Ch.201Madoka Quest (2)

“Come in.”

I guided Madoka into the living room.

In the living room, my girlfriends were leisurely doing their own things.

“Hello, sisters.”

Madoka greeted my girlfriends with surprising composure. For a child, she was quite bold and sociable.

Better than I was as a kid, I thought to myself.

“Oh, is this Shota’s lover?”

Kirtan said, looking at Madoka.

“Shota… even in the entire universe, there are certain ethical standards. No matter how much you like women, this is going too far…”

Kirtan quickly gave me a cold stare.

“So even in space, children are off-limits?”

I asked.

“Yeah. That’s a serious crime. It’s something that would prompt space police intervention.”

Kirtan replied.

“……..”

Is there no country for lolicons?

“I’m his girlfriend-to-be. Big brother Shota said he’ll wait until I become an adult.”

Madoka said with a prim expression.

“But… who are you, sister?”

Madoka stared intently at Kirtan.

Ah. How do I explain this?

“You have strange clothes. Horns too… and quite revealing.”

Madoka raised a reasonable question.

“It’s… cosplay.”

That’s what I said.

“We’re playing with a space pirate concept. Just go along with it.”

I explained.

“Wait… concept? I’m actually—”

Kirtan immediately tried to protest.

Mmmph-!

I quickly covered Kirtan’s mouth.

“Hmm… brother. You’ve added another woman.”

Madoka said.

“At this rate, I might become your 20th girlfriend.”

Madoka seemed concerned about this possibility.

“What are you talking about? Even I wouldn’t collect that many.”

I said with a laugh.

“Wow… not convincing at all.”

Eri immediately objected.

“Ahem! Anyway… Madoka, what brings you here?”

I asked in the sweetest tone I could manage.

“You promised to meet my dad. He really wants to see you.”

Madoka said.

“We’re already promised to marry. It’s a meeting of families. But… Dad doesn’t like that you already have other partners. My dad is a bit old-fashioned.”

Madoka explained.

“No, I don’t think that’s old-fashioned, just normal…”

I couldn’t help but object.

Well, in this world, polygamy is legal, they say. Despite much debate, it was eventually approved.

But there were still plenty of people who didn’t view it favorably. No father-in-law would be happy about his precious daughter becoming someone’s nth wife.

“Anyway, you already made me fall for you. Take responsibility.”

Madoka said.

“Umm……”

Honestly, didn’t you fall for me on your own? I was about to say that but stopped myself. That would be too cruel.

“Alright. When should I go?”

I asked.

“2 PM.”

Madoka replied.

“No!! That’s too soon!!”

Just a few hours from now!!!

“They say you need to make surprise proposals to see a person’s true nature.”

Madoka explained.

“Aww!! Our Madoka is so smart!!”

I unconsciously patted her head.

“Eheheheh.”

Madoka’s expression immediately softened.

Sizzle-!

Oops. I patted her head too hard again. I quickly removed my hand when I smelled burning hair from the friction.

“By the way, our Konami Corporation just built an attraction in the outskirts of Emoshita and near Tokyo. He wants to meet you while inspecting it.”

Madoka said.

“Attraction?”

I asked.

“Yes. It’s famous. Among card gamers.”

Madoka replied.

“Ah… sorry. I don’t know much about that.”

I admitted frankly.

I had briefly dabbled in card games when helping Sasith’s community before. After that, I lost interest.

“It’s called Konami Land. It’s a place that combines rides and duel shops. You can buy cards and freely engage in duels. If you win a lot and collect badges, you can get prizes.”

Madoka explained.

“……….”

That sounds like something straight out of a manga.

“I don’t think a newbie like me should go.”

I felt like I’d immediately get challenged to duels and get completely destroyed.

‘Hahaha! Civilians should get lost! This place is about to become a battlefield!’

I could almost hear someone saying something like that.

“It’s okay!! There won’t be many people since the opening ceremony hasn’t happened yet!”

Madoka tugged at my collar.

“Attraction… I want to go too.”

Umi said.

“We went to an amusement park before… but I’d like to go again.”

Taiga added.

“…Being latecomers, we don’t have many memories like that.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

Somehow, Tina and Mika both crouched down, forming a sad bond of sympathy. I felt sorry for them. I should organize some growth support events for the newbies in our harem, I thought.

“Let’s go, brother.”

Madoka said.

“But… isn’t your dad in a mode where he won’t approve from the start?”

This was clearly a losing battle from the beginning. Since he was already against it, there was no question of approval or anything.

“I believe you’ll figure something out.”

Madoka stared at me intently.

“You… always surprise me.”

Madoka had firm faith in me.

As a man… no, at least as someone older than Madoka, I didn’t want to disappoint her.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

I immediately shouted.

“Oh, and I got permission for your sisters to come too.”

Madoka added.

“Huh? Really?”

Umi asked.

“Yeah. He said he wants to know what the harem atmosphere is like. He probably wants to investigate.”

Madoka explained.

I see. It’s like investigating a spouse when researching someone.

“I’ll go!! Honestly, I don’t know about otaku stuff like card games, but it’s an amusement park, right? I want to go!”

Umi’s eyes sparkled.

“There it is!! The irresponsible statement of a normie!!!! Why do you just reject otaku things?! And then when it becomes mainstream, you casually try it out!!!”

I couldn’t help but react to that.

“W-why are you suddenly getting so worked up…?”

Umi seemed startled.

“I hate people like this!!!”

It happened in high school too. Those normies who put Chopper dolls on their bags without even watching One Piece!!! How infuriating it was when they said things like “Chopper is cute~” without even knowing who Chopper is!!!

Chopper isn’t just a cute mascot!! Do you know how cool Chopper is? Do you understand the courage it took to swallow three Rumble Balls like a man, knowing the side effects?! Do you know how cool the Human-Human Fruit is?!

“Alright, Shota. Quiet.”

Eri suddenly silenced me by pressing her lips against mine.

“…I’m calm now.”

I regained my composure.

“Anyway, going out as a group is good. We have long-time members but also new ones, so it’s a good chance to build relationships.”

Eri said with a smile.

Under Eri’s leadership, everyone decided to go.

“Mika. Are you okay with this?”

I asked Mika.

Web novel writers typically had daily publishing schedules. That was the same in both Korea and Japan. In this industry, quantitative change leads qualitative change. If your productivity falls short, your lifeline in this industry is short.

Mika was supposed to publish a chapter today too.

“Hm? I’ll just take a break.”

Mika said nonchalantly.

“At least… post a notice… please!”

I gave Mika sincere advice.

“What can readers do if I take a break? All they can do is wait, right? Is there any substitute for my work?”

Mika spoke in an arrogant tone. But… I couldn’t argue because she had the talent to back up that arrogance.

Honestly, I was a bit envious. If I don’t publish for a few days, readers just leave. I was barely hanging on. Recently, my recommendations had decreased too, causing me stress.

“Sure. Eat plenty of that hiatus-hiatus fruit.”

That’s what I said.

“Then it’s decided.”

After that, my girlfriends immediately started changing clothes.

“Should I wait outside with you?”

Kirtan put her arm around my shoulder and asked.

“No. You should change clothes too.”

That outfit stands out too much.

“What’s wrong with this!! Isn’t it a splendid outfit!”

Kirtan immediately got angry.

“Eri!! Take her away!”

I waved my hand toward Eri, who was in charge of babysitting.

“Alright. Kirtan, come with me.”

Eri dragged Kirtan away.

“W-wait!! My pirate hat is my pride… don’t take it off!!”

Kirtan’s mournful cry could be heard from the other room.

———

And so we headed out.

It was within subway distance, but… Madoka was a real young lady who didn’t use public transportation.

Vrooom-!

A double-decker bus stopped in front of our house. It was different from regular buses. It just looked incredibly luxurious. It seemed like it might take us to a magic school if we boarded.

“I called this because there are quite a few of us.”

Madoka said.

What kind of life is it where your desired transportation comes when you call? I once again noticed the gap in society.

After boarding, the bus quietly departed.

Vrooooom-!!

Exactly about 10 seconds after boarding the bus, Umi, Eri, and Taiga fell asleep. These girls always do this when riding vehicles.

“A double-decker bus. First time riding one.”

Mika said.

“Even in my country, I never had the chance to ride a double-decker bus.”

Tina also pressed her face against the window, gazing at the scenery outside.

“Ugh… I don’t feel well.”

Kirtan was… in a knockout state. Just in case, I tossed her a plastic bag. If she vomited here, it would be like a plague bomb. I had to be prepared to buy new clothes.

“A pirate with motion sickness…”

I said to Kirtan. It was truly an unbalanced combination.

“Our ships and these crude vehicles are different!!! The vibration is… urgh…!!”

Kirtan immediately buried her head in the plastic bag.

Pat-! Pat-!

I rubbed Kirtan’s back.

“All of your girlfriends have such strong personalities, brother…”

Madoka said.

“You’re not lacking in personality yourself, Madoka…”

Although she had recently abandoned her bratty concept, losing some of her personality, she was still extraordinary for a child. Her mindset was somewhat twisted, you could say.

Anyway, the car smoothly headed toward our destination.

——-

At that time, Shoji, the leader and… essentially the only remaining member of Apocalypse, clutched his head.

“Emoto is… dead?”

Shoji sighed.

“Yes. He participated in the July dungeon on his own… and died in an unexpected attack.”

Pink Beard said.

“Damn it… he wasn’t someone who would die so easily…”

Emoto was the second strongest psycho-robo user after Shoji.

“In the end, this is what happens when you entrust tasks to mortals…”

Pink Beard looked at Shoji with eyes full of disappointment.

“W-wait!!! Pink Beard sir!! I’ll do something!!!”

Shoji shouted loudly.

He knew Pink Beard’s nature well. He was someone who calmly disposed of subordinates who lost their usefulness. Somehow, to survive, Shoji had to prove his value.

“Hmm… you’ll do anything… then, how about carrying out a terrorist attack?”

Pink Beard said as if he had been waiting for this.

“I’ll do it!!!”

Shoji shouted loudly. Perhaps because he was so flustered, his usually narrow eyes were wide open.

“The hero’s companions have conveniently gathered in one place.”

Pink Beard said.

“Kill them all. This is an opportunity to cut off the hero’s arms and legs.”

Pink Beard stated firmly.

“Understood!!”

Shoji immediately bowed his head.

Shoji received the exact location from Pink Beard. The destination was, of course… the newly opened Konami Land.