It gets weird

I met him the next day, while getting groceries for my mum at the supermarket. When I saw him, I instantly hid behind the shelves.

"Yo." Rito tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned around to face him, feeling slightly flustered. "Hi!"

Rito chuckled, "You don't have to avoid me, you know."

I gave an awkward laugh. OMG I AM SO AWKWARD...OKAY, I DON'T CARE, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH RITO IS RIGHT IN THE AISLE NEXT TO MINE, WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS ALL IN MY BEAUTIFUL IMAGINATION.

Rito's gaze softened. "So...how have you been?"

I gave him a sweet smile (TO RIZZ HIM), "Things have been...fine. I'm getting ready for the summer holidays!"

We started walking around the supermarket together. "What are your plans?" Rito asked.

"I'm going to be a saintess that helps people turn their LucidLife fantasies into reality!"

'That sounds like a fulfilling experience...so you're going to experience that through LucidLife?" 

"Yess!" My excitement was palpable. "I genuinely can't wait to fully immerse myself in the life of a saintess again this summer, helping others materialize what they enjoy experiencing."

I realized that it's a little embarrassing to talk about my fantasies, so I quickly changed the topic, "How about you? What are you doing for the summer?"

"Well, I'll be preparing for my college applications, practicing for college interviews with LucidLife, and probably imagine myself getting an offer for my dream school."

"Oh yeah! You're one year older than me!"

"Miyu...I've known you for like...5 years?"

"It's not like we talk a lot! And I mostly spend my time using LucidLife!"

"It's okay. I'm just joking." Rito grinned warmly at me. I love how his soft and loving aura shows when he's being cute.

"So you'll just be focusing on college applications?"

Rito glanced away, his tone thoughtful, "I'd love some time away from work as well."

"It's definitely good to have a break!'

"We live close to each other...so if you want a break from being a saintess, we can take our breaks together."

Even though I did intend to spend more time with him in LucidLife, I was still slightly stunned by the interaction. HE'S ASKING ME OUT! GO LUCIDLIFE!

Rito turned to faced me and didn't utter a word. He appeared to be expecting a response.

I nodded hard. YES. YES. YES. I WANT TO GO ON A DATE WITH HIM.

He giggled and tousled my hair playfully. At this point, we had both gathered all the items we needed, but neither of us wanted to end the conversation.

"That's 18 dollars, miss." I got jolted back into reality.

I begrudgingly paid the cashier who eyed me with contempt. I guess I got a little too caught up in flirting with LucidLife. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Rito leaving the supermarket. It seemed like he didn't really buy anything. I wondered if he saw me, but he had probably remained oblivious to my presence.

In an effort to avoid any potential awkwardness, I methodically bagged my items as slowly as possible before departing from the store.

~~~~~
A month had passed since our last encounter. I had tackled most of my assignments and was fully immersed in the joy of exploring different realities. Apart from dating Rito, I was also having fun conducting my saintess duties.

The phone suddenly erupted with a sharp ring. I felt startled by the unexpected call.

"Hello?"

"It's me! I'm Yuri! I need your help!"

"What's going on?"

"I'm going to a church event but there's this WEIRD guy. I don't know what to do!!!!!!"

"Please explain more. Weird how?"

"You know, at first, this guy was very friendly so I thought he wanted to be friends! I don't mind having male friends but I do not want male friends anymore! I hate all guys!"

Oh great. Here we go again.

"They always have some other purpose, such as wanting you to fall in love with them or wanting to do disgusting things. So this guy and I take the train towards the same direction together, but every time, he puts his hand really close to mine on the hand rails."

Just say no! How hard is it? Sadly I can't tell her that. I understand her anxiety, but at the same time I really don't.

"I tried to move away but he just keeps inching closer! I don't want to be close with him! I'm sure he knows but he is just evil and he keeps moving closer. I don't know what to do. I like the church I'm attending and I don't want to quit because of him! Can you help me? Can you come pick me up after church, which will end soon, so that I don't have to go with him?"

Sad for me.

"Oh no! I imagine that even if I tell him I will wait for you, he will wait with me!!! I hate men! I hate him so much!"

"Can you just tell him that you have a boyfriend? Or just tell him that you want to go home alone."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? Number one, I will NEVER lie. Number two, I don't know how to reject people! I feel so bad! I don't want to upset them! Maybe he just wants to be friends and I'm thinking too much about it! Please, Miyu! Please help me."

Fine. I can't leave her alone. "Okay, I'll come now. I'll also talk to him for you."

"THANK YOU! Church is starting again! See you later!"

Yuri hung up. With a heavy sigh, I got ready and made my way out.

Then, I saw it. A vast crowd of men standing right in front of me. This scene was so preposterous that I couldn't even utter a word. I checked if my LucidLife switch was on but it wasn't. This ludicrous assembly of men all stared at me, murmuring to each other. This was frankly very frightening. I lowered my head, hoping they would let me go peacefully, and started to wade my way through the crowd with soft and polite "Excuse me"s. Yet, just as I started to pass through, someone broke the silence. "Hey! Where you going, beautiful?"

Oh my gosh. I ignored him and focusing intently on navigating through the crowd of men who were fixated on me. “Hold up! Just give us a second!” "Just give me your number!" "You're so cute." Their voices grew louder as they all started to talk. My heartbeat quickened and my breath came in shallow gasps. I willed my legs to move faster, but the crowd was stifling. They kept trying to talk to me.

I suddenly felt a tug on the back of my shirt. I flinched, pulling away, and tried even harder to push my way through. Another hand reached out, grabbing my arm. I yanked it back, heart hammering so hard I started to feel dizzy. “Leave me alone!” I managed, though my voice shook. Alone and outnumbered, I was engulfed by a crowd that offered no escape. Retreating into the house was no longer an option as I was trapped in the heart of this horrifying crowd. I raised my voice, pleading for them to back off, but the harassment only intensified. Desperation consumed me.

Suddenly, a familiar voice emerged from the crowd, "Hey, are you okay?"