I was strolling around the city out of boredom. Some strangers sitting while sipping some coffee at a café was waving his hand to me, signalling me to come over, and out of curiosity I approached him.

Some conversation happened, an agreement was made, and he gave me his business card.

Business card....huh? Where did it go after that? Well, it doesn't really matter anyway, alright next.

Things happen, turns out He was someone my parents already know and was one time, a partner in businesses. It'll be really funny if it was pure coincidence looking back at this, he definitely knows who I am for this to happen.

What was the agreement again?

Ah, right, it was to help Stella, protect her, and do whatever I can to support her, and in turn He will also do the same for me.

He was Kaku Stiffen, some big-shot in the entertainment business and some niche market such as technology advancement, and the front for the research of making communication networks other than radio, when by chance, the internet died, which won't happen unless something destroyed everything globally.

And the reason I was interested in this was…The story of him going to another world when he was struck by an unknown disease to the point of comatose.

Things happen, and for some reason both my parents and Kaku agreed to arrange me and his daughter, Stella, to an arranged relationship.

It's been 3 months huh? Something definitely changed, but she and I simply did this because our parents wanted us to, we didn't do anything even after 3 months of doing things 'together' and living under the same roof.

*knock knock*

Someone knocked on the door? Stella?

"Just go inside, I didn't lock it"

The door opened instantly the moment I said it.

It is Stella after all..

She just walked past me, straight to my bed.

"So? What do you need from me, Stella?"

"Nothing. I just want to see your face, that's all." She said, as she sat nicely...or buried herself in my bed…

Trying to copy something from an animated story, I was tilting my head like some confused pose that I found cute.

She frowned.

"You know, it's not cute at all."

"I know. So? What you need? Don't play guessing game with me, I hate it."

She got up from my bed, approached me, step by step, pulled the rotating chair I had as backup in case the one I used got broken, and sat beside me. Our eyes met, and she looked straight into my eyes.

"I don't understand, and won't do anything if you don't ask it."

"So you'll do whatever I want to do?"

"A yes, and a no. Depends on how the action will impact me."

"Hug me."

"Why? Were you feeling lonely lately?"

No answer.

Why not, I suppose?

Just as I was about to hug her, something flashing, and time seemed to be stopped for a second.

No, not a second, It was still stopped.

I can't touch her, as if I was simply a hologram. I could phase through her body, phase through the walls, yet still was standing on the floor.

Just when I was trying to phase through the floor, the door for my room, for some reason sucked me towards it.

It was somewhere, yet nowhere. Something to be seen, and nothing to be seen. A flying bed, buried chair, a normal tree.. Normal?

Anyway, all of these are also false image...I don't know why but that thought instantly bloomed into my brain, and as expected, I could also go through them...I don't know how I expected that.

Suddenly, the whole scenery changed, now it was a hallway with walls on both sides and only one way to go.

For every one step I took, a wall was generated instantly behind me, and I can't phase through it.

A candle was lit on the right side, another one on the left side, the light kept coming.

From the first one, I saw Roller Coaster? A minecart with a looping track that does full turn, but doesn't lose any speed.

Second one was a whale that lives in the air, and breathes water.

Third was-

Huh?

What am I doing again?

I see Stella, relaxing her body, as if waiting for something.

Ah right, I was about to hug her as per her request.

I take it back.

"You don't need to push yourself that far, you know? Doing way too much effort just for a hug...did someone force you?"

"…No? As you said earlier, I'm lonely, that's all."

"Yeah nope."

"Let's just go outside. It's a date, Stella."

"Eh?"

========================================

And here we are, at the biggest amusement park in the city, Viking World.

"I'm sure the question is , 'Why?' "

I looked at her.

"No reason honestly, I was also bored, same as you."

We simply strolled around, exploring every nook and cranny of this park.

"Rinka, let's ride that!"

Her finger was pointed to pirate boat rides…

Pirate Boat? Really? I mean…sure, that ride is the main theme of this amusement park.

"I won't help you, if you feel like throwing up."

She tilted her head, as if questioning the meaning of my sentences.

"Isn't it you that always feels nauseous after riding these?"

"…You got me there."

"It's fine, it's gonna be fine."

She pushed me, towards the queueing line.

"Why do we get into the queue?"

"Eh? Why not?" puzzled expressions fills her face.

"Then, these premium memberships will lose their value, y'know."

"I know that..but don't you think chatting while waiting in the queue to move, quite fun and romantic?"

"you know what? Nevermind, I'm sure you will regret it soon."

I closed my distance with her, grabbed her hands…holding it.

"So, what do you want to chat about, my dear Stella?"

"…"

She turned her face down, while covering her pretty face with both of her hands.

Is there something funny on the floor?

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Be normal, please."

"Your face is kinda red, are you feeling sick? Want to take a short rest? I mean we have basically walked around the whole park, so I understand that you might be tired."

She looked straight into my face, with a kinda angry face.

"You intentionally do that huh? Fine, I'll play along."

She…locked my arms with hers.

What just happened to her? I didn't expect that.

"Come here, I want to ride it fast."

Uh-huh. She grabbed my hand, and we practically cut the queue line, well... back to the queue entry point and not the riding point.

"He-hey, Stella."

"What?"

"People are looking."

"You aren't the type that cares whatever other people think."

"Indeed, but you are the one that usually cares a lot about it, my dear."

"I don't care about it for now. I said it isn't it? I'll play along with your little games, Rinka."

"Hoooo? So I was the top priority for you? I'm happy about that."

I smiled wide and clear, and yep, critical hit.

I could hear the sfx of 'Hnngh' people use in videos even when she isn't actually saying it.

"You're a little active today, aren't you?"

"Yeah, just feeling like it today. I was cooped up in my room the whole time anyway."

Woah, having the power of money sure is nice huh? I mean, we only spent 4 or so minutes queueing, but instantly getting a seat simply because you're paying the park a bit more than normal is astonishing.

"Umm, please wait until it's done."

The ride operator was saying those things over and over to both queue lines, like an automated voice.

Well, I can't blame him, the queue is kinda long thus making it harder for people to be patient.

I'm bored, and Stella was already fed up with my antics for this hour...

"Is it always like this?"

"Yeah, people really like the rides and this amusement park is the best in the country."

He instantly replied…as expected of a public amusement park worker, they are very fast at adapting.

"True that, many people from the other side of the island come here just for one-two days of experience."

He took a glance at my arms that were locked by Stella's arm…just when will she let it go…

"Your wife?"

"Soon-to-be."

"Ah, congratulations in advance then. Also, have fun."

"Keep up the good job."

Ah, Stella keeps looking at me with a frown.

"What?"

"Nothing."

For some reason, I could hear a 'Hmph!' sfx.

What's wrong with me?

"Just spill it out."

"Soon-to-be..huh? I thought you didn't like arranged relationships like this."

"I don't," I put my face towards her face. "but I like you."

She pointed her finger to the rides that had just dropped its passengers.

"Look! The ride is ready. Come on, Rinka, take a seat."

She evaded my attack by changing the topic...or did she?

"Here, here."

She was gesturing to me to sit beside her.

"Alright, alright, I'll go there."

========================================

We rode everything the park has to offer, well not exactly everything but we're exhausted now.

Resting after doing something actually is nice.

Stella was drinking her café latté, her eyes lost in thought. I watched her, realizing just how much I might be falling for her. Even her clumsy expression, as she absentmindedly swirled her drink, was endearing.

"What?" She caught me staring.

"Nothing, you're just cute."

"Stop it, will you?" She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.

"Well, that is the truth. Anyway, why did you want me to hug you at that time?"

"I'm lonely," She admitted, looking away.

"Mhmm?" I kept slurping my drink.

Woah, this is nice. Teh Tareek? Or is it Tarik? I don't know but it's definitely added to my nice drink folder~

"You kept focusing on yourself with your thing," she explained, her voice softening.

"That's just how I am. I'm not sorry you feel that way,"

"So I tried to copy it, by ignoring you," a hint of frustration in her tone was shown.

"Ah, that."

"But you weren't fun," she said, a mix of disappointment and amusement. "I was thinking you would disturb me, and I was waiting for it. Yet you really went back to your room, doing your thing once again."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. I really didn't understand her reasoning. So it was my fault?

I put my drink on the table and locked eyes with her. "Mhmm, if you want something, just be straightforward about it."

"I do, though. I already asked you directly, yet you refused," a hint of frustration was showing in her tone.

Ah...that one...

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry," I said, trying to smooth things over. "Is that enough for you, Stella?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Why did I like such a weird person?"

"But I'm also weird for liking him." she said shortly after.

"Oi, I can hear that,"

"Kiss me, and I'll forgive you," She gestured her fingers around her mouth…

Not now, not now.

"Nope,"

"See? I was straightforward about it, and you refused me," she said, shaking her head.

"I think this is the time we part, don't you think, Rinka?" She looked at me.

Does she want to see my reaction?

Break up, huh? I don't know about that.

After a second thought…

No, I don't want that.

Umm, while yes I will sacrifice some more time for her, lately it's been boring doing the same route, rotation and other things in-game, so finding a new hobby and new goal could be good.

Ah, that is a stupid self-convincing, you stupid me.

Just say, you don't want that.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I grabbed her hands.

"Rinka? What's wrong?"

No words, nothing.

I kissed her.

Startled, or caught off-guard, she was resisting at first, then relaxed herself.

I feel like time stopped for a moment there.

"Is that enough?"

Ah, her face became red-ish from the embarrassment.

"stupid rinka, stupid stupid." Stella muttered something, but her voice is too low.

"What? I can't hear you. Also, didn't you planned this? I mean, you reserved this whole room for just the two of us, Stella."

"I was planning it," Stella admitted, glancing away, "but you, you…"

"Yeah?"

"Next time, please say something before you do it." She huffed, still avoiding my gaze.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. There might not be a next time." I shrugged.

"Hmph. There definitely will be a next time." Stella's eyes flashed with determination.

"Keep hoping, maybe fate will hear your pleas." I leaned back, smirking.

"What was that? I'm not hoping, it definitely will happen." She stepped closer, her tone firm.

"Oh? Is that a challenge, or are you playing with me?".

"It's my newest goal. Be prepared for—" Stella paused, her eyes meeting mine.

"Something." She said to say something if I want to do it, right?

Without warning, I kissed her again, a slow and deliberate gesture.

… No resistance at all. I guess the same trick won't work twice.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

I slowly pulled back. "That should be enough. I don't think I want to do it anymore. I've had enough."

…

She's actively avoiding my face, for whatever reason.

"Umm, Stella?"

Really? I mean, she was asking for it a moment ago...right?

Nope brother, you are going too far just for teasing her.

Well..I guess it was kind of too far.. wait, did I just talk to myself?

Yep.

…

"Anyway, should we go home? ...Thinking it twice, nope. We need to go back, and I'll force you whether you like it or not." "Hey, Stella?" I closed my distance, by sitting beside her.

She's still avoiding me.

This will take quite a long time.

"You know what? Nevermind. I will wait for you forever. Even if heaven and hell sprout on this earth, I'll still wait for you."

Ah, she finally faced me.

That was quick.

"That line is so cringy." She is showing a straight flat face…

I would do that too.

"True that, I was possessed by something when I uttered that nonsense. My sincere apologies." I grinned like a devil..

"Also… you… you… aaah, let's just go home." shaking her head in disbelief.

I extended my arm. "Let's go."

Stella took it, a small smile playing on her lips. "Alright, let's go."

=====================================

Our daily activities are now a kind of normal interaction.

We tried our best to help each other, spending time with each other.

I didn't expect such small changes could have this much impact to be honest, as I only sacrifice like 10% of my daily time for her, and right now, we were watching a movie together in the living room.

A door opened and door closed sounds? No bells?

"Huh?"

I brazenly stand up from my seat the moment I hear the sound.

"What's wrong, Rinka?" Startled, eh? Cute…but it's not the time for such a thing.

Who is at the doorstep?

"Wait here."

" ? "

Kind of heavy footsteps, this means the strangers were at very least have good builts.

They seemed to stop, and placed their shoes at the shoe rack..at least that's what I heard.

I tried to peek a little.

"Is that you, Rinka?"

Familiar voice.

Ah, that was Kaku.

"Well, perfect timing. I need to talk to you first anyway."

He placed his shoes, and then he looked around the hallway.

"Also, where's Stella?"

"She is currently watching a movie in the living room."

"Oh? Watching a movie together? Why don't you take her to the movie theatre as a date?"

"..well…"

"As long as you two could get close, it doesn't really matter wherever you brought her to."

"Both me and your parents were a bit sad that you two were forcing yourselves to be seen as having a close relationship everytime we met." Did he…just shed a tear? Tears were dropping…

Nope, that was just water.

"Mhmm, so what do you wanna talk about?"

I could hear him click his tongue, even if he isn't doing it physically.

"Would you believe me, that we'll get struck by catastrophe by 14 April 2023?"

What? No, I mean, who would believe it if they were told casually like that?

"Is that one of the things you mentioned that was kind of erased from your memory as in blurry memories?"

"Yes…" He hesitated for a moment, but "and a no."

"huh?"

"That was intentional, as there might be a chance that whatever knowledge I have would change if more people knew about it. But, I was running out of time, and for that, I decided to tell you about this, at least, because as per our agreement, you must protect Stella from whatever, whenever."

He placed his hand onto my shoulders…it's heavy…

"Is that all?"

"Yeah, that information was the only thing I have, as I can't seem to let go of this hourglass in front of my vision."

"Hourglass?"

"You know? The ancient clock that uses sand or dust to count time?"

"I know that" …Nevermind, he would not answer what I wanted to know. "But what should I do, upon hearing that kind of bad news?"

"Just refrain from telling Stella this information, I'll do it by myself."

"Also, you'll understand the reason behind something I prepared for both of you."

This guy speaks in riddles. I rather get someone straight-forward than someone that keeps running in circles when speaking.

"Rinka?"

Stella's voice echoing away from the hallway.

"What took you so long? The movie almost hits its climax."

Her sounds are getting closer.

"Eh? Father? When did you come?"

"Stella, my lovely daughter!"

He hugged her tightly.

Is this doting or incest?

"Sto-Stop it, will you!"

"My daughter has grown into her rebellion phase, or so it would seem."

He looked at me…that's definitely intentional.

"It must be hard for you, doesn't it?"

I hate this kind of question. I really hate it.

"No comments."

"You know, you should've just said what you were thinking at once, without recalculating the outcome. It's a bad habit, a really bad one."

I don't think he has what it takes to tell someone to do something about this…

"Yet, you seem to have calculated everything, including my response."

Kaku doesn't even show a surprised face. He came with an instant reply to such 'insults'.

"Well, we businessmen need to see the gain and loss of something before deciding what to do after all."

I crossed both of my hands.

"So? Is there anything urgent that you need to pay us a visit all by yourself?"

Because…everything he is doing will have a double meaning no matter how small…it's not like he would answer it.

"Stella~, your fiancé is going passive-aggressive here~," he said with a smirk, glancing at Stella.

"If you didn't like him, you could annul this relationship by yourself, wouldn't it, father?" Stella replied, her tone defiant as she looked her father in the eye.

"Hmm? What was that? Did you just defend…support his stance?" Her father's voice dripped with skepticism. He sighed. "Well, the agreement between me and his parents was to not involve ourselves in your relationship too much, so yeah, whatever." He waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, I want both of you to come with me today."

*whisper* "Psst, Rinka, do you know anything about that?" she whispered, nudging me with her elbow.

"No. You should ask that directly to him. Isn't he your father?"

"Well, as much as I'd love to do that, I can't read his behaviour at all." Stella sighed, shaking her head slightly. "I'll just get along with it at least for today."

I don't know why she's telling me this, anyway. I just stood there, unsure of what to do.

"Come'on you two, keep the flirting inside the car."

He waved his hand, while standing in front of a car's door.

=====================================

This type of car is kind of standard here. Why did he use such an old-ish car? I thought he would choose something with more luxurious value for this kind of casual occasion.

The car engine roared to life, the radio blared, and for some reason, I felt a hit of nostalgia wash over me.

"Hey, Kaku…" I hesitated, looking at the familiar interior. "Have I driven this car before?"

Kaku glanced over at me with a smile. "From my recollection, no. Why? You want to drive this baby?"

"No," I said, settling back into my seat. "You seem to be enjoying this. I won't disturb you."

Kaku chuckled, turning the volume up a notch. "No matter what happens, no matter how big I become, I'm still myself when I drive this car. I can see my younger self blasting the radio even louder than this and singing along to whatever song was playing."

He became animated as he spoke, his hands gesturing wildly as he navigated the streets. Talkative about hobbies and nostalgia, huh? It's such a weird topic that I doubt it'll be much use for milking information.

"Was your father always like this?" I asked Stella, who was watching his father's enthusiastic expression.

"Yeah," Stella gave a small nod. "If he drove this car, he was always doing this and talking about everything. He became kind of talkative." She paused, then added, "Well, he does have good social skills. But yeah, he seemed a bit more open."

"I see," I murmured, glancing out the window.

We chatted about more things, but Kaku kept steering the conversation back to our relationship.

The road seemed endless, and I found myself dodging metaphorical bullets in our conversation. Turns out, he was just circling around while the actual destination was only three minutes away from home.

"Welcome to the Stiffen's Special Training Center!". I blinked in surprise. Uh huh? So this is what he meant. Stella, still confused, glanced around.

Our eyes met.

"What the… Rinka! You definitely knew about this, didn't you?" She accused me.

I shrugged, trying to look innocent. "While I may have known about it, I didn't expect this is what he meant."

"That was the most AI-generated response I've heard today," she huffed.

Kaku clapped his hands, drawing our attention. "I want both of you to free your schedules for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday."

"Well, I'm free anytime," I said, stretching my arms. "But I suppose your daughter has a good amount of things scheduled?"

"You don't need to worry," Kaku assured. "I'll make sure her schedule is free for this."

Stella crossed her arms. "What? I didn't hear any of that! Why did you decide things like this all by yourself, father? I still have classes I need to attend."

Kaku waved a hand dismissively. "I've talked to your professor. And trust me, it will be worth the effort for you. Anyway, let's start the first training!"

"Instructor!" he called, and a group of people, no, instructors, gathered around us. They were impeccably disciplined. I bet he paid a lot for them to be this quick and organized.

"I leave those two to all of you," Kaku said, handing over a schedule. "As much as I'd love to see them train, I need to do something else."

And…he left.

"So…uhh..instructors?" I asked, turning to the nearest one.

"Well, today's training is stamina and body-building," said someone who seemed to have more charisma than the rest. He was sitting down, lifting dumbbells effortlessly.

"Go get changed and start the training," he ordered. "I'll give both of you exactly 200 seconds to change with the gear we've prepared. Start."

Isn't this pace a bit too awkward?

And Stella, she read the room way too fast.

I thought she was gonna question things first!

She really does run straight to the women's changing room and get changed.

Do I need to keep up with her?

Nah, that isn't needed, the time is quite a lot anyway.

I get changed, and exactly showing myself in front of the instructor at 200th second

"Alright, that both of you are finally here, we will start the course."

He brought us to the stretching area.

After that, we were ordered to run, swim, jump, practically everything we could imagine.

Holy, that was really, really tiring.

"Sir Kaku really ordered us to do something quite questionable, but these child, they actually doing it huh?"

"It really feels good when the trainee actually trains with this much effort. How time flies."

What. *huff* Did *huff* They *huff* Talking about *huff*

"Stop."

Finally *huff*

"Both of you completed the 6-hours routine with just 5 hours and a half, that wasn't what it was supposed to be but we will reduce the daily training from today onwards as it seemed to us that both of you already have great stamina already."

"Reduced- routine-"

I was laying down in the grass field, and then Stella approached me.

"I was expecting you to fall off first, y'know? Being a shut-in and all. I didn't expect you to give it your all and surpass my pace."

She sat down, and gestured to me to sleep on her lap.

"I was- about to- give up- but I see you putting that much effort- it sparks my competitive spirit."

"True, true, competitive spirits are what fuel our drives to train!"

"Training will be much more effective if you have a clear goal, and someone that pursues the same goal as you."

One of the instructors cut out conversation…but I'm too tired to reply.

The instructor is looking at Stella that is putting me on her lap.

"Well, training with your loved ones also boosts it as much."

"Anyway, today's training was over. You can rest there if you want, or you can keep training here. This training centre was free to use to your heart cont-"

I..dead tired, and fell asleep on her lap.