Chapter 1: A Starry Night and an Accidental Wish

My name is Yuu Tomoya, and I'm 17 years old. I've always lived a... pretty ordinary life. There's nothing particularly extraordinary about it. My days consist of going to school, doing homework, hanging out with the few friends I have, and at night, I work at a small convenience store a few blocks from my house. It's a boring job, sure, but it gives me enough money to cover my expenses and occasionally treat myself to something nice.

Tonight is no different. The store is quiet, only the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional sound of the automatic door keep me company as I finish stocking the last drinks on the shelves. Not many people shop at this hour, so my mind wanders, thinking about the latest episode of my favorite anime. Who would've thought I'd get so hooked? Especially with Kanade Himejima, the protagonist's best friend—she's as charismatic as she is strong. She has that mysterious charm that makes every scene she's in more exciting... and maybe I've let myself get a little carried away thinking about her.

After a while, the clock hits ten. My shift ends, I say goodbye to the manager, and step out of the store. The night is calm, and the cool breeze helps me relax. I walk slowly, hands in my pockets, listening to the crunch of leaves beneath my shoes. The sky is clear, full of stars, and for a moment, I can't help but look up and admire them.

Then, suddenly, something stands out among all those lights—a shooting star streaks across the sky with a brilliant glow. It's rare, but it stops me in my tracks, as if I'm hypnotized by its brightness. People say you should make a wish when you see one, and even though I've never been that kind of person, something inside me urges me to try.

"Heh..." I murmur with a small smile. "I wish my life were a bit more exciting."

The wish escapes my lips in a whisper, half-joking. But just then, the shooting star changes direction—as if it heard me. I blink, confused, watching it twist in the sky and head straight toward me. Its light grows more intense, and my body freezes, caught between surprise and fear. Am I dreaming?

The star draws closer and closer until it becomes a blinding light, so bright I'm forced to close my eyes. I brace myself for the worst, feeling the light wrap around me, as if the whole world is about to collapse. But when the glow finally fades and silence returns, I cautiously open my eyes, expecting anything except what I see next.

There, in the middle of the empty street before me, lies a girl—unconscious. Her figure is delicate, her long dark hair spread out around her like a halo, and there's something about her... something instantly familiar. My heart skips a beat because it can't be. She looks exactly like Kanade Himejima, the character from my favorite anime. The same serene expression, the same elegant presence... I can't help but take a step back, trying to make sense of what I'm seeing.

"This can't be real..." I murmur to myself, completely stunned. I rub my eyes and look again, hoping it's just a trick of my tired mind. But she's still there.

I stare at her for a moment, unsure what to do. The street is empty, and there's no one in sight. Finally, I gather the courage to approach her. As I kneel down, I notice her soft breathing, as if she's just asleep. Relief washes over me.

"Are you... okay?" I ask, though I don't expect an answer.

Carefully, I lift her onto my back, making sure not to hurt her. She's surprisingly light, and even though my mind is a mess of unanswered questions, I know I can't leave her here. I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing, but what other choice do I have?

The walk back feels endless. My thoughts are tangled between disbelief and excitement. The possibility that this girl might be someone special, like Kanade, someone from another world... well, it's impossible. Anime characters don't exist in real life. But at the same time, it's hard to ignore the possibility, no matter how absurd it seems.

When I arrive home, I gently lay her down on the living room sofa. I watch her face for a few more seconds, trying to convince myself she's just an ordinary girl. But as I begin to step away, her eyes slowly open, and the first thing I see is the glow of those dark eyes looking at me with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"Where... am I?" she murmurs in a soft, barely audible voice.

My body freezes the moment I hear her speak, and every word I had in mind vanishes. Because somehow, this girl from another world has just entered my life... and I'm about to find out what it really

 means to live an exciting life.