Volume 1 – Chapter 6

Saturday morning came bright and clear.
Mirai woke up before her alarm – the sunlight was only beginning to spill across the rooftops. She lay in bed, hugging her pillow tightly, thinking about one thing and one thing only – today.

Today she was going to meet Senpai.
The same Senpai who had not only solved the impossible quest, but also – by some twist of fate – saved her life.

A hundred thoughts whirled through her head.
I have to apologize. And thank him. For everything.
How embarrassing it’ll be to look him in the eyes…
But I can’t run away. After what he did, I have no right to. I have to be brave, to be honest, and to say “thank you” – sincerely, from the heart.

She got up, showered, and carefully fastened her hair with the little cat-shaped clip she had bought yesterday. The pink blouse and light skirt lay ready on her chair.
Mirai looked at herself in the mirror and thought, Will this be enough… to look normal?

By ten o’clock she was already out the door.
The meeting was set for eleven, but she preferred to be early – it was better to wait alone than make someone else wait.

By ten-thirty she was standing by the Hachiko statue. The square was crowded – tourists taking photos, couples laughing, holding hands, leaning close to whisper something warm.
Mirai watched them, a faint ache blooming in her chest.

They look so happy... So easily they laugh, touch, exist side by side.
I’ve always been outside that world. In school no one noticed me. I was the quiet one – never invited to parties, never asked out. Too shy for some, too strange for others. And now, at nineteen, here I am – waiting for someone. My first real date…

She bit her lip, feeling fear, excitement, and something fragile but bright stirring inside.

– Hey there.

A familiar male voice pulled her from her thoughts. She flinched and looked up.

Senpai stood right in front of her.
This time he wasn’t in a suit – just a light shirt, dark trousers – still elegant, neat, with that same quiet confidence in his posture. His black hair was perfectly styled, his expression calm but kind, and his eyes held a warm smile.

– Marissa? – he raised an eyebrow, his tone amused. – Wow, what a small world. We almost gave each other a heart attack yesterday, didn’t we?

Mirai blushed so hard she thought her face might catch fire.
– Yes, that was me! I’m so, so sorry for the trouble! And thank you for saving my life! And for the water! And for... for everything! How can I ever repay you?!

She blurted it all out in one breath and bowed so low that her new hair clip nearly fell out.

Senpai chuckled softly, his voice warm and reassuring.
– Hey, it’s fine. Look up. I just did what anyone should’ve done. The important thing is – you’re safe.

He tilted his head slightly, still smiling.
– How can you repay me? Hmm... let’s see. How about we drop the formalities and just speak casually? We already know each other from your streams, right?

His smile was so genuine that Mirai’s heart fluttered again.
– Y-yes! Of course! – she answered, a bit too loudly.

They both laughed, and the tension melted away.

– Perfect, – he said. – It’s only ten-forty-five. I didn’t think you’d be here this early. Have you been waiting long?
– Oh, no-no! I just got here! – she waved her hands quickly.

– Good, – he nodded. – Your manager told me to look for a girl with pink hair and glasses. I had no idea it would be the same girl from this morning’s adventure. But I guess the world really is full of little miracles – sometimes they happen right on the crosswalk.

His gentle humor made her smile, though her heart was pounding again.
– Yeah... I was shocked too, – she admitted softly.

For a few seconds, she couldn’t look away. Her eyes met his, and her thoughts scattered – the world seemed to fade for a heartbeat.

Senpai broke the silence first.
– So... shall we head to the cat café? It’s close by. I’ll show you the way.

– Yes! – Mirai answered too quickly again, her voice rising an octave.

They both laughed once more, this time more relaxed, and began walking together through the busy Shibuya streets.

Mirai walked beside him, feeling a gentle warmth spread through her chest.
What a strange miracle... Yesterday he pulled me out of danger – today we’re walking side by side, going on a date. What a small, wonderful world this is.

She glanced at him shyly, her heart racing all over again.
It’s scary... but it’s also so nice.

A quiet smile appeared on her lips. Ahead, the sign of the cat café came into view – and with it, the beginning of something entirely new.