1 EPISODE 1: Future 1/3

It's just happened. My childhood friend who was always in love with my other childhood friend suddenly kissed me. I don't know to feel. "I love you, Kei." "…I …" She touched my mouth with her index finger like she is telling me to be quiet. "You don't have to answer me. For now, let's go with the flow." I see. Thank you, Miku. "Miku, I—" … First day of school. Like every year of school, I thought that this is gonna be normal. Same school, same faces, same seats, same teachers, same routine, and same reasons. Thinking from this perspective, I sigh. I don't have a problem with it rather, I'm thankful to have a normal life. However, if there's someone who would confess to me that he or she is an esper, time traveler, or an alien, I might get along with their antics. Imagining that these people exist in real life makes my body boil in youth. Doing unknown to others might be either weird or cool, depending on one's perspective. My seat is in the last row near the window. I look down without any thoughts. Late students are running as a teacher slowly closes the school gate. While witnessing this scene, someone calls my name. "Hey, Kei! It's been a while!" Oh, I almost forgot! My name is Kusanagi Kei. Just your normal 2nd-year high school student. I'm currently studying in Inazuma town, here in Tokyo. My hobbies are watching anime, playing games, and sleeping. And my dream is to have my own house, where I can do all of my hobbies without any interruption. "It's been a while too, Kyouhei, so, how's your vacation in the U.K.?" This is my friend, Hanzaki Kyouhei. A school heartthrob that has many girls crazy over him. Tall, white, and handsome with yellow hair. In the 2nd year, he is the perfect guy that many girls want to be their boyfriend. "One word. Boring. We always get invited to many ball parties. The only entertainment there is the girl I become acquainted with at one of the parties." Another reason for him becoming the "dream boy" is that he comes from a rich family. His father is the president of a globally famous company where products consist of daily households especially in cleaning while his mother is the president of a cosmetics company. Now that I tell you about his background, some of you might think "why is he studying in a public school like Inazuma High School?" right? Well, most people might just scroll this without understanding any of my words anyway so I'm gonna reveal the reason. The reason why is because of the plo— of his parents. Yes, because of his parents. Still, it's very awkward to narrate in my mind like I'm in the first chapter of a novel, where the introduction starts. Wait a minute! My ADHD strikes again. Fudge! anyway, let's continue. Where I left earlier? Oh! About his parents. His father and mother used to study here so they decided to let him attend this school. His parents are very loving so he didn't get forced, instead, he is happy since I'm also attending here. We've been known for many years that you can call us childhood friends. "So that girl become your girlfriend there, right?" "As expected of my friend! You know me a lot. Well, I break up with her before I leave. But don't worry, before I broke up with her, I always tell about you so she knows that you were a man and wouldn't bother you later." Before you got the wrong idea about our relationship, I'll explain. My appearance is too feminine to be a man. Black hair, long eyelashes, and a beauty that most girls in our class wouldn't defeat. If I dress up as a girl, many men will try to hit me. And this is why I still don't have a girlfriend. Most girls can't look at me as a man anymore. If I didn't become my sister's twin then… Anyway, he is my best friend and childhood friend so we are always together. If an unknown girl saw me with him, they might think of me as their competitor. Last time, a girl push me to a running truck. This girl is his current girlfriend at that time. He didn't introduce me so that's why she mistake me for the girl he cheated on. It almost killed me. Fortunately, the truck was able to avoid me and no accident happened. Remember this makes my head feel ache. Anyway, after our small conversation, a woman comes into the classroom. "Hello, everyone! How's your vacation?" This is Ms. Ichinose Hina. Our homeroom teacher since the first year. She might look young and beautiful but the truth is— her age is thirt—29 years old and 12 months. Yeah… just leave it like that. "Mr. Kusanagi, do you have a problem?" What the… she look at me very pissed. Is she a mind reader? "No, ma'am. " "Is that so? You can just tell me what's on your mind, I'm your teacher so I can help you." Ma'am… your face doesn't match your words. "Truly none. However, If I have a problem, I will seek your guidance first." "Well, if you still insist on not telling then let's move on. However, I will leave a word. A woman's intuition wouldn't lie." She takes a deep breath and her bright smile returns again. Seriously, sometimes women are scary. "…Anyway, today we have a new student. Ms. Miller, please come in." "Yes, ma'am." The moment we saw her face, the classroom fall into silence. From the outside, a pink-haired beauty comes in. My height is 169 cm while Kyouhei is 172 cm so I estimate her height must be within 150 cm. Every step she takes, the way her hair moves,— all of her, is very elegant. She stops in the middle, beside Miss Ichinose. "Nice to meet everyone. My name is Aubrey Miller. I don't have any hobbies but I'm good at drawing. Please take care of me!" "Ooohhhh…" "A beauty!" "She's beautiful…" "And it's a foreigner!" "A beautiful foreigner!" The class became hyped up after her introduction. Suddenly, she make a stop gesture and once again the classroom fall into silence, ready to listen to what she wanted to say. "Before some guys approach me, I will make it clear that I, Aubrey Miller, am the fiancee of Hanzaki Kyouhei." "EHHHH!!!!!" Everyone looks beside me. This seatmate of mine truly has many surprises after his vacation. I even thought that this friend of mine is the protagonist of this world. Because other than me, we have another childhood friend. This "another childhood friend" currently looks at him like she wanted to kill Kyouhei. Seriously, girls are scary, especially if they're in love. Her name is Sakamaki Miku. She is an orange-haired beauty who likes Kyouhei since we were children. However, despite being a playboy, Kyouhei didn't notice her feelings for him. It seems that he didn't even think of her as someone he could form a deeper relationship. Poor Miku. Do your best! In front of me is her seat. Woah… It's scary… Hey, Kyouhei. Can you make her calm down? This is what my gaze telling him but it looks like he misunderstand my message and reply with his gaze "Do your best!" Do your best? Do my best in what? *crack *crack… Uwah… she broked many pencils… Also, how many pencils do you have, Miku? And why pencils of all things you got? Better not pry that. While I'm having some thoughts going around my mind, our classmates start to gather to Kyouhei and Aubrey's location. They wanted to asked them so they started one by one. "Hey, is it true?" "Hey…" "When did you met each other?" "As expected, on summer, right?" "Have you held her hand?" "Did both of you have kissed?" *Crack Hey, stop there! You Classmate 1. And how about not breaking more pencil, Miku! Kyouhei! Kyouhei! Look at my eyes! Look at my eyes! We can talk about it later but you need to communicate with me silently right no— He only smile. I'm done. Then I will just look away and like I don't notice this. Well, if I can do that but they are my friends so I need to do something. The class can't move on the matter about the fiance thing and start to interrogate Kyouhei and Aubrey. Kyouhei tried to get away but he doesn't have any escape route while Aubrey, who still standing, didn't bother to answer their questions. It can't be help then I need to use my position a bit. *clap I stand up and clap. "Everyone, cut it out. This is a private matter between Kyouhei and miss Aubrey so let's respect their private life. Also, miss Ichinose, you may now continue." "Oh, ah, oh, oh, o-okay" Everyone just get silent and go back to their perspective seats. And the homeroom subject continue. "Miss Aubrey, you can choose where to sit." She walk beside Kyouhei and look at the man currently sits there. "As you know I'm his fiancee, can you just adjust?" In the male perspective, Aubrey look at him like he is a trash. "What is it?" The man bravely wanted to repeat her words. "Sit somewhere!" Looking at her, the man felt something awoke in his body. He felt something that made him very excited. Something feels good the longer she stare her like he is an absolutely disgusting being. He wanted to let her repeat but I give him a signal not to do it. Seriously, enlightenment of all sudden? Is this class full of weirdo? I… No comment. In the end, the man sits in front of the class refreshingly while she take the man's seat. There is no fluctuation in her expression. Straight forward but a very silent person. I immediately point out her behavior. She is type of a woman who would love a man wholeheartedly but the man couldn't understand what she means, well… this is just an scenario example that I thought connected to her behavior so I'm not sure. However, based on my experience of playing visual novels, this might be the closest behavior that I could think of. While I'm studying here, the girl in front of me, finally end her pencil breaking. It might be my imagination but when they noticed each other, a lightning clash between their eyes like they are long rivals. Yeah… It must be my imagination. Meanwhile, Kyouhei is listening to Miss Ichinose. This guy… he is a playboy but why of all times, why his denseness only applied to the one's he close with? To other girls, he isn't like that. Maybe, it must have something to do with the title of childhood friend that's why he didn't look at Miku as someone he can be his girlfriend. Poor Miku. Do your best! I know that I said this earlier but she needs more if this anyway. Currently, he might thought that the 4 of us could get along in the later run. Why do I know? It's because I already memorized his behaviors. I also done this to rest of my class. In the first place, I tried this just for fun since I'm the boy's representative in this section. Yeah… boy's representative… with a girl's face… haha… Let's move on, I don't want to think that bad pun they put on me. Where am I again? Oh! About the our section. Class 2-B. The section that has been known for many things. Every year, most of the students who would put here at this section will be the famous for either positive or negative. Like a guy last year who almost carry his team to the national or a girl who wrote some weird symbols in the school field that has the hidden message. They don't know what it means but one of her classmates, tells that those words meaning is "I'm here." I don't know who is she calling but I think no one will ever know other than herself. Anyway, no matter what happened, calling this a blessing or a curse, someone will become famous in this section. … "Help me, Kei." In the rooftop, Miku call me after the break time. With a serious look, she tell me her business. "Okay, so what do I need to do?" "Are you sure? Yay! you're the best! That's why I love you, big sister!" "Big sister my ass, you sure wanted to poke my weakness huh… maybe, I can talk with Miss Aubrey and give her some—" "I know, I know, I will never call you big sister again." "Are you sure?" "Uhmm… Eh… ah… Yes." "Seriously?" "Well, I can't help. After all, our beauty is much equal despite you being a man. Also, I want a big sister like you!" "I'm gonna go to Miss Aubrey." "Wait! Sorry. Never again. Promise." Her expression is like a cat begging for her owner for food. 'Kuh! This is unfair!' "Huh… Be thankful that you're too cute." "Yay! Thank you again." "Don't thank me early. So what do you want me to do?" "The regular one." 'Is this a coffee shop?' "Push you to be alone with him, right?" "As expected of you so can you help me?" "I can. However, that might be difficult since Miss Aubrey has been tailing Kyouhei since earlier. Just look at that." I pointed down and we saw Aubrey tailing Kyouhei to the canteen with our other classmates. Now that I look at it, It seems that Kyouhei is not interested with her. However, it's impossible since he is a playboy, right? Huh? Kyouhei look at my direction for a second. Can he see me in such a distance? Maybe, that's my imagination. "That girl…" Miku's expression is like an animal who is ready to attack. "Calm down. Kyouhei don't like girls who put violence to others." "I know." "Don't worry. I'm gonna try later when we go home." "Truly, I'm thankful to have you by my side." I didn't reply and just look at the horizon silently, thinking on how am I gonna help this friend of mine. … (Change POV.) "What a let down! Kei just run away when the time has up." "Yeah, what a let down. Yeah…" Thank you, Kei! As expected of him, the man who called to be "who can do anything!" Since he gave me this chance, I need to give my all. Do your best, myself! "It can't be help then… Hey, Miku." "W-w-what?!" "Let's go by ourselves." I'm happy. He invited me! he invited me! This is the first time that he take some action. This must be… Does it mean he likes me too? Kyaah! No, be pretentious. Don't be look someone easy to get. Still, I can't control my face to smile and giggles so I look away before I answer "yes" to him. … Arcade. "Wow! This is the new game that they put here. The "Duper Narnio Ros." is one of the classic games where the game machine is rare can be found and seen because this is a limited edition game machine." Duper Narnio Ros. Like Kyouhei said, this is a limited edition game machine. I'm very impressed for the manager here to get this. "So… let's play?" "Do you need to say that? Game!" Games. Specifically, arcade games. Ever since we met Kei, we've been secretly met up here, just to play games. Because of that, I'm good at fighting games despite, me, being a girl. They never defeat me even once so that's why they set a goal to beat me in my own stage. Well, other than fighting games, I'm fairly good at the other games like the current game I'm playing with Kyouhei. … Evening. "What a bummer! We almost beat the last boss but I didn't expect that he isn't the real boss. It's the princess! The one we need to save is the last boss! My god what a twist!…" Listening his excited voice, we are hypely talking about our experience earlier. We might look normies but Kei's chronic disease, positively, already taken our life. Other than the Duper Narnio Ros, we also play other games like "Tony the Hedge Slammer", "MBA 10K" and many more. It's fun and excitable. "…" Wait a minute! I supposed to make him fall to me. I forgot! My god, I miss my chance. "Hey, Miku. Are you crying?" "No… There's just something in my eyes, don't worry about it." "Well, if you said that…" In the end, the day just end like that. I'm dumb! Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! My chance got wasted because I enjoy too much, this is all your fault, Kei. … In Kei's home. *Achoo! "Did I catch cold? Well, not that matters. Even I can't move anymore, I'm gonna finish this game and become the Elder King!" Suddenly, he pause his game and got dazed while remembering something. "I hope that their date can progress their relationship." He muttered while looking at his window. *Ring Suddenly, his phone ring. "Hello" "Kusanagi-san, can you meet me here at the park?" "Why senior?" "Just… I need your help…" "Did something happened?" "Can you go here or not?" 'Why is she the one who need to get annoyed? Anyway, I just need to meet here right?' "Give me half hour." "Okay." And I drop the call. "Why senpai need my help? Anyway, I will know after I meet her." Unwillingly, I stand up and save my game progress before I close my Hexbox 36T. Then I dressed up before I go. … (Miku's P.O.V) In this lively street side, we call our driver to go home. We didn't talk while waiting since his attention is focused on his phone. If I bother him he might get annoyed so I just enjoy being beside him. Some minutes later, my driver was the first one to arrive. I don't want this day to end like this but I don't want to trouble my driver. In the end, I give up to stay with him. "I enjoy our bonding today, next time I hope that Kei will be with us!" "Yeah, sure…" "See you tomorrow!" Then I go in my car and go home. … Inside the car. "I'm stupid! Dumb! Stupid! Dumb…" Repeating her words, she felt extremely self-disappointment. 'Did something happen to the princess?' The driver notices her behavior through the mirror. He watches their princess grow so he has some emotional attachment to her. Miku also sees her driver as her second father so he wanted to know her problem and help her. "Did something happen, Miku?" Miku didn't answer immediately and thought for a second. "No, no problem." She decided not to tell him. The driver didn't continue since he knows that Miku wouldn't tell her problem once she already decided. … Miku's house is quite big. Well, it's a mansion after all. Like Kyouhei, she comes from a rich family and the reason why she goes to the public school is because of her parents too. Kyouhei's parents are former classmates in the same school they are currently in. The first time she met Kyouhei is when she was 5 but she didn't remember that time. The memory that is quite clear to her is when she was 7. … 7 years ago.. In the heat of the summer, the Hanzaki and Sakamaki family are on a vacation. Their location is on a private beach island owned by the Hanzaki family. Many cameras and active guards are secretly monitoring their movements for the sake of their protection. The cameras are one of a kind since it has the most advanced function called hyperspectral scanning. It's like an infrared sensor but it is beyond to that. Other than Infrared signature, it also searches for unique electromagnetic patterns given off by any substances. If that sounds confusing, you don't know the half of it. However, this is not an electronic engineering lesson so let's move on. The active guards came from a private military company and the Hanzaki family buy their service. The Wolf is the name of their unit. It's very fitting since most of them has a hairy body, making them look like a beast. Other than their appearance, their training regimen is not a joke so their strength is a real deal. Well, there are some women too and their strength is equal to men, however, unlike the men who are hiding, they are currently covered as servants. And 2 of them currently looking out for Kyouhei and Miku. "Hey Kyouhei, where do I put this bucket?" "Put it there and I will put mine here." "Okay!" Somewhere on the beach, Kyouhei and Miku are building a sand castle. However, Kyouhei's attention suddenly shift when he heard a shout. "Set!" The red-haired woman shouts as she set the ball to the blue-haired man. Kyouhei and Miku look at the sand court, where their parents are currently the players. "Hyaah!" The blue-haired man jumps above the net and smashes the ball. "Lisa, watch out!" On the opposite side, the yellow-haired man reminds his partner. "Don't wo—rry!" The white hair woman tried to dive to save the ball but she didn't reach it. "Yes!" 2x The blue haired man and the red haired woman jump and hug in celebration while their opponents lay down on the sand floor. These two are from the Sakamaki Family. Their names are Sakamaki Kaito and Sakamaki Horikita. Kaito is lazy but talented while Horikita is strict but soft-hearted. "Nice game!" Getting up from the sand, the opposite side greets the winners. The yellow haired man's name is Hanzaki Hayato while his partner, the white woman, is named Hanzaki Shiro. "They are amazing!" Watching from the side, Kyouhei's eyes are sparkling like stars. "I decided… I'm gonna be a professional volleyball player!" "Huh? What is it?" Beside him, Miku is also watching but unlike the exaggerated excitement he shows, she is calmly appreciating the battle between their parents while the two of them sitting on the sand. "Miku, I want to be a professional volleyball player!" "I heard you." He stands up proud and repeats his words. "I want to become a volleyball player! " Miku got surprised when he runs to the nearest big rock and climb it. He jumps and spikes an imaginary volleyball and land on the sand. Their parents saw him so his mother warn him while walking toward his position. "Be careful, honey. Don't do it again okay?" "I'm okay, Mother." "I know but for safety, just sit down." "Okay!" He decided to follow his mother and sit down under the umbrella. Miku decided to follow him since she will feel bored playing by herself. After she sits down, Kyouhei suddenly makes a request. "Hey, Miku. Can you watch me?" "Me?" "Yes, I want you to become my witness when I get my dream come true." "Well, I can't watch you all the time, is that acceptable?" "Acceptable!" "Then show me." She nonchalantly agree but at this moment, she didn't know that accepting his request will lead for her to fall for him. … (Miku's P.O.V.) Ever since that day, I witness his hardworking until he became a volleyball player in this school. He became a regular last year and became the regional champions, however, they couldn't defeat the teams in the national division. "We will become the national champion this next season!" "OOOOHHHH!!!!" Kyouhei lit the spirit of the team after their defeat. At that time, you can see that he is the pillar of the team even though he is not the captain nor the ace. His positivity was able to erase the heavy atmosphere and the sadness his team feel. However, when they are gone, I accidentally saw him, crying out loud. "Just a little bit… a little bit hard work… we can win… but…" He cries until his eyes dry. Then he smacks his face. "We're gonna win next season!" At that moment, I feel that I fall for him again. Seriously, if he is not a playboy, this will be a perfect story of a childhood friend-to-lovers plot. But unfortunately, I fall for this kind of guy so I need to take some bitterness in my youth. … Some minutes have passed and now I'm home. Currently, I'm in my bed staring blankly at the ceiling. I try recollecting my date with Kyouhei and I feel a bit bitter. You can't blame me that I missed the opportunity. It's all Kei's fault! "…" I know it's my fault but… I sigh. Not knowing what will happen tomorrow, I immediately thought of Kei. "I think melon bread is enough thanks for him, right?" Kei loves to eat melon bread. He loves that he can pause his game, just to savor it. After I think of my thanks gift for him, I yawn. It seems that my body is starting to get sleepy. "Goodnight…" I muttered this to myself, as my consciousness become hazier, and ended me being asleep. … "Wake up… —fey… Miku, wake up…" Ugh! It's already morning? Why time flies too much? I don't want to wake up now… I want to sleep more… "Ngh~ five minutes… " "No extension. Hurry up and wake up." "No~ five minutes. Just… give me… zzzzz" "Wake up! " I feel my body being shaken by someone, however, I didn't open my eyes and continued to sleep. What the hell? Is my maidservant is being rude right now? No, wait! The voice is a man so how did he come into my room without being caught by others? No… this voice is familiar… After realizing something wrong, I immediately woke up. "Eh?" I'm flabbergasted. "Kei?" "Yes, it is me. Did something hit your head?" I don't know what expression I'm making but I'm scared. "No, you're not him…" After all, there is no way that Kei is an adult since we're still students. In front of me, is a half-naked man who looks like Kei. He goes to the bathroom and I hear the shower. Now that I notice, my body feels unnatural. I stand up and immediately noticed that I too am half naked. This made me feel terror but I still look in the mirror. I know the moment I feel something wrong in my body but seeing myself as a grown-up I can't mutter any sound. Someone who looks like Kei raped me. That's the idea that comes to my mind I wanted to die. I didn't cry but I feel that all my energy was depleted. How can this be… Suddenly, another thought comes to my mind. I look around and saw a phone. There is no security pass so I immediately access it. "No way… 5 years has been passed… what in the— wait…" I don't want to believe it. But even though there are only two pieces of evidence; me as a grown-up and the date today, thinking about this, things make sense. "Then that Kei is…" However, another thing will surprise me. "Hey wifey, do you want to have breakfast here or at the restaurant later?" The guy who looks like—no, He is Kei and… I look at my hand, seeing a ring on me. From what it looks like, I time slip to the future and I'm married to Kei!!!

To be continued

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