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Chapter 22 - An Unexpected Comeback—But To What?

Taiyo's eyes flickered open in a daze, his mind struggling to piece together where he was. A dull ache throbbed at the back of his brain, and for a moment he wondered if he was still trapped in that chaotic isekai world—was he still in that takoyaki shop of madness? But no, this place felt different. It was strange, yet oddly familiar. As his vision cleared, he noticed the walls plastered with anime posters of his favorite waifus. His heart skipped a beat. "Hold on—am I back in Japan?"

He rubbed his forehead, trying to shake off the pressure that had built up, and slowly sat up. His clothes felt unexpectedly soft—fluffy slippers that were almost too cute for a grown man, pajama trousers featuring a beloved manga character, and an oversized anime sweatshirt. He frowned as he looked down at himself. "Is this... really me? The real me?" His voice sounded off, as if he'd forgotten the sound of his own normal tone. Like a freight train slamming into him, the realization hit hard: this was his first real body, his first taste of home. But why had he returned?

A TV in the background suddenly burst to life, its screen flashing brightly. His stomach dropped when he saw a pornographic anime series he recognized all too well. His throat tightened as he managed to choke out, "Oh no…" How long had he been gone? The room around him was filled with the comforting clutter of his old life—the chaos of scattered comics and figurines, the lingering warmth of his blankets, and even the faint aroma of instant ramen. And yet, there was a problem.

The Coziness of an Otaku's Retreat

In a strange twist of fate, a small part of him felt reassured by the familiar surroundings. This was his haven: posters on the walls, shelves overflowing with collectibles, a game console lying on the floor—once, all of this had been his world, his safe space. But now it felt too… real. He wondered, with a mix of relief and dread, if he'd truly been gone. Was it all just a dream? Before he could ponder further, the sound of rapid footsteps outside his door made his heart skip a beat.

The Most Unfavorable Time

Glancing at the TV, he noticed the anime scene still playing in all its garish glory. A bead of sweat trailed down his cheek as he fumbled for the remote. But it wasn't where he expected. Suddenly, the door handle turned. "Taiyo! Wake up! We have school, remember?" The voice was unmistakable—Kitsune, his gyaru sister. Taiyo froze; his mind short-circuited, and his whole body went rigid.

The Greatest Disgrace

Kitsune burst into the room in her school uniform, exuding her usual confident, sarcastic charm. She shot him a fleeting glance before her eyes locked onto the TV. For a split second, it felt like Taiyo's very spirit was slipping away. "Taiyo? What the heck is this?!" he blurted out, his pulse racing and his face burning red. "Wait—" he tried to explain, waving his hands wildly. "It's not what it looks like, I swear!"

Kitsune just grinned, crossing her arms with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever. It's really early for this kind of thing, huh? Morning anime, bro?" Taiyo's mouth fell open, unable to form a proper response. His entire life had just been broadcast in 4K, and now, in this moment, he felt utterly exposed.

Kitsune strolled over and grabbed the remote, her hand hovering above the power button as if deciding whether to erase the scene altogether. Then—BLACK SCREEN. Bold, cheeky text appeared: "Caught in 4K. TO BE CONTINUED." Taiyo sat there, frozen—jaw slack, mind fried—while Kitsune's teasing laughter echoed around him. "Better get dressed, bro," she called out as she walked away, leaving Taiyo staring at the blank screen in disbelief. His world had just spiraled into complete chaos.

Conclusion: What Takes Place Next?

Taiyo's sudden return to his home world has left more questions than answers. What pulled him back? What really happened in that isekai mess? And how on earth is he supposed to explain all of this to Kitsune? One thing's clear: his once-routine life has become a tangled mess of memories and mystery—and it's only just beginning.

Stay tuned, because this is one comeback that's going to change everything.

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