Heartbeats and Illusions

Compared to the bustling breakfast feasts of his previous world, mornings in Saitama were, to put it kindly, minimalist.

For families lucky enough to have a diligent homemaker, breakfast might consist of steaming white rice paired with comforting miso soup, accompanied by fluffy tamagoyaki, sour pickled plums, and a few vinegared side dishes. It was the kind of meal that nourished not just the body but the soul, filling the air with warmth and homely affection.

But for the average person—a student scrambling to catch the train or a salaryman rushing to beat the morning clock—breakfast was far less poetic. It often boiled down to a slice of bread clutched in one hand, a carton of milk in the other.

Ah, yes, the bread-in-mouth trope. That iconic scene of youthful clumsiness, a hallmark of countless anime and manga. No matter how overused it was, it remained oddly endearing. The image of a high school girl sprinting to school, toast precariously dangling from her teeth, colliding with fate—and a handsome boy—around the corner, still charmed its way into people's hearts.

Natsukawa Kanade had once found this quaint cultural quirk amusing, but as time passed, he realized there was a deeper truth behind it. Japanese mornings weren't just hurried—they were ruthlessly efficient.

When he first arrived in this world, adapting to these breakfast habits felt like an uphill battle. But humans are nothing if not adaptable, and Kanade was no exception. Eventually, he grew accustomed to the simplicity of it all.

But that didn't mean he liked it.

Not after he discovered that place—a hidden gem that served breakfast worthy of nostalgia and home.

The establishment wasn't flashy or trendy. It was a small shop tucked away in the port district, run by an unassuming man with a penchant for old-world cooking. Kanade had stumbled upon it by sheer luck, drawn in by the heavenly aroma wafting down the street.

The shop stood out for one simple reason: it wasn't Japanese.

Its owner, affectionately known as Uncle Li, had brought authentic Chinese breakfasts to the heart of Saitama. Steamed buns bursting with savory fillings, delicate siu mai dumplings, and creamy soy milk—it was an oasis for anyone longing for a taste of the Mainland.

In a land where miso soup reigned supreme, Uncle Li's culinary skills were a "dimensionality reduction attack" on the local breakfast scene. He had single-handedly conquered the morning market, drawing queues that stretched out the door and around the block.

Today, however, luck was on Kanade's side. It was a rare quiet weekend morning, and the line was mercifully short.

"Uncle Li! Five meat buns, five siu mai, and two soy milk, please!" Kanade called out as he approached the counter.

The buns were large—generous enough to fill even a growing boy like Kanade with just three. But with a certain angel currently waiting at home, he decided to buy extra. Better to have leftovers than to risk not satisfying her appetite.

"Oi, Kanade! Long time no see!" Uncle Li greeted him with the enthusiasm of an old friend. "Haven't seen you around lately. What's kept you so busy?"

"School," Kanade replied with a polite smile. "I've had a lot on my plate recently."

Their conversation naturally flowed in Mandarin, a language Kanade spoke with ease. It felt like second nature, rooted deep in his identity. Even here, far from his original world, speaking in his native tongue offered a rare comfort.

Uncle Li snorted, unconvinced. "Too busy to eat? That's nonsense! You just hate waiting in line, don't you? If it were up to me, I'd let you skip the queue every morning. Just grab your food and pay whenever you feel like it."

The offer was genuine, but Kanade shook his head firmly. "I appreciate it, Uncle Li, but I can't do that. You've got a business to run. If I disrupt the order, it'll only hurt your reputation."

Uncle Li's eyes sparkled with approval. "Always so well-mannered. You're a good kid, Kanade. You remind me of my own nephew back in the Mainland."

Kanade chuckled, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at the praise. After paying for his order and exchanging a few more pleasantries, he left the shop with a warm farewell.

Walking back through the quiet streets, Kanade's thoughts wandered. It wasn't just Uncle Li's food that kept him coming back; it was the sense of community. Here in Saitama, far from the familiarity of his old life, little connections like this meant everything.

But Kanade had learned to tread carefully. While kindness was appreciated, taking it for granted was a different story. In Saitama, relationships were often transactional. Show too much weakness or ask for too many favors, and you risked being labeled a pushover.

It was a delicate balance. Kanade knew better than anyone the importance of maintaining a certain image—one of independence and quiet confidence. Even in high school, where appearances and rumors could make or break you, he followed this unspoken rule religiously.

"Only by understanding the atmosphere can you survive here," Kanade murmured to himself, clutching the warm bag of food. "Superpowers and good looks don't mean much if you can't navigate the currents of society."

After purchasing breakfast and restocking a few ingredients, Natsukawa Kanade began his journey home. The streets were still sleepy, the occasional jogger or cyclist passing by in a quiet blur. But as Kanade strolled past the local bookstore, a flash of golden hair snagged his attention.

Not entirely gold, though—it was hidden beneath a brown baseball cap. The figure wore an oversized green coat and dark blue jeans, projecting an air of clumsy stealth. Yet, no matter how inconspicuous she tried to be, those signature sharp canine teeth peeking through her lips, coupled with the locks escaping her hat, made her unmistakable.

Eriri Spencer Sawamura.

Kanade sighed. He'd seen this exact getup before. For someone who prided herself on precision, Eriri was hilariously bad at undercover work.

At that moment, Eriri was pacing nervously in front of the bookstore, throwing furtive glances around like a thief about to commit a daylight heist. She hesitated near the entrance, fidgeting but never stepping inside.

Unable to ignore her any longer, Kanade approached her with a casual greeting.

"Eriri, what are you doing here?"

"Ahh!" Eriri jumped like a startled cat whose tail had been stomped on. She staggered back a few steps, clutching her chest in melodramatic shock. When she realized it was Kanade, her scowl quickly replaced her fear.

"Stupid Kanade! You scared me half to death!" Her voice pitched into a familiar whine, the kind she used when she wanted to be indulged.

Kanade raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I was just saying hi. It's not my fault you were acting so suspiciously that you didn't notice me coming."

Eriri puffed out her cheeks, pouting in exaggerated indignation. "What are you doing here? Isn't this way too early for someone like you to be out and about?"

Kanade shrugged. "Errands. Unlike some people, I know how to wake up early when necessary."

Eriri grumbled something about overbearing mothers before sheepishly admitting, "Well, I'm here to buy something."

Kanade tilted his head. His gaze shifted from Eriri to the bookstore and then back again. A knowing look crossed his face. "Let me guess—a book?"

"Yes…" she mumbled, her voice trailing off.

Her sheepish demeanor piqued Kanade's curiosity, but then he noticed the faint blush creeping across her cheeks. That was when it clicked.

She wasn't here for just any book.

Kanade tried to suppress a laugh but failed, letting out a low chuckle. "Let me guess—you're here for those kinds of books, aren't you?"

"Sh-shut up!" Eriri hissed, swatting at him. "It's for research, okay?! I'm an artist! It's not what you think!"

Kanade smirked but decided not to press further. Eriri was well-known for her doujinshi illustrations, and it wasn't surprising that she'd need… supplemental material. Still, the idea of her nervously attempting to buy 18+ books was too amusing to ignore.

"And you're stuck because, as a minor, they won't sell it to you?"

"Obviously," she admitted with a pout, her arms crossed defensively. "Usually, I'd have my mom help me out, but today she threatened me! She said she won't buy my sketchpads anymore if I don't handle this myself!"

Kanade sighed. "So your genius solution is to loiter outside the store like a suspicious weirdo? Great plan."

"Hey, don't mock me!" Eriri shot back, though her face was already flushing from embarrassment. "If you're so smart, why don't you go in and buy it for me?"

Kanade's expression froze. He slowly pointed to himself. "Do I look like I'm 18 to you?"

"Well…" Eriri hesitated, scratching her cheek awkwardly. "You look older than me, so maybe they won't question it?"

"Yeah, no thanks," Kanade replied flatly. "Do you want me to get arrested? 'Breaking News: High School President Caught Purchasing Smut for a Classmate!' My life would be over."

Eriri tugged on his sleeve, putting on her best puppy-dog eyes. "Please, Kanade! I'll never ask for another favor again!"

Kanade looked at her skeptically. He doubted that last part, but Eriri's desperation seemed genuine. He mulled it over, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

Finally, he let out a resigned sigh. "Fine, but we'll do this my way."

Eriri's eyes sparkled with hope. "Your way?"

Kanade gestured toward the bookstore. "Here's the plan: I'll go in with you and pretend to be your older brother. You pick out what you need and hand it to me at the counter. I'll pay for it while acting like I'm just indulging my little sister."

"Brother?! Me? Your little sister?!" Eriri's face turned crimson, her mind spiraling into fantasy territory.

Kanade frowned. "Do you want the books or not?"

"N-no, I mean yes! Yes, of course, I want them!" Eriri stammered, waving her hands in a frantic blur. "If calling you 'Onii-chan' is what it takes, then fine! Onii-chan, let's go!"

Kanade shook his head, already regretting his decision. "Let's get this over with."

As they entered the store together, Eriri's imagination ran wild. Onii-chan and I… shopping together… just the two of us. If you round it off, we're practically childhood sweethearts!

Unbeknownst to Kanade, Eriri was now mentally scripting an entirely new manga chapter starring the two of them. For her, this wasn't just a trip to the bookstore—it was a golden opportunity for inspiration.

Kanade, meanwhile, just hoped they'd get through this without incident.