The Parallel World arc
This page is translated from the Japanese original. For anything drawn in the manga, the Japanese original is the reference. Read the Japanese original ↗
What is this story about?
Hachiware comes to deliver corn to Chiikawa, who is sick in bed with a fever. The moment Hachiware rushes over, light surrounds them, and when Hachiware comes to, they're in a world where familiar things are each slightly different.
Key scenes
Read the full summary (spoils the ending)
Having tea at a white character's house, Hachiware notices things that are slightly different from the original world, like weapons and ribbons. And Hachiware starts to think this world might be better.
According to a talking tree, there are bugs that come to suck up worlds made thick by fever, and if you get sucked up, there's no going back to the original world. Remembering their friend, Hachiware decides to go home and chases the bug, but Hachiware's body starts turning hairy, with big ears.
Ending
Hachiware crushes the bug with their changed claws and, feared by this world's residents, is sucked up back to the original world. Back in the original room, Hachiware checks the ears of Chiikawa, who has woken up, asks what Chiikawa would like as a Grade 5 celebration gift, and the two eat corn together.
Story arcs
- The Siren arcExtermination jobs with 100 times the pay, plus limited-edition ramen and all-you-can-eat food. Lured by a flyer that fell from the sky, Chiikawa and friends head to an island with Rakko-sensei. The island they reach is lively, and for a while the trip is fun, with parfaits, hammocks, and the seaside at night.
- The Nightmare arcWhile studying for the weeding certification exam, Chiikawa hears a song offering to make a late-night snack. Following the voice into the forest, Chiikawa gets a snack from a black, elephant-like creature, and in return has to play a staring game.
- The Yamanba arcWhile picking up sweet berries in the woods, the three get caught in a trap and can't move. At night, a white-haired old woman appears and rescues them, and at her hut she serves them pork miso soup and inari sushi with pickled red ginger.
- The Three-Star Restaurant arcAfter getting paid, Chiikawa and Hachiware find a reasonably priced “three-star” restaurant and nervously go in.
- The Muchau Man arcUsagi brings a flyer for an event with new-product tastings and an appearance by the hero Muchau Man. The three go together, and Hachiware is all fired up to take a photo with the hero using the camera.
- The Complimented Ribbon arcComplimented on a ribbon that came with some cookies, Hachiware happily displays it in a vase. But one morning, the ribbon in the vase is nowhere to be found.