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Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 69

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 Chapter 69 – Invited to the Mansion – Part 2

"Please, I'm begging you! You're my only hope!"

September 1st. As the opening ceremony ended and everyone was getting ready to head home, my friend in front of me—Rentarou Asama—was bowing his head and clasping his hands together in a dramatic plea.

"Start by telling me what you want. Just saying 'please' doesn't tell me anything."

Well, from the way he’s begging right after summer break, I can already guess what he’s after.

"I didn’t finish my homework! I swear it’s a once-in-a-lifetime request, just let me copy yours!"
"…I feel like I’ve heard your ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ request at least five times in the past six months."
"Please! Just math and science is fine!"

I let out a long sigh.

Judging by how desperate he looks, he probably hasn’t finished any of the homework. But I bet he's aiming to at least get through the math and science assignments, since those teachers are the strictest—just enough to avoid major damage.

"Fine. I’ll take pictures of the homework and send them to you in chat when I get home. But you’re buying me something next time."
"You’re a lifesaver!"

Apparently just hearing me say “fine” made him so happy he rushed noisily out of the classroom.

Judging by that reaction, he’s probably forgotten there’s a summer assignment test coming next week too.

As I finished packing up my stuff, that thought crossed my mind—and then I stood from my seat.

"..."

My gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to the desk next to mine.

That seat, usually occupied by Kyouri Kuon—often called an angel or a saint at school—was empty today.

It’s not that rare for someone to be absent. I’ve heard a few students in other classes didn’t show up either.

But the thing that’s bothering me is...

"Ueshima-san, got a sec?"
"Yes?"

I called out to Kanone Ueshima, the vice class rep who was nearby.

"Have you heard anything from Kuon-san about her being absent today? You two are pretty close, right? You’re both class reps after all."
"...Um, I’m sorry. I don’t really know the details either. She just mentioned around Obon that she’d be busy with family stuff, and might not be able to answer calls for a while."

Family stuff—that’s exactly what’s been bothering me.

“Kuon-san will be taking some time off school due to family circumstances.”

That’s how our homeroom teacher, Mr. Koshimizu, explained her absence this morning.

She hadn’t even logged into the class group chat for a few days, so some of her close friends had already started worrying.

What’s more, even when I used Tracking and Detection Magic, I couldn’t pinpoint her location.

Knowing what kind of household Kuon comes from, and what she’s involved in, this whole “family circumstances” thing has me on edge.

If it were Alicia, she might know something, but she was deep in conversation with her friends right now, and the atmosphere didn’t seem like something I could cut into.

That’s why I’d asked Ueshima, who’s also a class rep and close with Kuon—but…

"I see. Sorry for dropping this on you out of nowhere."
"No, it’s totally fine."

Considering Kuon’s personality, it’s not surprising that no details have leaked.

I gave up quickly and turned to leave the classroom.

And then—

"Ah! Iori-kun, wait a moment!"
"Hm?"

She called out suddenly, so I stopped. Then she handed me a piece of paper—folded, probably torn from a small memo pad.

"…Open it once you get home."
"Huh? What is this—"
"Well then, see you tomorrow, Iori-kun!"

She said that softly, then walked off like nothing had happened.

…What’s going on here? Does Ueshima know something she can’t say aloud?

Or is it something else entirely…?

(…No point overthinking it here.)

I shoved the paper into my pocket and finally left the classroom.

Right now, I should just focus on getting home as fast as I can.

Telling myself that, I picked up my pace.

◇◇◇

"Ah, Onii-chan!"

While walking home from a nearby alley I’d teleported to using Spatial Transfer Magic, I saw my little sister Kana running up to me with a worried look on her face.

She only ever calls me “onii-chan” like that when something’s scared her. My expression tensed instinctively.

"What’s wrong, Kana? Did something happen?"
"Th-there’s a weird person standing in front of our house—!"
"Weird person?"

Panic clear on her face, she pointed toward the house.

I activated Perception Interference Magic and peeked at the front gate from behind a nearby utility pole.

(…What the hell is that.)

There, standing in front of our gate, was a woman in a jet-black kimono that looked suffocatingly hot for the season—yet not a bead of sweat on her face. Her expression was cold and expressionless, like a noh mask.

Yeah… If I saw that while coming home, I’d freak out too.

(Appraisal)

Target: Communication Shikigami
Effect: A shikigami created to reliably deliver messages across long distances. Possesses basic self-defense and data concealment capabilities.
Status: Skill Level 10/10
Note: Created by Kuon Sougen

(…A shikigami from Kuon’s house?)

Why is something like that standing outside my house?

Feeling uneasy, I told Kana to stay where she was and messaged her to wait. Then I dispelled Perception Interference and approached.

"Um, excuse me. Do you need something from us?"

At my voice, the shikigami turned slowly toward me, like a puppet.

"Are you Iori Osamu?"
"…Yeah, that’s me."
"My apologies for the sudden visit. I am here by order of the head of the household, to deliver this to you. Please accept it."

She pulled out a letter from her sleeve and held it out.

The “head of the household” must be Kuon Sougen.

Why would someone like him be sending me a letter?

(…Guess I won’t get anywhere if I don’t accept it.)

Letting out a deep sigh, I reluctantly took the letter from the rigidly formal shikigami.

…Feels like I’ve been handed a lot of letters today.

"Thank you for accepting it. If you agree to the contents, please drip a single drop of your blood on it. That is all."

Once she saw I’d taken it, the shikigami gave a faint, eerie smile.

Then, in the next instant—her body scattered into countless slips of paper, all of which spontaneously combusted and burned away.

Damn it… I had questions for her.

Then my phone buzzed with a message from Kana:
“Are you okay?”

Yeah. I should probably ease her mind first.

I texted back: “It’s okay now. You can come out.”

Almost immediately, Kana came running to me with that same worried look and clung to me.

"W-what was that person…?"
"…She had the wrong house. I told her she’d made a mistake, and she apologized and left."
"R-really? Oh, thank goodness…"

I used Perception Interference to make her believe that story, and she finally relaxed—sinking to the ground in relief.

Can’t blame her, really. That shikigami was terrifying.

"Anyway, let’s go inside and grab some lunch."
"Y-yeah."

I helped Kana to her feet and walked into the house with her.

All the while, I had the distinct feeling that I’d just been dragged into something incredibly troublesome.

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