Chapter 32

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Chapter 32: Souta Shibuya Returns to Normal Life

ーーIt was a few days after being pulled into that strange incident.

I was released from the hospital, and I was able to spend some time in my own room.

As morning came, I woke up and looked up at the familiar ceiling.

I get out of my bed and quickly get dressed in my school uniform.

I went to the living room to see my parents eating breakfast.

I don’t see my little sister, so she might still be asleep.

“Souta, are you sure you’re feeling better?”

“You don’t have to push yourself to go to school, okay?”

Souta: “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

I smile at my worried parents. I finish my breakfast and head to school.

My day-to-day life is going back to normal.

A daily routine that would be like any other day.

ーーBut there were two big changes.

<<<<>>>>

Touru: “Souta!”

As soon as I enter the classroom, my friend, Touru, runs over to me.

And the rest of the people in the classroom look at me as well.

Souta: “Hey, Touru. Are you doing well?”

Touru: “That’s my line, you idiot!”

My friend grabs me by the shoulder and whispers quietly into my ear.

Touru: “.......you, I heard you got involved with that cult ritual, and you got sent to another world?”

Souta: “Yeah, how’d you know?”

Touru: “I’m so glad you’re okay……..”

Souta: “I just got lucky.”

Touru laughs with a strained smile across his face, but he was also abducted by the same cult and went through a lot of trouble as well.

But now, he seems to be doing much better.

He asked me if I could hang out with him this afternoon, but I had to tell him “Maybe another time” and had to turn him down.

“Hey, Souta. I heard you were hospitalized. What happened?”

“Are you okay now?”

“Are you free this afternoon?”

I had to dodge a lot of questions from my other classmates, and I turned to look at one of the girls who was reading at her desk at the edge of the room.

The girlーーAkane noticed my gaze and our eyes met for a second.

But she immediately looked away.

I spoke with Akane several times at the hospital, so there’s no reason to talk here.

My other classmates kept asking me to hang out in the afternoon, but I had to tell them that I already had plans.

Class was over, and when I was about to head home….

“Souta.”

Someone called my name from behind.

The girl with cat-like round eyes who gazed at me was….

Souta: “Akane, we’re meeting at that café today, right?”

Akane: “Yeah, I was making sure that you didn’t forget.”

Souta: “I remember. We just talked about it on the phone yesterday.”

Akane: “Well, that’s trueー but…”

I walk slower to match Akane’s pace.

Souta: “Do you want to go together?”

We’re going to the same location anyways.

But I guess we won’t be meeting there then.

Akane: “No. I want to speak with <that girl> before I get there.”

Akane speaks with a difficult expression as she answers.

That girlーーshe’s talking about Yukina.

Souta: “Where is she right now?”

Akane: “She says she’ll be wandering around nearby until school’s over.”

Souta: “I see…..”

Since that incident, Yukina hasn’t appeared to me.

From what Akane told me, Yukina doesn’t know how she could ever face me again.

In truth, I have nothing against her at all but still…….

Akane: “But I will definitely bring her today. Even if it means putting a leash around her neck and dragging her there.”

And Akane made a gesture as if to pull on a taught leash which made me chuckle.

Souta: “Then I’ll go ahead and wait for you there.”

Akane: “Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

I wave my hand and part ways with Akane.

I leave the school, and head to the forest where that café is located.

I am meeting Akane there, but I also want to relay my gratitude to the café owner as well.

After all, I wasn’t able to tell her thanks while I was at the hospital.

I owe the Café Owner my life.

I would like to directly tell her thank you.

And then it made me think.

Souta: (.....I guess it will be rude to not bring her something.)

I need to get a gift or something.

What should I get?

I can’t think of anything.

After thinking about this for a while, I went to the dollar store near the forest.

I looked around the store for a while, and I decided on getting some cookies that were in a tin can.

When I brought the tin cookie can to the cashier, I thought about the Deputy Café Manager.

I don’t think cats like sweet things, right?

I should get the Deputy Manager something different.

I was looking around the store more when I found some gift Bonito Flakes.

I couldn’t find anything better, so I got those for him.

…….but they were more expensive than the cookies.

I had both gift wrapped, and when I tried to leave the store, I noticed someone staring at me.

On the 1st floor cosmetics area, there was a large mirror.

Inside the mirror wasーー