Chapter 9

The New Normal

Side: Hikobashi Kakeru

The class has ended. Stretching my body feels refreshing after sitting in the same position for so long.

โ€œHey, want to check out a club?โ€

As Iโ€™m getting ready to leave, Kitamura calls out to me. It seems heโ€™s a little worried.

โ€œSorry, I have some plans today. Maybe next time.โ€

Clubs, huh? I canโ€™t join a sports club. Itโ€™s tough to hold back my physical abilities, and it feels unfair to those who take it seriously.

Our school is private, but itโ€™s not really a strong contender since they donโ€™t put much emphasis on sports scholarships. Iโ€™ve heard there are individuals who can compete nationally in individual events, though.

I was looking forward to joining a club.

After leaving the school, I walk a bit. Thereโ€™s a main road nearby lined with supermarkets and drugstores. I plan to do some shopping for dinner.

Itโ€™s been about half a month since I started living alone. Before that, I lived in the countryside with my grandparents.

I recall the times when my grandpa was alive, and we would go shopping by car. Well, Iโ€™m too far from my hometown now, so I donโ€™t have any memories of my grandparents here.

โ€œWelcome! Back for another bento?โ€

The supermarket is one of the larger stores in the area. There are many employees and customers, and a university student working part-time calls out to me.

โ€œNo, today Iโ€™m just getting some ingredients. Iโ€™m planning to cook a bit.โ€

I remember her. Weโ€™ve chatted a bit, and she recognized me because I usually come for the discounted bentos in the evening.

Sheโ€™s an older sister type who enjoys helping others, and talking to her has left me feeling a bit embarrassed.

โ€œYou have to make sure to eat your vegetables, okay?โ€

โ€œYes, Iโ€™ll do that.โ€

I think about getting a bento for one person, but since I usually buy for one, it feels strange to say that. So I head to the ingredient section instead.

Iโ€™m cooking for five people, after all. Just shopping for ingredients is quite the task. To be honest, Iโ€™m not very good at Western cuisine since I lived with my grandparents. My grandma could make hamburgers and curry, so I learned from her.

I want to make sure they enjoy the food I prepare. Maybe Iโ€™ll go with hamburgers today. Sashimi is cheap, but I never really ate raw fish back home, so Iโ€™m worried about whether it will suit their tastes.

When I step outside, the western sky is dyed orange.

โ€œWow.โ€

For some reason, I feel tears welling up, even without a clear reason.

I never cried when my grandparents passed away, nor when I was back there.

Itโ€™s not like Iโ€™m recalling something specific, nor am I indulging in sentimentality.

โ€ฆAm I just tired? Iโ€™ve been on edge with the demon kingโ€™s subjugation and everything.

I switch my mindset and hurry home.

โ€œIโ€™m home~โ€

My companions and the demon king are there, seemingly without any conflicts.

Well, I suppose this is the kind of atmosphere it is. Itโ€™s neither relaxing nor enjoyable, but it would be strange to feel completely at ease in a world with no ties or connections.

โ€œWelcome back, Kakeru.โ€

โ€œSanctina? Whatโ€™s going on? Calling me by name like thatโ€ฆโ€

While I was putting the ingredients in the fridge, Sanctina came to help, and I was surprised when she suddenly addressed me by my name.

โ€œOh, we decided to stop calling each other the hero, demon king, and princess.โ€

I see. That makes sense. Everyone must be considering how to live here for a while. I need to step up and be more responsible.

โ€œKakeru, youโ€™re back. This is for you.โ€

Just as I was about to start preparing dinner, the demon king suddenly handed me a simple, slender bracelet. Itโ€™s the magic item we talked about.

โ€œI donโ€™t need it, though?โ€

โ€œI discussed it with Filia. It includes transformation magic, translation, and a magic that prevents suspicion; itโ€™s a mental magic, you know. It has those effects. Additionally, it also includes magic and skill sealing, and body ability suppression.โ€

Iโ€™m astonished by the demon kingโ€™s calm explanation. I know of several magic items, and I have some from when I became a hero, but nothing this multifunctional.

โ€œMagic and skill sealing, and body ability suppression? Is it something youโ€™d use on a criminal?โ€

โ€œYeah, originally. I made it so you can activate or deactivate it just by thinking about it. I calculated the magic density, so it should be about the same as when you lived here.โ€

She really is impressive for a demon king. Even with limited materials.

โ€œThis is helpful. Thank you.โ€

She acts with foresight. I wonder why this demon king ended up cornered in the demon kingโ€™s castle? Or was that situation something the demon king wanted to prepare?

โ€œBy the way, it seems like a small earthquake triggered the danger perception skill during the day. Does the danger perception skill activate for natural earthquakes?โ€

As I recall the events of the day, both the demon king, or rather Noctia, and Filia, who had been watching TV in the living room, look surprised.

โ€œKakeru, is that true?โ€

Filia approaches me with a serious expression. When I mention that the danger perception skill activated at a school with no monsters and no hostile individuals, she seems deep in thought.

โ€œThe danger perception skill doesnโ€™t activate for pure natural phenomena. Could it be a misunderstanding?โ€

When I hear Noctiaโ€™s words, I start to lose confidence.

โ€œIโ€™m not sure. It was a faint sensation. If you say it could be a misunderstanding, then maybe it is.โ€

โ€œYou should have Sanctina check it out. There are quite a few cases of young people returning from the battlefield who suffer from trauma. There have been instances of people causing a fuss about the danger perception skill activating even when there wasnโ€™t any real danger. You might be a bit too on edge.โ€

I feel relieved that it might just be a misunderstanding, but Filia seems more worried instead. Sanctina is looking at me with a similar expression.

In the midst of this, Princess Pritia also approaches me.

โ€œKakeru, I was going to tell you this when you got back. You donโ€™t need to worry too much about us. Iโ€™ve decided to forget my position as a princess, too. I donโ€™t know how long Iโ€™ll be staying here, but while weโ€™re together, letโ€™s forget about being a hero, princess, or even a demon king.โ€

โ€œYour Highnessโ€ฆโ€

It seems Princess Pritia has settled down after just one day. Her mental strength is truly admirable.

โ€œIโ€™m fine. More importantly, Iโ€™ll start preparing dinner now.โ€

I hope itโ€™s just a misunderstanding. I just donโ€™t want to be treated like a PTSD patient. Itโ€™s true that Iโ€™m tired from everything thatโ€™s happened.

โ€œI think Iโ€™ll make hamburgers today. Itโ€™s a representative dish from my country.โ€

Both of us must be feeling tired and confused.

The living environment and the food in this world arenโ€™t necessarily inferior.

In fact, the variety and quality of the ingredients readily available should be better.

If the meals suit their tastes, I believe it would reduce stress and anxiety.

Now I need to discuss the upcoming outings. I need to talk about how to spend money, and Iโ€™m wondering if I need a smartphone. Looking at it this way, this world feels quite complex.

I havenโ€™t really seen my neighbors since the greeting when I moved in. I suppose Iโ€™ll just consider them as a long-term homestay.

First, I need to make sure to communicate properly with everyone.


The Daily Life After Returning From Another World is Perfect for Dungeon Exploring

The Daily Life After Returning From Another World is Perfect for Dungeon Exploring

็•ฐไธ–็•Œๅธฐใ‚Šใฎๆ—ฅๅธธใฏใƒ€ใƒณใ‚ธใƒงใƒณๆ—ฅๅ’Œ
Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Japanese
Kakeru, the hero summoned to another world, was facing the final battle against the Demon King Noctia. At the end of their unwanted conflict, Kakeru and his companions are caught up in the Demon King Noctiaโ€™s last gamble... Kakeru, who had once been a hero in another world, and the Demon King he confronted, along with those who had been comrades with various motives, are now forced to live together!? Modern Japan, a place thought to be peaceful and where conflicts are rare. But behind the scenes...

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