Chapter 1: Just A Boring Day

Ring!... Tap.

The sound of an alarm can be heard, as someone taps and turns off his alarm coming from his phone.

This 'someone' is Kurogane Rion, a chubby middle-aged man who just in time, finished his work despite the black marks that can be seen under his eyes that compliment his tired body.

'Finally, I finished that hell of a document and the presentation report before the deadline...' the chubby man inwardly sighed as he rubbed his sore wrist from excessive periods of hours of typing.

Rion looked at his phone...

It's 1:25 am huh.

Sigh…

Rion shrugged helplessly as he stood up from his office chair, looking to buy a can of cold coffee and some snacks.

When a voice suddenly called out to him.

"Bro, looking for this?" A blonde man with a prince-like appearance in formal attire threw a plastic bag at Rion.

"..." Looking at what he grabbed, he could faintly see two cans of branded coffee and some bags of potato chips and pretzels.

"Vice-President Andrew..." Rion looked at the 'prince' before him as he muttered his name.

"Hahaha, no need for the Vice-President thing, just call me Andrew, it's just the two of us here anyways in these late hours." the handsome man laughed as he waved his hand for Rion to stop his pleasantry.

"Besides, those lazy bastards always rush their work leaving some important documents unfinished knowing the vacation month is near..."

"Sorry to bother you with these Rion, don't worry you'll get your additional overtime payment and I'll get in a word for you to Prez about your promotion." Andrew promised with a serious tone.

"Hahaha~, it's fine Mr. Andrew, I did it anyway for the extra pay... And well for my 'hobby' of course... Speaking of work, why are you still here, Mr. Andrew?" Rion laughed wryly, scratching the back of his head.

Looking back at Rion's history, Rion is just a newbie who just transferred to a new company coming from Japan to the US.

Kurogane Rion was born in Japan but was raised in the US to live with his father along with his mother.

He grew up living in the US till he was 18 when his father got caught cheating with another girl by his mother.

The situation got worse to the point that Rion and his mother returned to Japan.

They lived peacefully until he reached the age of 31, when after some unfortunate accident, his mother died.

He spent a lot of his time dealing with his mental health at that time until recently he returned to the US looking for an opportunity to support himself and find a job.

Later, he came to this place at the recommendation of his old friend in the US.

Rion doesn't really have any complaints about the company, although there was some teasing about his looks, his popular panda-like body, and his chubby face that looked like a dumpling which makes him kinda cute to the others despite his age.

Surprisingly… There's really no bullying happening.

That is because he is often relied upon by others and his kind, approachable, and hardworking personality.

Despite being a newbie, Rion fits in quite quickly with his co-workers, although some secretly make fun of his body behind his back…

He is used to it and he doesn't really have time to care, as long as it is nothing physical, he won't make a drama out of it.

He was tired of that crap, he dealt with that in his younger days.

Out of all the people that Rion met at the new company.

The most approachable for him is his superior, Andrew Wilkinson, the Vice President and the 'Prince' of the company.

He is known as the 'Prince'. Why do you ask?

Well, he is the ideal man for most of the workers of the company, consider this:

Well-toned body, tall man, silk-like short blond hair, spotless white skin, a handsome and prince-charming face, gentle and attractive smile... Sigh... You get it.

This guy is the epitome of appearance for them, even the ladies are jealous of his spotless skin! And as if God is not yet satisfied, he also has a good personality, a rich family background, and is an achiever with good morals and perspective...

The guy is very accomplished in life, and take note he is only in his mid-20s... mid-20s!

Even Rion, who is a good-natured man who likes to focus on himself, when you're around the presence of this 'prince-like being', you as a fellow male, just can't help but be a bit jealous and feel inferior, especially considering the gap of accomplishments in life by their age.

"..." Looking at the young blonde man before him with a friendly smile, Rion just inwardly sighed.

'...some people are just built differently.' internally shrugged by Rion.

"Oh, I stopped by on the way, because I thought you were still working, good thing I came at the exact time, I almost missed you." Andrew chuckled as he tried to search the insides of his suit looking for something.

After a few seconds, Andrew pulled out a letter sealed with wax and handed it to Rion.

"...? What's this?"

"An invitation for my upcoming wedding." Andrew replied.

"Wedding? You mean, you and Ms. Andrea?"

"Yeah. The wedding will happen next month, as for the other specifications such as the exact date and venue, it's written in the letter."

"You'll be coming, right? I'll be expecting you to attend the occasion... Well, my sister, Lily, also wants to see you hahahaha~." Andrew laughed as he started to walk to the exit door.

Lily Wilkinson, as if their family genes are blessed, the younger sister of Andrew is also quite a beauty.

Rion saw Lily along with the fiancée of Andrew, Ms. Andrea who is an upcoming star magazine model.

It was at that time when Andrew did the monthly inspection of the workplace and brought the two girls to show and tour them around that they were introduced to the co-workers.

Not only is this lucky bastard handsome but he also has a fiancée who is not only beautiful and popular but is also well-accomplished in life with a well-known family in public affairs.

Well… he deserved it though, the prince has a good personality and is hardworking, something that is rare coupled with his great charm.

Andrew's sister, Lily, is beautiful too.

She is always dressed in a branded and loose clothing, paired with a pretty cute face, and long blonde hair like her brother.

That time when the monthly inspection happened, for some reason, she approached me when I was working.

But due to me being so focused on the computer screen at that time. I wasn't able to notice her approaching me when she suddenly started poking my cheeks with her slim forefinger.

As if fascinated by my dumpling face, she just poked at my cheek continuously.

Remembering the face that she made at that time…

I'm pretty sure the look in her eyes screamed: 'What a cute panda!!'

Well, it's not like I hate it or anything...

Being touched by a beauty is more than a welcome at my doorstep, although she has more childish and youthful vibes around her, as she is only 22 years old.

Quite frequently, she would come to the workplace to interact with some of my co-workers, but mostly just to play or chat with me.

To the point that my co-workers often tease me about it, saying that she loves the Panda or the new version of a story which is 'The Beauty and the Panda'.

Although I do notice her cheerful vibes around me.

I don't believe she likes me or sees me as a romantic partner, nor am I hopeful or anything.

Firstly, there's the age gap.

Secondly, I had my 'dark history' when it comes to romantic relationships...

Thirdly...

I have my 'hobby'.

Hmmm?? What 'hobby' do you ask?

Fuhuhuhuhu~

I have my waifus!!!

Yes, my darlings that I spend my extra money on, the epitome of ideal girlfriends!...

Ehem...

Yes, I'm a man of culture myself. I watch, read and collect despite my age.

My body may be old but my heart will always remain youthful till the day I die!!

Umu~, as expected, 2D is better than 3D.

One of the reasons why Lily's charm has only a little effect on me. (not a lie, believe me.)

Although I acknowledge that she's beautiful for her age, I'm also aware of my position in life.

The conclusion? 'bzzzz' no chance at all.

We both have a big social status gap, so there's that, plus I'm pretty sure she's just 'curious' about my appearance that's all.

...

Rion nodded, as he ended his inner monologue.

"Bro, you okay?" Rion snapped out of his thoughts as he looked at Andrew who was about to open the door.

"Ahahaha~ yeah, what were you asking again?" Rion laughed awkwardly.

"Bro, you've been dozing off. You need to rest... Do take a day off tomorrow, and don't worry it's a paid leave... Anyways, as I was asking, please do come to my wedding okay? I also invited some of our co-workers to come."

"Oh... yeah sure. I'll be there." Rion replied, looking at the invitation letter and thought:

'Damn... this letter looks vintage, and it's sealed in wax with an emblem on it... Doesn't this look like some sort of royal family letter you see in movies and anime?'

"Sweet! Alright, I'll be waiting for you man." Andrew casually smiled and said, as he turned his back and opened the door to leave.

"Oh... By the way, thanks for the coffee and the snacks." Rion thanked Andrew gazing at the plastic bag that he was holding in his other hand.

"It's the least I can do... Do take care when going home bro." Andrew casually spoke as he waved his hand without turning back.

Looking at the prince-like figure waving his hand at Rion without turning back, Rion swore he can see some sort of charming golden aura only you can see from cool men at certain anime moments.

Rion remarked:

'This guy must be an MC from some sort of anime to be cool and all.'

Rion shook his head to get this funny thought out of his head, he soon checked his things before going home.

...

'Ah~ what an exhausting day.' Rion lazily thought, as he imagined himself spending the day tomorrow just having a date with his pillow and bed.

'Thinking about it, since it looks like it will be a pretty classy wedding... I think I need to buy new clothing for the occasion.'

Rion noted, as he started yawing in the bus.

He rested his hand on the right side of the window and started looking at the passing scenery while the bus moved.

'Girlfriend huh...' Rion emotionally thought while he remembered certain dark memories in his past.

His eyes then started to get heavy, about to fall asleep.

When suddenly...

<Void Invasion has been initiated.>

<Void Invasion will end in 24 hours.>

<All beings can now access their own status.>

...