lonely expression. Probably, that teaching was useful in overcoming the tough life in a different world.
It's a good story, Shibuya think. No, precisely because it's a good story, he thinks so.
──Then, it's not the time to be taking pictures of girls' panties without permission, right? You're completely giving in to your desires.
Anyway, what Shibuya has understood from this exchange is the 'tendency' of a person named Higashimura Tadayuki. Despite possessing a terrifying power, it seems he's not someone who recklessly uses it. Also, from his current employment, it appears he wants to place himself within the framework of general society. In that case, he might be willing to listen to their side a bit.
"Higashimura-san, first of all, let me explain about our organization."
He'll keep it brief, summarizing as much as possible.
They manage the so-called 'returners,' individuals who have come back from another world. Their tasks include understanding the returners and investigating their activities, as well as cracking down on criminal acts.
After explaining this much, Higashimura asked a question.
"How many of these returners are there?"
"Three at our station. I'm sorry, but we can't disclose the total number we're aware of. Especially... after hearing Yanashima-san's account."
"...Hmm, alright then, continue."
"Yes. While we can't give an exact number, the frequency of returnees being discovered is roughly one or two per year... Ah, pardon me, may I take this call?"
"Please do. Oh, I should also call my section chief too."
Higashimura left the seat and went outside the store. On Shibuya's smartphone display were Yoda's characters.
"Hello, Yoda-kun. Already in Niigata? I see, through Nagano Prefectural Police... Mm, mm... Mm? ...Understood. Actually, I'm with them right now. I'll convey the message, mm, just wait as you are."
After ending the call, Shibuya sighed, placing a hand on his forehead.
Usually having very little work and being able to space out. He liked that casualness, continuing this job, but today had been too much.
"What's wrong? Chief."
"Oh, it's about the 'Bao' incident earlier..."
At the moment he tried to inform Nada, Higashimura returned.
"Well, thanks to that, I got a half day off. Since I said I would cooperate with the police investigation, could you call my section chief later?"
"Of course. And... there's a matter I'd like Higashimura-san's cooperation with."
"Hm? What is it?"
"If it's okay, could you go to Niigata together from now on?"
* * *
At the request of Shibuya-san, whom I just met today, I ended up going to Niigata. Too deep... well, since my skills are already known, traveling is not a problem. Also, I want to know a little more about the 'returnees' by cooperating with them.
Well, for that purpose, let's make a deal.
Since neither of them can use '[Teleportation],' I'll take them. Trains are troublesome, after all.
The sweets I received as a treat were in the way, so I stored them in the item box.
Now, we transferred to the police station designated by Shibuya-san, the three of us together. The fact that we could teleport to any place left the two of them not just surprised but also bewildered. While walking inside the station, Shibuya-san explained again.
"Earlier was a simple explanation, but we're not only 'returners' but also tasked with contact with individuals presumed to be from another world, known as 'visitors.' Yoda, another our staff members, possesses language-related skills, hence handling the initial contact."
"Yoda-san? Hmm... So, does that mean this 'visitor' wants to meet me?"
"Yes. While communication isn't fully established, it seems they want to call you 'Hero-sama,' 'Tadayuki-sama,' or something along those lines... Ah, here we are."
As Shibuya-san knocked on the door, the answer came from inside was, "Please come."
In the not-so-spacious room were the personnel I had seen in the morning. There is one more person...
'Why are you here?'
'Oh, Hero-sama! Nice to meet you! After hearing about your return and the difficulties you've faced, I couldn't bear it any longer and came here despite the inconvenience. Please forgive me.'
There stood an otherworldly beauty, a woman who was referred to as the 'Saint' in the world I had been in.
——It was Princess Flora.
Hello, we have a new project about someone who has returned from an isekai. The main character is a hero who has defeated the Demon Lord. However, for some reason, the human-demon war has resumed and will take place in the MC's original world. The MC, unaware of this, meets a Saint from that world and asks them to join the war. But what does the MC say? They refuse. Is it because their love was rejected by the princess when they adventured together in the past or are they simply fed up? And are the MC will join later? You can find out by clicking on the following => [Link]
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