The Quest To A New Home (1)

Hey, Shun here!

Fantasy world, home to the countless, well, fantasy creatures I like and adore. From our previous conversations, it seems like Pochi and Tama's world is almost confirmed to have monsters, demons, and demi-humans.

However, like those other fantasy worlds, it seems like this particular world have a prejudice against the demi-human race, which, up until now, is sort of a mystery to me. Pochi and Tama are cute, how could there be anyone who hates them? This is something that I'm still unable to wrap my head around.

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(Shun's POV)

Right after that short sparring match, Mutsuko decided to show us around her town. This was where Yuichi-san and Noro-san separated from us, as they have somewhere to go themselves.

As for Yoriko-san, she said that she will be staying at home. However, I'm pretty sure she will be following her brother and Noro-san. She just have that look on her face.

After bidding our farewell to the three of them, we proceeded on just walking around town as a big group, which certainly never failed to gather the attention of many passersby. Thankfully, many of them just looked at us briefly from a distance before minding their own business.

"Oh, right! Why don't I show you guys to our school as well!? After that, we could maybe go eat at my favorite secretive restaurant… The food there is quite good!" Mutsuko said while leading the way to her school.

Since we were already on the way there, which was the reason why she thought of bringing us there in the first place, it didn't take much time for us to reach it. Thankfully, we were allowed inside by the guards who were manning the gates.

Mutsuko showed us through her school, where we were seen by a couple of students who are doing their club activities, or something of the sort inside the campus grounds. Some guys wanted to approach the girls after seeing them at first but, after spotting Mutsuko within the group, they immediately backed off, all of them turning towards the opposite direction.

"Your school's not much different from mine's" Rikka said while looking around.

"Like Kununugaoka, nanodesu!" Pochi said while raising her hand. However, Pochi, that's the wrong school that you mentioned there.

"It's Kunugigaoka, you knoow~?" Tama said, correcting Pochi's mistake.

"Ah! Is that so nodesu? Pochi understands, nanodesu!"

At Pochi and Tama's mention of our previous school, Rinka-san, Yukiko-san, Touka-san, and Ritsu all nodded their heads, also spotting the similarities between the two schools. Well, they're comparing it with Kunugigaoka Junior High School's main campus, to be exact.

"Umm… Looks similar, yeah." Rinka-san commented, choosing not to further elaborate about her astute observation.

"It reminds me so much of the main campus too." Yukiko-san said, marvelling at the realization.

"Yep, it's like the main campus. I actually thought we entered that same school." Touka-san's words have a bit of sourness mixed in it, showing that, although our last year there was a blast, she's still harboring some bad memories, most especially in that main campus.

"According to my database and after further research, this school's structure is 90% similar to Kunugigaoka Junior High School. However, it's track record is not similar to the aforementioned Junior High School!" Ritsu commented in a rather excited manner.

We all engaged in small talk as Mutsuko guided us through her school. Since the school is quite big, we didn't really go to all of its locations.

By the end of our tour, we arrived at the back gate of the school. Once we arrived there, Mutsuko looked around for a few seconds before guiding us to a restaurant that's hidden on a pretty obscure location.

Not only is this restaurant hidden, it also has a pretty weird name. It's name?

"Nihao China…? That's a bit weird name for a restaurant…" Kaede-san muttered as we looked at the restaurant's sign, a bit dumbfounded.

Whilst we were still in a dumbfounded state, Mutsuko opened the poorly fitted doors and walked inside the shop. I eventually followed her inside and, from what I saw, this shop is pretty narrow, barely able to fit in 20 people.

Anyway, as the name would suggest, this shop is a Chinese restaurant. The distinct aroma of spice filling the air suggested a specialization in Szechuan food — the kind of place that sold lunch sets at reasonable prices.

"Everyone! Over here!" Mutsuko waved at us in an exaggerated manner as we entered inside.

Following her call, we joined the two tables after asking for permission to the shop owner and sat there with her. We were the only customers inside this restaurant so I guess this is why the owner allowed us to do this.

Whilst we were waiting for the food Mutsuko ordered, Rikka suddenly asked a very interesting question.

"Nihao is konnichiwa in our language, right?"

"Uh-huh. It is…" Yukiko-san replied almost immediately.

"Is this restaurant called Nihao China because it serves Chinese food?" Rikka asked, with curiosity written all over her face.

"Huh… Now that you mentioned it, I totally didn't notice that at first…" Touka-san commented.

"Then, if this restaurant serves Japanese food, would it be called Konnichiwa Nihon instead?"

"Oh… True that… The one who came up with the name is probably very simple minded." Mutsuko quipped.

"Hey, don't say that, they might hear you…" Kaede-san said, immediately trying to stop Mutsuko from saying anymore.

She was currently pouring water for all of us from a pitcher left out in the middle of the table. The other girls didn't want to make her do all that so they took the other pitcher and used it to do the same.

Anyway, thankfully, Mutsuko quietened down just before the waitress arrived at our table to bring the food. Since it seems like Mutsuko ordered a lot of food, I stood up and carried some trays myself to our table.

Even Pochi and Tama didn't want to be outdone by me as they also stood and to help out. After few minutes of trying to arrange all of the food on our table, we finally could finally eat.

""""Itadakimasu!""""

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Whilst we were eating, our conversation went to a talk about latest quest that the [Group Chat] gave us.

"This new quest is more like a quest taking a stroll, isn't it?" Satania-san said while munching on a mouthful of Egg Fried Rice(chaofan) and a piece of tempura.

Meanwhile, Tsuka and the other kids are having a blast eating some siomai with some Chinese noodles. Of course, the reason why they love it is because of the meat contained within the recipe and the broth itself.

"It is. I think it's an escort mission of sorts for Pochi and Tama, that's why the rewards are just like our short quests…" Mutsuko speculated.

"So, anyway, there's like, five spots that are open. Who wants to go? Pochi and Tama wouldn't take up a spot since the quest will take place in their world so, what do you girls think?" I asked while munching on some tempura myself.

I got to say, the food here is really good even though it's unpopular and hidden. Are they trying to play the hidden gem kinda trope with this restaurant? It seems to me like they are.

"Right now, I don't wanna go. I want to go on a huge fantasy world adventure and show them all the power of my [Tyrant's Eyes]!" Rikka exclaimed.

She already mentioned this a few times so it wasn't a surprise. She wants to sort of be like one of those main characters in a fantasy adventure and, I can't really blame her for that. I'm the same.

"I won't go since I already went to a quest. I want to relax a bit more and focus on my research…" Mutsuko said. Although she say that, I'm pretty sure she just wanted to give the spot to those who didn't join the last time.

"Me too! I wanna focus on growing our dungeon for now, Shun!" Looks like Rokuko is itching to try out her newly acquired tools that she bought from this dimension's [Dimensional Shop].

"That's five already who is out of the picture for now. As Ritsu is a [System Fairy] in training, she could join our quest without taking a spot as well, so that leaves the five of you, Satania-san, Kaede-san, Yukiko-san, Touka-san, and Rinka-san." After sipping some water, I continued.

"Which of you wants to go?"

"Similar to Rikka, I don't want to a quest where I will be sidelined. I, the Queen of all Hell, want to go to a solo quest like [Admin] Shun!" Satania-san said adamantly.

Uh, even though it would be interesting to see what would happen if you go to a quest on your own, I personally think it wouldn't end well.

"What's left are you four. Any of you have other plans like Satania-san and Rikka?" I asked just to be sure that they wanted to go to the quest themselves.

Sure enough, it looks like they are all more than happy to.

"Just a sightseeing quest on another world with Pochi-chan and Tama-chan? I'm in!" It was Touka-san who immediately voiced out her agreement.

Similar to her, the other three remaining girls are also quite attached to Pochi and Tama themselves, so they immediately agreed.

"I wanna see what Pochi-chan and Tama-chan's world looks like so I'll go…" Kaede-san said.

"Me too. Uh… What do I have to prepare if I have to go on a trip to a fantasy world?" Yukiko seconded, sounding very excited. She's even ready to prepare her baggage.

"Sounds interesting to me… I'll go…" Rinka-san said.

She seems to be trying her best to act aloof on the outside today as well. After knowing her for maybe a year now, I have a pretty good understanding of her personality. She's very fond of the two as well, at the point that she treats them like they're her own little sisters.

"That's four. Who else wants to go?"

"You go, Shun-kun. That world is dangerous and you are the most powerful out of all of us…" Mutsuko suggested.

"Hah…" I looked around to check if anyone else wants to go but, it seems like no one wanted to.

Well, I wouldn't decline a trip to another fantasy world. After coming to that conclusion, I showed a smile on my face and said.

"Okay then. I'll go."

Well, another trip to a fantasy world it is. I'm already looking forward to it.

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※~To be continued~※

Supporters:

Thank you very much to Ototsu_Yume, Francisco, Soulsmsher, Sam Morgan, Vero, NuA, Holo, and GOOOOSE!

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Author's Remarks:

※ Yes, it's a quest that will take place in Pochi and Tama's dimension. I want to take my time and relax on this quest, as well as maybe get ready for the next quest.