~'¶\ Broken Lies \¶'~(Ai Hoshino X OC)

Chapter 6: Acting?

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Kai's phone started to ring, jolting him awake from a deep sleep. "Ughh, what time is it?" he groaned to himself, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he reached for his phone on the table.

It was 7 a.m. in the morning. He blinked at the screen, still processing the events of the previous day. As he got out of bed, memories flooded back—his encounter with Ai Hoshino, the unexpected revelation that his neighbor was a famous idol. It felt surreal.

"Well, there must be a reason why she kept her identity a secret... I should keep quiet about this," he thought, not wanting to interfere with someone else's life, even if it was Ai. The weight of that knowledge settled on him; it was a heavy burden to carry but one that felt necessary.

"It's not like she's the only one hiding her true self." Kai muttured under his breath.

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-Flashbacks-

"Remember, Kai, your world is different from the others," Chronoa had explained to him during one of their discussions. "If there are any changes in that timeline, they will stay permanent. Even with Towa and Mira gone for now, you must not risk revealing that you are a Time Patrol to anyone else. You might put them in danger, got it?"

Kai had nodded earnestly. "Got it. Thanks, Mom."
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-Present-

With a sigh, he moved to the bathroom to wash up and prepare for the day ahead. The sun was shining brightly outside, casting warm rays through his window. It was a new day filled with possibilities and challenges.

After freshening up, Kai made his way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He thought about how strange life had become since arriving in this world.

As he cooked, thoughts of Ai lingered in his mind. "I wonder if she’s okay after everything that happened yesterday," he mused while flipping pancakes on the stove. He hoped she was enjoying the gyudon he had prepared for her; it felt good knowing he could contribute something positive to her day.

Once breakfast was ready, Kai sat down at the table and took a moment to enjoy his meal. The flavors reminded him of home and comforted him as he contemplated what lay ahead. Would he see Ai again? Would they have a chance to talk more?

Nah, he is just a boy wanting peace from his chaotic life of fighting.

After finishing his breakfast, he changed into his casual clothes, feeling the need to escape the whirlwind of events that had unfolded recently. He was ready to get some fresh air and clear his mind.

As he stepped outside, he made his way to the nearby park. The moment he arrived, he was greeted by the cheerful sounds of children playing, laughter ringing through the air as families enjoyed the beautiful day. Kai smiled at the sight; the atmosphere was so vibrant and joyful.

"Their smiles... that's one of the reasons I fight to protect history," he thought, reminiscing about his job as a Time Patrol.

However, his peaceful reflection was interrupted by a sudden sound of crying nearby. He turned to see a little girl in a bright dress, her face scrunched up in distress as she pointed at a balloon that had been carried away by the wind. Her parents were kneeling beside her, trying to calm her down, but their efforts seemed futile against her tears.

Without thinking twice, Kai sprang into action. He jumped into the air, propelled by a burst of energy, and descended at incredible speed toward the balloon. With a swift motion, he caught it just before it floated too far away.