The Fate of an Introvert Introducing His Female Friends to His Mother
After finally, truly defeating the Demon King Kanan, Hasumin—restored to her usual self—returned to school. It happened that very afternoon, just after classes ended.
I walked home with Hasumin by my side.
On the way, we met up with Riena, who—true to form—was still using that same love hotel as her base.
Since Hasumin had once become a Demon King herself and already knew about the other world, I’d taken the time—briefly, but clearly—to re-explain that I was the Hero who had saved it, and that Riena was someone who’d come from there.
“I’m home! I’ve got two friends with me. We’ll be upstairs talking in my room—”
The moment I called out, my mother came hurrying over in her slippers, their soft pattering echoing her flustered energy.
“Shuhei, bringing friends home? That’s rare. Are they from school? Please, come in, come in—our home’s small, but make yourselves comfortable. Wait… huh!? You brought two girls!? W-What is this, Shuhei!?”
The instant she laid eyes on Hasumin and Riena, my mother’s eyes flew wide—and she froze.
(That reaction says everything about how she sees me…)
Both of my parents had come to the sports festival. They must’ve seen how well I did.
And still, my mother couldn’t quite believe I’d changed.
But I couldn’t blame her.
She’d spent years gently watching over me—her awkward son who could barely make a friend.
So just seeing me shine for one day wasn’t enough to overwrite the version of me she’d held onto all this time.
Well, there’s no rush.
The Demon King’s threat is truly gone.
The world is finally at peace.
So if my mother starts to see that I’m not the same person anymore—even just little by little—that’s enough.
As those thoughts ran through my head,
“Um, my name is Hasumi Kana. I’m in the same class as Shuhei-kun, and he’s always been very kind to me. Thank you for having me.”
Hasumin gave a perfectly polite bow, her tone slightly nervous, but composed.
She must’ve rehearsed what to say beforehand.
Riena followed her lead.
“I am Rienaeira, a high-ranking priestess of the Church of Athena. I owe Hero Shuhei Oda-sama my deepest gratitude—he has saved our world not once, but twice.”
“Oh my, so you’re Hasumi-san, from Shuhei’s class… Wait, what did you just say?”
(Hey—Riena, what kind of introduction was that? We went over this on the way!)
(S-Sorry! It just slipped out!)
“Ahem—my apologies. I’m Riena, also in Shuhei-san’s class. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mother.”
After I gave her a discreet jab in the ribs, Riena quickly scrambled to correct herself.
“Ah, I see. Hasumi-san and Riena-san, both from Shuhei’s class. I’m glad you’re getting along with him—it makes me very happy. Please, feel right at home.”
It seemed my mother had either misheard Riena’s bizarre introduction, or chalked it up as some quirky joke—either way, she didn’t question it.
Whew. That was close.
Good thing I’d ordered that school-uniform-style outfit for Riena—a blouse, skirt, and sweater that resembled our high school’s uniform—rushed in via same-day delivery from Yodobashi.Xcom.
Riena’s twenty-four, so her face is definitely more mature than your average high schooler’s.
But foreigners often look older than Japanese people, so she could just barely pass for a student… probably.
“I’ll bring up some tea and snacks in a moment.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t go getting carried away and trying anything weird, okay?”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Was she really that happy I brought girls home?
Eyes glistening just a little, voice buoyant with emotion, my mother watched us go as the three of us headed upstairs to my room.