kscans

Chapter 94 - The Whole Thing About a Lady Being Delighted by Junk Food?

The second day of Obon vacation. I had come to clean the graves of my father's side of the family near my hometown. My mother's side is far away and relatives take care of that, but for my father's side, well, there's really only me. Originally it should be my father's duty, but he's often away from home.

【Ah, sorry about this every year, Hideo】

"It's fine, it's fine. Grandpa and Grandma took care of me plenty when I was a kid. I should at least do this much."

【Ei-chan is such a good boy. By the way, Ei-chan, haven't you gotten bigger again?】

"Cut it out, Grandma. I'm already a middle-aged guy."

I'm chatting with my grandparents while cleaning. Yeah, of course that's natural. After all, I'm a person from the supernatural world. Of course I can see them. What's more, this year I went directly to pick them up early in the morning. I got a free pass to the afterlife, you see. I went all the way to paradise and brought back ancestors who wanted to visit home. Everyone except Grandpa and Grandma immediately scattered once they came to this world though. They said there were mountains of places they wanted to go. By the way, Grandpa and Grandma are apparently going on a date later too.

【By the way, Hideo. Don't you have anyone nice?】

【That's right. I'd like to see my great-grandchild's face soon too】

"That's something I can't help. There's such a thing as fate and timing, so there's nothing I can do about it."

Old folks really love this kind of talk. Even when I go to my mother's relatives at New Year's, they keep bringing up the same topics... If these were strangers I barely knew, I could dodge it with my conversation skills. But when it's family, somehow... especially since they've been so good to me, it makes me feel even more guilty.

【You've saved the world many times, haven't you? Can't you ask for a marriage proposal or something?】

"No way. That would obviously be a political marriage."

【Even if it starts that way, love can blossom, you know? Grandpa and I were also an arranged marriage between families】

【And look, even after death, me and the old lady are still in a lovey-dovey relationship】

Lovey-dovey... don't phrase it like some kind of political corruption...

【Come to think of it. I've been thinking every year, is there really a need to dutifully clean graves?】

"What are you saying about our ancestors' graves?"

【Look, can't you just do it quickly with some kind of mysterious power?】

"What are you saying about our ancestors' graves?"

Your bones are in there too.

【No, tradition and such things are important, right? But you know, the world is always changing】

【That's right. These days more people are saying graves aren't necessary, right?】

【They cost money and effort. Wouldn't a columbarium be fine?】

【What's important is the feeling. I know Ei-chan still treasures us grandparents】

【Even the ancestors wouldn't say anything if you disposed of the grave】

These old folks are adapting to the times too much... do they realize they're dead?

"It's something I like doing, so it's fine."

【Being a burden even after death isn't what we want though】

"I've never once thought of it as a burden."

That's not a lie.

"Indeed. Hideo has been sincerely respecting ancestral spirits since he was young. Quite rare these days. Even during his frivolous middle and high school years. He never missed visiting graves every year."

Look, even King Enma says so... huh?

"────"

【This is King Enma... we've been greatly indebted to you after death...】

"It's fine, it's fine. That is my duty. Besides, this is private time, so please relax."

【Is that so? Then we'll do so. King Enma, your casual clothes... they suit you very well】

【Handsome men look good in anything. Yes, just like me!】

【Oh, Grandpa, really】

"Ha ha ha"

...Phew.

"Wait, this is weird!!"

"Satou Hideo. It's not proper to raise your voice so loudly in a cemetery."

"Sorry about that... but that's not the point! What are you doing in a place like this!?"

"Vacation."

That's a very concise answer...

"Well, you see. I've been thinking about enjoying myself in the mortal world for a while now."

What should we do when we go to the mortal world next? What should we do! He said the pre-vacation conversations among the underworld graduates looked so fun and made him envious.

"That said, though. It would be hard to suggest to my subordinates that I come along too, wouldn't it?"

"That's, well, true."

I'm not the type to mind, but spending holidays with your boss too wouldn't be restful. Unlike our company president who's the easygoing type, someone strict like King Enma...

"Right? That's why I kept thinking 'someday' but kept putting it off."

"I see... huh? But you have an annual event to visit the mortal world in October, don't you?"

Kannazuki. The day when the gods gather in Izumo. In that region, they also call it Kamiarizuki. To put it bluntly, it's like a casual business trip, so couldn't you have played around during that time?

"Your question is reasonable. However, even though it's casual, the Izumo trip is part of my official duties. I have formal guards with me, and I'd feel bad making them accompany my personal entertainment."

I don't think they'd mind though.

"Besides, if we're talking about guards, what about now? No matter how completely private it is, you can't let the King of Hell walk around alone."

"No, there are none today."

"What!?"

Seriously, even after the Hades incident? King Enma chuckled at my confusion and said:

"Because you're here."

"Me?"

"Indeed. When I said I was going out to play with you, it was approved without question. Naturally so. It's the safest place in the world, after all."

"No, no, no. Why me!? When did it become decided that we're going out to play!?"

"You're used to having fun, aren't you? You're perfect as both a guide and playmate."

King Enma said that with the added ability to provide protection, I was an unquestionable choice.

"Eh...?"

"You and I are tight, aren't we? Please. Won't you spend the day with me?"

We're not tight. Also, this King Enma is getting pretty familiar. Maybe he's been lonely because his position makes it hard to build casual friendships.

"...Well, fine. I don't have any particular plans anyway."

Going out to play with King Enma sounds interesting in its own way.

"That attitude of yours, trying to enjoy anything. I think it's good."

"Well, thanks. Ah, but I haven't finished cleaning yet, so could you help?"

【Hey, hey, Hideo...】

【Ei-chan, asking King Enma to do that...】

"It's fine, it's fine. Since I'm being taken care of, I should do at least that much."

And so the two of us resumed cleaning the graves. It doesn't really matter, but a grave cleaned by King Enma himself must have incredible blessing points.

"By the way, Your Majesty. Do you have any requests?"

"Let's see. First, I'd like to have a light drink. I usually can't drink from morning, you see."

"That sounds good. What kind of place would you like?"

"A popular tavern under the railway tracks would be good."

Is that a place for King Enma to go...

"Also the racetrack. I'm curious about something called racetrack gourmet. I want to enjoy it with a one-cup sake in hand."

One-cup sake... King Enma with one-cup sake...