an empty life, before you.

it was just another day for Bernard Ward. just like any other day. he was a clumsy teenager. he has a fragile and vulnerable frame. he is a timid kid who doesn't socialize with others. and more than anything he is the kid who gets bully at school.

Bernard can tolerate how meaningless and dry his colorless life can appear to be. but if there is something that for sure causes immense pain is to realize how little people care about him. is not that he wishes to do great things. but there is one girl who he has always loved. a childhood friend who was precious to him. sadly, since the day they entered high school, she has put a distance between them. he can feel it deep inside. he can feel the truth he pretends to ignore deep inside. but as a matter of fact, she is no longer the girl he uses to know. 

he has seen it how she associates with the kids who bully him. how she has become one of the bullies when she used to be a defender of the hopeless and defenseless. how it seems like she is in an intimate relationship with Jack, his main tormentor. 

for some time, Bernard has questioned the importance of life. if there is anything more than just the playful mockery a god has done of his life so far. he is done with things. he is so tire to feel sympathy for other, not even for himself. an idea has come to his mind more often daily. he walks to the school's rooftop with an idea in mind.

once there Bernard thinks about the things precious to him. but nothing comes to mind. he gets closer to the edge as he has dreamed before. he can feel it. today was supposed to be his last day of discomfort and tiresome despair.

once he was about to take that final step, something unusual occurred. there was a light on the sky that for seconds illuminated it with bright neon purple, blue, pink, and orange colors. then a figure descended like a fairy out of a tale. it was a feminine figure of delicate appearance as dressed as Eve was in her naive days.

Grace fell slowly on top of the rooftop. Bernard for a second was contemplating the artfully crafted beauty of the girl. he then as a good gentleman took his shirt off to cover her private parts and looked away thinking of his next actions. she had just added flavor to his flavorless life by existing alone. 

there are tears on his face. he falls on his knees crying. thinking that maybe there are more beautiful mysteries in the world to learn. he feels saved. guided to another realm. he cleans his tears and takes his phone out. he quickly calls his only friend. 

"Yes? Bern is that you? what do you want buddy?" answered a timid voice.

"Hey. Martin, can you make me a small favor?" asks Bernard exited as a small child.

"Yeah of course. what are friends for, if not to help each other." said the timid Martin.

"I need a new change of clothes. you will find some pants and a shirt in my backpack." 

it didn't take long for Martin to find the clothes and take it to Bernard. he left the clothes by the stairs before leaving running to an appointment he had. Bernard took the clothes from the stairs and returned to the little fairy he found.

by then Grace had woken up. she stares at the boy who walks in front of her. she stands up and puts her left hand against his throat. with her right hand she holds his shoulder tightly applying enough force to make it hard for him to move.

"Who are you? what were you about to do?" asks Grace unsure of her next actions.

"My name is Bernard. I found you here. and I wanted to give you something to cover yourself. are you a fairy? are you out on a mission to find a hero to fight a demon king or anything alike? asks Bernard full of emotion.

"I am not supposed to reveal anything. but since you found me, after doing some background check on you, I will see if I should trust you or not. for the time been you would be my personal assistant. now pest guide me through your school and student life." said Grace observing her surroundings carefully.

"So, am I your Hero in practice to fight the demon king? I will make sure to live up to your expectations my lady. Isekai life here I go but is truck-kun going to hurt a lot or slightly?" asks the ever-excited Bernard.

"What kind of delusional shit are kids your age into nowadays. it seems like peaceful days lead to extreme stupidity." commented Grace as she puts the clothes on.

"Yes, let's do it." 

Bernard guides her around school grounds. he goes to every corner of the school. as he was having the time of his life he forgot where they were standing. out of nowhere comes a muscular kid with blonde messy hair. in a single kick he sends Bernard flying. the boy has a malicious looking face. he has a piercing on his lower lip. 

"Oh Jack, honey. you can be quite the playful one with lesser man." said a girl at the distance.

Bernard was on the floor bleeding from his face. he wanted to cry so far, but he contains the pain deep inside without letting out a single tear. he couldn't be seem as weak, not in front of the fairy from another world. he needed to be manly and dependable in front of her.

Jack and his girlfriend, Chloe look at Grace for a moment. it's obvious that she isn't wearing her own clothes as it is too long and tight for her. then after glaring a bit longer they notice the lack of certain piece of clothes. they then look at Bernard misunderstanding things. they assumed that Bernard had blackmailed her or done something mischievous to obtain such a pretty girlfriend or bought a lover.

Grace walks firmly towards Jack and slaps him so hard he fell on his knees. he questions the nature of her strength. he then stands up and traying to save face comes up with whatever excuse for him falling as he leaves pulling his girlfriend close to him. he laughs and mocks them as blood falls from his nose.

Bernard hugs Grace thankful. he feels like life is gaining a whole new meaning. Grace slaps him and asks him to keep distance from her. Bernard steps away. Grace pulls him and demands to be guided to the exit of the school. they walk next to each other. they step out of school grounds as the sun illuminates her face.

Bernard takes a step back to admire her beauty. the black bright hair in the contrast of the light seems like a crow. her blue eyes with a silver tone. her tan skin with touches of pink. the way her voice demands attention and admiration. he contemplates her for seconds. then a sound comes out of his heart.

 it couldn't be more evident. this was love at first glance. maybe not true love for sure, but what counts as true love? as it doesn't matter the depth or levels one is given. love is love and nothing lesser or more than absolute love.

Grace walks by herself expecting an informant to greet her. but there is no one at all. she starts to look around hoping for someone, anyone at all to come forward. she starts to feel fear. then a familiar voice clams her down. there are tears of joy as she turns around.

she is greeted by a wounded Mr. Greed. he is wearing a suit. sunglasses. and he is bleeding from the side. he smiles at his adopted daughter. there is a moment of uneasiness as Grace knows that him been there must mean that things went wrong in the present day.

"My lady who is that? is he your dad?" asks the ever-curious Bernard.

Grace doesn't ever bother to turn around nor face the idiot behind her. she wonders if killing him would affect the present time. he is some idiot, but he may be the father or grandfather of someone important in her time. she needs to contain her anger.

"Can you do a background check on that pest?" whispers Grace.

"For sure." whispers Greed looking at Grace, "of course the name is Gree...ed. I mean, Ed Green. thanks for looking out for my girl." said Greed smiling at Bernard.

Greed and Grace kept going on their own way. the day was warm and even so, they felt some cold winds of winter caressing their hearts. the battle had just begun. 

"Tell me, how bad are things." asks Grace trembling out of fear.