Ahem.
Human culture varies from time to time, and place to place.
But whenever and wherever you are, you'll always find two things.
What do you think they are?
Eating and having fun!
You guessed it. Language and family systems.
Also, chatting and trolling!
A family is, fundamentally, parents and children.
Of course, that can also vary depending on time and place.
For example, you have polygamy and polyandry.
As for the relationships between parents and children,
some societies separate birth and parenting.
As the basic unit of a society, a family can have many rules—
Stop it!
You're confusing the heck out of me!
Barbecue Beef All you can eat!
Mega-feast
My name is Izumi Reina.
As payment for dealing with a Phantom, we got all-you-can-eat coupons,
so I'm here today with my club mates for dinner.
Bliss!
R-Really...
You really eat a lot.
Where's it all going?
Who knows?
I'm not really sure myself.
Excuse me.
Yes?!
I'd like two servings of these extra-thick short ribs and this horumon meat with sauce.
I am sorry.
I got carried away by myself...
Why are you sorry?
You earned those tickets.
Exactly.
You've gotta eat up.
I'll catch up to you next time!
You'll come with me again?
Of course.
Yeah, let's come again.
Thank you.
These days, I smile more.
But now that school is fun, going home has become a bit sad.
Onee-sama!
The knowledgeable Haruhiko-kun told me...
This hour is called "omagatoki."
At this time of day, you are more likely to encounter a Phantom.
I have a special ability, for which I am called a "Phantom Eater."
Every now and then, I've been sealing Phantoms when they cause trouble.
But my parents don't take kindly to it.
What a strange-looking bus...
Huh?
When did I get home?
What is this feeling?
Father, Mother, I'm home.
You're home late again.
You'd better not have been getting involved with Phantoms.
No.
Maybe you were bewitched by a Phantom.
Bewitched?
Yeah.
For example, you talked to someone who was lost on the street.
My hemorrhoids!
You there, traveler... Take me home, and I will reward you!
Like, you know how some of them spirit you away to other worlds that way?
You mean like a tengu-kakushi or kami-kakushi?
Also, my heart suddenly felt really warm back then...
I felt really happy, like when I am with Onee-sama.
You mean with Mai-senpai?
M-Me?
No, I mean, I— N-No, that is correct, but I mean...
That bus yesterday was a Phantom.
Minase-san!
You're possessed.
I am sorry to make you do all this...
Come on, Reina-chan. Don't hold back.
She's right.
We're a team, so helping one another is natural.
A team is like a family.
We have to be there for one another.
It was around this time yesterday, too.
I could tell right away.
That was a Phantom.
You just stood there and watched?!
That girl also has special abilities, doesn't she?
I didn't think she needed me to meddle.
That isn't the point!
Reina...
Wait, Reina!
Reina-chan!
Haruhiko...
Haruhiko! Reina!
There's no need to worry.
I'm pretty sure they'll be back.
But if this keeps up, she might be in danger.
In danger?
She might not be able to return.
Reina-chan...
What's up with this bus, anyway?
Bunny Garden
Father, Mother, I'm home!
Oh, Reina, welcome home.
Dinner's ready. It's yummy.
Okay!
So?
Are you gettin' used to school?
Yeah.
It's super fun!
This is your first time in a club, right?
I hope you're not havin' a hard time.
No...
Everyone's so kind and funny, so not at all!
The other day, we even did martial arts training.
Martial arts?
That's a hoot!
Yeah!
Like this... And like this!
Come now, Reina, you mustn't do that at the table.
Sorry.
The hell is this?
Reina-chan, get a grip!
Those guys are Phantoms!
Onii-chan!
Haruhiko!
Haruhiko, you're late!
Ow.
Where have you been all this time?
Now, come have a seat!
And there's so much on the menu at school!
I wish I could try some, too.
What the...
Why am I doing this?
Maybe I should wear a male uniform and go to school with you.
Haruhiko, here's your rice.
Please don't be so crazy.
Thank you.
I'd be popular with the girls!
Mom, could you pass the sauce?
Onii-chan, the bath's ready!
Thanks.
Hey...
It's been a while.
Wanna sleep together?
Y-You idiot!
How old do you think we are?
I'm just kiddin'.
You're blushin' too much, Onii-chan!
Jeez...
We're off.
Have a nice day!
Come straight home today, you hear?
Okay!
What's going on?
Reina-chan...
Reina-chan! Reina-chan!
Haruhiko-kun...
Look at this.
Almost no time has passed since we got on the bus!
Reina?
If that's you, come inside now!
S-Sorry!
Who's the boy next to you?
I-I'm—
I know him from school.
It was getting dark, so he walked me home.
I'm sorry, but could you please go home?
Right...
But wait!
Please!
I'll explain tomorrow.
Reina!
What are you waiting for?
C-Coming.
Bye.
Reina-chan...
Neural Error Corrections Room
I recognize it.
It's one of those Phantoms that hypnotizes humans
and takes them into its own world.
Then Haruhiko was hypnotized along with her...
You shouldn't have eaten the food.
That was when it got hold of your consciousness.
Do you have any idea why you might have been possessed by such a thing?
To tell you the truth,
I still have not been able to tell my parents that I joined this club.
You're keeping it from them?
But don't your parents know that you're a Phantom Eater?
Yes.
But they consider Phantoms obscene and despise them.
They don't want me getting involved with them, either.
So if I tell my parents that I'm in this club, they definitely won't approve...
They'll probably make me transfer.
Seriously?
No way.
My sister got sick of my parents being that way and left home.
You have a sister, Reina-chan?
Yes.
She liked biking.
She often used to take me places on the back of her bike.
She was a bit like Mai-oneesama.
That's why you took to Mai-cchi as soon as you met her!
I'm sorry.
I wanted to tell you sooner, but...
No, it isn't something you need apologize for!
This secret has been weighing on my mind lately. I'm finding it hard to make the journey home.
I guess the Phantoms are taking advantage of those feelings.
That's a work call.
If you'll excuse me.
You're leaving, Koito-chan?
I'm sure you can deal with such a simple Phantom by yourselves.
Bye.
What's with her attitude?
She gets on my nerves!
I am so sorry...
We told you not to say that.
Right.
Haruhiko!
I got this!
Huh?
You failed!
Looks like you're still affected by yesterday.
Haruhiko?
Reina!
What is this place?
Father, Mother, I'm home!
I'm home.
Oh, you're here together?
We ran into each other at the bus stop.
Really?
It must be the sibling connection.
They're totally bewitched.
We won't fall for it like they did.
Yeah.
Phantom police!
Police
You will give them back!
Onee-chan!
Mai!
Mai-oneechan!
You came back!
Father, it's Onee-chan!
Mai-oneechan's home!
Say what?!
Mai!
It's you... It's Mai!
What is this?
What's going on?
We were all so worried about you.
Seriously.
What were you doing and where?
What?
You're...
Stuff, I guess.
But I got by.
It must have been so hard...
We won't tell you to stop bikin' anymore...
Just don't leave home again!
Sure.
This must be a manifestation of Reina's feelings, too.
You'd better not fall for it, Mai-cchi.
The food doesn't affect you since you're a Phantom, I take it?
This is delicious, too!
Say, "Ah."
Wow, it is.
I know, right?
You idiot!
Family is so nice!
From now on...
...we'll be a happy family.
Right, Reina?
Yeah.
Well, whatever.
Everyone's having fun.
I'm so glad my whole family's here now.
Washroom
Wait, glad about what?
What are you talking about?
Everyone's here now. It's happy times.
Hey, your bunny ears are gone, Haruhiko.
Good thing, too. They totally didn't suit you.
It's not good!
Look at this one. She has ice cream on her head.
Look at that.
Reina-chan, over here.
I have to admit, I'm really cute.
Wh-What's wrong?
We're in the washroom.
In folklore, washrooms are considered the portals to other worlds.
That means it'll be easier for you to snap out of it here.
What are you talkin' about?
Reina-chan, get a grip.
I'm not your brother!
You've been bewitched by Phantoms!
I don't get it...
You're my brother, aren't you?
Sorry, Reina-chan!
H-H-How...
How dare you?!
H-Haruhiko-kun?
You did it! She's back to normal!
Nice going, Haruhiko!
I've been thinking...
If only Onee-sama would come home and patch things up with my parents...
That's a sight I've been wanting to see for ages.
Even if it's only Phantom trickery.
Reina-chan...
I feel like this is my real home.
My parents are kind, and my sister is here.
And I have a place for myself.
Are you saying you don't want to leave?
Reina...
Mai-senpai!
Reina, now that you've awoken, we have no choice but to leave.
After all, this world was nothing but a parasite on your dreams.
But if you choose, you may come with us, too.
You could be our real daughter, and we could live happily together forever.
But we won't force you.
If you want to leave, we won't stop you.
Father...
Mother...
Don't go!
Reina...
Will you be our family?
No!
You won't be able to come back!
Reina-chan!
Damn it, I can't keep up...
My mom left home, too... She couldn't get along with Dad.
Just like your sister!
Ever since, things haven't been good with my dad, too.
But if I also left the house, my family really would fall apart.
That's why I'm still waiting for Mom to come home!
What if your sister comes home and you aren't there?
Don't you think she'd be sad if you weren't there for her?
Until then... Until then, you belong where we are, with us!
Everyone's waiting for you.
It's all right.
If that's what you wish, then that's fine.
It was only for a short while, but it was fun being your family.
Remember us sometimes, would you?
Goodbye, Reina.
Father! Mother!
I... I...
I'm sorry.
I'll be strong.
I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused.
Especially for you, Haruhiko-kun!
Not at all...
It's okay.
It was all for your sake.
What gives you the right to say that?
Huh? But I worked so hard.
You didn't do anything!
Did too! Totally did!
Liar!
Ow, ow!
Stop it! Stop it!
Anyway, I'm glad your parents gave you permission to join the club.
Everything that happened was because I never told my parents about the club.
I thought I should confront it and talk to them properly.
You toughed it out, huh, Reina-chan?
Yes.
I am glad that I made it back to this world.
I really believe that.
But sometimes, I think maybe my other home exists somewhere beyond that sunset...
Sometimes, I wish I could see my Phantom parents again.
Until we meet again.