Sinri and I had returned to reality.
After saving a girl who was being harassed by some thugs, she offered to treat us to a meal as thanks, but…
“What is this?”
“Whoa… That’s a huge mansion, isn’t it, Master?”
The location was prime real estate within the city.
Amidst all the luxury homes, there stood a Traditional Japanese House that stood out remarkably.
“Is this… your house? Ryuko-chan?”
“Mm, yes. It’s a bit small, though.”
Small? Where…?
“Master, Master.”
“What is it?”
Slurrrp… Sinri wiped drool from her mouth with her hand.
“F-Food from such a big mansion… I can hardly wait! Slurp.”
It seemed Sinri could think of nothing but food.
But still… what’s with this huge mansion? Just what kind of people live here?
“Sinri, can you tell what kind of people live here?”
“Sashimi… Tempura… Slurp…”
Nope… This kid can’t think about anything other than food anymore…
Honestly.
“This way, please.”
We followed after Ryuko-chan.
The inside was quite luxurious too.
I’d thought she was rich ever since the servant in black arrived in a limousine.
But I never expected it to be this much…
“Ryuko?”
“O-Okaya!”
As we walked down the corridor, a middle-aged man approached.
Ryuko-chan’s eyes lit up, and she jumped onto him.
…I thought she was a refined young lady. She’s surprisingly bold…
“Welcome back. I was worried.”
“I’m sorry, Okaya…”
…Okaya?
Why is she calling him by his last name?
The middle-aged man with black hair came closer and bowed his head.
“Thank you for taking care of my Wife.”
“W-Wife… Wife?!”
N-No matter how you look at it, Ryuko-chan looks like she’s in her late teens…
Meanwhile, this guy is middle-aged. He looks at least 30… no, maybe around 40.
“I smell crime… Ouch!”
I smacked Sinri on the head.
“Master! I told you not to hit my head! What’ll you do if this brilliant brain breaks?!”
“Nice to meet you, my name is Nagano Mika. This is my daughter, Sinri.”
“Daughter…”
Okaya-san stared intently at Sinri. Well, it’s suspicious for someone my age to have such a big daughter…
Pyah! Sinri hid behind me.
She acts cheeky towards me and people she knows, but she becomes quiet as a mouse around strangers.
She’s only brave at home… honestly…
“My apologies. My name is Okaya Mitsuhiko. I’m Ryuko’s husband. Thank you very much for saving my Wife. We were fortunate that someone as kind as you helped her.”
We shook hands with Okaya-san. What a nice person.
“Masteeer… I’m hungwy… Is food ready yet…?”
Sinri’s stomach was growling loudly.
“The meal is ready. Please, come this way.”
“I’m sorry… for imposing…”
“Not at all. You saved my Wife, so it’s only natural we thank you.”
He really is a nice person… Preparing a meal for a suspicious pair like us.
We were led into a Washitsu.
On top of the huge table, there was, well, a magnificent feast laid out.
“Whoooa! Looks delicious~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!”
Byon! Sinri jumped in front of the table.
“Time to eat! Chomp! Mmmmmm~~~~~♡ So tasty~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♡”
Sinri was digging into the sushi on the table. …Japanese, Western, Chinese, all sorts of dishes were lined up.
And they all looked expensive.
“I’m sorry, for having you prepare such a luxurious meal…”
“It’s quite alright. Please, Mother, you too.”
…Mother? Oh, he means me.
I’m really not used to being called that.
“Munch munch… Master, aren’t you eating?”
“I am.”
Let’s try a bite. Pakuh. Ohhh… delicious.
Tempura wrapped in a crispy batter.
There’s even soba noodles. Let’s see… Slurp. Mmm!
Delicious.
What’s with this soba? It’s so chewy. And the dipping sauce is rich and tasty too!
Tempura… wait, is this Ise-ebi?! Ise-ebi Tempura?!
“Master… this is heaven…”
“It is… It’s delicious.”
…Seeing this delicious meal, I… suddenly thought of everyone on the Floating Island, everyone in the other world.
The Familiars who make the delicious meals on the Floating Island. And the Fenrirs, the Divine Beasts.
I wonder how they’re doing right now.
I hope they aren’t lonely… They’re all such clingy creatures. They’re probably crying…
“Master? What’s wrong?”
Sinri was stuffing her cheeks with food like a hamster.
“Just a little homesick. How about you, Sinri?”
“Not at all. Well, I did promise Kiriko-chan we’d play games, so I guess I’m a little lonely…”
Both this child and I strongly want to go back.
For me, reality isn’t here, it’s over there.
I want to go back there.
“I’m home.”
“Jiiji, welcome back.”
“Oh, Ryuko… I’m hoooooooooome……….”
I suddenly looked up.
At the entrance stood an old man in traditional Japanese clothing.
He was staring at me, his face filled with astonishment.
“Jiiji? What’s wrong?”
Jiiji… Does that mean he’s Ryuko-chan’s grandfather?
Jiiji rushed over towards us.
“Mika, is it you?”
“Eh? Wh-Who are you…?”
Calling me by my first name so suddenly… What’s with this old guy…?
“I-It’s me! It’s me, you know!?”
“Ehh… Who…?”
This is scary. And his eyes are kind of teary…
“Eh, what are you talking about, Master? Isn’t that Kaida-kun?”
Sinri said while eating her food.
…………………………Huh?
“Wh-What did you just say…?”
“I said~ It’s Kaida-kun, right? The one who came from the other world and went back recently.”
Slurp, slurp, Sinri slurped her soba. N-No, no no no no.
“The Kaida-kun I know was much younger.”
“Well, yeah. Decades have passed since Kaida-kun came back here.”
R-Right… N-No, but still…
“Is it really that Kaida-kun…?”
“Mm! Yes! Mika! I’m so glad you’re safe! So glad…!”
Kaida-kun started bawling his eyes out.
“You’re exaggerating~”
…Ignoring such a moving reunion, Sinri kept eating as usual.
“Hey… Sinri. Did you know this was Kaida-kun’s house?”
“? Yes. While Ryuko-chan was giving us a ride, I looked it up with Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet)… What about it?”
…What about it? Sigh…
“Report, communicate, consult!”
“Hōrensō? Ugh, I hate that vegetable…”
“That’s not what I meant! Honestly! You, honestly!”
“Ehh…? Why are you angry, Master~?”
Watching our exchange, Kaida-kun said through his tears.
“Truly, nostalgic. It’s been a long time, my friends.”
And so, we were reunited in reality.
【☆★Announcement★☆】
Due to popular demand, the serialized version has started!!
【Serialized Version】The Former Villainess Relaxes in a Hot Spring in the Frontier ~After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married an Older Frontier Lord. When I Used My [Land God] Skill to Create a Hot Spring for My Kind but Frail Husband, the Domain Somehow Prospered Greatly~
There is a link at the bottom of the page!!
Alternatively, please copy and use the following URL.
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8140kh/