A fine mist drifted down onto the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. The city pulsed with life—horns blaring, signs flashing, couples laughing—but Juichi barely noticed any of it. His focus was on the girl beside him.
"You've been quiet," he said softly, eyes scanning Sayo's face. "Something wrong?"
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just tired from the date. That's all."
Juichi frowned. He didn't buy it, but before he could push further, a voice cut through the night.
"Well, well. Look what we've got here. A couple of lovebirds."
Five figures stepped out from an alley, jackets marked with a snarling lion head: Lion Fang. Street punks. The leader, a tall thug with a jagged scar above his brow, cracked his knuckles as they surrounded Juichi and Sayo.
"We don't like happy people," he sneered. "And we could use some quick cash."
One lunged.
Juichi shoved Sayo behind him. The lanky thug swung wide—Juichi ducked, pivoted, and dropped him with a clean kick to the ribs. Another came in, fists flailing. Juichi caught his wrist and flipped him onto the pavement.
But the leader, Lion Mask, was no amateur. He charged, throwing precise, brutal strikes. Juichi blocked high, parried low, then slipped inside his guard. One solid hit—Lion Mask staggered. A second—he dropped.
More came.
Sayo stepped up beside Juichi. "I'm not just gonna watch," she muttered.
Back-to-back, they fought in rhythm—Juichi striking with speed, Sayo landing sharp, practiced blows. One thug grabbed her from behind. She twisted, elbowed him hard, then finished with a clean kick to the gut.
Juichi finished the last attacker with a punishing combo—fast, brutal, done.
Lion Mask staggered up for one last desperate swing.
Juichi spun and kicked him straight in the jaw.
Silence.
Rain fell heavier now, dampening the alley where their enemies lay sprawled.
Sayo turned to him, breathing hard. "You okay?"
Juichi gave a lopsided grin. "You saved me a couple punches."
"We make a pretty good team," she said, her lips curving into something real this time.
"Yeah," he said. "We do."
But the warmth between them was short-lived.
---
Elsewhere...
In a room packed with anime posters, figures, and stacks of unopened game boxes, Kaito Nakamura was completely immersed.
"Yes! Taro-kun's confession scene!" he shouted, hugging a pillow as his favorite character confessed in Love Reborn.
Then—a low hum. The air shimmered.
Kaito blinked. "Huh?"
Above his head, a swirl of light formed—pulsing, shifting. A portal.
"What the hell—?!"
Too late.
---
Later That Night
Juichi unlocked the front door, shaking off rain. "Dad? I'm back."
No answer.
He slipped off his shoes. The console was still on—Love Reborn playing the same scene—but the chair was empty. His dad's phone and wallet were untouched on the table.
"Dad?"
He searched every room. Nothing. Not even a note.
A chill crept down his spine.
He'd never leave mid-route. Not when he was that close to a confession scene.
Something was wrong.
---
Another World
Kaito woke on a stone slab in a quiet chamber. He was naked—except for a folded outfit and a pouch at his side.
The clothes looked straight out of an RPG. So did the setting.
He sat up slowly. "Wait… this isn't Love Reborn."
He paused. "…Am I in another world?!"
He fumbled into the outfit, then raised a hand cautiously. "Status!"
A screen flickered to life:
Level: 1
Acquired Power: Fire Dragon
Skills: Fire-based magic and movement
"Fire Dragon?!" Kaito grinned. "I've been isekai'd with a rare class?! LET'S GO!"
He selected Speed Fire—a surge of heat rushed through him. Wind and flame wrapped around his legs. With a laugh, he dashed into the open fields.
In the distance: a stone-walled kingdom with a massive gate. A sign above read: Kingdom of Klyrode.
As he neared the gate, a guard held out a hand. "ID."
Kaito blinked. "Oh. Uh... I don't have one."
The guard eyed him. "Temporary ID—one gold coin."
Kaito smelled the scam but reached into the pouch anyway. Four gold, ten silver, two copper. He handed one over.
"Smart man," the guard said, stamping a card. "Enjoy your stay."
Kaito stepped into the kingdom, eyes wide with wonder.
This is better than any game...
A blink from his status screen revealed a map—Adventurer's Guild highlighted in green.
"Built-in GPS?! This world is insane."
He followed the marker, heart racing.
Inside the guild hall, a cheerful receptionist greeted him. "Welcome! Here to register?"
Kaito stepped forward, grinning like a kid on launch day. "Yes! I'm Kaito."
The receptionist smiled. "Great. Let's get you started."
---
To Be Continued...