The morning sun bathed Willowweil in a gentle, golden light as Rina secured the straps of her satchel and adjusted her staff. Keitaro, polished to an almost obnoxious shine, rested atop the translucent floating disc she had summoned. The magical disc hovered effortlessly a few inches above the ground, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.
"All set?" Rina asked, tugging her ponytail tighter to keep her lavender hair out of her face.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Keitaro replied, his voice carrying a hint of nervous excitement. His lid tilted slightly to simulate a nod, a gesture Rina found both endearing and absurd.
The pair left Rina's modest home, winding their way through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Willowweil. Villagers went about their morning routines, sparing curious glances at the glowing disc and its unconventional occupant. Rina kept her pace brisk, her boots clicking against the stone. She avoided meeting anyone's eyes, determined to minimize attention.
After a few minutes, they arrived at Thrynn's home, a small mansion in the town center. Rina rapped on the wooden door with her knuckles, her movements precise and deliberate.
The door creaked open, revealing Thrynn, the council leader of Willowweil. His grizzled beard and piercing eyes gave him an air of authority, but the warm smile he offered softened his appearance.
"Ah, Rina, Keitaro! Good morning. I trust you—"
"Where is Maiku?!" Keitaro blurted out, interrupting Thrynn mid-greeting. "Is Maiku still around?! What happened to Maiku?!"
Thrynn raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and confusion. "Ah, Maiku. The talking sink. Well, one day, he just disappeared. Said something about it being 'time to move on,' and that was it."
Keitaro's lid drooped slightly, mimicking a sigh. "Oh, I see. So he's gone," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I was hoping to meet a fellow... kindred spirit."
Rina smirked and whispered, "Kindred spirit? Were you planning to bond over being sentient bathroom fixtures?"
"Hey! Maiku and I could've swapped stories," Keitaro muttered defensively.
Thrynn chuckled and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Come in, come in. We've much to discuss."
Inside, Thrynn's home was cozy and filled with the earthy aroma of herbs and freshly baked bread. Bookshelves lined the walls, crammed with tomes and scrolls. A wooden table sat at the center of the room, its surface scattered with maps and notes.
Rina dismissed the floating disc with a wave of her hand, lowering Keitaro gently to the floor. She glanced around, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity as she took in the details of Thrynn's living space.
"Take a seat, or..." Thrynn paused, glancing at Keitaro. "...make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you," Keitaro said, his lid tilting politely. "Though I'm afraid sitting isn't exactly an option for me."
Thrynn laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "Fair enough. Now then, let's talk about what you found in that cave and how we're going to deal with this serpent."
Rina suddenly interrupted, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Wait, before that, I've got to ask—was Maiku also a pervy otaku like Keitaro?"
Thrynn raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Pervy? No, not at all. Every time a girl would come close to Maiku, he'd scream and say something about 3D versus 2D girls."
Rina tilted her head, puzzled. "3D versus 2D girls? What does that even mean?"
Thrynn shrugged, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I never really understood it myself. He just kept saying something about how 2D girls were better and how 3D ones were too complicated. Apparently, it was very important to him."
Rina's green eyes narrowed as she tried to piece it together. "2D girls? Like... drawings?"
Keitaro interjected, his voice reverent. "Maiku was a true master. He understood the art of devotion to the purest form of waifu culture."
Rina pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath. "Why am I surrounded by weirdos?"
Thrynn chuckled but shook his head, clearly bemused by the whole situation. "Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I've assembled a team of adventurers who will handle the serpent. They're waiting in the next room."
Thrynn stood and led Rina and Keitaro through a side door into an adjacent room. Four adventurers, clad in rugged leather and steel armor, looked up as they entered. Each wielded weapons ranging from swords to massive axes. Their expressions were serious, their demeanor radiating confidence.
"These are the adventurers I've called upon," Thrynn announced. "They'll deal with the serpent. Rina and Keitaro, your role is to guide them to the cave and show them the serpent's location. You won't have to fight."
One of the adventurers, a tall man with a broad chest and a sword strapped to his back, stepped forward. "I'm Dren. This is Halric, Lenna, and Torvin," he said, gesturing to the others. "We'll handle the beast. Just get us there."
Rina nodded, her green eyes narrowing with determination. "Understood. Let's make sure this mission goes smoothly."
Keitaro's lid tilted slightly upward, a gesture that seemed to mimic the sparkle of admiration in his voice. "Warriors in an isekai world… just like in anime and manga," he muttered, half to himself.
Rina glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're seriously fangirling over them, aren't you?"
"I'm not fangirling," Keitaro said, his tone defensive. "I'm appreciating the authentic isekai experience! Look at their weapons, their armor—it's perfect!"
Halric, a burly man with a double-headed axe slung over his shoulder, smirked at the talking toilet. "Well, at least someone appreciates us."
Lenna, the only woman among the group, rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. Her braided auburn hair framed a scarred but kind face. "First time we've had a... unique guide like this. Are you going to narrate our battles too, toilet-san?"
Keitaro's lid flapped slightly, almost like he was blushing. "If you want! I know all about heroic tropes and battle sequences!"
Torvin, the smallest of the group but with a mischievous glint in his eye, leaned closer to Keitaro. "Do you also grant wishes, or are you just decorative?"
"Hey! I'm a vital part of this operation!" Keitaro protested. "Without me, Rina wouldn't have solved the mystery of the tainted water."
Rina sighed, crossing her arms. "Let's focus. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can make sure the water supply is safe again."
Dren nodded, his commanding presence drawing the attention of the room. "Agreed. We'll follow your lead, Rina. Just get us to the serpent, and we'll handle the rest."
Thrynn clapped his hands together, his authoritative voice breaking through the chatter. "Good. Everyone knows their roles. Rina, Keitaro, guide them safely to the cave. And you four"—he gestured to the adventurers—"ensure that serpent is no longer a threat to this town."
The group exchanged nods, the seriousness of the mission settling over them like a heavy cloak. Keitaro, still brimming with excitement, whispered to Rina, "This is going to be epic. Real warriors, a dangerous monster… it's like stepping into a legendary quest."
"Yeah, sure," Rina muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Just try not to embarrass me, okay?"
"No promises," Keitaro replied cheerfully as the group began making their way out of Thrynn's home, ready to face the dangers ahead.
As the group moved through the dense forest, the sun filtered through the canopy in soft, golden beams. The adventurers walked in confident strides, their weapons swaying slightly with each step. Rina led the way, her staff in hand and eyes scanning the trail for anything out of the ordinary. Keitaro, securely balanced on the floating disc she had resummoned, hummed with excitement.
"Rina," Keitaro said suddenly, breaking the peaceful quiet of the forest. "I think it's time for a beach episode."
Rina paused mid-step and turned her head, frowning. "A beach episode? What are you talking about?"
Keitaro's lid tilted upward as if grinning. "You know, a beach episode! It's a staple of anime! Almost mandatory, really."
The adventurers exchanged puzzled glances but said nothing, letting the peculiar duo continue their conversation.
"I still don't get it," Rina said, her tone wary. "What does a beach have to do with anything we're doing right now?"
Keitaro chuckled. "In anime, there's always an episode where the characters take a break from their quest to visit the beach. It's lighthearted, fun, and the perfect chance to see characters in swimsuits. And Rina, I think it's about time we got to see you in one!"
Rina's face turned bright red, and she sputtered, gripping her staff so tightly that the runes flickered with energy. "Wh-what?! Keitaro! Are you seriously saying this right now?!"
Halric, overhearing, let out a hearty laugh. "Your toilet's got a bold imagination, I'll give him that."
"Keitaro, this is a forest, not a beach!" Rina snapped, her cheeks still flushed. "And even if it were a beach, I'm not wearing a swimsuit for your entertainment!"
"Come on, Rina, don't be such a tsundere," Keitaro teased, clearly enjoying her reaction. "It's all in good fun."
Lenna rolled her eyes and gave Rina a sympathetic look. "You've got your hands full with that one, don't you?"
"You have no idea," Rina muttered under her breath, her embarrassment morphing into exasperation.
Torvin, always the joker, chimed in. "If we find a lake along the way, maybe we can make his dream come true, eh?"
Dren silenced them with a sharp glance, his no-nonsense demeanor cutting through the banter. "Focus. We're heading into dangerous territory. Save the jokes for after we've dealt with the serpent."
The group fell quiet again, though Keitaro's soft humming persisted, much to Rina's annoyance. She muttered something about smashing his lid shut if he brought up swimsuits again, but deep down, she couldn't help but smile faintly at his odd charm.