Fujimi shoveled another spoonful of cereal into his mouth, contemplating the fancy embossed envelope sitting on the table. He still couldn’t believe the prestigious Stratos Akademiya had sent him an acceptance letter after winning their lottery ticket prize.

“How exactly did the school know to send me this?” he mused aloud through a mouthful of crunchy oats. “Do they, like, monitor every single Gacha machine to see who wins their tickets?”

Yira snorted into her orange juice. “Well duh, how else would they know who to accept?”

Fujimi’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That seems so extra though. They must employ an army of people just to track lottery winners.”

“Yeah it’s pretty wild,” Yira laughed. “But I mean, the academy rakes in mad profits from those rigged Gacha machines. They can afford to go overboard with the behind-the-scenes logistics.”

Fujimi shook his head in disbelief. “I still can’t wrap my mind around a school using Gacha tickets as their admission system. Back in my day, you just filled out an application and wrote some essays.”

“Sounds dreadfully boring,” Yira teased. She snatched a piece of toast from Fujimi’s plate. “Having to win the tickets makes it exciting! Like a game show.”

Fujimi gave her a wry look. “A game show where the ultra rich have a big advantage, since they can keep buying more chances.”

He stared down at his simple cereal bowl, mind wandering back to his own cash-strapped upbringing. If his past self had known academic fate could literally be altered at the press of a Gacha button, he might have wasted all his money playing.

“Too true,” Yira sighed, idly stirring her juice. “It’s designed to keep the wealth gap wide. But sometimes, fate throws a bone to the little guys.”

She smiled brightly at Fujimi, who blushed. It was still touching that Yira had gifted him her precious voucher as thanks for taking in her siblings.

“Oh shoot, that reminds me!” Fujimi exclaimed. “When you originally stole my gold ticket, how come I never got an acceptance letter back then?”

Yira froze mid-bite, eyes darting shiftily. “Uhhh, yeah, funny story there…”

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Fujimi crossed his arms, waiting expectantly.

“Okay fine, I may have, uh, ‘forgotten’ to turn in your voucher when I took the exam,” Yira admitted. “Didn’t wanna jeopardize my own shot, y’know?”

“Yira!” Fujimi protested, flabbergasted. “The academy must’ve thought I just flaked. Probably docked my rating for rudeness too.”

Yira waved dismissively. “Water under the bridge! You got a ticket eventually. Plus you’ll have me there to help you out now.” Her eyes twinkled impishly. “I promise not to leave you hanging this time.”

Fujimi rolled his eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Gee, thanks,” he said dryly, flicking cereal at her.

Yira giggled and retaliated with orange juice drips, soon escalating into an all-out breakfast food fight. Fujimi’s parents walked in on the messy scene, shaking their heads in amusement.

Somehow, despite her past theft, Fujimi knew Yira would have his back at Stratos Akademiya. With her guidance, he might just survive the elite environment.

That evening, Fujimi’s parents threw an impromptu celebration dinner for his acceptance letter.

“We’re just so proud and excited for you, sweetheart,” gushed his mom Sunita, squeezing Fujimi in a hug. “I can’t believe my boy is going to such a prestigious academy!”

“This is a real game-changer for your future,” his dad Jin added warmly, clapping Fujimi on the back. “An opportunity your mother and I never dreamed of back in our day.”

Yira nodded enthusiastically through a mouthful of cake. “You’re gonna love it there,” she enthused after swallowing. “The classes, the campus - it’s all so amazing!”

She launched into a detailed description of Stratos Akademiya’s extensive magical curriculum, esteemed alumni, and pioneering Gacha research. Fujimi tried his best to follow the cascade of information, but it was a bit overwhelming.

Noticing his wide-eyed look, Yira nudged him playfully. “Don’t sweat the details now,” she reassured. “I’ll give you the full tour and lowdown once we get there. You’re gonna rock it!”

Fujimi smiled appreciatively. However surreal this future world seemed, knowing Yira would be by his side at the academy grounded him.

Later as they walked home together, Fujimi shyly opened up about his fears of not fitting in at the elite school.

“I’ll be surrounded by all these flashy rich kids groomed for success,” he confessed. “While I’m just some no-name lottery winner who doesn’t know the first thing about magic.”

Yira waved his concerns away. “Pssh, Stratos loves a good rags-to-riches story! You’ll be a celebrity once people hear how you won your ticket.”

She squeezed his arm reassuringly. “For real though, I got your back. Those snobs won’t know what hit ‘em once we’re through.”

Fujimi laughed, feeling his nerves subside. However intense Stratos Academy got, he and Yira would face it together. With her irrepressible spirit beside him, Fujimi felt like he could handle any challenge the future held. The world ahead seemed thrilling and full of promise.