The Blind Love Life of the Returning Hero: The Companions I Lost in Another World Resurrect in the Modern Era and Indulge Me - Episode 38

The idea for a trip had come up a few months earlier. They had all talked about going somewhere together, but with everyone’s busy schedules and streaming activities, it never materialized. Finally, however, they all managed to find a gap in their calendars.

Seika’s work had settled down, allowing her to take a proper vacation. Hayato timed his request for leave with his superiors at S.H.I.E.L.D., and Josuke temporarily paused his duties at the investment firm. Riri was already on summer break from school, so she could join as well. Even Tsuyoshi managed to pull some strings to adjust his work schedule, and with that, the rare opportunity for all five of them to gather had come to fruition.

“We worked this hard to match our time off. We should go big,” Josuke had said.

And so, they decided on a 7-night, 8-day cruise, departing from Tokyo and stopping in several Asian countries along the way. Since it was such a special occasion, Tsuyoshi had gone ahead and arranged for the finest suite available—an accommodation truly worthy of being called a five-star hotel on the sea.

After several weeks of preparation, the day of the trip finally arrived. Hayato showed up at the port with a suitcase in hand. The morning sun sparkled on the surface of the sea, and the salty breeze tickled his nose. In the distance, a massive white cruise ship loomed.

The name Ocean Paradise Cruise shimmered in blue letters across the ship’s hull.

“Hayato! Over here!”

“Seika. And Riri too.”

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Seika and Riri had already arrived. Seika wore a breezy white dress that reflected the morning sunlight in her eyes, making them shine beautifully. Riri wore a summery, light outfit and looked up at the enormous ship with sparkling eyes.

“Look, Hayato! It’s huge!”

“Yeah, seriously huge.”

It was towering. Hayato had never seen such a luxurious cruise ship up close—let alone boarded one. Above them, a flock of seagulls circled, crying out as they flew.

“Josuke and Tsuyoshi should be here soon,” Seika said, the sea breeze gently swaying her hair.

Riri added, “Tsuyoshi-san is bringing his family too.”

“Oh right, he mentioned that.”

Tsuyoshi was, in fact, married. Though Hayato and the others had heard about his family before, this would be their first time meeting them.

“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.”

They turned around to see Josuke walking briskly toward them. He wore stylish sunglasses and pulled a sleek, likely brand-name suitcase behind him. Dressed in a linen jacket and a casual shirt, he looked perfectly suited for a cruise trip.

He looked like someone very familiar with this kind of luxury.

“So this is the ship, huh?”

Josuke stared at it for a moment, narrowing his eyes as if calculating something.

“I actually own a few shares in this company. Business has been booming lately. Cruise demand in Asia is surging.”

“Really? That’s good to know.”

Hayato was once again impressed by how well-informed Josuke always was.

“You’re always so on top of things.”

“Just a typical investor’s perspective.”

As Seika and Josuke chatted, Hayato stood beside Riri, gazing up at the ship.

“Oh! Tsuyoshi-san is here!”

After a while, Riri waved toward the entrance of the port.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Tsuyoshi approached quickly, accompanied by a graceful-looking woman and two children. Free from his usual business suit, he looked relaxed and at ease.

“No worries. We still have some time before the boarding procedures,” Hayato said, checking his watch.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Kaede, Tsuyoshi’s wife.”

The woman bowed with elegant grace. Standing beside her were a young boy, likely in early elementary school, and an even younger girl.

“I’m Riku Tetsumura. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Aoi.”

Both children spoke politely, beyond their years. Riku had his father’s sharp features, while Aoi exuded the same grace as her mother. It was clear they’d been well raised.

“Nice to meet you, Kaede-san. Riku-kun, Aoi-chan. I’m Hayato Sato,” Hayato said with a gentle smile.

“I’m Riri Takahashi. Pleased to meet you,” Riri said, bending down slightly to meet the children’s eye level with a warm smile.

“I’m Seika Morishita. Let’s make this a fun trip together.”

Seika gave a graceful bow.

“I’m Josuke Kageno. Good to meet you.”

Josuke greeted them with a pleasant smile.

“Sorry for bringing my whole family along,” Tsuyoshi said a bit apologetically.

“Not at all. Actually, we should be the ones worried about intruding on your family trip,” Hayato replied, honestly feeling like they were the ones imposing.

Kaede, however, was quick to dispel that thought.

“Not at all. I’m truly glad. I didn’t know my husband had such wonderful friends.”

She had never seen this side of Tsuyoshi before—the one so at ease with his friends. Although he’d mentioned them briefly to her, he hadn’t explained the fantastical details of their connection through another world.

To Kaede, these were people with whom her husband could truly open his heart—true friends.

“Please continue to be good friends with my husband.”

“Of course,” Seika said gently.

“Definitely,” Josuke added with confidence.

“He’s a precious friend,” Riri said with a sincere smile.

Hayato nodded. The bond they had forged through battles in another world was special—a soul-deep connection that had transcended even death. None of them doubted it.

“Daddy’s friends?” Aoi asked, peeking from behind Tsuyoshi’s back and observing Hayato and the others closely.

“That’s right. Very important friends,” Tsuyoshi replied.

In her innocent eyes, perhaps she could see the special aura that surrounded them. Meanwhile, Riku seemed more interested in the ship, his face lit up with curiosity.

“It’s huge!”

“It sure is,” Josuke said, crouching down to meet the boy’s eye level with a smile.

“It’s about 330 meters long and weighs over 150,000 tons. That’s about the same length as Tokyo Tower laid on its side. It’s like a massive skyscraper floating on the ocean.”

“Whoa!”

Riku’s eyes sparkled.

“There’s a pool, a movie theater, an arcade and water slides for kids, and even a planetarium onboard,” Riri explained, her gentle tone captivating the children.

“I heard the ship also has excellent medical facilities. That’s intriguing,” Seika added with a professional interest.

“Looking at the ship reminds me of… that time,” Tsuyoshi murmured, a nostalgic yet pained expression crossing his face.

“Yeah… that time…” Hayato echoed silently, recalling the memory they shared.

Back in the other world, they had once endured a harrowing sea voyage—crossing a vast ocean in a battered ship through a deadly storm. The memories of surviving that ordeal together were still vivid.

“This time, it’s a luxury cruise, huh?”

“After all we went through back then, we deserve to enjoy this,” Josuke said, patting both Tsuyoshi and Hayato on the shoulder.

“You’re right,” Tsuyoshi replied, his expression brightening.

Hayato smiled too. To them, who had once endured so much, this peaceful time was the greatest reward.

“It’s about time to start the boarding procedures. Shall we?” Josuke said.

With that, the group began walking toward the cruise ship. Tsuyoshi held his children’s hands as they chatted excitedly about how they would spend their time onboard. Riku fired off questions at Josuke, while Aoi clung to Tsuyoshi’s hand with a joyful laugh.

Seika and Kaede chatted animatedly as fellow women, and Josuke occasionally checked his phone while still keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

Hayato followed a little behind, quietly observing the scene. Their bond, forged through fierce battles in another world, had led them to this peaceful moment. It felt surreal, yet undeniably joyful.

“Let’s go, Hayato,” Riri called out, turning back with a smile.

“Yeah.”

And so, Hayato too began walking forward—together with them.