The final school bell rang, jolting Fujimi out of his daydreaming stupor. Bleary-eyed students immediately sprang from their seats, chattering excitedly about plans for the evening. But Fujimi lingered, gathering his things slowly. He wasn’t exactly enthused to head home. Not after the absolute mind-bender of a day he’d had.

“Yo Fujimi, you comin’ or what?” called Takashi from the doorway, where he was impatiently waving Fujimi over. Beside him stood Miku and Erica, both watching Fujimi expectantly.

Fujimi sighed internally. As much as he appreciated his friends trying to include him, he just wasn’t up for socializing right now. Not after the revelation that this whole world was an elaborate simulation. He needed time alone to process.

“You guys go on ahead,” Fujimi replied, trying to sound casual. “I’m gonna go for a walk, clear my head a bit.”

His friends exchanged puzzled glances. “You sure man?” asked Takashi. “We’re all going to hit up the new capsule arcade downtown. Supposed to be insane!”

Fujimi forced a smile. “Thanks, but I’m good. Seriously, go have fun. Maybe I’ll catch up later.”

After a bit more confused prodding, his friends finally relented and headed off. Fujimi breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, some peace to gather his scrambled thoughts.

Hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, Fujimi meandered aimlessly through the hyper-modern city streets. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the revelation that none of this was actually real. It seemed totally absurd, yet somehow, deep down, he knew Rheon had spoken the truth.

Fujimi shook his head ruefully. Just yesterday he’d been stressing over classes, complaining about cafeteria food. Now here he was, thrust over a century into the future, trapped in a simulated world. Talk about teenage angst taken to the extreme!

He passed gleaming holographic billboards advertising the latest Gacha trends and transhumanist implants. Fujimi gazed at the strange slogans and products blankly. How was he supposed to just go about life as normal when he’d discovered his reality wasn’t, well…real?

Fujimi was so lost in thought that he barely even noticed when he wandered into a dingy alleyway. Only the scuffling sounds up ahead snapped him back to the present. Fujimi shook himself alert and squinted into the gloom. Was that…a mugging in progress?

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Fujimi spotted a menacing figure looming over someone pinned against the alley wall. His blood boiled instantly. Sim world or not, he refused to stand by while an innocent suffered.

“Hey!” Fujimi shouted, striding toward them. “Back off and let ‘em go. Now!”

The mugger whirled, startled. Fujimi got his first good look at the victim then - a girl about his age with messy pink hair and mismatched eyes. Her face was scraped and clothes disheveled from struggling.

“This don’t concern you, punk,” the thug growled. “Beat it before you get hurt.” He turned back to the girl, hand outstretched. “Now give it here, you little thief.”

The girl - Yira, Fujimi suddenly recalled - glared defiantly and shook her head. With a snarl, the mugger drew back his fist.

That did it. Fujimi charged forward and tackled the brute with all his might. They crashed to the pavement, grappling fiercely. Though outweighed, Fujimi managed to wrench the mugger’s arm behind his back.

“I said back…off!” Fujimi panted, face contorted with effort. With a pained yelp, the thug wrenched free and scrambled away down the alley.

Fujimi sat up, catching his breath. Nearby, Yira watched him warily, poised to bolt. Her mismatched eyes reminded Fujimi how she had tried pickpocketing him earlier. What trouble had she gotten herself mixed up in now?

“You alright?” Fujimi asked gently.

Yira nodded, then dropped her gaze. “Yeah, thanks to you. Really helped me out back there.” She laughed bitterly. “Not like I deserve it after tryin’ to rob you earlier.”

Fujimi waved it off. “Don’t worry about that. I’m just glad you’re okay.” He stood up and extended a hand to help Yira up. After a hesitant moment, she took it.

“Gotta ask though,” said Fujimi. “What was that guy after you for?”

Yira’s expression turned evasive. She mumbled something indistinct.

Fujimi raised an eyebrow. “Come again?”

Sighing, Yira reached into her pocket and pulled out a glossy slip of paper. “This. A ticket for that hoity-toity magic school - Stratos Akademiya.”

Fujimi’s eyes widened with recognition. That golden ticket was his! Yira must have pickpocketed it from him earlier.

“I know I shouldn’t have stolen it,” Yira admitted guiltily. “But I was desperate. My little siblings, they got no one but me. I had to take a chance for them.”

Fujimi’s shock faded as sympathy welled up. He too knew what it was like struggling to provide for family. How could he judge Yira’s motives when he’d have likely done the same?

“Keep it,” Fujimi said finally. “That ticket should go to someone who really needs it. Like your siblings.” He smiled. “Just promise me you’ll use it wisely.”

Yira stared, mouth agape. “For real? Even after I robbed you?” At Fujimi’s nod, her eyes misted over. Impulsively she hugged him.

“Thank you,” Yira whispered. “Didn’t expect a kindness like this, ‘specially in a cutthroat town like this.”