Chapter 4: The Enchanted Strings of Parallel Hearts

Asta woke up to a sight that could challenge any morning's tranquility: a tangled boy with a physique that could put Greek sculptures to shame, covered by sheets that had become an unwitting piece of abstract art. The sheets seemed to have developed a personal vendetta against clothing, showcasing more of his anatomy than she ever signed up for.

Startled, she tumbled out of bed as if she'd just encountered a surprise visit from an otherworldly being. "Hmmm," she squeaked, her voice reaching heights only dogs could appreciate, as the sun played an unwelcome game of spotlight.

After squinting her eyes and strategically placing her fingers like a makeshift blindfold, she decided to peek again. Reality hit her like a ton of bricks wrapped in silk: it was Tanguro, her brand new boyfriend from just yesterday, giving a whole new meaning to "morning glory."

"Dear universe, what have I done?" she gasped, face redder than a tomato. "This is some advanced relationship acrobatics, and we just met yesterday! If this leaks, my social status will nosedive faster than a penguin on a waterslide!"

Then came the twist in the tale - Tanguro moved, and Asta's quick-thinking, fueled by embarrassment, turned her into a one-woman action movie. She picked the first thing she could grab which was a rubber dildo and launched it towards his head, hoping for an instant knockout, but her dildo-swinging skills were met with a chuckle instead. "Asta, what's all this morning drama?" Tanguro inquired, his voice husky from slumber, revealing an extra glimpse of his statuesque form.

Cue the internal monologue: "I'm such a damsel in distress!" Asta flung herself onto him dramatically, already predicting the societal judgment hanging over her like a cartoon piano. Except, surprise, surprise – Tanguro didn't seem to think of her as the morning-after protagonist in a soap opera. Instead, he pulled her in with a comforting embrace, his deep voice echoing like a balm for her shattered self-esteem. "Asta, from the very core of my heart, know this: no matter what happens, I adore you."

It was like something out of a dream, a perfect love story – until reality intervened with its cruel reminder. Asta, jolted awake by her little brother Izuru, realized she was late for school and decided to rush like a caffeinated squirrel. But hey, not without whispering sexy goodbyes to her smelly sock, in the most romantic way possible because all the times she kissed Tanguro in her dreams she made love to the sock in reality. If only her brother Izuru hadn't immortalized the scene on camera from a tactical distance before her dream bubble exploded it wouldn't have been such a bad moment. Finally, she rushed out of her house so she could get to school on time.

However, tardiness had other plans, and the school gates were locked in an act of defiance against people who got the tardy virus. But lo and behold, a rope dangled from the gym yard like a lifeline. Tanguro, her knight in (not so) shining armor, had anticipated her late arrival. He stood there, calm as a zen monk, offering a lifeline to the tardy damsel.

In a few minutes, Asta had switched from a wall-climbing spy to a Dodgeball Jedi cause it was time for gym class. Coach Shinji, the PE maestro, blew his whistle like it was a call to battle. "Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round! Divide yourselves into teams of seven on each side, and let the dodgeball duel begin!" he announced like he's launching a blockbuster. But everyone avoided being on the same team with Tanguro because they wanted to win so badly and Tanguro was fond of spacing out between games.

However, Tanguro was forced into a team by the coach, and they were playing against Asta's team who were highly competitive in a very toxic way. As expected, Tanguro started spacing out in the match, and his teammates were taken out one after the courtesy. Asta's plea to all her teammates to not hit Tanguro at all costs, saying that she was "saving the player with the best face for last." Finally, the moment Asta had been waiting for had come, the time to hit unsuspecting Tanguro on the face with a ball, building up to this moment she betrayed her teammates by taking them out herself.

"All right, it's just you and me now, pretty boy," she said as she threw the ball with every muscle in her body. However, the ball bounded off Tanguro's hand, propelling itself with more intensity than it was released to deliver the finishing blow to Asta. "Tushhhh!" the ball's impact on her face went as total silence filled the room due to the shock of what just happened. The game ended with Tanguro as the last man standing, admired by all as if he had just won a Nobel prize; everyone screamed his name as they picked him off the ground like a hero.

The day concluded with Asta and Tanguro walking home, relishing their title of gym class survivors. "So, the second day in a row of going home together as boyfriend and girlfriend," Asta said

"Sure, it has been amazing," Tanguro says with a voice suggesting there was no big deal.

In a nervous tone, Asta said, "So I was, I was, was wondering if I could see what your house looks like," as her face turns red like a tomato.

"I do not see the big deal about my place that naked it worth looking at," Tanguro says.

"Tanguro, you cow, how does an obvious thing like this fly above your head? Where do you even keep your brain cause I'm sure if you drop a coin in that hand of yours it would echo," Asta screams at him.

Lacking the ability to understand why she was so angry, Tangura asked, "Did I do something wrong?" in a cool tone.

"OK since you want me to spell everything out to you, I'll go ahead and do it. I do not care about seeing your place Tanguro; I just wanted to see your..." She stops herself from finishing her statement, realizing that Tanguro wasn't even slightly attracted to her in any way.

"Do you love me?" Asta asked with tears gushing out of her eyes.

"I have no knowledge about this field of study you ventured into that's why I started this experiment," Tanguro said.

Infuriated by what Tanguro just said, she queries Tanguro, "Experiment? Is that all this is to you? An experiment?" "I bet I'm just a specimen to you to be locked away in an exhibit for observation," she said following some seconds of silence. "You know what forget it this was my mistake and I take full responsibility for it I should have known a lump of clay like you could never love anyone how could I have been so stupid?"

"I'm so sorry Asta. I know you really thought I could love you, but I've found out by this experiment that I'm incapable of it. Some days, I wish I could unlock the concept of romance, but I can't. I've read every single academic point of view, and I'm still oblivious to what it means to be in love," he says as he delivers a kiss to her forehead. "I know this isn't enough compensation for wasting your time, but I hope it does something."

Shortly after the kiss, he walks away into the sunset.

Later, arriving home, Tanguro opened his front door, tears forming as he whispered, "I wish I could understand."

He stepped inside and there she was, the unexpected twist to his evening. A girl, sitting comfortably on his sofa, munching popcorn while absorbed in a movie. "Who are you?" Tanguro inquired, but the inquiry was directed back to him, "I should be asking that question cause this is my house, and I've lived here for the past seventeen years."