Fancy meeting you here!

“Wahhhhhh. If only I got to meet that woman… Nao-chan’s description makes it seem like she’s the real thing. The real office woman, unlike me who just larps…” Ayaka exhaled, her head resting on the desk. Yesterday, they concluded the whole “after graduation” situation. The conversation went downhill from there, from Eimi to explaining how evolution worked.

“Not a larp, Ayaka. Maybe you just haven’t leveled up. You don’t emit the same aura as her,” Naorin said bluntly.

“Bro, level 1 crook vs level 100 mafia boss ahh comment. Aside from that, you said it’ll be the last time you’d go to any concerts?” she turned to him, straightening her posture.

“I don’t have an option since I have to start thinking about my finances. So unfortunately, I can’t attend Eto’s concerts anymore… The next tour will be next year anyways, but by that time I don’t know if I’d be available,” Naorin slouched, still anxious about his future. He didn’t rely on his parents for his allowance. As for his tuition, they happily handled it. Not his choice or anything, since he was willing to work multiple part-time jobs if it came down to paying the tuition fees himself.

Ayaka stood up and grabbed his left shoulder, prompting him to look at her.

“Don’t worry, my fellow nephew. Your big sister is here to handle that.”

“Ayaka, you need to manage your finances too, even though that’s literally your job,” Naorin narrowed his eyes.

“I’m offering you!! I’m just curious about how the Tokyo Dome looks from the inside. And c’mon, what’s with that get-up? By that time you’ll probably find a full-time job,” she assured him, gently tapping his back.

“Certainly unexpected, this side of the Demon Queen is impressive… How far are you willing to manipulate me to turn me into a demon and become your general?”

“Haha, Hero-san. I can assure you that this is the offer of a lifetime you will never ever refuse. I will grant you all the power and riches of the world. By kneeling down, shall I grant you my utmost power?” Ayaka held her hips high, chin raised. Horns appeared from her head, the whole auditorium room turning pitch black from her aura alone.

“YOU VIXEN… IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY, I WILL NEVER YIELD FOR SUCH WICKED REASONS. BY DEATH SHALL I SETTLE MY FATE ALONE!” Naorin the Hero stood his ground, clearly not provoked by the Demon Queen. He couldn’t afford to lose, with humanity resting on his shoulders.

“Even if I die, I will not let you have my soul.” He gritted his teeth. Being the Hero of Humanity, his pride would never let him turn into a demon…

“Then DIE here.” Ayaka the Demon Queen raised her hands to summon a fireball.

“What are you guys doing?” Seiji, his laptop in his arms, looked at both of them with a disgusted expression.

“Shooo shooo, we’re having a moment here. This is the final battle of the century.”

“Clearly, I must’ve misunderstood the assignment here,” he facepalmed.

“The author cut us off apparently, back to reality we go,” Naorin sat back down at his desk while Ayaka remained standing.

“And it was getting to the good part too, curse this cruel world. I lost my big moment,” Ayaka crossed her arms and sulked.

Seiji sat in his chair, opening his laptop. As his fingers typed on the keyboard, he forced out a smug laugh. In an instant, Ayaka and Naorin began to sweat. They both knew what was coming.

“Clearly there was something you haven’t realized, Ayaka. Reo was the hero, yes. However…” He stopped typing and looked at Ayaka with a wide grin. “I was the one summoned from the other world, destined to kill the Demon Queen.”

“We’ve actually lost the plot,” Ayaka said bluntly while sitting back at her desk.

“The show’s ruined now,” Naorin sighed disappointingly.

“Ahem. Jokes aside, what are you two childhood friends up to again?”

“Woah, this is the first time you’ve said that in a while. Did your crush reject you or something?” Naorin held back his laughter, turning his head toward Ayaka to hide his face.

“Dude, man. Come on, too far Reo…” Seiji frowned, his expression looking like he was about to tear up.

“Seiji, at this point just give it up, gang. She will NEVER accept you, little bro,” Ayaka followed up with an uppercut.

“What the heck? Why am I catching strays for no reason?”

“You’re getting caught in the crossfire, Seiji. Should’ve let us continue our war earlier. Didn’t WWII teach you that?”

“Can we move on now? I might actually start tearing up. But seriously, what are you two up to?” Seiji looked at both of them.

“In all seriousness, I have something to say. Ayaka and I have planned to go to Winter KetKomiK next month. We’re graduating in 2 months anyway.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind. But the tickets? Who’s gonna be paying?” Seiji adjusted his glasses.

Before Naorin could open his mouth, Ayaka stood up from her chair and moved in front of Naorin.

“That would be me. Lil nephew,” she smiled brightly, holding up a peace sign.

At that very moment, Seiji shivered at the thought. His eyes widened, his body froze ice cold. Before he knew it, it was already too late.

Seiji looked at Naorin with a discerning expression. His vision began to blur, he couldn’t save her…

“You have a job now…” Seiji sobbed, removing his glasses to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“ーWhat’s up with you two’s reactions to me getting a job? It’s not like the world’s gonna end.”

“Ayaka, don’t jinx it please. But are you sure? You’re gonna be paying the entire fee…”

“I already told you this yesterday at the café, okay?~~ I, and I mean ME, will handle it.”

“….Fine, thanks again Ayaka. So yeah, Seiji, are you up or not?”

Seiji put his glasses back on and cleared his throat. He looked at the both of them with a frustrated expression, brows furrowed.

“I’m so in, don’t have to tell me twice.”

It didn't take much to convince him. Folded under zero pressure. Knowing Seiji, he was always down whenever it came to outings.

“Unc, if you acted like this from the beginning, I can actually see you ending up with your crush,” Ayaka hid behind Naorin jokingly.

“…” Seiji stared at Ayaka dead in the eyes.

☆

Konbini.

Naorin looked around for a midnight meal after his shift. Considering the store would be closing in a few hours, he wanted to eat before returning to his dormitory room. In his arms, he held instant ramen, a dessert, and an instant iced tea drink.

He went over to the counter, placing down his items. As the counter proceeded to scan them, he took his wallet from his jacket and grabbed his cash. Distracted, a person sneaked up behind him.

“Excuse me! Can I please add this? And add this one as well? I’ll pay for both,” a woman spoke to the counter.

His eyes widened.

He recognized the familiar voice immediately and quickly looked up. Long black hair, purple highlights, and red-colored glasses.

“ーYui??! Huh?? Wait, how’d you?” Naorin froze.

“Fancy meeting you, Naorin! I didn’t expect to see you here. I was actually treating myself to unhealthy food for once. This konbini was near me, so I got hungry,” she winked.

Eimi took out her card from her purse and handed it to the cashier to scan.

Beep…

The card was accepted.

“Thank you very much, do come back again,” the cashier bowed.

Eimi took her snacks and drink before looking at him. He froze, leaving her confused. She thought something must’ve been going on in his mind.

“….Something wrong?” she tilted her head.

“No no, just surprised. Thank you, Yui,” Naorin took his stuff, now paid for by Eimi.

“I figured I’d have to pay you back at least once. So I took the chance~ Since we’re here, wanna sit down there to eat? I’ll head over while you heat up your food!” she offered.

Reluctantly, Naorin nodded along.

As Eimi exited the store and sat down at the table outside, he went to the heating section to pour boiling water into his ramen. Waiting for the water to settle, Naorin was completely panicking.

What do I even say at this point? I don’t think there’s a reason to discuss Eto’s next tour. I swore that I’d postpone buying tickets…

Naorin exhaled. The whole reason they met was because of the concert.

Maybe if it came to that topic, he’d swap it over to her music instead. Worst-case scenario, if she got suspicious, he’d explain everything.

After pouring the boiling water into his ramen and covering the lid, he grabbed everything and headed over to Eimi.

“Sorry for the wait,” he approached the table, sitting down and setting everything on it.

“It’s fine, I’m patient. I was thinking about going to Winter KetKomiK next month. Because I was unfortunately absent from last year’s Winter KetKomiK… And like, I was really looking forward to going too,” Eimi rubbed her temple. “Will you be going, Naorin?”

“Oh yeah, about that. I actually asked my two friends to tag along.”

“Your friends? …..Hm? Then that’s a shame. I was actually asking if you’d be fine with going through the art booths together alone. But that’s okay. I’m guessing you have a good reason?”

“Pretty much, yeah. I need to spend the next month with them before we all part ways after graduation. I’m sorry, Yui, but thank you for the invite,” he lowered his head.

“No no, it’s okay. Don’t stress, let’s move on to the next topic, okay?”

Naorin nodded. Eimi quickly read his body language and decided to ease the atmosphere. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to calm or ease tensions.

“Maybe we might run into each other there. And in that case, I would like to know your two other friends!”

NOT A SINGLE CHANCE.

He calmly said it in his mind.

No way. The two of their brains are rotting 24/7. If I introduce her to them, who knows what might happen. Would she join the brain rot squad too?

His face began to sweat.

“Naorin? Is something bothering you?”

“Ahaha, no no. Mmm well… Yeah uh, maybe like… Maybe when I get the chance because they’re uhm…” he paused for a minute, eyes moving left and right.

“….They are?”

“ーThey are very curious beings. Yes, ahaha! They always go everywhere if they find anything interesting. Like, you cannot take your eyes off them for even a split second,” Naorin stuttered, body shivering.

“Eh? Oh, that’s fine. But feel free to introduce me to them when you get the chance!”

“Ahh, no problem!” Naorin scratched the back of his neck. He almost struggled to let that one out. Almost a generational fumble, but he quickly pulled through a 3-0 deficit. A savage comeback, or maybe not savage, more like an honest explanation.

“Maybe let’s talk later, yes? Your ramen is getting soggy, Naorin,” Eimi looked at the ramen that had been sitting idle for 15 minutes.

Naorin jolted, quickly getting his chopsticks out to finish it. The conversation had gone well enough to distract him.

“Naorin, will you still be attending Fumiyo or Eto’s concerts? There’s another one next year which is Eto’s next tour, or maybe in the next few months? Basically~~”

Would you look at that, my worst nightmare.

He paused from eating. He stayed silent, primarily avoiding this specific topic.

“…..? Naorin? Uh,”

“Mmmm, well uhm. Actually, I’ve wanted to ask Yui-san, was there something that inspired you to dye your hair purple? Because I have never seen any office women with that type of style before.”

Completely out of nowhere, by the way. What was he even thinking, asking that kind of question to a woman for no valid reason?

Damn, I’m cooked.

He thought to himself, dying from the inside out.

“…..” Eimi stared at him for a moment before smiling again. “That’s a secret, Naorin,” she placed her index finger to her lips.

Safe…. Safe….. She didn’t flame me or anything…. Thank goodness…..

But wait, a secret?

He tilted his head.

“That question is out of nowhere, Naorin,” she laughed softly.

“Errr…. Mmm…” He hesitated. He wanted to ask why, but a secret was a secret. If he continued prying, then he’d be invading her personal space, which would be alarming. He decided to skip to another topic, still avoiding the main one.

With a stroke of luck, Naorin’s phone vibrated. He quickly took it out and, to his surprise, it was a message from his parents.

His expression fell.

He closed his phone and put it back into his pocket. He didn’t want to open the message. Well, not at the moment.

“Who was it? Are you okay? Did you get into an argument with anyone?” Eimi tilted her head.

“It was from my parents. It’s not really an argument or bad blood with them, it’s personal reasons really,” Naorin stood up, grabbing his drink and unopened dessert. “I’ll tell you when the time comes, Yui.”

“Of course, tell me when you need to. I’ll be there to listen,” she assured him.

“Looking at the time… I have to head back to the dorm… It’s getting really late. I might get interrogated if I stay out longer than expected. Thank you so much for your time, Yui!”

“You’re leaving already? Hmm… Then, can I walk with you there? Is your campus near here?”

“EEeehhhhh?? You don’t mind?? It’s not too far from here, like an 18 to 20 minute walk.”

“Then I’ll come along. I want to see what your campus looks like! From outside the gate.”

“…..Alright, we’ll head out then,” Naorin stood up, turning around.

Eimi followed beside him, tiptoeing as they walked together along the pathway leading to the campus.

After 20 minutes of walking and silence, they finally arrived. The building was quite massive, and the front yard looked luxurious. It resembled a classy institute, and to think that he was enrolled here.

“Woow!!!! You have a big campus! That’s amazing!” Eimi jumped excitedly.

“Mhm, is Yui fine from here? Or do you need assistance getting a taxi or anything?”

“I’ll be fine from here. Then, I’ll go back home now! I’ll take a taxi to the main road. Thank you for this evening, Naorin. I’ll be seeing you soon!” Eimi waved.

“Mm, see you soon, Yui,” Naorin waved back before entering the gate and walking along the pathway leading inside the building.

Quite a long day for him. From his night shift, to walking all the way back here.

At last.

He could finally get the beautiful sleep that he deserved.

Another tiring day. Hopefully nothing goes wrong!!!

Oh boy, I sure hope nothing goes wrong tomorrow. No seriously, please.

He thought, trying to reassure himself.