It's a Mad Mad World [Part 1]

2nd August

It was a Monday morning, approximately 7:45, and students were still making their way into school. Three days had passed since Yuki last saw Naomi. During this time, she had been absent, and they also had a weekend holiday. Yuki felt a tinge of irritation towards her due to what he considered a prank. He had been trying to tolerate her behaviour, but that incident had triggered his anger. However, along with the anger, he also felt guilty and concerned about Naomi. Was it wrong for me to shout at her like that?

As students entered the classroom with smiles, Naomi was among them. She glanced at Yuki, but he deliberately avoided eye contact, choosing to occupy himself with his own seat.

The classes proceeded as usual, and Yuki occasionally stole glances at Naomi. She seemed unfazed by the situation and focused on the teacher's lessons. Did I offend her?... Well, it doesn't really matter to me. We're not even friends or anything.

✳ ✳ ✳

During the lunch break, Yuki was sitting peacefully on the school terrace, as he usually did. However, this time was different because he wasn't engrossed in a novel but instead engaged in conversation with none other than Naomi, who had sneakily approached him from behind. "Yo, how are you?'' She greeted him.

"I'm the same as always. How have you been?" Yuki responded, a pleased expression on his face.

"I'm doing well," Naomi replied.

"Do you want something?" Yuki asked.

"No, can't I just casually talk to you? It's not like I always want something," Naomi retorted.

"Well then, how have you been?" Yuki inquired.

"Oh? I've been completely fine. If you're wondering why I was absent, it was because of some personal matters," Naomi explained.

"I see... Don't you have anything to say about last time?" Yuki asked.

"...Oh...that...no..." Naomi hesitated.

"Oh, is that so? I thought you were angry or something," Yuki responded.

"My, my, are you concerned about me? Well, someone as dull as cornflakes couldn't make me angry," Naomi teased.

"Uh... well, it's good that you're not angry," Yuki said, slightly taken aback.

"That's it?" Naomi asked.

"Mhm, that's it," Yuki confirmed.

"Don't you have more questions to ask?" Naomi pressed.

Yuki gave her a menacing look and replied, "So you want to be interrogated?

ゴ ゴ ゴ ゴ ゴ ゴ ゴ 

“...not gonna lie...that’s...scary...”

“Yes.”

“...actually… the thing is...”

"Hm?" Yuki raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion.

"Well... never mind... forget it... it's nothing," Naomi sighed dramatically.

"If something is bothering you, spill the beans! I'm all ears," Yuki insisted, leaning in with exaggerated interest.

"No, seriously, it's nothing," Naomi insisted, waving her hand dismissively.

"I see... fine then. But remember, my detective skills are always at your disposal," Yuki responded, striking a Sherlock Holmes pose.

"...mhmm..." Naomi mumbled, pretending to be deep in thought.

The awkward silence stretched on for a few minutes until Naomi couldn't take it anymore and attempted to break the ice.

"Hey, let's lighten the mood. What do you want to be when you grow up, Mr. Dreamer?"

Yuki grinned mischievously and replied, “I wanna touch some boobs”

Naomi burst into laughter. "Oh, really?”

“Yeah, no shit.” Yuki exclaimed.

Naomi couldn't help but blush, a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "Well, you've got some ambitious goals, don't you? Well I think I can help with that."

“Huh? What the hell, you can’t be serious.” Yuki hollered.

“These are D cups.” Naomi said with a smirk.

“Eh? Okay, so here I go.” Yuki exclaimed while acting up his arm.

"Aye! I was joking!" Naomi shrieked, playfully feigning shock.

"So was I," Yuki snickered, unable to contain his amusement.

"Haha, so you can crack a joke now and then, huh?" Naomi teased, grinning mischievously.

"That's not it, you know. I have comedic genius hidden within me," Yuki retorted, striking a mock superhero pose.

"Haha, sure d00d," Naomi replied, using exaggerated internet slang.

"So, what do you want to do in life?" Yuki inquired, genuinely curious.

Naomi's smile turned sweeter, and she replied, "That's not something I can decide."

Yuki's eyebrows furrowed, caught off guard by her response. "...That's... kinda... sad," he muttered, his tone reflecting surprise.

"Yeah, I know," Naomi acknowledged, her smile unwavering. "But I'm enjoying my life as it is, you see."

Yuki's gaze softened as he took in her content expression. "Well, if you're happy, then that's what truly matters."

"Say, do you sometimes feel like running away?" Naomi inquired, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Honestly speaking... always," Yuki confessed, a touch of longing in his tone.

"Would you run away with me?" Naomi asked, her voice filled with a mischievous spark.

"What? No, wait... that's illegal," Yuki stammered, caught off guard by her proposal.

"Huh? That's your excuse? HAHAHA," Naomi burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement.

Yuki sighed, shaking his head. "You're right, it's a lame excuse. I'm pathetic."

"I know," Naomi teased, her laughter subsiding. "But don't worry, we can always dream about it."

The bell rang, signalling the end of the break, and all the students began to make their way back to their respective classes. Yuki let Naomi go ahead, walking at a slower pace. Eventually, he entered the classroom, taking his seat and resting until the teacher arrived and the classes resumed.

✳ ✳ ✳

School time was over, and Yuki and Naomi found themselves walking home together for the first time, engaged in their usual conversation.

"Say, what did you mean by not being able to decide things for yourself?" Yuki asked, genuinely curious.

Naomi hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well... it's because... umm... other people decide for me. I chose this path, and now I have to do what they want."

"So, if you had chosen a different path, things would be different?" Yuki inquired, trying to grasp her perspective.

"Yeah, but I don't regret it. I'm genuinely happy, like I told you before," Naomi replied, her tone carrying a sense of contentment.

"I see... sometimes it might be easier when you don't have to bear the weight of making difficult choices," Yuki mused, trying to understand her situation.

"That's how you see it? Well, it's not like every aspect of my life is controlled. It's just the really important parts, like growing up and such," Naomi explained, offering him a glimpse into her life.

"I see, so you still have some freedom of choice. That's a relief, I guess," Yuki responded, relieved by her revelation.

"And, you still haven't answered my question," Naomi reminded him, her curiosity resurfacing.

"Huh? What question?" Yuki feigned forgetfulness.

"You already forgot? The question I asked you on the terrace?" Naomi said, raising an eyebrow.

Yuki scratched his head, pretending to struggle with his memory. "I honestly don't remember. Remind me."

Naomi grinned mischievously. "Will you run away with me?"

Yuki's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you were serious about it?"

"Of course I was!" Naomi affirmed, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

"But didn't you just say that you're happy with your life?" Yuki questioned, trying to make sense of her conflicting desires.

"Yes, I did! But that doesn't mean I can't have the desire to run away," Naomi explained. "I just want to, you know?"

"You sure are a peculiar one," Yuki remarked, shaking his head in amusement.

"Not more than you," Naomi shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

"I highly doubt that!" Yuki retorted, engaging in their friendly banter.

"By the way, do you want to visit my home?" Naomi asked, changing the topic.

"Huh? No, I'll pass," Yuki replied a hint of caution in his voice.

"Why not? Friends should know each other's houses, you know," Naomi insisted, trying to convince him.

"I don't want to risk getting kidnapped by you! And since when were we friends?" Yuki exclaimed, feigning concern.

"Since you agreed to come with me, I guess," Naomi replied with a sly smile.

"Well... maybe..." Yuki conceded, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"So you really won't come to visit my house?" Naomi pressed further.

"Nah! I'll pass," Yuki confirmed.

"For real?" Naomi double-checked.

"Yeah," Yuki affirmed.

"You sure?" Naomi persisted.

"Yep."

"Well, that's sad. That was your last chance," Naomi teased, feigning disappointment.

"I don't mind," Yuki replied nonchalantly.

Naomi smirked mischievously. "Well, in that case, I'm going to kidnap you."

Yuki raised an eyebrow. "You can't."

Naomi raised an eyebrow back, challenging him. "And why can't I?"

"I have a secret technique," Yuki declared a hint of mystery in his voice.

Naomi's curiosity was piqued. "And what exactly is this secret technique?"

"That's a technique you should always have up your sleeves," Yuki replied cryptically.

"That sounds pretty cool. Care to share?" Naomi prodded, eager to know the secret.

"The ultimate technique used as a last resort when situations go out of hand," Yuki explained, building up the suspense.

Naomi couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Just what is it?"

Yuki grinned mischievously. "The Secret Joestar Technique. TO RUN AWAY."

Saying this, Yuki bolted off as fast as he could, leaving Naomi behind. However, instead of chasing after him, she simply smiled at his spirited escape.

It started raining.

ドドド

Yuki, seeking shelter from the rain, hurriedly took cover under a tree. As he sat there, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, and he became as alert as a squirrel sensing danger. Out of nowhere, a hand landed on Yuki's shoulder, causing him to spin around in terror. To his surprise, it was Naomi standing there.

"Hey! Why are you so freaked out? It's just me," Naomi exclaimed, puzzled by Yuki's reaction.

"That's precisely why!" Yuki replied, still recovering from the shock.

Naomi paused for a moment, trying to comprehend his words, before bursting into laughter like a popped balloon.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I LOOK LIKE ANNABELLE OR SOMETHING?" she exclaimed, mock-offended.

"She would have been less creepy," Yuki jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS CREEPY'? I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Naomi playfully threatened, feigning anger.

"Chill! Chill! It was just a joke," Yuki pleaded, realizing he had touched a sensitive nerve.

"Hmph! I ain't talking to you," Naomi huffed, crossing her arms.

"Oi oi oi oi, wait! It was just a joke. You don't need to take it so seriously," Yuki apologized, desperately trying to make amends.

"I don't know! Get drenched in this rain!" Naomi retorted, pretending to be upset.

"Oi, wait," Yuki called out, hoping to salvage the situation.

"What is it?" Naomi asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Uh... never mind... it's nothing," Yuki muttered, realizing it wasn't the right time to bring up his thoughts.

Naomi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden change in demeanour. "Your house is quite far from here, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is, but you don't need to bother," Yuki replied, concerned about inconveniencing her.

"My house is right around the corner. It would be better if you took a shower there. You're already half-drenched, and you'll catch a cold," Naomi insisted, showing her caring side.

"Well, I'm quite immune to col—" Yuki began, only to be interrupted by Naomi.

"Stop being so dense and just agree already," she commanded, determined to take care of him.

"At least let me finish my sentence. I was saying that I'll come as I have no other choice," Yuki clarified, conceding to her persistence.

"Fine, let's go," Naomi said, extending a hand to help the fallen Yuki up from the ground.

✳ ✳ ✳

Yuki was sitting inside Naomi’s bath regretting every life decision that led to this moment. After a while, he emerged from the bath, clad in Naomi's light blue t-shirt that hugged his frame snugly, showcasing his unexpectedly toned arms. The vibrant orange trousers, rolled up at the ankles to avoid tripping, added a playful pop of colour to his ensemble. He felt like an accidental fashion experiment, questioning every life decision that had led to this moment.

Waiting for him outside the bathroom, Naomi stood dressed in a chic blue shirt with delicate frills cascading down the sleeves. It was tucked into a pair of fashionable sailor pants in a captivating shade of orange, accentuating her slender figure. A mischievous smile danced across her lips as she took in Yuki's unconventional attire.

"You know, you actually look kinda cute in my clothes," Naomi commented, unable to contain her amusement.

Yuki's cheeks flushed crimson, a mix of embarrassment and a hint of flattery. "Yeah, thanks," he replied sheepishly, secretly appreciating the unexpected compliment.

Naomi couldn't help but chuckle at his bashful reaction. "Don't worry, it's all in good fun! Fashion adventures can be exciting, right?"

Yuki managed a small grin, starting to embrace the absurdity of the situation. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Naomi playfully adjusted the collar of the t-shirt, accentuating his features. "There we go, now you're rocking my unique style!"

Yuki's confidence grew slightly as he began to appreciate the boldness of the outfit. "Well, it's certainly... eye-catching."

"Now, let's grab some towels and attend to that unruly hair of yours," Naomi said, leading the way to the towel closet.

“Anyways, want some tea or coffee.”

“Tea should be fine. Thanks.”

“No need to say thanks, you can go and sit in the other room.”

"Now, let's grab some towels and attend to that unruly hair of yours," Naomi said, leading the way to the towel closet.

Yuki followed Naomi, taking in the sight of her vibrant and eclectic wardrobe. From funky patterned shirts to quirky accessories, her fashion choices reflected her adventurous spirit. He couldn't help but admire her boldness in expressing herself through her unique sense of style.

"Anyways, want some tea or coffee?" Naomi offered.

"Tea should be fine. Thanks," Yuki replied with a grateful smile.

"No need to say thanks. You can go and sit in the other room," she suggested, gesturing towards a cosy seating area.

As Yuki stepped into Naomi's modest yet cosy abode, he couldn't help but compare it to his own tiny room. "Her house is not that big, but definitely bigger than mine," he thought, trying not to appear too awestruck. He wondered if her parents had rented the place for her, but quickly shrugged off the speculation, realizing it wasn't his place to make assumptions.

Inside her room, Yuki settled into a comfortable spot and eagerly awaited Naomi's return. He admired the minimalistic decor and personal touches that adorned the space, making it uniquely hers. Soon enough, Naomi entered with a tray of steaming tea, and the delightful aroma filled the room.

As they engaged in conversation and sipped their tea, the rain outside gradually subsided. Yuki knew it was time to take his leave, but before doing so, something on Naomi's desk caught his eye. It was an intriguing item that seemed to hold a special significance.

What he saw was a paper, a rather weird one, that looked like it was some sort of event list. The fact that it was weird was because it had his name written on it. Seeing his name on that paper made Yuki uncomfortable, he was always worried about his privacy, and seeing anything related to him at random places makes him uncomfortable, he picked up the paper but Naomi didn’t notice it, everything was written in a weird font on the paper, making it somewhat difficult to read, and as Yuki went reading his eyes grew wider and wider and he turned around at Naomi who was still looking out of the window, Yuki spoke in a very slow and dry voice which was nowhere near his usual tone, “Hey... you calling me here... that sudden rain... that stupid flier…... this paper... all this is a simple coincidence right?”

Naomi looked up to see Yuki’s shocked expression and then looked at the paper in his hand, then looked back at him but said nothing, “Right?” Yuki said again, Naomi finally said,”...so you have seen it...” Yuki still had the same expression on his face, he spoke again, “Tell me what is happening, who exactly are you, what the actual hell is this… this ‘ Avalon’... tell me...”

Leaning her hand against her cheek, as if lost in thought, Naomi weighed her options before responding. "Well, now that you have seen it, I suppose I need to explain everything to you. But honestly, that saves me a lot of work." There was a hint of amusement in her voice as she contemplated where to begin. "So, where exactly shall I start..."

Yuki's impatience got the better of him as he demanded, "Tell me everything, starting with who exactly you are."

Naomi sighed softly, realizing the importance of providing context. "Beginning there won't help you understand the bigger picture," she replied. "Instead, let's begin with explaining what this 'Avalon' truly is..."

᨟ ᨟ ᨟

In the vast expanse of the universe, beyond the boundaries of our own reality, lies a multitude of other universes. These universes vary in nature, some resembling mirrors of one another, while others exist in isolation or are shrouded in darkness. However, there is more to this cosmic tapestry than just universes. There exist realms, also known as pocket dimensions or portable universes. One such realm is Avalon. These realms cannot be accessed directly; there are only a few ways to enter them. You can teleport directly into a realm, seek the assistance of someone already inside, or attempt a brute force entry, though the odds of success are akin to landing a coin on its edge—nearly impossible unless you possess a special technique.

Avalon is the closest realm to Earth, the distance of the realm from Earth is measured by the amount of energy it requires to enter the particular realm.

Within Avalon, there is a school—a school that teaches magic. However, only a select few are chosen to attend. It is not based on the strength of one's aura, but rather on the specific type of aura one possesses. There are ten different types of auras, but only seven of them, collectively known as the "Crux Auras," are capable of harnessing magic. Unfortunately, the majority of the human population possesses only one type of aura—the Alcor Aura—which is not suitable for performing magic. Only those individuals who possess one of the Crux Auras are called Avalon, where they can unlock their magical potential.

᨟ ᨟ ᨟

“So you're telling me that you are from some other world and you have come here to kidnap me and take me to this place called Avalon which is in a pocket dimension and not on Earth?”

“Neither I’m not here to kidnap you, nor I’m from some other world, you just happen to have one of the Crux Auras so I was told to get you.”

“And how exactly are you going to take me there?”

“I can take you there right now.”

<Ch2 - It’s a Mad Mad World [Part 1]—Fin>