Chapter 1: The Dream That Wasn't

Kaito Sugiura woke up with a start, his heart pounding against his ribs like a caged animal desperate to escape. Sunlight spilled through the curtains of his bedroom, painting golden stripes across his cluttered desk-manga volumes stacked precariously, his laptop closed as if waiting for his return. For a moment, he lay there, eyes squeezed shut, willing himself to believe it had all been a dream. 

The Goddess of Love, curses, manga characters coming into life, being forced into a role of cupid-none of that sounded like reality. None of it could be real. But it felt real. 

He pushed the covers off and swung his legs to the floor. His head throbbed, the remnants of last night's event swirling like smoke in his mind. Dreams are supposed to be fleeting, he thought, rubbing his temples. Not cause a headache. 

Dragging himself through his morning routine Kaito moved mechanically, the taste of stale coffee lingering on his tongue as he made his way towards the front door. As Kaito sluggishly opened the front door he stood there for a second or more before looking back staring at nothing more, but an empty room filled with nothing but furniture, but not a single speak of dust in sight. As the silence grew larger it finally came to an interruption by a sigh and a sound of the door slamming shut as if it was made for someone to hear.  

School was the same as always. The same chatter filled the hallways, the same lazy glances and distracted smiles. School felt normal, but for someone like Kaito who's always observing from the back things felt off. 

Kaito glanced around the crowds of students who walked past him through the hallways chatting and laughing. Kaito comes to a sudden stop in the middle of the hallway as his eyes start to move towards multiple students just walking and talking and playing in the hallway. Until his eyes finally caught on to the detail that has been causing his unease the most. Everyone's hair is seemingly colorful in a way more than usual. 

What the hell did I miss something? Everyone's hair is so vibrant and don't even get me started on the hairstyles they're all so unique. It's as if I was inside a high school themed anime. 

While stilling glancing around thinking to himself he spots a student with red spiky hair heading towards his direction and seeking the chance he waved him down while approaching him. "Hey did the school make some kind of announcement about the hair policy for today or did-" 

Before he could finish his sentence  he was interrupted by the student who seemed pretty confused. "What are you talking about? What hair policy?" 

"Uh you know the hair policy about the hair standards. I'm asking because everyone seems to be well." He looks around at all the students with unique hair colors and styles walking about and standing around. "Dressed up as if they just came out of a high school anime that was axed after the first season."

The student brows furrowed as if they just heard the stupidest sentence to ever be muttered. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I have no clue what you're talking about, maybe you should visit the nurse."

Kaito now even more confused by their response widened his eyes and took a small step forward. "Then what's up with your hair- no what's up with everyone's hair and now that I'm noticing it." He took a look into the student's eyes and noticed how natural it looked despite the red gleam of it not like what those special contacts that cosplayers use to mimic anime characters. 

The student takes a step back and their voice rises in annoyance. "Look I don't know what's wrong with you but, I was born like this just like everyone else was on this earth! They push past Kaito bumping into him. "What a weirdo." 

Kaito just stands there confused and stunned while everyone else in the hallway starts to murmur. Am I the weird one here, he asked himself. 

He entered the class room that was filled with casual chatter, while his mind was  swirling with thoughts about what was going on with everyone he made his way towards his seat, until his eyes widened in shock.

There, she was.

Mio Hanazawa.

She stood near the front of the class, her head bowed, chatting with some students while her fingers nervously traced the edge of her textbook. 

Kaito blinked hard. Impossible, he told himself. You're just seeing things. 

But when the bell ran and students shuffled into classrooms, Mio slipped quietly into her desk near the center of the classroom. His breath caught as he scanned the faces around him. There were more. Quiet, background characters from the same manga- faces he recognized but had never paid attention to before. The class president, the boisterous friend, the enigmatic teacher. They all sat there, as if they'd been part of his school life forever. 

He forced his gaze back to his desk, pretending nothing was out of place. But the sensation of displacement gnawed at him. 

When class ended, Kaito didn't follow the flow of students. Instead, he slipped away and found refuge in an empty classroom down the hall. The room smelled of chalk and forgotten lessons. He placed his hands against the cool surface of the desk and closed his eyes, trying to ground himself. 

"Still not convinced, are you?"

The voice was silk and thunder all at once.

Kaito's eyes snapped open. There, floating in the center of the room, was the Goddess of Love-Aphireia. Radiant and infuriating, with an expression that blended amusement and disdain.

"Of course, I'm not convinced," Kaito said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "This has to be some elaborate prank. You're a goddess? Really? What's next, talking animals and flying cars?"

Aphireia folded her arms, her eyes narrowing like a cat's "I am no joke, Kaito Sugiura. You insulted me publicly declared romance a farce, a shallow game and now you must live with the consequences."

Kaito sighed, leaning back against the wall finally accepting that this is real life and not some dream or elaborate prank as he hoped. "Fine. Explain it to me once again then. What is this whole learning my lesson thing?"

She stepped closer, the air shimmering with an unseen power. "The heroines you mocked the ones who never got their happy endings they have been pulled from their stories. But they're unaware of their origins. No one questions it either. Only you and I are aware of this reality."

Kaito's brow furrowed. "So I'm supposed to be their ... what Therapist? Love guru?"

"Not just that," Aphireia said, voice hardening. "You're their guardian angel. You will help each heroines find closure, whether through love or acceptance. If harm comes to them physically,  emotionally, or spiritually you will share the punishment."

Kaito's lips curled into a bitter smile. "A tyrannical goddess's fairy tale. And you expect me to play along?"

She only smiled, cruel and knowing. "You will learn. Or you will suffer. Your realist logic won't save you."

There was a pause, heavy with unspoken threats and ancient power. 

"Rules," Aphireia continued, "Are simple. The heroines cannot remember their origins nor can anyone else. You are the only bridge between their stories and this world. No harm is to come upon the heroines so I would recommend you do whatever it takes to protect them. I wish you good luck Kaito Sugiura."

With that, she vanished, leaving the room colder, emptier except for Kaito, who was still reeling. 

He ran a hand through his hair. This is insane, he thought.

Stepping into the hallway, Kaito's gaze landed on a pair walking hand in hand- Hiroshi, the protagonist from Cherry Days: Our Secret Spring the same manga Mio's from. Walking in hand with him is Yuki, the sweet transfer student who won his heart. 

At the edge of the corridor, standing apart, was Mio. She watched them wit eyes full of quiet pain, yet she wore a smile. Then turned and disappeared around the corner before he could say anything. 

Kaito's mind swirled. How the hell am I supposed to fix this? His mind raced for answers but all he could see was the impossible task ahead. 

A sigh escaped his lips as he whispered, "Alright goddess of love. Let's see if this cupid idea of yours can actually teach me something."