That night, Kaizen was reading a novel as usual, but this time it was about love.
Someone entered the room, but it wasn't L7 (Miu), it was L10 (Yuki).
"Hello, Master. What book are you reading tonight?"
"Nothing much, just a little something about romance."
"Oh, diligent as always. But love is hard to describe in a book or words, and it might never even happen."
"Haha, not really. Maybe there's something I can gain from it. What brings you here, Yuki? Is Miu asleep?"
"Not yet, she's sharpening her knife. I just wanted to chat with you, Master. I'm bored."
"Oh, in that case, come in and sit on the bed. Kaizen pours coffee for Yuki. Here, have some coffee."
"Thank you."
"Why, Yuki? Are you worried about meeting your author?"
"Eh, no, not really. I just wanted to know a little more about your life, Master. You're actually an author too, right?"
"Hmm, how should I put it? More or less, I guess. I just don't have the talent for writing, haha."
"But now you've become a character in another author's story. How do you feel about that?"
"At first, it was a bit strange, but I communicate well with my own writer. She lets me do anything I want."
"But what makes you do all this for us? We're just characters meant to be praised or hated, not remembered."
"I'm not sure either. I don't know what's happening up there, but it seems like everyone is trying to escape into their own fantasy worlds. Maybe it's because my actions are better than my writing, haha."
"But that's not an answer, Master. Though I won't push further."
"Sorry, Yuki, I can't give you an answer right now."
"Okay, I trust you, Master. It's hot tonight, isn't it? Can I take off my shirt here?"
"Yuki..."
"Haha, just kidding. That's why I like you, Master. You're really innocent, but I can't have you. At least, before I die someday, can you kiss me?"
"Err, why are you talking like that?"
"Nothing." Yuki takes her coffee and leaves the room.
The clock showed 1 a.m.
"It's late, I should get some sleep."
Kaizen tidied up his reading spot and lay down on his bed. His eyes grew heavy, and he soon fell asleep.
Someone approached him, wearing a maid outfit—it looked like Miu. She held a knife, but it turned out she was just aiming to kill a mosquito.
She went over to Kaizen's side and started sleeping next to him.
The alarm rang, indicating it was morning. Kaizen woke up and felt his hand gripping something soft. He squeezed it to confirm—it was Miu.
Kaizen was startled and quickly pulled his hand away.
Miu laughed. "Morning, Master. It's still early. How about you go back to sleep? I already miss your hand on me, Master."
Kaizen patted Miu's head and flicked her forehead.
"Call Yuki over there and let's have breakfast together. We'll be heading to her world soon."
"Okay, Master."
After breakfast, Yuki opened a portal to her world.
"Let's go, Master."
And off they went in .
---
After arriving, Kaizen felt his body aching.
"I'm not used to these portals."
The place they arrived at was Yuki's room, but it was filled with pictures of Kaizen—edited, some of them at the beach, some with a muscular body, some with a giant bird, and even pillows with Kaizen's face on them.
Kaizen felt embarrassed. "Yuki, your hobbies have taken a strange turn lately."
Yuki seemed to change as soon as they entered her world, as if her personality was locked into that realm.
"All of this is for you, Master. Anything, just for you. Maid, please take them to their rooms and give them the best service."
The maid led them to their respective rooms. Miu's room was further back, while Kaizen's room was closer to Yuki's.
The maid instructed them to change into their outfits. Kaizen was given a suit to wear.
Just as Kaizen was about to change, Yuki had already set up a CCTV in his room, watching with intense desire. But before Kaizen could even start changing, all the CCTV feeds went dark.
"Oh, what a little trick you used there, honey. It makes me want to feel you even more."
Yuki knocked on the door and invited Kaizen to explore her world.
Kaizen agreed.
"Okay, wait, I'll come out right away."
Yuki showed him around her house, which was quite large, as if she were a CEO. Kaizen was to play the role of Yuki's boyfriend, while Miu would be Kaizen's secretary.
"Okay, let's go out into my world."
Yuki started driving a luxury car and took them around. They walked through the city, where the buildings were all towering and modern.
However, every building was covered in advertisements featuring "The Real Main Character, the Poor One Loved by the CEO." It seemed they were happily married.
Right now, the author is in that body. Good luck, author. I'm trying to beat you in your own story."
Upon arriving at the building owned by Yuki, all the employees lined up to show their respect.
"I'm not used to all this."
"Yuki, why are all the employees here men? Did you hire only men to satisfy your desires?"
"No, it's not that. I just hate women, even myself. Since things are already ruined, why not just go all the way?" All the men in the office looked at Yuki with desire because of her beauty.
"The NPCs in this story really have love in their eyes. But why are they looking at me like they want to kill me?"
Yuki laughed. "Hahaha, because I've already announced to the entire city that you're my husband, not just my boyfriend."
"Yuki... that's not what we discussed. You're going to make the author notice the changes in this story. They'll hunt me down, you know."
"Well, I believe in you, Kaizen. You're strong enough to be my husband."
"You really know how to use me well, Yuki. Should I play along?" Kaizen placed his hand on Yuki's waist, and the cameramen started taking pictures.
"How's your heartbeat now? Is it about to explode?"
"Not yet, my husband. Should you touch a little lower?" Yuki moved Kaizen's hand to her backside.
Kaizen gave in. "Okay, okay, you win."
Miu watched with anger directed at Yuki. Their gazes sparked with electricity as they glared at each other.
"Sh—t, this is like something out of a novel. Why is this happening now?"
"Enough, you two. Let's go to the CEO's office. People are staring at us."
Upon arriving at the office, Yuki's secretary was already waiting. He welcomed us.
"Here, have a seat."
*Damn, that guy is really handsome. But something feels fishy—why is he looking at me like he's falling in love?*
Yuki noticed but just laughed.
Yuki instructed her secretary to leave and prepare some drinks.
Kaizen asked Yuki, "Why does the secretary seem... off?"
"Oh, that guy? He's gay. Maybe because you're too handsome, he likes you."
Kaizen felt a wave of fear.
*F—ck, is there anyone normal in this office?*
" Nobody was normal on this office but dont worry they will listen to me "
Yuki switched to her serious mode.
"So, how do you plan to defeat the author? This entire world is controlled by her."
"I don't know either. Maybe we should start with a business collaboration. That way, I can get closer to her. But are you okay with that, Yuki? He's still your first love, right?"
"Your heart won't change, will it? Even for someone like me, who isn't tied to the author, it's hard to forget someone."
Don't worry, I'm okay. So if that's the case, I'll reschedule the appointment with them later."
"I've left the car in front of the company lobby. If you want to use it to go out, go ahead. I have some work to do."
Miu knows the hint that she wants time alone
"Master, let's go out. I want to buy ice cream; it's been a while since I've had any."
"Alright, but let's just stop for a moment, okay? Don't take too long,"
Miu nodded and gently tugged Kaizen's hand.
They walked together, searching for a convenience store to buy some ice cream. Upon arriving at the store, they began browsing the frozen treats.
"Miu, which one do you want?" Kaizen asked, glancing at the array of options.
"I'll take the Cornetto. It looks really delicious," her eyes lighting up at the sight of the ice cream.
"Alright, grab one, and let's go pay,"
They made their way to the cashier, paid for their ice cream, and stepped back outside.
As they walked, Kaizen's gaze drifted to the advertisements plastered on the buildings around them. One in particular caught his attention, its message cryptic yet familiar
" We will meet soon, My Old Friend."