"Burp—"
A satisfied belch marked the official end of the welcoming lunch.
"S-so good..."
Yunyun leaned back in her chair, her eyes glazed over as she absentmindedly rubbed her slightly bloated stomach, murmuring, "Does this mean I can eat food this delicious every day from now on?"
As this sacred question dawned on her, Yunyun's expression turned serious. Her brain kicked into overdrive, launching a mental storm no less intense than the realization that humans evolved to the top of the food chain just to eat meat—she once again glimpsed the origins of everything, tracing back to the Big Bang. These profound mysteries rapidly rearranged themselves in her mind, ultimately coalescing into a deeply philosophical self-inquiry:
What's for dinner?
Just as Yunyun was earnestly pondering this question—a conundrum no less challenging than why 1+1 equals 2—her peripheral vision caught a flash of white movement. Instinctively, she turned her head toward the figure.
It was a fox.
To be precise, it was a creature with snow-white fur and nine fluffy tails swaying behind it. Sitting gracefully on the floor, it lowered its head to delicately nibble at the food in its bowl.
Yunyun: Σ(°△°|||)
Her eyes blinked stiffly. Only now did she notice the room was filled with adorable little creatures—
Like a golden fox that looked similar to the white one, a pink one with ribbons... was that also a fox? And a tiger-striped dog lying on the floor? Over there—was that a cow? And then... a yellow electric mouse?
The sheer novelty of these completely unknown creatures made Yunyun's eyes widen. She instinctively straightened up and leaned toward the Sylveon—though Milotic was just as eye-catching, Sylveon was closer, so she naturally chose to approach it first.
However, she was rejected.
As her trembling hand reached out cautiously, hoping to gently pet Sylveon's back, a soft tap rang out—Sylveon's ribbon flicked against the back of her hand, leaving Yunyun frozen in place.
"Eevee—"
Random woman, don't touch me!
Sylveon shot Yunyun a sidelong glance before lowering its head again, elegantly savoring the Pokémon food Erina had prepared for it.
Yunyun: (';ω;`)
On the verge of tears.
"Ahem, well, Yunyun, don't be sad. Sylveon is just like that—she doesn't like being touched by anyone other than Master Hayashi—" Hisako quickly comforted Yunyun, pulling the Indeedee sister forward and saying, "How about hugging Indeedee instead? She's all fluffy and super comfy to hold!"
"Yessa?"
Indeedee sister gave her owner an innocent look—Was that really appropriate? I'm not a plushie! But… but this child looks so pitiful, fine, I'll let her hug me!
But I'm not a plushie!
Indeedee sister gently stretched out her arms and embraced Yunyun, letting her bury her face in the soft fur on her chest.
"Ah—"
Completely enveloped in fluffiness, Yunyun immediately wore a blissful expression, her face squishing adorably—like a harmless little bunny.
"So nice—"
Hayashi watched Yunyun being cuddled by the fluffy Indeedee sister and couldn't help but show an envious look—who wouldn't want to bury their face in the soft embrace of a fluffy creature, feeling completely wrapped in warmth?
"Yessa—"
On the other side, Indeedee brother thought for a moment, then gently opened his arms toward Hayashi.
Oh, fine, I guess I'll reluctantly let you hug me!
But what Indeedee brother didn't expect was Hayashi giving him a disdainful glance before turning around and burying his face into Erina's chest, muttering, "Why would I bury my face in a male's chest? That's just weird—"
"???"
Indeedee brother froze mid-motion. He turned his head, watching Hayashi shamelessly enjoying the "face wash" from Erina, then tugged at Hisako's sleeve and whined pitifully.
"Yessa—"
He's discriminating against me! I'm fluffy too, waaah!
Indeedee brother felt deeply wounded, but Hisako, currently lost in her own thoughts as she watched Hayashi's head repeatedly pressing into Erina's chest, just absentmindedly patted his head and shooed him away.
"???"
Through his horns, Indeedee brother could clearly sense that his owner's mind was currently filled with very… questionable thoughts—so much so that he instinctively took two steps back, only to bump into his sister's back.
"Yessa—"
Indeedee sister tilted her head, then gently patted Yunyun in her arms.
"Huh?"
Yunyun looked up, her face flushed and dazed—anyone who didn't know better might think she was drunk.
"Yessa—"
Indeedee sister stepped aside, revealing her brother behind her, then opened her arms again.
Want double the happiness?
"Oooh, r-really?!"
Yunyun felt like she had ascended to heaven.
"Yessa—"
Indeedee brother wore an expression that said, "Oh fine, I'll let you hug me," pretending reluctance while internally sobbing.
I—I'm not being rejected!
By the way, Erina was currently blushing furiously, trying to push Hayashi away—but her actions seemed less like "stop" and more like "don't stop."
...
...
After enjoying a delicious lunch, being healed by the fluffy creatures, and resting for an hour and a half, Hayashi's squad was finally officially assembled!
"Ahem!" Hayashi placed his hands on his hips and said with utmost seriousness, "For this event, our EMT squad—"
"Hold it right there!" Erina hastily interrupted Hayashi's declaration, her face darkening as she said, "Why does this squad name sound so familiar to me!?"
"You're mistaken! It was ETK before, but now it's EMT."
"Before I confirm whether I'm mistaken or not—" Erina clutched her head and said, "First, explain to me what EMT stands for?"
"Erina—"
"Maji—"
"Tenshi—"
After saying this, Hayashi gave Erina a thumbs-up, his face brimming with undisguised pride.
'What exactly are you proud of!?' Erina's inner voice roared like a storm.
Meanwhile, Hisako gazed at Hayashi with admiration and exclaimed, "As expected of Master Hayashi! After creating ETK, you've now invented another wonderful term like EMT—subarashii!"
'What exactly are you admiring!?' Erina's inner voice roared doubly hard.
Yunyun blinked in confusion and said, "I-Is this some kind of team culture? Should I join in and shout E... EMT too?"
'Why are you jumping on the bandwagon!?' Erina's heart roared three times over.
"Heh heh, my trump cards aren't just EMT and ETK, you know!" Hayashi struck a pose with his hands on his hips, puffing up proudly. "But we can't let Erina find out!"
Erina: I already know!
Hisako clapped her hands. "Ooh! As expected of Master Hayashi! You easily accomplish what we never could!"
Erina was at a loss for words. She felt like the only resistance left to her was silent protest.
Meanwhile, Yunyun tilted her head curiously. "Um, I get what EMT means, but what's ETK?"
Hayashi raised a finger and declared with utmost seriousness, "It stands for 'Erina is the cutest in the world'—"
"Ooh!" Yunyun's face lit up with understanding, and she gazed at him in admiration. "The captain really likes Miss Erina, huh!"
"Heh heh, that's right!" Hayashi struck another pose, hands on hips, and declared without shame, "I super love Erina—"
Uuuuu—
Erina buried her face in her hands, too overwhelmed to even be angry anymore.
Fine, EMT it is, you idiot Hayashi—
...
...
After accepting a beginner-level quest at the Adventurers' Guild to slay giant frogs, the four members of Hayashi's party arrived at the gates of Axel.
"Uwaaah—"
Even though she'd seen these disgusting creatures in the anime, witnessing them in person was a whole different experience—Erina shuddered visibly as she stared at the giant, slimy, mucus-covered green frogs hopping around in the wilderness ahead. Her expression twisted with undisguised revulsion.
Even Hayashi grimaced. "They look pretty awful."
Hisako turned pale, hugging herself as she muttered in horror, "I can't even imagine being swallowed by one! I'd have nightmares—definitely nightmares!"
At times like this, one couldn't help but marvel at Aqua's carefree nature—most people would be traumatized for weeks after being eaten by something like this, right? But not her!
Truly amazing!
"U-Um..." Yunyun whispered timidly, "Actually, giant frogs aren't that strong..."
"Don't worry, Yunyun," Hayashi said gently, patting her head as she cowered. "We're not scared of them—just grossed out. Look!"
Holding her head, Yunyun followed Hayashi's pointing finger—only to see Erina, who had dashed ahead unnoticed, now standing before a giant frog. She bent slightly, left hand gripping the scabbard, right hand on the hilt, and murmured,
"Kouzuki Style: One-Cut Severance!"
Shing—
A flash of steel later, the frog before her split cleanly in two, collapsing on either side.
First giant frog—slain!
Remaining progress: (1/10).