This Isn’t the Type of Paradise I expected.

Prologue: Powering On!

It was a pitch black night. Temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Morale should be low. Perfect for this type of operation.

I see 3 men ahead of me: A tall one, a fat one, and a mean looking one. They looked inexperienced. The guy with the frown looks like a problem. The mission was simple: Scouts were seen lurking around our base. Kill them and be done with it. I sat on the tall tree hesitating. I clenched my [1] Karambits tightly.

Kill or be killed. that’s what he always told me to make it easier, but It never does. I’ve done this hundreds of times now. Why is this so hard?

The men in my sights keep moving forward. They start talking:

“Can’t wait to see my ol’ dear Sheila agin, she cooks a mean, warm pot of stew!” said the weighty one.

“Can’t you think of anything else besides food Herman?” said the tall one worryingly. “We’re slow enough as it is.

“Shut up.” the mean one furrowed his brow, “We’re in enemy territory and they could hear us.”

As I thought, he was going to be a problem. They seemed like average people though. Did I really have to kill them just because we were on different sides? I took a moment to clear my head. Alright! I decided to just knock them out and place them out of our territory. I hear commotion among them. I looked down.

“Eeeek! Spiders!” the big one screamed in a girly tone. He fell to the ground.

Did he just trip? Inexperienced is too good of a word to describe this guy. Oh, well. Alright here is my chance. It’s now or never!

I jumped off of the tree and went for the one on the ground and I twirled my knife in a reverse grip and hit him in the neck with the handle of the knife.

“Ugh”, he groaned and his body fell limp.

“Herman!” The taller one pointed his assault rifle at me and prepared to shoot.

I grabbed at the spare knife strapped to my thigh and threw it at his hand. He dropped his weapon.

“Damn you!” he exclaimed. I crouched and pushed my hands off the ground, twisted my body going for a kick to his chin.

“Ack” The tall one flew towards the tree and hit his head. He fell unconscious. I stood back up.

“Alright!” I clenched my fist. “One….more….to….go?” I looked around, confused. I knew there were 3 of them. That means…

I heard the bushes rustling behind me. Then a sharp pain through my shoulder blade, and another through my right thigh.

“I’m sorry Dad.” I fell to the ground.

I saw a figure approach me.

It was taller than the other man everything around me faded away into the dark. And I could barely hear someone “Let’s go home my son….to paradise.”

Prologue: It was nice while it lasted

“Araggh, that scene again.” I heard ringing noises.

It was my alarm. It read 8:00am, class starts in 1 hour. I opened my eyes to the same white ceiling, and a bright light shining into my eye. It looks like I left light on. I turned to my right and the sun shining as brightly as ever. I heard a noise coming from in front of me.

“Oh I left the tv on.” It was on the news. I concentrated on the screen.

“There have still been reportings of kidnappings all over the Kansai region. Nothing much is known about the perpetrators, but the police has said that there would have to be an entire organization of people to do something of this scale.” The reporter went on.

“Over 1 —“

What happened? How many? One? One hundred? Thousand?

“Where’s the remote?"

I felt around my left for the remote and I stopped at a large groove. A very squishy one as well. I turned right and I see my very best pal Sho Kurokawa right by my side…naked. Oh yes, very much so. Wait, something is very wrong. I get a large shiver down my spine accompanied by goosebumps. I slowly turned my head.

“AAAAAAAAHH!” screamed as I jumped out of the bed.

“Woah, wait what’s going on man?” Sho looked dazed, rubbing his eyes.

“Wait did we—what did we do yesterday!?” “Why are you naked!?” I was off the rails.

“Do you have to ask?” Sho said with his puppy dog eyes and his lips puckered up. “You were quite forceful.”

I was going crazy. What would you have done in this situation? Your “about to be dead” best friend of the same gender was sleeping with you and if that wasn’t the ringer, he was naked.

“Don’t screw with me.” I was quite appalled.

“Hey relax bud. It was cold on the floor so I climbed up here. As for my clothes…” He paused.

“They flew off?” he said with that sarcastic smirk of his. ;p

“Oh, well now I understa----NO! Like that’d actually happen!” I responded.

He chuckled. We shared laugher for about 10 seconds.

I looked around the tiny apartment and I found his jacket and pants near the bathroom door.

“Here put your stuff on.” I tossed him his clothes.

This wasn’t even my weirdest day with this guy. Ever since my father brought me back home, Shosuke would go out of his way to try and make me forget the things that happened out there. So far it has been fun. I wished these days would go on like this forever. I think someone’s missing though.

I almost forgot we have to go to class today. It looks like we have…

I looked at the clock. It read 8:32.

“28 minutes left! It takes like 30 to get there! Let’s go.” I rushed to put my casual clothes(?) and my book bag on.

“Right.” Sho agreed.

I heard a knock on the door and bickering. I opened the door and it was Kyousuke and Ayumi.

“Come Ayumi I won’t bite….unless you ask.”

“Get away from me you cre---“She turned towards me.

“Hurry up or you’re going to make me late.” She said with a angry expression.

Here’s Ayumi red haired devil. At least, that’s what everyone in high school used to call her. She had quite the temper. She’s quite short in stature, athletic, smart, good-looking and great at cooking. Wow never thought I’d see one of these in real life. She makes good wife material with those hips. I looked down at her blue skirt. It suited her blue eyes. Along with….Thigh high socks, god’s gift to the world.

She looked at my eyes and covered her lower body.

“Would you stop staring at me with perverted thoughts?”

Sharp as always, this one. She knows me so well.

“I’m sorry, you just look cute as always, I couldn’t help it.”

She blushed.

“Hahahaha!” “Sorry. You’re so fun to tease.”

She saw Sho.

“Hey Sho hurry it u---“She paused.

I turn behind me and see Sho with every article of clothing on but the one that mattered most … his….underwear.

“Um I can explain….”

“No need.” Kyousuke snickered. “I don’t judge. I knew you guys were close”

Ayumi’s face turned red.

“Um-I-uh- IDIDNTKNOWITWASLIKETHAT!” Ayumi disappeared towards the direction of the college.

I looked at Kyousuke.

“Who puts their underwear on LAST!” I yelled.

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So since Ayumi ran away, that left me, Sho, and Kyousuke running to the college by ourselves. I lived in my apartment, it was nothing so special in my opinion. Just a place to sleep before my daily commute to class. It was quite small and the landlady was quite beautiful and was the nicest thing you’d ever meet. That’s good for me since I tend to be kinda late on the bills.

The college was about a 15 minute walk from my apartment. In my daze I saw Kyousuke wave for my attention. Kyousuke turned towards me.

“So how was the game? You know, Clash of Destinies. Fun, right?” He panted.

I suddenly remembered Kyousuke, this deviant, brought an online game for us to play for the pc and Sho brought his laptop over because he doesn’t like playing alone. Usually he’s off flirting with other women, but I guess he’s a good friend at times.

“It was fine, but I don’t think my computer hardware is strong enough to play it. It lags at some times, notably when I fight mobs to level up”

“Ah, well come with me to the mall and I’ll hook you up with my uncle’s old one. I’ll get you another one. It isn’t that old it’s just the previous model of the one he currently has.”

Kyousuke said.

“Wow, Kyo.” Sho said with a surprised look. “You’ve been quite generous lately. You’re not planning on inviting us to “that” again are you?”

Sho looked skeptical. I twitched in fear. “That?” No… not that again. I almost forgot about it. Why did he have to bring that up again?

Kyousuke looked at me and reassured me. “Hahaha! No, it is nothing like that. Just doing a favor for a good friend.”

No good friend would leave me to deal with “that”, but it made me feel better.

“Well okay then, after school it is. I can’t wait, I need to back up my files on my USB also.”

I usually don’t play video games much but that sort of thing I like. Oh that’s a lie. I play rpgs all the time. With friends though? No. Never.

“Oh there the school gate looks we made it.”

Welcome to my college, Suri University of the Arts [2], located in Osaka. It is quite large, just like every other university. In the front is a large fountain surrounded by benches. It’s a popular date spot according to Kyousuke. He would know.

The college it is split into 3 buildings: The student services building, The main building which is quite large considering it has like 4 floor and it is half as wide as a track field. It contains all of the classes that we take throughout the day. Finally the elective building. This side of the campus contains the sports like basketball, football, and tennis. Go S-S-S-Sabrewolves!

“Please disregard that, I… don’t know what came over me” I shook my head.

"Shinji, who are you talking to?" Sho looked at me.

"Oh nothing."

Nevertheless it is a great school.

I snapped out of my daze.

“I’ll see you guys later and don’t forget Shinji. Or else.” Kyousuke said with a mischievous smile.

He ran towards the school’s main building.

I walked through the door to the main building after Kyo and stopped at the I.D scanner. I took out my wallet and retrieved my I.D. The scanner’s red light went up my card when it was in my hand and removed the iron bars.

This thing never ceases to amaze…

“de..doo.dee.do.”

“Doo..do..dee..doo”

That bell is the same as always as well. It looks like I’m going to be a tad late to class, but…

There are three columns that stretch up to the ceiling in front of the security post. They pass the 1st, 2nd and third floor. Two columns are parallel from one another. During the main building’s creation due to a mishap of a group of employees another one was made a half a meter away from another column.

That’s weird you say? Well here’s the thing; No one really mentions it at all, only the freshmen, they all eventually get used to it. But why, did I mention it? You’ll see, well, read in a second.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

I took a running start from the stairs behind the column and jumped toward one, then the other, then the other again then I saw the second floor and jumped over the railing.

Took me 2 months to figure out how to do that. No use wasting that skill.

I rushed in my class across from across the railing and was ready to start my normal day, albeit in an abnormal way.

I hear the bells one again, music to my ears. I began to exit the classroom.

“Uwoaah” I felt a poke at my side.

Who?

Ah, it was my classmate. I scanned her. Ehh. Purple dyed hair that went to her waist with bangs that barely covers the top of her eyes, blue eyes, sailor uniform with navy blue skirt. Caucasian and Asian. Must have parents from the west. Also…

I look down towards her legs.

“Cra---”

Thigh high stockings with an “E” etched at the top. Something even better than showing the entire leg. Clothed eroticism. It looks like I’m on a lucky streak today. Just perfect.

Mmmmhmm. I nodded in agreement to myself.

Wow….I’m a pervert up here aren’t I? Of all the fetishes out there, I get stuck with this one. Well anyways, I’m bad with names so I take a guess.

“Ericka?”

“You were lucky this time.” She doubted me, pouting.

“Sorry, but I remembered your face…”

She sighs.

“Stupid…” she whispered.

Ow. That hurts a bit. I try to continue the conversation.

“So, what is your wish my dear lady?” I tried to sound like an English butler.

“I..... was ...uh...wondering if you were free this evening. Maybe we could do something fun.”

She chuckled.

A fun evening out with a nice, cute girl like this wouldn’t be so bad, but I remembered I have a previous engagement with Kyousuke.

“Sorry. I promised someone that I would go with a friend to replace my old computer.”

I gave a light smile.

“Oh” She looked down at her feet awkwardly and started twiddling her fingers.

There was a silence.

She looked disappointed. I should ask her if she wants to come with me. She’s really shy, she doesn’t have a big group of friends and has a really soft voice. It must’ve took a lot of strength for her to do this.

I sighed. I’m so soft, as usual.

She turn towards her friends. They were cheering her on with their thumbs up saying good luck.

“Can...I…come with you?” she said sheepishly. Her eyes refused to make contact.

“It seems like you beat me to it, I was going to ask you the same thing.” I smiled.

“Really!” Her face beamed and she happened to yell. People were staring.

Her face turned red with embarrassment.

“Well I’m about to go now, so you better hurry.”

“O-Ok!” She followed.

She walked closely behind me. So close in fact I could feel her breath on my arm. Wow. I just realized how tiny and frail she looks. I arrived at front gate and I see Kyousuke waiting for me. He looked at the girl and his face and I saw a slight smirk appear on his face.

“What am I, chopped liver?”

I thought out loud.

He walked up straightening his collar.

“Oh brother…”

“Shinjiiiii, how could you keep an adorable goddess all to yourself?” Kyousuke said.

“No one’s keeping anyone to themselves. And “adorable” is a word used to describe a child or baby. If you really wanted her complement her features you would call her pretty.

”

“How about sexy?”

“Guys…” Erica whispered.

“No, she doesn’t have enough cleavage for that. Try cute.”

“I like dainty, she looks light.” Kyousuke added.

“Could be better, but I’ll let it slide.”

We shake hands. We find the oddest thing to agree on. I had a wide grin on my face.

I need to stop, but whenever I’m around him I swear I get more perverted by the second.

I turn towards Ericka.

“Hey—“

Her face was red. “Can we just go pwease? Her voice rose to a squeak.

That was the cutest thing I’ve ever heard but I ignore it to move on the conversation.

Kyousuke looks at me.

“I’ll let it slide this time Shinji, because we have to hurry before my uncle’s shop closes.

“You ready Ericka?”

"Oh,um yes!” She put her fists up into a fighting pose.

We all headed off towards the orange roads colored by the sunset.

Here’s what I love about this college I go to. The shopping district is like a 5 minute walk from the school gates. If you were to stand on the roof of the main building you would be able to see the 1st store of the shopping district. How cool is that. There’s a supermarket, a clothes store and game/manga shop Ayumi and Sho live in a ramen shop her dad owns around here.

Looks like we’re here.

“Hey Ericka, you doin’ okay? You want to stop at the restaurant and grab a bite?”

“No, I’m fine.” She said in a reserved fashion.

No way was that true, I’ve realized in my quest of normalcy, that people who use the words “I’m fine” to describe their mood usually are the farthest from it. I think they are better off not saying anything at all and you’d get a better message.

“Kyousuke go on to your uncle’s store ahead. I can see the place.”

“Will do. Looks like I’ll get some alone time with this dainty little flower.” Kyousuke smiled.

I hope I don’t regret this.

I went to one of the stands to see what they had and it looks like this particular one sold takoyaki, which is a ball shaped snack made of wheat batter cooked with takoyaki pan and filled with octopus or onions. Diced of course.

“I’ll have one order of takoyaki my good man.”

“That’ll be 350 yen.” The stall owner said in a rugged voice.

I handed him the money grabbed the bag and rushed over to the shop.

It was a small shop filled with trinkets and all sorts of electronic parts I couldn’t comprehend.

“Hey Shinjo, I’m gonna go fetch my uncle real quick I told him you were coming.” Kyousuke rolled over the counter.

I walk over to Ericka.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” She spoke.

“Yeah, here” I showed her the tray of takoyaki.

“But I said—“

I heard a deep rumbling.

“muumuu” she pouted as her face turned red.

She reached out and grabbed the bag.

“Th-thank you.” She looked at me.

“Anytime.” I looked into her ocean-like eyes and smiled.

She stared back.

“What is it?”

“N-nothing…” she averted her sight from mine.

Huh…weird. Where is he?

“Hey come back here Shinji! He’s ready for ya!” Kyousuke waved to me.

“Come on.”

I waved over to Ericka. Her short legs looks like it could barely support her body.

We both went around the counter and opened the door.

I walked into the room as I was invited. It was a large average looking room with a television and a table on a tatami mat floor.

The television had Magical Girl Kitty Mew Mew playing.

Just… don’t ask how I know. I don’t secretly watch it every Sunday at 8:00pm. Seriously.

The Table has a lit cigarette hanging off of an ashtray. Well, someone doesn’t know about fire safety. I put it upon myself to put it out.

“Fire safety is safety for all.” I said proudly, trying to look cool.

I turned and looked towards Ericka, who was right behind me.

Her eyes were glued to the T.V.

Time to play a joke. Too easy. I got close to the side of her face and prepared to blow gently in her ear. But just when I stopped she turned around. Our lips were almost touching. Her lavender bangs brushed the bridge of my nose. Her lips looked glossy under the light of the room. Her eyes showed compassion as well as embarrassment. She was really beautiful, not to mention red.

I felt my chest beating quickly and my palms getting sweaty. Feels like I just climbed a mountain. Only I could say that. I always was good with words but I could never pull through in situations such as these. I could only image what a girl like her might be feeling at the moment.

“So you guys gonna kiss or what?” Kyousuke mouthed off with a grin.

“I-I-I’m Sorry!” Ericka excalmed, backing away, embarrassed.

“Tomatoes would be envious of your color.” I joked.

“S-so you were just teasing me?” She looked away from me.

“I apologize, I couldn’t help it this time.” “You were so into that show I had to get your attention.”

“I was just in time, Shinji was just about to come claim your flowers for his own.

But sadly that was a lie. Maybe at first it wasn’t, but I’m just glad Kyousuke came in at that time. Something was sure to happen if he didn’t. And I wish he wouldn’t say things like that.

“Well now that that is over with, drink up.” Kyousuke said holding a tray of cups.

"What is it?"

"Just water, sorry. I forgot to stock up on soft drinks."

I took the cup and saw Ericka take one as well. She took tiny sips with her delicate lips.

“Your uncle still waiting?” I drank out of the cup.

“Yeah he’s in the back, putting the finishing touches on his project.”

“Umm do you have a restroom that I may use?”

Ericka had a worried look along with that soft tone.

“Y-yeah Ericka, in the back.”

Ericka walked out of the room.

Hmm. That was odd. Kyousuke’s being weird. When talking to girls, he would usually call them by a pet name, tease them, or compliment them. He would never call them by their name. And he didn’t have that smile that was glued to his face anymore. He looked…sad somehow.

A few minutes passed waiting for Ericka to return.

“I think I’ll go check on her.”

I walked towards the door to the back.

Kyousuke stood in my way with his head down.

“What is it?”

No response. His eyes were covered by his long bangs so I couldn’t get a read on his expression.

I have a bad feeling about this. I walked past Kyousuke and opened the door.

I walked right through it and turned. Something was very wrong. You know that feeling when you got it trouble in school and your teacher called your parents about it? And then came the part where you came home first awaiting you inevitable doom. Yeah, this felt a lot like that.

“Kyousuke, Is something wr—“

It happened all in a flash: Searing headache, body burning, muscles aching, lightheadedness and then…

“Kyo—su-k------e.

“It’s for the best.

This familiar darkness once more.

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Well that was the first chapter. Tell me what you liked/disliked and I'll be sure to take that into consideration next time. Thanks for reading.