Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

A kotatsu is a unique household item from Japan.

For Adam, it was just a prop that often appeared in anime. After all, as a born-and-raised American, he had seen it before but never used one.

Let me explain briefly. A kotatsu, also called a heated table or horigotatsu, is a table covered with a blanket with a heat source fixed underneath. The blanket traps the heat, making it a cozy way to stay warm in winter.

However...

"Kazuma-kun, bringing out the kotatsu now isn't good." Adam scolded, watching him huddle in the kotatsu, "Even though it's getting cooler and temperatures are dropping, winter's barely started. Isn't this level of laziness a bit much?"

"Adam-senpai, I just finished a quest with Dust and the others. Please just let me rest for a bit, I'm begging you." Kazuma lay limply in the kotatsu.

Looking at Adam, who was also sitting in the kotatsu, he wanted to say "Aren't you doing the same thing?!" but fearing he'd get hit, he decided it was better to stay quiet.

But just because he didn't dare speak up didn't mean everyone would remain silent.

"Adam, stop staying at home and come do quests with us!" Megumin lay on Adam's back, wrapping her arms around his neck trying to pull him out, "If this keeps up, you'll definitely become a useless NEET like that scumzuma!"

"Hey, I'll let it slide this time, but if I hear you slandering me like that again, I'll really kick you, you know."

The self-proclaimed gender equality advocate Kazuma huddled in the kotatsu. His words were meant to sound threatening, but somehow carried no weight at all.

"That's right, Adam, hurry up and come do quests!" Even in the cold winter, Darkness could work up a sweat, her face flushed as she said, "Aqua and Megumin haven't done their quests today — the punishment isn't over yet!"

"Yeah, after a few more quests the punishment will be over, and then I'm definitely going to drink to my heart's content!" Aqua's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, "Adam, you're not avoiding doing quests with us, are you?"

"Uh..."

This was awkward. Their words left him feeling completely ashamed.

Like most people, Adam was naturally curious about new experiences. Who wouldn't want to try something they'd never experienced before?

But they couldn't keep lazing around after this short break.

Emerging from the warm kotatsu, he shivered as the cold wind hit him.

The weather was indeed freezing. The inviting kotatsu, with its open blanket, beckoned like a warm and welcoming maiden — its rising heat creating a dreamy atmosphere, as if whispering sweet temptations.

'Come play, darling! Just five more minutes of warmth!'... That sort of thing.

"No, no, no!" He quickly waved his hand, breaking free from its spell.

As if struck by a sudden thought, Adam turned to Kazuma, who remained huddled in the kotatsu.

"Kazuma-kun, you set up this kotatsu, right?"

"Yes, I did." The young man raised his right hand high, "Because it was too cold, I brought out the kotatsu early."

"Well, I have a question for you."

"Hmm?"

"What's the heat source for the kotatsu?" Adam had been sitting in it earlier but hadn't noticed anything generating heat.

A kotatsu requires a heat source. Some use charcoal, some use electric heaters, and others use various alternatives.

But this was another world without electricity, and he hadn't spotted any charcoal in the kotatsu.

So what was producing the heat?

"Ah, about that... it's using this." Kazuma pulled out a fire-red crystal from inside the kotatsu.

"Th-that is...?!" Adam instinctively stepped back, pulling Megumin away from the oblivious boy.

The confused Aqua and Darkness, sensing something amiss, unconsciously retreated with him.

"This thing Adam-senpai brought back is amazing. Even this tiny piece generates such high temperatures, and it keeps going all night long. This must be some rare material, right?" Kazuma stroked the fire-red crystal, even rubbing it against his cheek.

His fondness for the small crystal was obvious.

"..."

If only he could maintain that innocent appreciation.

"I'm sorry, Adam-senpai. I used your belongings without asking. I truly apologize." Kazuma lowered his hand from his cheek, looking contrite.

"No, no, it's fine if you like it, it's fine."

For some reason, their party leader's expression had become rather tense.

But Kazuma didn't dwell on it, instead asking, "By the way, Adam-senpai, why are you standing so far from me, and why are you three also keeping your distance? What's going on? You're all acting strange."

Puzzled, Kazuma began to rise from the kotatsu.

But just as he was getting up, Adam suddenly called out to stop him.

"Wait!"

"Wh-what is it, Adam-senpai? Why are you suddenly shouting? Did something happen?" Kazuma froze mid-rise, startled.

Adam backed away with the girls and addressed the confused you man, "It might be a bit late to explain this now, but Kazuma-kun, do you know what you're holding?"

Hearing these words, Kazuma felt a sense of foreboding. Their strange behavior suggested he had done something terribly wrong.

Swallowing hard, he asked dryly, "What exactly is... is th-this thing?"

"Fire Magic Stone." Adam explained, "It's a magic ore that produces high temperatures — a very practical, versatile magic stone."

"What's the big deal? Isn't it just a normal magic stone?"

"While it might seem that way..."

"But?" Kazuma had started to relax, but that trailing sentence made his heart tense up again.

"This magic ore has one special characteristic — it can release all its heat in an instant. That's why it's typically made into explosive weapons... in other words, bombs."

Just as they feared, amid their tense expressions, the truth emerged.

This was what Adam had brought back from Re:Zero — the same type of magic ore the Witch Cult had planted in the dragon carriage to try to kill Emilia.

Originally, he'd intended it as a self-defense tool for Aqua and the others. But fearing they might misuse it and cause destruction, he had stored it in the rarely visited basement.

Yet somehow, Kazuma had found it. And worse — it was already activated!

One light impact now would trigger an instant explosion, killing all five of them!

"A b-bomb—?!"

Shocked!

Kazuma's hands trembled uncontrollably as he held the Fire Magic Stone. Despite the winter cold, sweat streamed down his face — not from heat, but from pure fear.

He finally understood that his convenient heat source was actually a ticking time bomb!

"Wh-what do we do, Adam-senpai?" He desperately looked to their reliable leader for help.

"Don't panic, Kazuma-kun." Adam instructed, "It won't explode unless it receives a violent impact. Just throw it far away — carefully."

"Oh, I get it. Just avoid impacts — simple enough."

The relieved young man went limp. Maintaining his rising posture had been exhausting, but now that he knew the solution, his tension melted away.

But he had forgotten one crucial detail: there was still another red magic stone in the kotatsu!

When he flopped down too forcefully, even the blanket's cushioning couldn't prevent the low table from violently shaking.

"Gah—?"

"It's over."

As if on cue, a blindingly bright, scorching light erupted from inside the kotatsu.

It was going to explode!

◈ Yin Magic ⫸ EMM ◈

In the nick of time, Adam cast this "absolute defense magic", enveloping the girls behind him within it.

BOOM!

BOOM!

With two consecutive deafening explosions, the mansion collapsed in an instant.

✧✧✧

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