What was that just now? Speedrunner thought to himself, blinking slowly. Wait... I'm still sleeping. This must be a dream.
A creepy voice cut through the haze—Akira's. "What's wrong? Why did you stop moving?"
Speedrunner snapped back to reality—or whatever it was—and saw Nanami walking away with the other two girls. He looked around, confused, but then Akira pointed ahead. There they went. He thought, Akira was on my back a few minutes ago. When did she get off? Nevermind that.
He took a step forward—then suddenly tripped. "Shit, Akira tripped me," he muttered. Something felt off. Her smile was plastic. Then the realization hit him: This never happened.
He stood up straight and looked around. There was a bridge. How far did I go? But Akira wasn't nearby. He spotted her on the other side of the bridge.
"You're pretty slow, you know," she teased.
Speedrunner frowned. I'm starting to hate this girl. He ran, but felt himself lag behind. Wait a minute—I'm not even reaching the middle of the bridge. Are you telling me I can't run here?
He sighed. I should probably wake up now. Nanami's probably done with the phone.
Suddenly, he found himself stuck in the middle of the bridge. Akira wrapped her arms around him.
"Leave," she said.
"You say that, but you already crossed," Speedrunner replied, sighing.
"Let's go," she smiled.
He gave in and relaxed for the moment.
As they walked, a familiar voice called out. Speedrunner turned and saw Nanami standing outside a sukiyaki restaurant—a place he had been to before with Sugimoto.
"You're late, Speedrunner," Nanami said casually.
Two girls were with him.
"Let me introduce you to Nana and Peach," Nanami said. The girls giggled and said hello.
Speedrunner glanced at Akira, then looked down awkwardly. They all sat down together.
Nanami suggested, "Guys, I think we should order a family pack." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Speedrunner suddenly remembered: Wait, I'm dreaming.
"Hey, daydreamer! Did you dye your hair?" Akira asked with a charming smile.
"Why do you ask? It looks normal," Speedrunner answered.
"I've never seen a Japanese person with blonde-blonde hair," she teased, mockingly.
He sighed and laughed nervously.
"Your eyes are like minty green," she added, leaning closer.
Shit, she's close. Is this the time we kiss? Speedrunner blushed. Akira took some fish and stuffed it into his mouth, telling him to eat. He complied.
"So…" Akira said awkwardly.
Speedrunner asked, "Have you ever eaten crab?"
"No," she replied shyly, head down.
"You silly," he laughed. "I'm shocked you haven't eaten crab before."
He suggested they go eat crab after the meal.
Nanami teased, "Hoi hoi, you're making her uncomfortable by making noise. She's right next to you."
Akira screamed, "Only good pleasantries! Haaaa! This curry rice is nice!"
People in the restaurant turned their heads toward their table.
"Don't do that," Nanami scolded. "You're drawing too much attention."
Akira pointed at Nanami, saying, "You're a bad friend. You boss him around."
Nanami shot back, "Hey, whatever you call it, don't tell me how to act in my own country. You're not even fully Japanese."
Akira sat back, unimpressed.
Nanami added, "And remove your dye. You look like a creep."
Speedrunner mulled over what to do.
"Nanami," he said cautiously.
"What? Want to defend her? No surprise you're one of her people."
Suddenly, Nana and Peach slapped Nanami.
Peach said firmly, "I think you should leave."
Peach had dyed pink hair in a rose bun, wore a motorbike jersey, and sported a nose ring.
Nanami muttered, "Peach-san..." hoping she'd change her mind, but Peach turned away, serious in her decision.
Nanami asked, "Who's going to pay for the meal?"
Speedrunner shrugged, "You can take it to go."
Nanami replied disrespectfully, "And for what reason can I leave without paying?"
Akira interjected, "Fine."
Speedrunner looked at her. "Are you sure?"
She nodded.
Akira said, "But you know, the meal you bought gave me an appetite and no reason to forgive you, so how about another one? Then I'll forgive you."
Nanami agreed, "Sure."
Peach and Nana also wanted new dishes.
Akira took out pills and shared them with her friends.
Speedrunner was content with the meal he had but his mind was elsewhere.
Will I ever be able to stand up to Nanami? he wondered. I have to work harder in the military.
"Hey, you! It's time to go now," Akira called.
"Oh, that fast? Where's Speedrunner?"
Speedrunner was pulled into a taxi.
Nanami stared at his receipt. It read 100,000 yen. He shouted in disbelief.
Akira grinned, "Luckily I bought these appetite pills."
"Wait, those actually make you hungry?" Speedrunner thought.
Akira pointed out, "We're going to your place. You don't mind, do you?"
They arrived at Speedrunner's place.
Speedrunner lounged on the bed, exhausted, while Akira rummaged through the fridge.
He questioned, "What is a harem?"
Suddenly, Akira appeared with a drink.
"Care for a drink?" she asked.
"Just one," he replied.
Nana and Peach were leaving, drunk and messy.
"Bye, Yoru," they called out.
Speedrunner paused. Wait—is Akira...?
Nana said, "It's fiiiiiine."
Akira fell asleep in Speedrunner's bed.
Speedrunner headed to the bathroom—and without warning—was hit on the head.
"Wait, what?" Speedrunner mumbled.
He woke up. He and Akira were naked.
Speedrunner stared at him.
Akira whispered, "It's not you, is it yet…"
Suddenly, Akira choked Speedrunner.
"Wait, wait—I don't understand!" Speedrunner yelled.
He woke again to loud music—and amidst the noise, a cry echoed