2nd August

Yuki was sitting inside Naomi’s bath regretting every life decision that led to this moment. After a while, he emerged from the bath, clad in Naomi's light blue t-shirt that hugged his frame snugly, showcasing his unexpectedly toned arms. The vibrant orange trousers added a playful pop of colour to his ensemble. He felt like an accidental fashion experiment.

Waiting for him outside the bathroom, Naomi stood dressed in a chic blue shirt with delicate frills cascading down the sleeves. It was tucked into a pair of fashionable white sailor pants accentuating her slender figure. A mischievous smile danced across her lips as she took in Yuki's unconventional attire.

“You know, you actually look kinda cute in my clothes.” Naomi commented, unable to contain her amusement.

Yuki's cheeks flushed crimson, a mix of embarrassment and a hint of flattery. “Yeah, thanks for making this fashion experiment out of me.” he replied sheepishly, secretly appreciating the unexpected compliment.

Naomi couldn't help but chuckle at his bashful reaction. “Don't worry, it's all in good fun! Fashion adventures can be exciting, right?”

Yuki managed a small grin, starting to embrace the absurdity of the situation. “Yeah, I guess you're right.”

Naomi playfully adjusted the collar of the t-shirt, accentuating his features. “There we go, now you're rocking my unique style!”

Yuki's confidence grew slightly as he began to appreciate the boldness of the outfit. “Well, it's certainly... eye-catching.”.

“Now, let's grab some towels and attend to that unruly hair of yours.” Naomi said, leading the way to the towel closet.

Yuki followed Naomi, taking in the sight of her vibrant and eclectic wardrobe. From funky patterned shirts to quirky accessories, her fashion choices reflected her adventurous spirit. He couldn't help but admire her boldness in expressing herself through her unique sense of style.

“Anyways, want some tea, or coffee perhaps?” Naomi offered.

“Tea should be fine. Thanks.” Yuki replied with a grateful smile.

“No need to say thanks. You can go and sit in the other room." she suggested, gesturing towards a cosy seating area.

As Yuki stepped into Naomi's cosy abode, he couldn't help but compare it to his own tiny room. “Her house is not that big, but definitely bigger than my apartment.” He thought, trying not to appear too awestruck. He wondered if her parents had rented the place for her, but quickly shrugged off the speculation, realising it wasn't his place to make assumptions.

Inside her room, Yuki settled into a comfortable spot and eagerly awaited Naomi's return. He admired the minimalistic decor and personal touches that adorned the space, making it uniquely hers. Soon enough, Naomi entered with a tray of steaming tea, and the delightful aroma filled the room.

As they settled into the living room, a flash of movement on Naomi's desk caught Yuki's eye. A strange paper lay there, its edges worn and the writing cryptic. A jolt of unease shot through him – his name scrawled across the top in an unfamiliar font.

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Privacy was a precious commodity for Yuki. Seeing personal information so casually displayed sent a shiver down his spine. He reached for the paper, his voice devoid of its usual cheer.

“Hey... about me being here. The sudden rain... that weird letter... this paper... all just a big coincidence, right?”

Naomi turned, her gaze flitting from Yuki to the paper in his hand. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her features before she spoke. “...So you saw it.”

Dread coiled in Yuki's stomach. “Tell me what's going on, Naomi. Who are you? What the hell is this 'Avalon'... tell me everything!”

Naomi leaned back, a thoughtful frown etching itself onto her face. “Well, you've stumbled upon it all. Now, explaining everything might be easier than I thought.” A hint of amusement coloured her voice as she contemplated where to begin.

Yuki's patience wore thin. “Don't toy with me, Naomi! Tell me everything, starting with who you are!”

Naomi sighed, the amusement fading. “Starting with me wouldn't give you the whole picture. Avalon... that's where we need to begin.” The room seemed to hush as Naomi launched into her explanation.

“Imagine a vast tapestry, Yuki. Our universe is just one thread in it, but beyond its edges, countless others exist. Some are like shimmering reflections, while others are shrouded in darkness. But there's more to it than just universes. There are realms, hidden dimensions tucked away, like secret pockets in this vast existence.”

A spark of curiosity ignited in Yuki's eyes despite his apprehension. “And Avalon? Is that one of these hidden pockets?”

Naomi nodded. “Avalon is a realm, the closest one to our own, separated only by a barrier of energy. But entering it isn't easy. There are a few ways – teleportation, seeking the help of someone already inside, or brute force, though that's akin to winning the lottery without a ticket.”

“So, you're saying there's a secret world next door, and you brought me here because...?” Yuki trailed off, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Because, Yuki,” Naomi continued, her voice dropping to a low murmur, “you possess something special. You have a Crux Aura.”

Confusion contorted on Yuki's face. “Crux Aura? What's that?”

Naomi leaned forward, her eyes filled with a strange intensity. “There are ten types of auras, Yuki. Most humans have the Alcor Aura, which doesn't do much. Out of those ten, seven are classified as the Crux Auras, those are different. They hold the potential for magic.”

Yuki scoffed. “Magic? You're serious?”

Naomi's lips curved into a knowing smile. “Deadly serious. And you, Yuki, have one of those rare auras. That's why you're here. Avalon needs you.”

A whirlwind of emotions swirled inside Yuki – disbelief, fear, a flicker of something that might have been excitement. He opened his mouth to speak, but Naomi held up a hand, silencing him.

“I know this is a lot to take in.” she said, her voice softening. “But trust me, there's more to the story. And once you hear it all, you'll understand why being chosen for Avalon is a privilege, not a curse.”

The weight of Naomi's words hung heavy in the air. Yuki stared at her, his mind racing. A hidden world, magic, being chosen... it all sounded like a fantastical story, yet the seriousness in Naomi's eyes told him otherwise.

“So you're telling me that you are from some other world and you have come here to kidnap me and take me to this place called Avalon which is in a pocket dimension and not on Earth?”

“Neither I’m here to kidnap you, nor I’m from some other world, you just happen to have one of the Crux Auras so I was told to get you.”

“And how exactly are you going to take me there?”

“I can take you there right now.”

<5 - It's a Mad Mad WorldーEpisode 2 - Fin>