Chapter 1

You look really good.

Having been complimented by her sons schoolmate, Shibuya Miko blushes in spite of herself.

How mean~ Ken-chan! Whod have thought that you were a master at buttering people up too~

Im not! Although the pattern is a bit outdated, but theres a sense of Taisho period romanticism!

These are his honest words. And besides, hes not in the mood to get on his friends mothers good side.

Because on the way here, hes already lied to four teachers and a junior high friend, so by now he cant be bothered to make up another lie.

Ah, but still, but still~ Im not young anymore, but I still want to wear a furisode[1]. Thats just too shameless of me, after all Im already over forty and married. I was just thinking, its about time to take out the winter clothing, then I just happened to come across the kimono I used to wear when I was younger. And just when I was lamenting, so even I used to wear such cute colors when I was younger, suddenly a devils voice whispered in my ear, Why dont you try it on and see

Mama Shibuya, also known as the Pink Panther of Yokohama, says lightly.

Of course, now she loves wearing cute clothes even more than she did in her youth, but these things have to be put aside for now.

By the time Murata had run to Shibuyas house when his own school festival was reaching its climax, it was already past five in the afternoon.

He didnt take a cab, just ran like that straight from the bus stop.

Although its already late autumn, the exertion heated him up enough to fog his glasses.

When he frantically pressed the doorbell like a child would, the one who responded was a dazed Miko in a kimono covered with huge lilies, saying, Aiya, its Ken-chan!

At first I planned to have a daughter, then give it to her when shes all grown up, thats why I kept it in the closet. I never thought that Id have two rough boys instead, life really doesnt go your way all the time. Now all I can do is wait for them to get girlfriends, then give it to the girl once theyve married her. Ah, but would it be too shameless for a bride to wear a furisode? Hmmbut if shes in her twenties, it should be roughly OK, right?

Its not roughly, its very OK. And even if you dont leave it to Shibuyas girlfriend, Jennifer, you can wear it yourself, its no big deal.

Murata wipes his foggy lenses with the sleeve of uniform, replying sincerely.

But in his slightly guarded heart, he cant help but resent his friend who hadnt been clear with things.

Shibuya, how much have you told your parents?

Judging from his mothers expression of happiness, Yuuri definitely hasnt come out about being engaged to a pretty boy.

Even if the other party is as cute as an angel, he still comes with a stick.

And he even has an adopted daughter waiting for him in the city. Although hes only sixteen, hes already a single father.

If he were to say such an impactful truth, how interesting no, how shocked this family would be.

The man who shares Shibuya Yuuris secretMurata Ken thinks this in his heart.

This had better not come from my mouth, because I want to see how this family will react when they hear their own son say something so shocking.

Come to think of it, Ken-chan, whats up with Yuu-chan? Didnt he come home with you today?

Im here to talk about that, maam.

Hearing the tone from her favorite detective shows, Shibuyas mother grips her hands and frowns.

W-what happened?

Things got heated between him and a girl from the same middle school, and now theyre even in a karaoke competition!

A karaoke competition?!

Thats right, singing Ozaki Yutakas songs too.

Such an old song! Ah. Sorry. Uhuhuh Really? Youre talking about the Yuu-chan who only knows the various baseball team anthems? The Yuu-chan who firmly believes that Take Me to the Ol Ball Game is a love song can sing mainstream songs now? People really can change with an effort.

If he wants to, he can probably sing MY WAY, too.

Of course, and even Kayama Yuzos version!

Anyway, Murata tries to explain in brief words that Yuuri wants to report the results of the battle to him later, and thus may not even come home tonight, so he specifically asked him to come over and grab a change of clothes et cetera if possible.

Shibuyas mother is rather surprised by the change in routine, but after hearing the whole story, she let Murata into the house eventually.

Murata climbs up the familiar stairs, and heads for the door at the end of the corridor.

Its still someone elses room that he knows fairly well, he can even tell roughly which things go where. Even if he has to find the necessary things, it wont take him too long.

Just as hes about to turn the yellow-copper doorknob

Wait a sec!

Someone grabs his arm forcefully, and thats not a friendly force.

Raising his head, he sees Shibuyas brother. Murata smiles calmly,

Hi, Big Brother

Were not close enough for you to call me big brother, friend of my brother.

Looks like the eldest son of the family, Shibuya Shouri, is guarding the door for the second son.

Displeased eyes are looking down on him from behind the reflective lenses.

Although the two brothers look similar, the aura that radiates from them is completely different.

Murata replies with an unafraid smile,

Then youre too narrow-minded, brother of my friend. And youre a college student, too.

So a high school brat is allowed to barge into other peoples room on their own? If you have even a bit of common sense left, then you shouldnt do something like trespassing, right?

What do you mean, trespassing? It wont sound good if anyone were to hear you.

Dont worry, no one will. If there was anyone else around, Id face you with a smile. After all, Im a very friendly person.

A well-rounded personality, excellent results, currently studying at Hitotsubashi University, the model student praised by neighbors, thats the impression Shibuya Shouri gives.

According to his brothers description, his brain might be good, but hes a weirdo whos obsessed with bishoujo games.

180 degrees different from the passionate baseball boy second son.

Even if you want to search the room, you have to wait until Yuu-ch until my brothers around. About that, where is Yuu-chan? Dont tell me you threw him in a strange place and then ran back by yourself.

And hes obsessed with his younger brother, too.

Shibuya is heating things up with a middle high friend he hasnt seen in a while, and the two are competing in karaoke

Of course, this is crap too.

In reality he was in the middle of rescuing a WATER OLD BOY who was drowning in a cold swimming pool when he got swept away by an unknown current and vanished, probably to the other world.

Although Murata feels its still too early to go back, but if its Yuuris personal desire, then theres nothing he can do about it.

Only this time, the path is filled with unease.

Hes not back yet.

What? Who are you talking about?

Im talking about Shibuya!

Ah? But you just said something about him and a middle high friend? What do you mean, hes not back yet?!

No matter how many months he stays in that other world, normally hed be back in a moment.

He normally only disappears for a few minutes, and before everyone else notices anything amiss, hed reappear somewhere near the place he disappeared.

Although sometimes hed be wearing G-strings.

I waited five minutes, ten, and I still didnt feel him come back.

Karaoke takes at least thirty minutes.

Im not talking about karaoke!

Seeing the brother of his friend completely at ease, Murata feels like punching the wall.

How much has Shibuya told his family?

For example, has he told his brother that hes a mazoku?

But thinking about myself, I havent told anyone about the fact that my soul is the Daikenja.

But the head of this household is indeed a member of earths mazoku, so something like this must be casually mentioned over dinner

I guess he probably wouldnt say that hes the maou, though.

Maou?

Shibuya Shouri looks as though hes seeing something intriguing, and then he once again crosses his arms in front of his chest.

Didnt think that there was someone else who worships the Maou other than Bob.

Its not worship, Im not talking about any religion What did you say?!

Murata abruptly raises his head, grabbing the other persons shirt and shaking him hard,

What did you say? You just said You said Bob, didnt you?!

Hey!

There are a lot of Bobs in this world. When you say Bob, you could be talking about Bob Dylan, or David Bowie. Theres also the possibility that you mean Bobo Brazil. Right now, he can almost hear Yuuri saying, Murata, how old are you?

But if it was mentioned by the eldest son of this special family, it wouldnt be surprising if he meant that Bob.

You know Bob?! Then please help me contact him immediately, do you know where he is? This is urgent, I really need his help!

Wait a sec, your g-g-g-g-glasses are gonna fall! Whats the matter with you? Coming here and yelling Bob, Bob. Want me to contact him? Im not a damn secretary. Speaking of which, did something happen to Yuu-chan? How is he?! Before I get this clear, how can I help you?

Murata takes a deep breath and swallows,

Do you really want to hear? I think its better if you dont know.

Is there anyone in the world who wouldnt want to know about their brother?

Looks like you really do have a brother complex!

Murata wants to laugh out loud, but instead he starts calculating at a ferocious speed. He has to determine where to start from as quickly as possible.

If I tell you, will you help me contact Bob?

Ill consider.

Turning back the reel of memories, the last time he met Bob was in the last last life.

About the Second World War, when he was in his prime.

Come to think of it, ever since he was born as Murata Ken, he hasnt met Bob.

This was all Bobs fault, for being too preoccupied with the continuation of the earth mazoku line, and never contacting him at all.