A Woman's Curiosity Is Scary

Hey, Shun here!

They say that an angry woman is scarier than a wild animal but I beg to disagree. Some of them are really cute even when they're angry while some look like they're always angry.

Take Miu, my little sister, for example. Often times, I can't really take her seriously when she's angry right after our childish banters.

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(Shun's POV)

I never thought that I would be put in a hot seat during a chill and happy celebratory party. The person who put me in that position was none other than my Mom.

"So? Do you have anyone you like among these girls?"

My body went stiff as I looked at my Mom who seems genuinely curious about the subject. At times like these, that smile of hers reminds me of Miu and Shizuka-nee whenever they act like someone airheaded.

Shizuka-nee is mostly airheaded in nature but that's besides the point.

"Well? Shun?"

When I glanced around the table, the younger girls were blissfully eating their meal alongside Rokuko who, when she saw me looking at her, smiled at me radiantly. As for everyone else… they seem a little uncomfortable.

Why are you guys feeling uncomfortable when I'm the one who's in the hot seat? Anyway, to answer the question, given my mother's personality, I think she wouldn't accept me just saying "I have none at the moment." or something.

Given the situation, that's one of the only answers I could give without forming any sort of awkwardness in the relationship of our group. Since that's out of the question, I could only say this to her.

Steeling my expression, I looked at my Mom while sporting as neutral of an expression as I could muster before replying to her.

"Someone I like, huh… Right now, I don't think I have anyone I specifically like. Except for when I'm spending my time with you, Miu, Shizuka-nee, and Dad, I very much like spending my time with them as well…"

I checked to see what Mom's expression is. When I saw that she is still showing that same look, I decided to add some more details as to why.

"It's always very fun and exciting everytime so I never get bored when I'm with them. I also like to spend my time with Pochi, Tama, Tsuka, and Fenny. They're cute after all, even Miu treats them like the little sisters she never had…" I then looked at Mom with a smile on my face before adding.

"Aren't they cute, Mom? I remember Shizuka-nee also saying that she'd be happy to have a younger sister again soon. We can't wait to see our younger sibling…" I said while patting Pochi and Tsuka's head who's sitting beside me. Tama gave me a look saying that she wants pats as well but I gestured at her that I'll do so later.

Even if you're my beloved mother, you can't get away with putting me on a hot seat like that.

"Eh?"

Mom was of course surprised by the sudden change of subject. She was further pressured when Miu jumped up from her seat and shouted.

"That's right Mom! You and Dad have been married for years now you know?"

"A-Ah… Well, about that… Why don't we eat some more for now!?" Huh? That's rather uncharacteristic of Mom.

I feel like I'm onto something here but I just can't pinpoint what it is. During that celebratory banquet that we had, I was so curious that I couldn't even eat properly.

After we all got into our rooms, Mom called out Miu and I to her room and told us something that surprised me and Miu. The news definitely surprised me but this is really such a happy occasion.

So that's the reason why Dad made her go home early. Like Miu and Shizuka-nee, Mom's the type of person to get immersed in something that piques their interest, after all.

The sole reason why Dad started buying the stocks of a technological company was because of Mom's curiosity in the first place. Due to that happy news we received, we continued to do some celebratory banquets for the next two days until it was time for the girls to go back to their dimension.

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It's been a week since everyone went home. Because of the celebratory mood that we got going until they all went home, no one really became sad during their departure.

We could all still meet during a [Quest]. While that's still not happening though, we continued to converse over the phone through doing video calls. We only really used the chat function when some of us are busy with the school or something else.

During this time as well, Mom started taking time off work and, if she needed to do something, she would do it at home with us. Because of this, Miu became even more jolly.

No one really noticed the difference to her usual behavior and her current behavior since Miu has always been outgoing and happy when around her friends. The only difference I could think of is probably the look on her eyes? Lately, it's become more lively and full of life.

Like right now. She's humming a tune while walking beside me on our way home.

"Hmmm? What is it Onii-chan?" She noticed that I was glancing at her so she naturally asked me about it while still smiling brightly.

"Nothing really. I'm just happy to see that you're all smiles now. You're usually down in the dumps and looking like the world's about to come to an end after all…" I remarked in a joking manner.

"Mou! What do you mean by that Onii-chan!? I've always been lively and youthful like the girls my age you know!?"

Seeing her pout like that, I just smiled slightly before ruffling her hair a little.

"Is that so? That's good then. I don't want to take care of a drama queen after all…"

"I'm not a drama queen!? Hmph, I'm going to tell Mom that you'rlve been picking on me since yesterday, just you wait."

I just shrugged my shoulders at her remark before stretching my body.

"Sure sure… I'll even accompany you if you want to."

"That's what you said alright! I'll take you up on your words then."

"Uh-huh…"

While we were doing our usual banter, we finally reached our home. Unlike me who's all relaxed, Miu immediately bolted inside our house after almost literally kicking the front door open.

"Mom! Hear this! Onii-chan is—"

Before I could hear her latter words, I heard a sudden notification sound enter my ears, leading me to look at the phone that's on my pocket.

"A new quest huh? What is it this time?"

✽✽[Group Chat]✽✽

System Message: Issuing a [Quest]…

System Message: The [Dimensional Train] is almost complete. Members of the [Group Chat] only needs to finish this [Quest] and the dimension to dimension travel will become available…

System Message: Time will stop at the [Dimension] on which the [Quest] participants belong to…

System Message: The [Quest] will begin in 4 hours…

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After that announcement, despite the surprise of us who just finished one [Quest], a separate window showing our next [Quest] popped up. When I saw the name of the [Quest], my eyes widened a little.

✽✽[An Assassination Trip]✽✽

Type: Chain Quest

Status: Incomplete

Participant(s): (0/5)

Participation: Mandatory(Voting)

Time Limit: None

Description:

The Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon, has been destroyed by a gruesome monster made through an experiment. That is the target of your assassination. Achieve your objective and graduate in class 3-E.

Reward(s): 5,000 d-coins, 1x Random D-coins Chest, 2x Random Currency Chest, and 1x Random Reward Coupon.

Become a student at Kunugigaoka Junior High School's [Class 3-E]: Ongoing

Invite one girl: Ongoing

Become the top one at the exam: Ongoing

Steal and erase the experimental records regarding the Anti-matter experimentations: Ongoing

Slay the current [Grim Reaper]: Ongoing

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✽✽[Group Chat]✽✽

Kaede: Assassination? Ehhhh? I… I don't want to go to this quest.

Rikka: Me too. I don't like the sound of this quest. I'll pass. [Admin] Shun, sorry about this but we'll pass on this one. My [Tyrant's Eye] isn't ready for such a thing…

Shun: It's fine Kaede-san, Rikka. I'll just buy you some souvenirs when we go back. So? Who else doesn't want to go?

Satanichia: Although I am a devil, I don't like the sound of 'assassination' it sounds dishonorable.

Shun: So Satania-san is also out, huh. That leaves us with Mutsuko-san, Pochi, Tama, Rokuko, and me. What do you guys think? Anyone else who doesn't want to go?

Mutsuko: I don't have any problems going! If anything, I'm curious about this monster thing… By the sound of this quest, it seems like he's a human who turned into a monster right? That sounds interesting to me!

Pochi: Pochi wants to go to school nodesu! Pochi will go nanodesu!

Tama: Tama too~? Waku waku~!

Shun: That's four then. What about you Rokuko? Rokuko?

Rokuko: Ah, sorry about that, Shun. I was talking to Maichi about the new dessert that Mom taught me how to make.

Shun: Oh, so you're already teaching Maichi that, huh. Teach Koharu as well then. She's good at cooking too.

Rokuko: Sure, Shun!

Shun: Anyway, what do you think? Will you go with us?

Rokuko: Of course I'll go! I want to go with you and to experience what this 'school' is.

Rikka: Why do I feel like I'm regretting my previous decision now…

Mutsuko: Don't worry Rikka-chan! There's still lots of chances to go to a quest together you know?

Rikka: Ha-Hahaha… Is that so? I'm looking forward to it.

Satanichia: What are you guys talking about?

Kaede: I also look forward to going to a quest again! Just not like this one!

Shun: Alright. Now that the participants have been decided, I guess I'll see you guys later tonight? Also, Pochi, Tama, make sure to prepare your clothes okay? Ask for Liza's help.

Tama: Nyuu~? Okaaay~! See you [Admin-sensei]~!

Pochi: Yes nodesu! See you later Master [Admin-sensei], nanodesu!

Mutsuko: I'll be off to prepare as well! See you guys later!

Rokuko: Ah, me too! I'll see you guys later!

Kaede: Un, I still have to do my homework with Risa. Let's talk again later guys!

Satanichia: U-Ugh… Homework…

Rikka: Huhuhu, do you perhaps need some help from me, Satania-san?

Satanichia: Ughh… H-Hmm… I guess I could use some of your input then…

Rikka: Hee hee~…

Satanichia: What are you grinning about!?

Rikka: Nothing really~.

Pochi: Satania and Rikka is fighting again nodesu!

System Message: Shun is now offline…

System Message: Mutsuko is now offline…

System Message: Rokuko is now offline…

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Looking at the last messages before I went offline, I couldn't help but shake my head. Those two, they're really close friends but they also often banter like that.

"Well, not like I'm one to talk though…" I muttered under my breath while looking at the front door.

Putting my phone back on my pocket, I opened the door and, after putting my shoes on the shoe rack, I shouted.

"I'm home!"

"Ah, you finally went inside Onii-chan! What? Are you scared that Mom will reprimand you!? Ha! It's already too late! You can't run away now!"

As soon as I entered, Miu immediately bombarded me with her rapid fire words, leading me to smile wryly.

"Yes, yes. I know, my dear little sister."

"D-Dear!? H-Hmm~… Don't think that that's enough to make me forgive you for picking on me!" Her reply is very tsundere-like but who cares really?

"Oh? So this poor brother of yours just need to call you my 'dearest' little sister so that you could finally forgive me?"

"W-WHAT!? NO!"

"Fufu… It's good to see that you two are getting along so well. You two will make for a good older brother and sister to your new little sister when she's born…"

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※~To be continued~※

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Author's Remarks:

※ New chapter, done. I got caught writing this by our foreman but thankfully, we're already finished with the majority of our work here xD.