I watched Saber disappear into the bathroom with the clothes, a strange sense of nostalgia washing over me. The outfit had been my mother's, from a time before she and my father had passed, a time when this apartment was a home and not just a place to live. Seeing it worn by a legendary knight from another dimension… it was a surreal collision of my past and my new, unbelievable present.
As I stood there, lost in thought, a familiar, melodic voice echoed directly in my mind, as clear as if she were standing next to me.
"The door is open, contractor."
It was C.C. The mental message was accompanied by a formal, shimmering notification in my vision.
[World Gate Activation Detected]
➤ Target: Parallel Dimension – Designation: "Calabash Brothers"
➤ Status: 72-Hour Exploration Window is now open.
➤ Mission: Locate & Secure Longinus Fragment (Shard Class: Unknown)
➤ Risk Level: Variable (Hostile Local Entities Possible)
So soon. No time to rest, no time to recover. The hunt was relentless.
Saber emerged from the bathroom, and the sight momentarily stole my breath. The simple blouse and skirt, which had looked merely proper on the hanger, looked stunning on her. The outfit couldn't conceal the regal bearing or the warrior's physique beneath, creating an alluring contrast. The system's prediction of a sanity drain was proving alarmingly accurate.
"I'm leaving," I said, my voice coming out a bit hoarser than I intended.
Her brow furrowed with concern. "Leaving? But the Hunters…"
"A new lead has appeared," I explained. "A chance to get stronger. Strong enough to protect this place. Strong enough to be a king you'd be proud to serve."
Her expression softened, a flicker of warmth in her emerald eyes. She mirrored a gesture I'd made earlier, a small, encouraging fist-pump, though hers was far more dignified. A silent acknowledgment. A promise. My system, of course, had to quantify the moment.
[New Side Quest Unlocked: Knight's Discipline]
➤ Mentor: Saber (Artoria Pendragon)
➤ Objective: Learn the fundamentals of swordsmanship upon your return.
➤ Reward: "Sword Fundamentals" Passive Skill, +5 Relationship Bond (Saber)
➤ Progress: 0%
While I prepared to leave, Saber continued her quiet exploration of my room. She picked up a pencil from my desk, her analytical gaze assessing it from all angles. I could almost imagine her internal monologue, filtered through a system of her own. [Unidentified Weapon?] – Scan Result: Writing Implement (Material: Graphite, Wood. Fragility: High). Recommendation: Not viable for combat. She applied a fraction too much pressure, and the pencil snapped with a sharp crack, startling her. The mighty King of Knights, defeated by a No. 2 pencil.
I needed a private place to initiate the transfer. The utility closet, a small, windowless room filled with cleaning supplies, would have to do. I locked myself inside, the Grail held securely in my hands. "Okay, C.C., I'm ready," I whispered.
Then, remembering the 'unregulated activation' from before, a horribly embarrassing idea occurred to me. The last trigger was accidental fluid contact. Maybe that was the key. Cringing at the sheer indignity of it, I unzipped my pants and directed a small stream into the Grail.
The effect was instantaneous.
[Holy Grail Summoning Protocol Initiated]
➤ Note: Fluid Input Detected – Triggering Auto-Summon.
➤ Developer Note: Summoning can be initiated via voice command or mana infusion. Please consult the user manual. Existential embarrassment is not a required component.
A column of golden light filled the tiny closet, and C.C. materialized before me, looking down with an expression of profound, soul-wearying disappointment.
"Must you be so crude?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
"It worked last time!" I protested, hastily zipping up.
She sighed, the sound of a being who had seen empires rise and fall and was now stuck in a broom closet with a fool. "The mission is the same as always. Find the shard of the Longinus Spear. Acquire any local powers that may be useful. Try not to die. The Calabash Brothers world is… unique. Be prepared for the unexpected."
Her presence, even her condescension, strengthened our bond.
[Main Quest: Shard Hunt – Active]
➤ Current Objective: Secure Spear of Longinus Fragment (Calabash Brothers Realm)
➤ Secondary Benefit: Dimensional Skill Acquisition Possible
➤ Partner Status: C.C. (Trust: 22% → 24%)
My mind briefly conjured a fantasy of a future where both the stoic Saber and the enigmatic C.C. were by my side. The ultimate power-harem. I had to get stronger. I had to survive.
"Initiating transfer," C.C. announced, touching a finger to my forehead.
The world dissolved into a vortex of light and color. There was no disorientation this time, no painful adaptation. Just a smooth, seamless transition. One moment I was in a closet in Queens, the next… I was standing in a brightly lit kitchen, wearing a chef's apron. A spatula was in my right hand and a frying pan in my left. The sizzling sound of cooking food and the scent of soy sauce filled the air.
A young girl with vibrant purple hair tied in a ponytail skipped into the kitchen. "Big brother Shinichiro, is lunch ready yet? Kotomi is hungry!"
My system, already fully integrated into the new reality, laid out the situation with cold, clear text.
[Role Assimilation Active]
➤ Assigned Role: "Shinichiro" – Civilian, Part-Time Cook
➤ Local Narrative Anchor: Familial Relationship – "Kotomi" (Sister-unit)
➤ Current Status: Undercover. Civilian disguise is recommended until the local threat level is identified.
Calabash Brothers. I had expected mythical mountains and talking gourds. Instead, I was in what looked like a modern suburban home, about to serve lunch to my new little sister. C.C. was right. This world was definitely unexpected.