Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren Chapter 68: I'm Back

After Shichen left the world of Strike the Blood, he first returned to the so-called "main world" defined by the "her" in his mind.

That is, the world where Tohru and the others resided.

Upon his return, he appeared again in that sa wilderness where he had previously departed, still an unpopulated area full of overgrown weeds.

No sign of trains, nor that baseball-cap-wearing, purple-haired girl with starry eyes.

He looked around and saw that almost nothing had changed—just that it seed a bit hotter.

Perhaps sumr had arrived here.

So, had one or two months passed? Or had it been a year or two?

That was sothing he needed to figure out.

He tried using spatial magic, found that it worked, and then teleported directly back to the café.

To avoid startling custors by suddenly appearing, Shichen teleported straight into his own room.

The place was quiet; no one was around. Yet, the familiarity washed over him, making him relax at once.

He looked around and found no real changes. Even the bed hadn't been tidied, suggesting soone had slept there while he was gone?

Tohru or Chisato?

He couldn't tell clearly from any sll.

He didn't bother guessing. He could just ask them in a mont.

He walked over to the bedside table and took out his phone, powering it on.

"Only a month has gone by?" He was a bit surprised upon seeing the date displayed on his phone.

So maybe there was a three-to-one ti ratio?

Or was Strike the Blood's world specifically in a three-to-one ti ratio with this one?

Or could it be that, once he left and ca back, only a month had passed?

He tried asking the "her" in his mind. As expected, she didn't respond.

It seed he'd have to work it out himself.

Just then—

Thump-thump-thump!

Footsteps suddenly rang out from outside, followed by a golden figure appearing at the doorway.

"Chen-dono! It really is Chen-dono!" Tohru gazed at him with a delighted smile, then rushed into his arms.

Now that he feared none of her bounding tackles, Shichen opened his arms and easily caught her.

"Tohru, I'm back."

"Mhm! I just suddenly slled your scent, Chen-dono, and I knew it!" Tohru hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek against his chest, tail swinging behind her.

"You could sll ?" He, too, pulled her in.

"Of course! I'm super sensitive to your scent!" Tohru proudly proclaid.

"All right, all right, well done," Shichen said, giving her a playful pat on the head.

"Hee hee~"

"Where are Chisato and Utaha?"

"Utaha's at school, and Chisato's downstairs working."

"And you didn't call her up here?"

"I forgot." Tohru stuck out her tongue mischievously.

"You did that on purpose," Shichen teased, poking her nose. Her nose was small and soft.

"Hmph~" Tohru just looked pleased with herself, rubbing her nose lightly.

"Let's go. Let's head down and help Chisato."

"Okay."

Tohru clung to his arm, hugging it tightly, then followed him downstairs.

On the stairs, they could hear the lively sounds below—likely the noon crowd coming for als.

Though it was originally just a café, it sohow had beco more like a restaurant. Shichen wasn't sure if he'd gone off track with his operation.

But running the shop was secondary. The important part was that he had a real ho in this world—albeit one that just fell into his lap.

He still didn't know if the place had existed originally or if it had been conjured up upon his arrival.

But it didn't really matter much.

"Have things been busy lately?" Shichen glanced at Tohru as they descended, asking about recent tis.

"It's all right, nothing much different than before," she happily replied.

"So did you miss ?"

"Mhm! I've been thinking of you all this ti!"

"If you'd been missing that much, I'd expect you to be moping around. Doesn't look like you were down at all."

"Hee hee~ I can manage."

"How admirable."

"So will you give a reward, Chen-dono?"

"What kind of reward?"

"Of course it'd be..." Tohru paused suggestively, licking her lips as she gazed at him.

Shichen picked up on her aning and halted his steps, giving her an exasperated look. "You cheeky little dragon."

"It's been a month," Tohru pouted.

"A month, and you're so impatient? I went for several— never mind. Did you tell Chisato and Utaha about, y'know, that?"

"I didn't. That's our secret, so why would I tell them?"

"I thought you might brag."

"Why would I brag?" Tohru tilted her head blankly.

"Oh, never mind." Shichen laughed a bit. "Anyway, let's go."

"Mhm..."

At last, they stepped into the shop.

"Hey, Tohru, where have you been? It's super busy right now. Hurry...—Chen-nii!" Chisato had started to scold Tohru, but as soon as she noticed the person standing beside her, she froze in disbelief.

"Chisato, I'm back." Shichen gave her a gentle smile, opening his arms wide.

"Chen-nii! I missed you so much!" Chisato imdiately dropped the nus in her hand and leapt at him.

Shichen caught her, running a hand through her platinum bobbed hair. "I missed you, too."

"Mhm!" Chisato nodded vigorously, arms clasped tight around him. Her strength was considerable, and Shichen felt it at once, hurriedly patting her back in protest: "Easy, easy, or you'll break my waist..."

"Oh—sorry!" she blurted, letting go and anxiously checking him. "Did I hurt you, Chen-nii?"

"It's fine, don't worry... Gosh, I'm right here. No need to crush ." Shichen chuckled and stroked her head.

"Hee hee~ because I've missed you so much," Chisato admitted sheepishly.

"I can tell. But all the custors are watching now," he reminded her, nodding behind her.

Turning around, Chisato realized that all the patrons were indeed staring, many of them smiling knowingly.

And so clearly showing envy.

"Sorry we bothered you," Chisato addressed the crowd, speaking unabashedly. "My apologies, everyone."

"It's all good, Chisato-chan," a custor spoke up. "We know how much you've been missing the manager. We understand!"

"Yeah, Chisato-chan's always sighing about him every day!"

"You could hug him longer, we don't mind!"

The café erupted into good-natured banter. Shichen was surprised to see that in his absence, Chisato had grown so popular.

Though indeed, Chisato-chan, these custors are a bit too close!

"Thanks for your understanding, everyone," Shichen addressed them with a chuckle. "Let's do a special discount today—50% off!"

"Whoa! The manager is so generous!"

"In that case, we'll order more!"

"Let's seize the chance to run the manager bankrupt!"

"Sounds good!"

The shop burst into even greater excitent.

~~~

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