"How is it?" Yura asked, letting Haruto, clad back in the same clothes he used when arriving to that bizarre land, observe his new haircut in a mirror.
The sides and the back of his head were cut very short, the top was short but still capable of spiking up, and he could comb it back easily to move more aerodynamically. He guessed the hair demoness had cut it at that length to get as much hair as she could, and she did. In her free hand was the remains of his ponytail, which could be used to make a wig. And it seemed it took her a great deal of will not to caress it.
"Not too shabby." He said, liking the new hairdo, but not wanting to praise her too much due to her previous attitude.
Of course, she ignored him, "Doesn't matter." She rubbed her cheek on his cut-off ponytail in the same affectionate manner a mother would smother her child.
"Anyway..." Kagome, who was at the side, started beside the well. "Let's get going. I'm sure people must be worried."
"Yeah." Haruto commented, "Coach gave me time to train on my own, but after how long we've been gone, I don't think I can explain this."
"Don't you dare forget us." Naruko growled at the two, "I still need that jewel."
"Come on." Kagome frowned at the dog girl, "Can't you think of something else? Like, what's this thing got to do with me, why is it inside me, and how does someone like Haruto fit in this?"
"Good question, I could really use an explanation on this energy I can use." He lifted a fist and stared at it, "Do Kagome-chan and I have something to do here? Or is it a coincidence?"
"Coincidences are random events far apart in time, this is someone's plan." Kaede told them, "Be careful and come prepared when you return. Our questions need answers, and we all know that the road ahead of all of you won't be easy."
"If there's a light at the end of this tunnel, I hope it lets me punch whoever's messing with us." Haruto said with a frown.
"Worry not, I'm sure you'll be more than capable." the elder priestess said with a smile, "After all, whether it's fate or coincidence, I believe you have the drive to see it through, all of you."
Kagome blushed slightly, "That's a bit far for a girl like me, but thanks." She smiled at the one-eyed woman and hugged her, getting her to gasp, "Take care too, alright?"
"Thank you, child." Kaede said, fond memories of her sister holding her kindly when she was sick resurfacing and warming her heart.
"We'll see each other later, I promise." Haruto told them from the well as he helped Kagome in.
Naruko, meanwhile, huffed, "He better not make me wait, that idiot." then she noted Yura was still nuzzling the hair, "Creepy."
Once Kagome and Haruto reached their home time, they took a second to gather themselves as they climbed out of the well. "Kagome-chan, you know we're gonna have to make up some excuse for why we're gonna be gone. I have to ask, what exactly do you plan on telling your family?"
"That I'm going on an adventure with you and Naruko." She said like it was simple and catching Haruto off guard.
He nearly tripped. "Eh, wait what?!"
With a sigh, she explained herself. "When you were trapped with Yura, I came back here and Naruko followed me home. They know I came back to help save you. Shota even gave me the fire crackers I used to set Yura's hair on fire."
"And they were cool with you potentially risking your life to save me from a demon with a hanyo?!" She nodded. "Wow. Not sure if that's flat out reckless or flat out cool. Both maybe?" Haruto muttered to himself.
Kagome chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. "It's certainly something. But speaking of excuses, what are you going to tell your coach?"
Haruto shrugged. "Not sure yet. Maybe that I'm gonna be working out doing a new regime I found or that I managed to get into some hardcore gym. I'll have to tell the boys the same white lie too." He said, stroking his chin in thought before waving it off. "I'll think it about as I get my stuff."
Kagome giggle a bit. "Are you planning on bringing your boxing gloves?"
"Maybe." He said with a smile. "You know, for practice. Might bring two pairs, just in case I lose a pair or someone feels interested in a spar or something."
Kagome gulped at his last words. How I would pity that poor soul.
"Welp, let's get going! I'll be back here soon!" Haruto yelled as he ran out of the old shrine to get everything set. Despite the risk to life and limb prior to now and foreshadowed in the future, his blood was pumping. Something about going on an adventure that should only be taking place in fantasy just felt natural to him.
Odd right?
"Nice cut, kid. Now, answer me, where the Hell have you been!?" his coach was nearly frothing at the mouth from anger.
Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Haruto told the truth, "I was trapped in a well that brought me to old Edo and had to fight against demons barehanded."
"Kid!" the old man looked ready to strangle him.
Sighing, Haruto put a hand on his hip and looked him in the eye, "Listen, coach, I've been helping a couple girls lately. And from what I can tell, this can get dangerous. You know I tend to get in trouble."
Grunting, the man rubbed his forehead with a palm, "You'll give me an aneurism, kid. Just what did you get yourself into this time?"
"One of those girls is in serious trouble." He explained, "I wish I could tell you more, but there's not much you can do."
"Dammit..." the old man rubbed his chin next, "Well, I know for a fact you're an awful liar. But there's that damn confidence that you can do it which makes me believe you can." He looked at Haruto sternly in the eye, "Promise me you'll make it, kid. But seriously, instead of getting into brawls you should call the police."
"There are some really persistent guys the police can't deal with, which is why I'm staying close to those girls." Haruto commented.
"Fine, I'll be shush-shush about it, as usual." Taking a deep breath, the coach walked away, "Of course, the best boxer I have had to fight punks and yakuza on a regular basis."
Haruto's encounter with Kagome's brother and the antics that ensued wasn't the only time he got into street fights. Of course, that kind of attention could ruin a boxer's career, but his coach had managed to keep a couple things hidden while people thought the boy was a magnet for trouble. Despite the madness, the old man wasn't going to give up such a promising boxer due to his heroics.
Meanwhile at the Higurashi's. "We understand Kagome." Her mother said. "We'll notify the school that you're doing something family related and have to be away for a while. Same for that group of girls you hang around." Then her eyes hardened a bit and she put her hands on her hips. "But you be as careful as you possibly can, understood?"
Kagome nodded. "I promise I'll do my best." She said as she packed the last of her supplies for the journey. Inside her head, she cringed a bit. As much as I can in a world filled with magic and demons. The moment she was done packing, her mother roped her into a deep hug.
"And don't let that fine boy pass you by either." Her mother added on a bit more cheerfully as they broke off. "No doubt the competition for him is gonna be fierce."
Grandpa gave her a deadpan look, Sota blanched a bit, and Kagome went completely flustered. "MOM!" She groaned out.
Kagome's mother just shrugged. "Take it from me. I had the same ordeal with your father." She chuckled out.
"Good luck, Kagome." Grandpa said, changing the awkward subject. "Look at you, a fine young woman out to do fine things. I'm proud of you." He said giving her a hug she immediately returned.
"Are you sure I can't come?" Sota asked from the side. "I could totally help you kick demon butt!" He cheered, eager to fight with his sister and soon to be brother.
"Absolutely not." Everyone droned out which made him pout. Letting your teenager out to fight demons was one thing, but sending out someone who hasn't even passed middle school yet was out of the question.
"Fine." He grumbled before reaching to hug his big sis. "But you better bring me back something cool."
"Sure, Sota. Take care of these two while I'm gone." Kagome giggled out. Sota nodded eagerly and gave her a big smile with his thumbs up. Kagome was nervous but ready. She had her family's support, a cool group of friends, and her archery skill was at a good level with addons. She didn't know what lied ahead, but she was certain they could handle it.
Thankfully, the boxer waiting for her at the stairs leading to her home seemed more than capable. Grinning and waving, Haruto walked up the stairs in simpler clothes. A pair of black slacks, red and white sneakers, a simple black sports jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and an orange muscle shirt underneath. On his back was a yellow sling pack with what he thought he'd need.
Kagome's backpack made him regret not bringing more, "So, what did you get for the next trip?" he asked curiously.
She smiled, "Essentials like spare clothes, shampoo, soap, towels, a sleeping bag, toothpaste, a brush, and food."
Rubbing the back of his head, he answered bluntly, "I brought a pair of boxers, bandages, canned food, bottles of water, and a towel."
"You... really think that'll be enough?" she asked, slightly baffled.
"I don't think I could buy what you have with my allowance." He replied with a sigh.
"Well, we can share." She told him with a smile which he returned before thanking her. Kagome and the boy entered the well, unaware that her mother was doing a fist-pump to cheer after what she saw.
"Good luck getting your man, Kagome." She grinned joyfully.
"Grampa, are all girls going to grow that weird?" Sota asked the old man in a whisper.
"It depends on the girl, so be sure to be careful when choosing a girlfriend." The elder whispered back.