“What? All because I turned into a lizard, you think I had a hard time?” she said with a teasing smile. “I’ll have you know, in that world, I was born to be a dragon… thingy.” That elicited a few laughs, and William nodded his understanding. He looked to the others who hadn’t raised a hand. Grant shrugged and raised his hand sheepishly.

“I mean, the transition to this world has been difficult,” he said.

“That’s fair,” William said. He turned to the others. “How about that then: transitioning back to this world has been difficult.” Everyone raised their hands. William took note on his paper, and paused. “Would anyone like to share why it’s been hard for them?”

“I don’t know, maybe just all of this?” Jackson said, gesturing broadly. “Being arrested the minute we dropped back here? Being forced to relocate and live on the campus of some repurposed high school in the Japanese countryside? Being forced to participate in some ‘project’ headed by several national governments against our will?”

“Don’t forget the time passing,” Marcus said. “I spent a quarter of a century on my Trip. Things are not the same as I remember it, let me tell you!” He laughed, shaking his head. “I wish I’d gotten to see more of the world before getting locked away like this.”

“I concur,” Randal said. “I spent even longer in my other world than I did in this one. Having to leave everything behind for a second time is just…”

“I see,” William said, writing frantically on his clipboard. When he finished writing, he looked around to see if anyone else had any comments. “I’ll make a note of these and see what I can do. As for leaving everything behind a second time… well, that’s why I’m hoping you can be each others’ support.” Marcus gave his thanks while Jackson shrugged. Randal returned his gaze to the window once again.

“Now,” William continued, “the next few are more personal ones. After that, we can open up for any questions that any of you may have for each other. Sound good?” Nobody said a word to stop. “Alright then. I miss my life from before my trip.” Grant was the only one to hold up a hand. Marcus let out a heavy sigh, but otherwise didn’t move. “I am eager to return to a life similar to what I had before my trip.” Grant lowered his hand, and nobody raised theirs in turn. A few shifted in the seats, but not a word was said.

William made a note of this and resumed. “I made meaningful connections in my other world.” Everyone raised a hand without hesitation, and William quickly continued. “I treasure the time that I spent on my Trip.” Nobody lowered their hand. “And finally: I hope to return to the other world.” Every hand remained in the air.

William made a few more notes before turning the clipboard upside down. “Thank you, everyone. I hope you were able to learn a bit about each other, and can clearly see you all share the same end goal. I’m not sure how feasible that is, as I’m afraid that interdimensional travel is outside of my expertise. But I’m more than happy to give you my two cents on it in the future.”

Ashley gave a soft cheer and golf clapped for a few seconds, before stopping when nobody joined in.

“Oh no,” William said, returning the golf clap, “Give yourself a round of applause. This isn’t easy, or something that just anyone can do. You should all be proud that you’ve been able to take these events in as much stride as you have.” Kyle, Ashley, and Marcus joined in giving a few claps. “Now, anyone else who would like to take the floor?”

Ashley’s hand shot up. “Can I start?”

“By all means.”

“Thanks! I’ll start with a question for you, doc: is this really all of us? There’s nobody else in the world that’s a Returnee?”

William took a deep breath. “First: no. There is one more person, actually. They’re here, on campus. Probably holed up in their room right now, and due to their circumstances, I elected to give them the option of attending today’s group session, instead of forcing them here like I did with all of you. They declined, unfortunately, but I’m hopeful that you all will get to acquaint yourselves eventually.”

“Oh, I see… that’s too bad,” Ashley said, downcast.

“Second,” William said, raising a finger. “I want to remind you all: please don’t call me ‘doc’ or ‘doctor’. Just Will or William is fine. Or even Mister Carbide, if that’s too informal for you.”

“Aww, why not?” Ashley asked. “You’re like our psychiatrist or whatever, right?”

“Yeah,” Jackson said with a chuckle. “A psychiatrist who specializes in people that have been isekaied.”

“Like an isekai psychiatrist? Oh, like an ‘isekai-atrist’!” Ashley said, almost bouncing in her seat again.

“No!” William said, shaking his head fervently. “I’m a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. I appreciate the punny title, but it’d feel wrong to take it when I’m not–”

“Oh, what’s the harm, Will?” Marcus said, giving a dismissive wave. “We’re just teasing ya anyhow.”

William was at a loss for words. He scratched his head and sighed, relenting. “Alright, fine. I’m your ‘isekai-atrist,’ or whatever. But still, I’d appreciate it if you used my name.”

“Hey, William? Can I ask another thing?” Ashley asked, raising her hand again.

“As long as it’s for the group and not just for me, sure.”

“Yep, something for all of us.” She looked around at the group. “What happened during your guys’ Return? Like, what did you do when you realized you were back? Do you remember? It was only a few months ago.”

There were a few sighs around the room, followed by a pause. When it went on for more than a few seconds, William spoke up. “I want everyone to know there’s no pressure to give a ton of details to any of these questions, or anything. But if you could give a simple yes or no on the matter, please do.” A few more moments passed.

“I knew immediately I was back in New York.” Jackson spoke up, breaking the silence. “Took me a bit to realize it was the same crosswalk I had been crossing when I was hit by an electric car and suddenly found myself in another world. Didn’t help that I’d been dropped in the middle of traffic once again, on top of every electronic device in the area malfunctioning at the same time.”

“Yikes,” Kyle muttered.

“Oh yeah, what was up with that?” Ashley asked, turning to William.

“I couldn’t begin to tell you,” he replied. “I was led to believe it was a solar flare that was stronger than predicted, and it interfered with some electronics on a global scale never seen before, except it only affected certain regions for some reason. It was only a few seconds, thankfully, but the damage was done. It wasn’t until I joined Project Q-sekai over a month later that I was made aware of you all, and that the supposed solar flare was an excuse to cover up that all of you had Returned. So, in all honesty, I don’t think anyone really knows anything beyond that.”

“Hmm, I see…” Ashley nodded along. “Oh, I’ve got another question! For those of us who had to reincarnate, was it because–”

“Ashley,” William said, holding a hand up. “I’d appreciate it if we gave someone else a chance.”

“Tsk, fiiine~.” She slouched back in her seat, arms crossed. “But that was a good one!”

“Anyone else have something they’d like to ask or share?” William asked, meeting everyone else’s eyes.

Kyle raised his hand, and William gestured for him to go ahead. “So, I know most of us had a world with magic, but did any of you guys get to use any? Did you learn, like spells or chants or something?”

“Hmm? Did you not, Kyle?” Ashley asked.

“That’s what made life worth living, for a while,” Randal said. “Took a decade, but I became the number one mage in the kingdom after I began studying at five years old. Number one on the continent after another 5 years.”

“Woah, really?” Kyle said, his eyes full of awe.

“Oh? Not bad,” Marcus said with a nod. “I reincarnated as a shapeshifting blob at the bottom of an ocean, so I ate whatever carcasses sunk to the bottom, and just accumulated magic and forms until I could make it to the surface. Long story short, I gained enough power to rival some of the demon lords that caused trouble the world over. Took me many years to get to that point, but about five years ago, I became the strongest among them. I’m really hoping they’re not causing trouble while I’m gone…”

“For real?” Kyle asked, almost shouting.

“For me,” Jackson said, “it was less magic itself that I could use, and more magic infused weapons from the past. Less than half the population were blessed with the ability to use actual magic. Most everyone else had to use tools from ancient times that could still cast stuff, including me.”

“And I was a dragon thingy. So I was kinda, like, made of magic or something?” Ashley said, her head crooked. “Still not totally sure on that, and it’s not like we had doctors or vets or anyone able to give me a scientific breakdown of what was going on with me.”

“Gah, I’m so jealous!” Kyle said, stomping his feet. “The most I could do was–” He stopped short, mouth agape. William thought he could see anxiety on Kyle’s face that hadn’t been there a moment before.

“Kyle? You okay?”

“Uh, yeah,” Kyle replied. “It’s whatever, now. Sorry, I’m just complaining I didn’t get to be all magical or powerful like you guys.”

“Oh really? What did you get to do, then?” Ashley asked.

“That’s… a story for another time.”

“That’s fine, Kyle. No need to push yourself right now. We’ve got plenty of time to get to know each other and tell your stories, if you so wish,” William said, reassuringly.

“Speaking of magic,” Randal said, shifting in his seat. He eyed Marcus and Ashley warily. “I was wondering… did any of you return with any of the magic powers you had before?” They both contemplated a moment.

“Not that I can tell, no.”

“Nope, not a drop of mana.”

“Damnit!” Randal cursed. “So none of us have any proof that we were capable of the things we say we were? There’s no way to show we’re not crazy or just making things up?”

“Nobody is going to think that, Randal,” William said sternly. “At least, nobody of importance. Everyone involved in Project Q-sekai knows about your circumstances as Returnees, so they’ll be more than inclined than not to believe what you say. Likely with some room for doubting extreme stuff like ‘demon lords’ and the like.” William looked to his right. “No offense, Marcus; I get what you’re talking about, but anyone unfamiliar with isekai fiction or fantasy stories probably wouldn’t follow along so well.”

“Oh, I get it,” Marcus said. “It took me some time to wrap my head around those things myself. And I was there!” He gave a hearty laugh.

“Anyone else have something to ask or share?” William asked. “Richard? You’ve been fairly quiet so far. Anything you’d like to say?”

Richard slumped back in his seat for a moment before leaning forward. “I guess I can contribute a bit. Let’s see…” he trailed off for a moment. “You see, I was a bit of a world-wide traveled man, in my past life. So I’m curious, did any of you manage to make anything of your knowledge from Earth in your other worlds?”

“Not really,” Ashley responded, almost immediately. “It took me almost ten years to get a human form, but by the time I did, things had kinda gotten to the point that anything from Earth was irrelevant.”

“Oh? Same here!” Marcus said. “Ten years a monster. But when I could turn into a human again, I was actually able to join a settlement and help them using some Earthly stuff I could remember. Rose to the top of the kingdom food chain real quick, we did.”

“It was rather hard for me,” Jackson said. “It was all high fantasy and ancient magic tools versus a society developing steampunk, so I could only apply a few things I’d learned in school for niche areas of life.”

“Oh, steampunk? Same here!” Kyle said. “I spent some time diving down rabbit holes on the internet before my Trip too, so I was able to use some of that to a degree, but that’s all.”

William smiled as everyone bantered back and forth, sharing their stories and experiences. He looked over to Grant, who wore a solemn expression.

“What about you, Grant? Anything you’d like to share or ask?” William offered. Grant sighed and shook his head.

“I mean… I don’t know. I don’t remember anything other than my world. This is just… it’s too much for me. I’m glad you guys can share and support each other, but I don’t know how I could possibly fit in with… all this.” He gestured with both hands to everyone around him, and slumped back in his seat.

William nodded, thinking. “Is there anything we can do for you? Anything you want to ask that’s not related to other worlds and the like?”

“Maybe?” Grant shrugged and fell into silence. He looked around the room at everyone, then out the window. William followed his gaze and saw Shiro out in the field again, grazing on the grass. “I guess… what now?” Grant asked.

“Now?” William returned the question.

“Yeah. What happens to us now? We’re here on the campus, seeing you and several other doctors for various things. We’ve had to take various tests and exams, both physical and mental, and we’re not allowed to leave until further notice. We have no idea if we’ll ever be able to go back to our worlds like we want to, so… yeah. What next?”

Suddenly, a ringing sounded. William pulled his phone out and turned off the alarm. “Next, I’m afraid I have to go answer a bunch of questions myself.” He sighed. “The higher ups expect a periodic, in person report from me and I’ve yet to do one.” He stood up and slowly began walking to the exit. “In the meantime Grant and everyone: what’s next is up to you, really. If you want to talk more and get to know each other, feel free to do so. If you want to learn about what you may have missed while you were gone, I’ll send for my buddy Anthony to get you all access to that information. If you’d like to make a request of any kind, be sure to let me or Anthony know, and we’ll see how we can accommodate you. No promises, of course, since we don’t run the place, but we will try our best.” He opened the door and stepped out. “Oh, and one last thing. I’ll be sure to let you all know when your next one on ones with me will be. The goal is at least once every other week. Same with these group sessions. See you then!” With that, he shut the door and was gone.

A minute of silence passed in the room.

“Was he… dodging the question?” Grant asked.

“He dodged the question,” Randal sighed, nodding.

“Oh come on, what could he have said?” Marcus asked. “This is just the beginning. He’s shown us his good faith and willingness to help so far. Don’t count him out just yet.”

“I’m with Marcus,” Jackson said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna always give him a pass like this. We’ll make sure he doesn’t squirm out of any questions next time. For sure.”