Section 2: Cheery Breakfast

Good morning, Senpai!

Are you hungry? Do you want to go try the breakfast buffet BB Lily mentioned yesterday?

It looks like I caught you at the perfect time then. I'm glad. Okay, let's get going.

Gosh, you're really excited about this! I'll have to make sure I don't fall behind!

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Well, there goes my private breakfast date with Master...

Are you all here to invite him to breakfast, too?

I'd have been fine eating alone.

You might, but for the rest of us, seeing you sitting all alone would be awkward.

So you'll just have to put up with us.

It looks like everyone had the same idea.

Let's all go have breakfast together then!

I see this restaurant is open to the public as well.

Oh, some of the people coming here to eat are coming in from the pool on the floor above us.

It looks like we can have someone show us to a table. Let's do that before we start loading up plates.

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I know! I'm not sure I've ever seen so many different foods all in one place before.

They have Western staples like fresh bread and omelets, a wide assortment of Asian foods, and

Oooh, they even have Chinese food. Spring rolls and dumplings? Yes, please.

And of course, plenty of Middle Eastern dishes as well.

Although, even after seeing the names and the dishes themselves, I still can't imagine what they taste like.

Now I really wish I'd studied harder before we left!

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Sounds like you need a food taster!

Say the word, Master, and I will gladly oblige!

Indeed. I came to this city to make the most of my summer leave.

I am indeed. I came to this city to make the most of my summer leave.

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I was very fortunate that the locals welcomed me and were kind enough to show me to this place where I might enjoy some breakfast.

But, being a shinobi, I have not found it in myself to relax my guard.

I have therefore, shamefully, been clinging to the ceiling while I look down upon all these unfamiliar foods I have been hesitant to try.

But, should you require that they be tested for poison, Master...

...then I, Mochizuki Chiyome, will be glad to offer my tongue in you and your companions' service!

This I promise!

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Of course.

Oh come on. I really can't imagine any of these dishes are poi Mmph, mmph.

(Shh! I think this is one of those "a closed mouth gathers no flies" moments!)

(I get it. Chiyome's probably been too overwhelmed to choose what to eat, too.)

(But if she has a firm objective, like testing food for poison, to achieve...)

(...then she has the perfect excuse to sample all kinds of different dishes!)

Hmm. In that case, would you mind tasting some of the Western staples for me?

Let's go with the freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage.

It would be my honor. Then without further ado...

Hmm...

(Munch, munch)

(Gulp)

...Nope. No poison here.

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One word:

Delicious!

I-I see. I'm glad to hear that.

Next, um... How about the pho from the Asian noodle corner?

I noticed Hai Bà Trưng having some earlier, and it looked very tempting.

Bring it on.

Hmm...

No poison!

Delicious!

While you're at it, try these dim sum from the Chinese corner. There's cream of pumpkin spring rolls, steamed meat buns, and more!

No poislicious!

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Great. While we're at it, try some of these local delicacies, too.

Stewed meat, shrimp sauté, some kind of dried fruit...

Delicious!

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So...can we say the conclusion you reached is...

...everything here is incredibly delicious?

Oh. Right.

Um, matters of taste aside, I can indeed confirm these foods are poison-free and safe to eat.

...Is that all you wished to have tested? What about the dishes over there? I do not believe we have investigated them yet.

I thought it didn't matter what I ate as long as it kept me going...

...but if everything is good, I'm not sure how to decide what to eat now...

I've heard that a buffet is its own kind of battlefield.

You need to formulate a strategy to maximize results, pace yourself, zero in on a priority target...

...always be mindful of your limits, and work for the best possible outcome without any regrets.

Oh wow. Those eyes brimming with confidence... That rock-solid aura of dependability!

I had no idea you were also a Master of buffets, Senpai!

(Gulp...) I'll admit, I'm not confident in my chances...but I promise I'll do my best to keep up!

P-please don't give up, Senpai! We'll be right there with you every step of the way!

As long as we all work together, I'm sure we can defeat even this imposing buffet!

And try not to load up on water and carbohydrates. I think that will improve our chances!

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I know what you mean. Even the Arab dishes we were unfamiliar with turned out to be absolutely yummy.

It was like opening a door to a world I never even knew existed.

Oogh. Feeling sick. Maybe I got a little carried away, especially so early in the day... Better have some of my herbal medicine.

Uh, let's see... Should I go with the ān zhōng sǎn? Or would the liù jūn zǐ wán be better in this case? (Rustle, rustle)

A satisfying meal speaks well of the city that served it. I'm very pleased with this.

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O-oh, no, not at all. Everything was delicious.

I'm just not feeling great right nower, I didn't want to eat too much since I only just woke up.

Unlike a certain gluttonous Queen of Heaven I could name, I, the goddess of the underworld, understand restraint.

Looks like we just missed each other. I've never been to a buffet before, but I love it.

Especially the all-you-can-eat part.

Oh, it was delicious as well. The whole experience was all but perfect.

What a great start to our trip. I'm so glad I got to sample the local cuisine on the morning of our very first day here!

Just remember that sometimes, less is more, sir knight. Or do you not know the value of moderation in all things?

If you're wondering, Karna's being so hard on Percival because he sat with him.

You should have seen how dutifully he polished off every last bite of the mountain of food Percival put in front of him.

I would've been in the same boat if I hadn't gone to load up my own plate.

When I close my eyes, I still see that mountain... (Shuddering)

Honestly, I still don't know how you managed to fit all that food in such a slim frame.

I managed just fine. There's more to me than just granting benefaction. I'm also perfectly willing to receive it.

That said, I hope you don't mind if I stay quiet for a while. I'm trying to focus on my digestion right now.

I-I see.

At any rate, I'm glad we could start the day with a meal. Now we should be all set to get started on today's sightseeing.

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It looks like it was the Joy Counter BB Dubai gave us. It just started ticking up.

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According to my preliminary research, Dubai is a tourist's paradise.

So if they're regularly hosting travelers from all around the world...

...it follows they would need to be able to accommodate diverse culinary preferences as well.

Which would explain why their Western and Asian offerings are just as exceptional as their Arab ones.

What a wonderful thing, to be so considerate of various people's myriad tastes.

And that proves this is a peaceful country.

I can't deny my king could be somewhat...indifferent to things like this. Maybe she would have felt differently if she had spent some time here.

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Although, it's possible this restaurant is an exception rather than the rule, and other places here may be less attentive in that regard.

Regardless, I look forward to seeing what further culinary delights await us here!

I believe BB Lily should be arriving any moment now to start showing us around Dubai...

S-sorry I'm laaate!

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I'm so, so sorry! I got lost on my way here!