Alya was now sitting down. She had already eaten breakfast, so she was sipping at a cup of coffee. She never understood the hype surrounding it, but she still drinks it. When her father confronted her, he had to be grabbed by the nape of the neck by her mom. So now here she sits, her dishes washed and put away, food already eaten, so she can't drag things along by pretending to eat. Not that she could in this situation. Idigestion would be a close yet hated friend if that did happen. She could feel the stare boring into her from her father, but when she reacted, the elbow to the ribs he got from her mom would snap him out of it as he got back to eating.
"So... Multiverse Theory." (Dad)
"Most probably." (Alya)
No way in hell she is going to tell them that this is an alternate universe that is also an otome game. Yeah, no way she will be willing to say to them that their reality is just a cheap otome game in hers.
"You are pretty much a mentally older version of our daughter?" (Mom)
"Yes, and no from memories, your daughter's personality was similar but different from mine when I was her age. I was too skittish even to skip classes. Although it seems her practices were the same when it came to school and homework. Study when at school and avoid it at all costs when at home." (Alya)
Her father snickered. Alya couldn't see the hit this time.
"So you're still mentally older, your... mother told me you said you are mentally twenty-seven." (Dad)
"Yes, I am so pleased to talk to you like I'm an adult, it would make me feel more comfortable. But please remind me that I am sixteen, I keep talking and acting older, and now and then I have to remember I'm a teen that boys can be attracted to me even though not long ago I was struggling even to get a date." (Alya)
"I just got the shudders when you said that I get your older, but I just pictured you the way you are now, dating someone in their thirties." (Alya)
"I have dated men in their forties, but me being physically sixteen, even that creeps me out." (Alya)
She should not have said that.
"No dating." (Dad)
"I'll make sure he meets you sooner than." (Alya)
The silent look of helplessness and the soft snicker crossing both of their faces made Alya smile. It seems teasing her father is still similar to how it was in her other world.
"Now I would enjoy doing twenty questions later, but I have to head to school. I promised to attend class and bring food in exchange for tutoring." (Alya)
"Is it for that boy?" (Dad)
"Yes, and I'll introduce you later, possibly." (Alya)
Grabbing the packed lunches Alya left with her bag to go to school. Dad had a look of existential dread, and Mom had a look of gloating pride. Yeah, she knew those faces as well, and she was going to leave before he went on a rampage about no boys. She already went through that once when she was the same age she is now, and she doesn't plan on experiencing it again.
She left the beautiful but simple home as she opened the gate, and a beeping sound from the lock and a soft click latching it closed sounded. Alya kept walking. It was only a couple of blocks before she came across the Sakura trees. The smell of the cherry blossoms was pleasant. In her previous life, she didn't like the smell, but she had never smelled the real thing. It was surprisingly different in a delightful way. Although she wouldn't willingly wear any as a perfume, she would accept the scent now that it doesn't smell like someone bathed in a mixture of sunscreen and other chemicals, before a back whiff of the floral scent would hit her nose.
The petals, like those of spun sugar, had light seeping through like pink starlight through the branches. The scent of sweet flowers filled the air, the light of the morning like a serene memory. When she arrived at the school gate, there were two young men—one with blue hair held back with hair clips to keep the bangs out of his emerald green eyes. The other young man, looking a couple of years older, has silver hair, tanned skin, and copper-red eyes. Both of them spotted her, each having their reaction. The young man of silver seemed bored, but the bored were they who wanted something new to happen, but were alright with the current situation. The young man in blue was relieved, yet also looked a little confused at the other person.
"Good morning, Sato." (Alya)
Alya didn't know the other person's name, but his behavior seemed to ring some mental bells, but she was too tired to ask why she was noticing something that pulled the strings she didn't know from where. Familiarity, but not from knowing him, but recognizing him. She knew that she had met him when she was going shopping the other day, but now she has to admit his face is familiar.
"Also, I know we met yesterday, I still don't have your name, but do you have a sibling or something?" (Alya)
Alya looked at the young man. She didn't know the name of the nagging at the back of her mind was too insistent. He snickered and spoke, their interaction seemingly off-putting for Sato. The young man himself snickered before speaking.
"Daisuke Mahiro, I wouldn't mind you calling me Mahiro." (Mahiro)
"We aren't that close, but alright." (Alya)
"Also, why do you ask if I have a sibling?" (Mahiro)
"Something about you reminds me of someone else." (Alya)
"Well, if you must know, I do have an older brother. Also, this is getting boring. I hope you make things interesting later today." (Mahiro)
With that, he turned and walked away. Sato looked at their interaction and Alya had a complicated expression.