Chapter 01 (Part A) – Thrilling Beauty
Chapter 01 (Part A) – Thrilling Beauty
I want it…
I want that ice cream! I love strawberry!
From across the street come voices from people in a line at an ice cream place. Most are from people I don’t recognize, some from people I do. Four girls from my class were there at one of the outdoor tables, eating what they bought while giggling.
Feels like I see them there every single day after school… How do they even manage to do that? Don’t they get tired? Winter ended less than a month ago, and even then, I still saw them there. They’re seriously dedicated…
But that’s not it… I’ve never actually set foot in that place, and that’s not changing today. I don’t want any ice cream.
Wow! New collection! So cute! I wanna go window shopping!
Next is a clothes shop. Two other faces I recognize. Two girls from my school, but not from my class. I feel like I always see them around here when I’m on my way home.
Why? It’s not like there’s a new collection every day… Don’t they get tired? Doing the same things over and over? Nothing ever changing?
I get it… It’s not about the clothes, is it? They’re here to hang out and have fun. Looking at clothes is just an excuse. I can’t judge them for that… But why is it always the same thing? Do they never think about trying out something new?
So no… This also isn’t it… If I want some new clothes, I can shop online and get them sent to me. I don’t want to window shop.
I love seeing all the cool things people drive in our city! I wanna see more cars!
There are never any cars at this time of day for some mysterious reason. It’s such a waste. We have such nice, flat roads here just for them, so how come I never seem to come across any?
Well, I’d actually rather it stay that way. Cars are driven by adults, adults with jobs, adults stuck slaving away at their boring, repetitive lives. Cars are a reminder of that. People would feel sorry just thinking about it, and the whole city would be more depressing.
Or maybe not. Maybe it doesn’t work like that. Maybe most people wouldn’t care. But I don’t need the reminder… I don’t want to see more cars.
Cars are one thing, but why is there no one walking around on the street?
I want to see more people outside just walking.
No. I really don’t… I can’t even pretend with this one.
This one is easy to explain, though. People are just busy doing things. Those girls from earlier, one group was sitting and eating ice cream, the other two were inside some random clothes shop, both busy. Everyone is the same. The people I pass by are always inside some place, doing something there instead of walking out here.
And that’s fine by me… As a self-proclaimed introverted girl, the fewer people outside, the better. I have the sidewalk all to myself, and I can get home faster!
Three Records is the name of this unique city of ours. It’s a relatively recent one, with its development only having finished around the time I was five or six.
It’s a city with the goal of cultivating the youth’s talent and academic capabilities, and that shows. There are lots of schools, academies, colleges, universities, and a bunch of other stuff with names that I don’t remember but that serve the same purpose.
The city is named after the three goals behind its construction. One being to record the new heights of academic achievements and scientific progress, while the other two… Well… I don’t really remember… But the name Three Records comes from putting them together.
The project itself was very successful, and this city draws in ambitious people from all over the world. Some are here to study, others for research, plenty come just for the money, and some are people like me. People who have been here for a long time and stay because it’s nice.
The only things out of place are statues and monuments from before the renovation project. The city wasn’t built from scratch, and the whole construction was more of a large-scale renovation than anything else.
It’s not a big deal, but I don’t like how they clash with the modern style. I honestly wouldn’t even notice if not for the fact that I pass by one of those on my way home every day.
So, do I want to see more statues and monuments?
Nope. Not really. Another one I’m not even going to entertain.
I don’t want any of those things. In another life, a different me might have said something else.
But that’s not me. That’s not what I want.
Deep down… There’s only one thing that I really want…
…
“Ahh… Sooo cute! I missed you so much!”
My adorable waifus… On my desktop wallpaper, as figures on shelves, or even on posters decorating walls. It’s bliss from the second I enter my place.
Power button after power button, the screens in my dark apartment light up as my consoles and PC turn on.
“How are they all so damn cute?! Seriously… Can’t get enough!”
That being said, maybe it’s time to swap wallpapers… I love my Koko, but I’ve showered her love for a little too long. Gotta share it with my other girls so it’s fair.
Nothing’s better than being home after a long day. It’s so lonely being away from them… The one on my wallpaper is Koko Madoka from an anime franchise I like. She’s a complete psychopath with no regard for human life, but she’s really chill in between atrocities. Also, she’s really hot, so it’s all forgiven.
She and all the others are what keep me going. Wish I could keep them by my side while at school, but that’s a terrible idea. It’d be an instant game over for me if people found out I’m a girl who gets crushes on fictional girls. My standing is already bad enough as is.
“*Sigh…* This is bliss…”
I’m exaggerating, of course. I can function just fine without seeing a cute girl for a couple hours. At school I’m perfectly normal. My love is a secret, and I get my happiness when I get home. Feels like I’m cheating at life.
Now, where’s my blanket? It’s not that important anymore with summer quickly approaching, but it feels good while gaming. Wait… I need to grab the controller first. Or maybe I should decide what I’m going to play first. Might as well grab something to eat and to drink too. And stop by the bathroom.
Ahh… It’s a paradise in here, but running it is not easy… Always a lot to do.
Happiness is so cheap. All it takes is plenty of games, anime, a comfortable setup, and my precious waifus. This is the life…
Finally, I’m back on my chair, the cushions as soft as always. Got some cookies to go with an episode of anime, then it’s time for gaming. Maybe I’ll just pick up where I left off yesterday. No matter what choice I make, I’ll be happy. With so much joy to go around, time blurred together here in my personal paradise…
…
It’s noisier than usual… What’s going on?
My happy time ended at some point, and the next day arrived. I sat down at my desk, waiting for class to start, but it was hard to ignore the agitation in the room. There’s always chatter in the morning before class, but… There’s something different today.
A transfer student? Did I hear that right? Picked that up by overhearing some conversations. That’s unexpected… Isn’t that the kind of thing that only ever happens in anime?
Not that it matters much to me. Things like that end up having very little impact on my life. It’s interesting to know, I guess. But why does everyone else know that? I’m a bit out of the loop, sure, but where does it start?
Soon enough, the teacher arrived and quieted down the class. More easily than usual too. Wow… Everyone’s just staring at him… The anticipation is palpable. Was it true? Would there really be a transfer student?
Good morning, students. He casually started his usual routine, making some brief comments about the day and some small talk before finally, like everyone wanted…
“We have a transfer student entering our class today. I hope you all get along with her.” He gestured to the door. “Please come in.” And the next second…
“Woah…”
She was an unbelievable beauty. Her steps were calm and confident, and she stopped in front of the whole class.
Who is she? I can’t tear my eyes away.
She’s so my type! Long and slightly wavy hair. Its color is silver with an ethereal blue tint. Is she a princess? A goddess? Is a beauty like her seriously transferring into our class?
The girl looked through the class to see everyone’s faces. Our eyes met for a moment, and my heart pounded violently. She’s so beautiful… Every part of her… Her blue eyes, so captivating… Completely out of this world…
“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Miyuki Eis.”
Seriously… Is she a goddess? She’s so cute! Friendly and approachable too. I can’t take this! Miyuki… Even her name’s beautiful.
When I finally came to, she had already taken her seat. Somewhere roughly behind me. Did I spend the whole time staring? Oh no… Did anyone see? There are going to be rumors about me again…
“Hmm?”
I expected some eyes on me, but… That didn’t happen. I wasn’t the only one stunned by Miyuki, so no one saw me being weird. That was a close one…
My face is still burning. If anyone sees me now, it will be obvious how charmed I was. Would be the worst being seen like that. Calm down… Class is about to start. Let’s focus on that for now. Don’t think about her… Focus on class…
Only that didn’t work. Roughly two hours passed, class ended, and I didn’t catch a single thing the teacher said.
A girl like Miyuki would usually be out of my league. I stop being able to think when faced with a cute girl, so I don’t even try. This time, however, I can’t let it end like that. She’s way too pretty… I want to talk to her. To get to know her better, become friends, and maybe something more…?
Pretty much impossible, but I will never forgive myself if I don’t even try talking to her.
Just say hi during this break… If I can introduce myself and greet her, I’ll be good… Now, where is she? Turned my head around, and… Oh… She’s being swarmed already. Questions flying in from every side.
Did they all have the same idea as me? Probably not… I doubt the other girls are looking at her the way I am…
Too bad… Getting in the middle of that is too big a hurdle for me. Maybe she’ll be free tomorrow? Later? Yeah… We still have other breaks… I can try again later! Next time for sure.
…
My plan didn’t work.
No matter how much I waited, the opportunity showed itself. Any time Miyuki had a moment to breathe, someone else would show up and talk to her.
What else did I expect? With such a beauty joining the class, of course everyone’s gonna be excited.
Oh well… I’m on my way home now, so I’ll forget all about it soon. I’ll play some games, enjoy the company of my waifus and relax-
“No way…”
There she is… For the first time ever, these streets changed. A new face.
She was a bit ahead of me, walking leisurely along the sidewalk and… Ahhh… She’s so cute… So my type… How can she be so perfect? Occasionally, she’d slow down and peek at the window of a nearby shop. What’s she doing here? Is she alone?
Alone…? Wait… Is she alone? Really?
There’s no one else… This is my chance, isn’t it? I have to talk to her… I wanna talk and get to know her… Maybe we could be friends…? Go on dates? As friends at first, of course. But we could grow closer, and then… Hehehe…
Ah! I’m getting carried away! Just friends is fine! I might die from happiness if I got to date someone her level, after all.
But no…
I can’t approach her right now. It’d be weird. I’m still just a stranger to her. We didn’t speak in class, so I’d just weird her out.
I just can’t… Now’s not the right time. Not if I want to make a good impression. I’ll get another opportunity soon. Surely… Right? Right. I can wait. This is the kind of thing that shouldn’t be rushed. Relationships are supposed to take time. It was just so surprising seeing her that I started getting crazy ideas. So silly… I should have learned my lesson already. Relationships are weird. It’s better if I take my time.
Only until she becomes friends with the others, though. They might gossip about me after she settles in, and then it’d be too late. I don’t exactly have the best reputation with the other girls…
Still can’t rush it. Tomorrow for sure… I’ll talk to her properly tomorrow. If she’s free. Either way, now’s not it… I’ll get a better opportunity next time. It’s not like I’m gonna miss my window and be stuck waiting forever. Not this time…
Excuses…
“H- h- hi.”
“Hm?” Her hair fluttered as she turned around. “Oh, hi… Can I help you?”
“Uhmmm… I’m the same class as you. We- we’re classmates. Do you remember me?”
“Oh!” She clapped. “I do! I remember seeing your face when I introduced myself. What’s up?” Miyuki had a friendly smile on her face.
Could it be that she’s easy to talk to? “Well… We… I mean, I haven’t had the opportunity to talk with you yet, and… I just happened to spot you on my way home, so I thought I’d say something. Do you maybe wanna be friends, Miyuki?”
“Ah! That’s what it was. I don’t mind. Let’s be friends, uhh… What was your name again?” Awkward… She said through a short laugh.
What an idiot… Why didn’t I say my name sooner? “Iroha! My name is Iroha Shinohara. I- it’s nice to meet you, Miyuki!”
“Iroha… Got it. It’s nice to meet you too. You’re the first to ask me to become friends. Let’s get along, Iroha.”
She’s such a nice girl… I’m so lucky! “Yeah… I’m sure we will!” I can’t believe it actually worked… She really accepted it… Have I said anything weird so far? No, right?
“So…? What now? Do you wanna do something? Wanna talk?”
“I… I’d love to… What do you have in mind? I’m fine with whatever, really. Maybe we could get to know each other a bit…”
“What about some ice cream? You fine with that?” She’s enthusiastic all of a sudden… But the request was very casual.
“I- ice cream…?”
“Yep. I got a craving for it, but I don’t know where to get it here yet. Could be fun to go together. You could even show me around a little. Or do you not like ice cream?”
“It’s fine. I like ice cream…” There’s that place nearby I pass by on the way home. “I know a place.” I took a step, seeing if she’d follow. “Don’t you think it’s still a bit too cold for ice cream?”
“Hits a lot more in the summer, that’s for sure, but it still tastes good when it’s a bit cool.” She shrugged.
“I guess so. The flavor is the same, so you’re not wrong. Well, the place is just around the corner…”
Never thought I’d come here… Much less with a girl like Miyuki. What a day. I got really lucky, huh?
We talked outside after getting ice cream. She asked me about my interests, which immediately made me nervous. I like games. That was only part of the story, but I’d probably creep her out if I brought up my waifus. But I didn’t have anything to worry about. She was also into games. We have more in common than I thought! How nice… Can this girl be more my type?
I really wanted to keep it going, but eventually our conversation died down. Is it my fault? I feel like I’ve embarrassed myself at some point today, and I’m not sure why. Did she notice how nervous I was? I hope she doesn’t hate me for thi-
“Hey, Iroha.”
“Wh- what?” Ice cream was gone. We were walking side by side when she suddenly called.
“Can you… Come with me.”
Seemed like a question at first, but she was just saying it. Did something catch her eye? She suddenly turned into a parking lot for no reason. Is that… a butterfly?
With a very vivid blue color, a butterfly flew just ahead of Miyuki, as if leading her somewhere. “Over here, Iroha.”
Miyuki gestured for me to follow her. She and the butterfly headed for an empty spot next to a car, and… What? What is this?
There was a hole in the floor.
But it wasn’t just any hole. It was a bright crack carved deep into the concrete. No way that’s real… It has to be some kind of screen. The blue spiraling light looked like something straight out of a video game.
“Mi- Miyuki… Wh- what is th-”
*Tap*
I’m falling…
It’s not a screen. It’s deep… I can’t stop falling. Miyuki…? Sh- she pushed me… Why? What’s going on?
I sank so far that it was becoming hard to see her face. Why, Miyuki? Why are you smiling? What does that smile mean? Why is it so captivating…?
Damn… I wasn’t wrong about her…
She really does make my heart race.
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