THIS WORLD

Ren saw everyone uncovering the dishes.
I wonder what the food looks like.
Tilting his head slightly, he squinted his eyes to take a peek at the dish as he took off the cover.
Warm vapours dispersed out of the slanted lid.
Luckily, the food seemed normal, but it was something Ren had not seen before.

It appeared as a roasted steak, but it was more yellow than brown.
Decorated with pinkish gravy and something that was probably a vegetable.

He took a sniff, The aroma was pleasant.
Slowly, he squeezed the fork into the soft, luscious meat.
The gravy smeared over the plate.

Ren pulled out a small piece. He was still anxious that he forgot to use the knife—not like he knew how to use it in the first place.
The intoxicating aroma filled his nose and nostrils.
He began chewing it slowly, savouring the taste.

Ren swallowed it. “Amazing!” His voice came out louder than he intended.

“Did you tell him about the ball at the palace?” Sen took a small bite while looking at Riley.

She nervously chuckled, stroking her head. 

"Did she tell you about Fantasy Realm?" He enquired as he took a sip of water.

"Y-yes," Ren replied, but Sen didn't say a word but only raised his eyebrow.

I think he wants me to narrate it all.
"S-so this is Star Awesome, which is a living place for people from other dimensions... It is in the capital kingdom of the star area, which is a part of the Fantasy Realm."
He spoke in one breath.

Sen raised his head. "Did she tell you about the power system?" He paused. "Not like she knew."

Ren looked at Riley, who was pouting, and replied, "N-no."

"Well, that can wait for now."

He took a break to eat, allowing Ren some time to enjoy the meal. Everyone else kept chuckling, as they were aware of Sen’s way of explaining things. Riley ate, but she was blushing in embarrassment.

Sen got up, directing Ren to follow him.

Ren jumped up hastily, almost fumbling. He regained his composure, rushing off after Sen.
They took the right corridor, which was near the dining table.

Sen paused, tilting his head back. "What is it?" Sen spoke in a mild tone. He turned to face Ren.

"You—um, are you Japanese too?" 

"Yes—"

Ren's eyes widened. Before he could say a word, Sen took the liberty to answer him. 

"And no, we are not from the same dimension because mostly people from the same dimension come to this world days or months apart.... But there is still room for exceptions."

The two went down the corridor, taking a turn to the left.

"We have noticed everyone in Star Awesome comes from an orb. It's in a solar system with eight similar orbs. This green and blue one is the orb-3 and the only one with life on it."

Ren looked at him confused. "Why are you calling Earth an orb?"

Sen raised his eyebrow.
"So in your dimension it's called Earth, but in mine, it's called an Orb. This means we are not from the same dimension."

Ren saw a staircase on the right.

“That leads to the training room. The entire first floor is for training. It is well equipped, and you can train anytime.”

Ren and Sen stopped before a room entitled ‘boys’ combination room.’Sen turned the knob, entering inside. Ren followed him in.

The room had beds lined along the length of both walls, and each bed was accompanied by a side table. They went in passing many beds until they stopped. 

“This is your bed.” 

The bed had a clean white sheet and a pillow.

At the far end of the room, there were two doors. They went inside. It was the bathroom.
There were many closed compartments in there, a bathing area, and wash basins.

There was a glass cupboard with soaps, shampoos, and all other accessories.

“Does Princess Amanda also provide these?” Ren was curious.

“Yes, and we have an AI computer system here that automatically informs her when something is about to finish. Be it the groceries or snacks, then that is refilled."

Ren noticed a laundry basket but no washing machine.
I wonder how they manage chores.
He peeked at Sen mustering some courage. "What do you people do about chores?"

Sen looked at the basket and back at Ren.
"That computerized system I told you about also deals with our laundry, cleaning, and dishes.”

Sen opened the cupboard and took out a shampoo.
Spilling it on the floor.
He threw the empty bottle.
“Computer, clean this.”

The floor went luminous. From the spilt shampoo and the bottle many pixels arose, fading. When the shine ended, the floor was clean.

“This is how dishes and cleaning are handled. For the laundry, just put your clothes in the basket there, and you will receive them cleaned in your room… Any questions?”
Ren registered everything and shook his head.

“Good.”

.

.

Sen showed Ren his room. It was much bigger than his room in the other world.
 It was beautifully furnished.
Ren sat on the bed while Sen opened the windows while adjusting the curtains.
This place seems so normal. 

Sen sat down next to Ren and took out his mobile. "This is the phone we all were given; Dacoria will give it to you as soon as you meet him."

Sen began scrolling through the phone. Ren sat there lost in his thoughts when he remembered the ball earlier.

“Is the ball really in the palace?”

Sen chuckled, looking up at the ceiling.
"You will get used to it" 

He got up, "and remember, don’t tell everyone that you are from Star Awesome; we have enemies who might attack you."

Damn, that's too dangerous.
Ren could imagine dying too early by trusting someone and telling them that he is from Star Awesome.

Sen paused for a moment before adding, with a gentle smile.
"For now, stick with me."
That sentence put him at ease. He is genuinely caring.

"I will go call Amanda and tell her to send you clothes for the ball. You can rest." Sen opened the door and left 

Ren lay down.
Wow, so from now on I will live here. This place is nice, and at times it does not seem too magical. 

He heard a knock; getting up, he opened the door.

There stood a girl as tall as he. Her hair was long and purple.
She looked at Ren nervously. ”C-can I come in?”

Ren was somewhat reluctant but allowed her in. She walked in and bowed as she blurted out, “I am sorry, Ren…. I-I didn’t want to give you the silent treatment.”

She looked up at the bewildered Ren. “I—it's okay.” 

She finally regained some confidence and smiled. “I am Nami. I am from the same world as Sen and Yuzuru.”

Ren remembered the guy with piercings who apologised.

She looked at Ren a little cautiously, looking from left to right as if making sure no one was around. Though they were alone.

“Try getting along with Yuzuru," Nami spoke in a low tone and paused for a moment.

"...and obey him."

Silence filled the room; Ren remembered the ignoring. Sweat popped over his forehead. I hate being ignored.

She took a step closer, whispering, "They have nothing to do, so they’ll bully you the way they did to..." She stopped, lost in her thoughts, and under her breath murmured.

"Toby.”

She quickly went to the door. “That’s why I went with their plan, and please try never mentioning Toby again.” 

Ren couldn’t just accept her abrupt warning. He reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back.

Nami's eyes widened as she faced him, glistening with tears.

Damn, I didn’t mean to scare her.

Ren loosened his grip. “I—I am sorry. I didn’t mean to be harsh; I am sorry.”

Nami didn’t raise her head; she quickly turned and rushed out. Teardrops shone, splattering behind her.

Sheesh, I am such an idiot. Ren sat down on his bed when he heard yet another knock; this one was louder.

Am I going to be in trouble? He pressed his shaking hands together. I can't be hated this fast.

Sweat glided down his face. Thud! Ren’s heart skipped a beat.

He rushed to the door. Took a few deep breaths, and opened the door. He plastered a fake smile over his face.

“No need to pretend.”

Standing outside was a dark-skinned boy, about an inch shorter than himself. He had his arms crossed with a bored expression.

“Do you want something?” Ren’s smile faded, for there was no need of that formality. But he couldn’t hold proper eye contact.

His mind screaming, This person is here for a fight.

The dark boy, still looking bored, began, “I am Nive; come back to the lounge.”

Ren could feel his breathing turning into an arduous task. “W-why?” He was clenching the doorknob.

Nive tilted his head. “No idea what you were up to in here, but you are called to meet..." he sighed. "Dacoria, for something important.”

Ren quickly stepped out, closing the door behind him. “L-let’s go.”

The two began walking down the hall. I wonder if he was there at lunch. I was so confused; I couldn’t see everyone.

Ren looked at the shorter boy. “U-um, so did we meet before?”

Without sparing Ren even a glance, “Yes, at lunch.”