Chapter 1

Meeting You Again

The Point of View and Reminisce of Mirai Kageyama

It was a hot nearly midsummer day in May when I first met her. My first and only love whom I have never forgotten since the day we met. Even now, I still think back to that day.

She was a beauty that crossed right into my path on day. I had been lying down on the grass, and I was looking up at the sky. Back then, I was bored out of my mind like some teenage kid who had nothing else to do than stare at something in front of him. In fact, I was in my teens during that time, and I was 16 years old, in my second year of high school.

I sighed. "What am I even doing? All I do during my free time is lie down on the grass and look at the sky all day at the same place."

There was no one around as I said these words aloud. At least, that was what I thought until I heard something near me.

"Stupid Mana… She's always telling me that she's better than I am." It was a girl's voice. "Just because she's the strongest hero at school, doesn't mean that she should try to prove her strength against me when I'm around her. Geez."

It sounded as though the girl was venting her anger out on someone.

Is she talking about her rival or something? I thought.

I wasn't really interested or anything. I wasn't even looking at my surroundings, either, so I didn't even know what she looked like, or what she was doing. That was, until…

"Ahh!"

I heard a scream when something had hit my legs in front. There was some pain around my ankles, but it wasn't as upsetting as the discomfort around my upper thighs. That was when I looked up and saw a girl with shoulder length hair that was a very dark shade of pink, like a dark cerise color, or a dark magenta color. Perhaps it was more like a darker shade of Mexican pink. Whatever the shade was, it was definitely very—and I mean very—dark for a pink color. She also had sapphire blue eyes and she wore a school uniform on like me, but was from a different school. There was also a white ribbon tied around the left side of her hair and had a surprised (or should I say a more intrigued expression) on her face as she stared at me. I stared right back with a similar look of my own.

"…" She kept staring into my eyes with that same expression on her face before asking a question from me. "Why are you laying down like that?"

I looked right back at her, stilled speechless from the fact that she fell right on top of me. "…"

Then, she smiled. "Never mind that. Anyway, I'm Kirie Kuroki. I'm a second-year student at Souseizouma Academy. What's your name?"

"My name is Mirai Kageyama," I answered. "I'm a first-year student at Kazenori Academy (風典学園 Kazenori Gakuen)."

"By the way," she added, "you can call me Kirie. There's no need for any formalities, so you don't have to say my name with an honorific attached to it." She backed away and stood up confidently, and held out her right hand. "Here. Let me help you up."

I took her hand and she pulled me up without and problem. "That's a pretty strong grip you go there, Kirie," I said, moving my fingers back and forth as I looked at my hand. I was amazed by how she easily got me onto my feet in an instant. It was almost as if our roles as a guy and girl were reversed because of her masculinity. But, I had to say, she was really pretty. She had the figure of a normal girl. Although, she seemed more tomboyish in my eyes.

There again was another smile from her. "Thanks, Mirai." Within a split second, she blinked as though an idea suddenly came to mind. "I know! Why don't we make a promise?"

"A promise?" I tilted my head to the side, slightly puzzled by her notion.

She nodded with her eyes closed and opened them shortly afterward to look at me. "Yeah. A promise to meet again and become lovers."

"Huh?!" My eyes widened, and I was taken aback by those words.

"You don't want to?" she asked.

I soon found myself blushing as I stared into her blue eyes. The moment I first saw her when she was on top of me, I had fallen in love with her. I just didn't realize what my speechlessness was until now.

I shook my head rapidly. "No. It's not that I don't want to. I mean, I really do want to see you again, Kirie. So…"

Kirie smiled softly at me. "Then… Let's make a promise. If by any chance that we do see each other again, Mirai, we'll officially become lovers."

I nodded nervously. "Yeah."

"Then, get ready for this."

I had no time to reply when all of a sudden, Kirie swiftly came forward and kissed me on the lips. I couldn't believe what had just happened, but then, I quickly accepted it and returned her kiss, sealing our promise in hopes of meeting her again one day.

Three years have passed since then. I'm now an undergraduate at Rentomi College (練福大学 Rentomi Daigaku). Since I'm in my second year here, I'll be able to graduate by next spring when I turn 20. It's mainly due to the fact that I've been putting in more time and effort in taking several classes. However, I still can't believe that I'll graduate on my own birthday. It just never really striked me as a very logical thing to do as a young adult.

I gave a sigh and glanced at the sky, moving my head slightly. "I wonder how Kirie's been keeping up this whole time. I really want to see her again."

End of Mirai's Point of View

At the same time in an editorial office

A young woman with dark magenta hair pinned up behind her head was handing in a large stack of papers to someone; she had blue eyes and wore a pair of rounded glasses that had silver frames.

"Here you go, Takuji," she said with a refreshing smile. "You can get this all done before lunch, right?"

A young man with mint-colored hair and periwinkle eyes grinned eagerly. "You can count on me, Kirie. I'm your boss, after all. I can handle any amount of work someone gives me."

"As expected of the magician in our company," Kirie praised. The look on her face was more of a teasing one, though, despite her compliment. "Unlike you, I'm human, but I have some powers of my own."

Takuji closed his eyes and smiled, letting out a child-like laugh. "Ehe. Well, you did go to Souseizouma, after all. But that school was basically a co-built place between the magicians and demons in order make things peaceful again, joining both Sousei Academy and Zouma Academy into one. But, I guess it didn't really work out since your principals didn't even like each other very much. Plus, it's been sixty-three years since the grand opening. Anyway," he looked at the stack of papers on his desk and started writing on each and every one of them with a black ink pen at a very quick pace. "We'll be going to work at the casino tonight in order to interview the greatest celebrities ever. I guarantee that it'll be great for our company. Asuka will love it, too."

"Hai, hai," Kirie abided. She knew her boss's mind and personality like any other friend or employee at Rapunzel, a sister branch of Cinderella's in Roppongi. It was only a matter of time before he would finish, which was a good thing for everyone since they trusted him and had a deep respect for the colorful magician.

Later that day, around 3:30 p.m., Mirai and Noel were walking towards the hotel they usually hung out at with some of their other friends. They were about to cross the street up ahead. Soon, the light turned green and they made their way through. Once they were in the middle of the street, someone bumped into them. Or rather, someone bumped into Mirai.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" the young woman who had made her way into the college student's path apologized. It was Kirie. She bowed politely with her eyes closed before opening them again to look at the two in front of her. "I didn't see you there earlier. I hope you didn't get hurt. If so, then I apologize again for any injuries that I may have caused to you."

Mirai shook his head with a light smile of his own. "No, it's fine. You didn't hurt me or anything, so there's no need for you to apologize for anything. But thank you for your courtesy."

"Is that so?" Kirie smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Anyway, I'll be going this way. I have a meeting right now, so… Anyway, it was nice to meet you." She smiled cheerfully and strolled back to Rapunzel.

Mirai kept smiling. As he started walking again, a lightning bolt came across his mind as if he realized something. He looked back in a somewhat shocked and stunned state. Noel looked back.

"What's wrong, Mirai?" the tall blond asked. He felt a bit of concern for the younger male.

Mirai kept looking in the direction Kirie had sauntered. "It's just… I felt like I met her before somewhere a moment ago, but I don't know when and where I did. It feels too familiar like a strange sense of nostalgia that leaves a tingling feeling in the one's entire mind and body." That was exactly how the college student felt when he stared in the same direction.

Noel put his hand around Mirai's arm. "Come on. We're in the way of a car, Mirai."

Mirai nodded and walked with Noel to the location they were headed before. "Yeah."

Around seven o'clock that night, many of the employees from Rapunzel and Cinderella were all gathered inside the hotel run by Satsuki Kitaoji. There were also journalists and editors from other departments as well, who were all wearing business casual clothing to formal clothing. They had all been invited by the owner himself, and were making their way in to the building.

Takuji and Kirie were also a couple of the guests there. There was another young woman with them with long white hair and blue eyes that seemed to have a shine to them. She was around Takuji's age, being a few months younger than him, and was a year older than Kirie.

"I can feel it!" Takuji exclaimed. He wasn't loud enough to catch the other guests' attention, though, and had a pretty tolerant sense of "excitement" for the situation. "There's definitely a large scale of us getting more than half the scoops here." He went on, bragging about Rapunzel in a calm tone of voice. "Our company's had the most success and profit in all of Roppongi. In addition to that, we're also the oldest editorial department to have been built over a hundred sixty years ago, so it doesn't matter that the others outside our company are here; we'll be making the most of this night at all costs."

Then, a voice was heard behind the mint-haired young man.

"Oh? I don't think so." It was the chief editor of Cinderella making his way with one of his employees to the scene. Next to him was a young woman who was in her early twenties, but a few years older than Takuji, Asuka, and Kirie. The chief editor glanced at his the woman and introduced her to the small group of three. "Anyway, this is my new employee. She joined this morning at Cinderella and her first assignment will be to interview one of the many celebrities in the casino. Still, I see you haven't changed since you started working at Rapunzel, Tamoto."

Takuji bursted into a fit. "Don't mess with me! My team and I will pummel you out of business! Also, I told you not to call me that, Jinnai!" His expression was comical enough that anyone who saw the mint-haired young man would more than likely compare him to a growling bear.

And that someone did.

Oh! the young woman standing next to the chief editor from Cinderella thought. That's cute. He looks like an angry bear from the woods.

She was blushing at the sight of Rapunzel's current CEO while the other two women were looking at the mint-haired young man. The white-haired one smiled at the sight of the two men; Kirie, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes in slight irritation. It seemed Takuji's venting state was more of an eyesore for her to see than for the other guests who were watching.

"I'm sorry for the trouble my boss has caused for yours," the woman working for Cinderella apologized. She bowed, showing her condolences towards the matter.

"You don't have to apologize," Kirie responded casually. She threw her right arm out and frowned to display her disdain. "Takuji's always like that. He and Atsushi over there are basically the comic relief for this party. It kind of takes me back to when I was in high school and college, though. In fact, I was a lot like Takuji a few years ago."

The woman's eyes widened. "Really? If I may ask, how old are you?"

"I'm twenty years old," Kirie replied with a strained smiled. "I graduated college early to get a job at Rapunzel after I met Takuji and Asuka since they basically recruited me. Anyway, I'm Kirie Kuroki. What's your name?"

The woman smiled back. "I'm Ayame Irodori. I'm twenty-four years old. You're really young to have graduated college at that age, Kirie. I'm very amazed by your accomplishment. You must have been top of your class, too."

"Not really," Kirie dismissed. "I just kept working towards a high grade for the career. That's about all I really did."

"Either way, that's still something others would be proud of," Ayame praised. "I was a scholarship student during both my high school and college days, but I graduated a few weeks before my last year of college ended. It was tough every now and then, but I'm glad I made it through."

"I think that's more of an achievement than what I've done," Kirie stated. "You've gone through more than I have and you've managed to pull through all of it."

Asuka, the white-haired young woman, smiled pleasantly. "Maybe this is actually a way of hard work paying off since you've gotten a wonderful career such as this, Ayame-san. It's a perfect opportunity to start off an interview with one of the main celebrities gathered here tonight. Do your best!"

Ayame nodded. "Thank you, um…"

"By the way, this is Asuka," Kirie introduced. "She's Takuji's fiancée/bride. The party's actually the wedding celebration for them. Everyone who's been invited received a single company wedding invitation."

Ayame's eyes widened at the sudden news. "Really?! I didn't expect this to be a party for a wedding ceremony."

Kirie nodded. "Yeah. Guess Atsushi—that idiot with the small shaven goatee—didn't tell you anything but to come here in a fancy dress and a pair of shoes, huh? He always does that to new employees."

"Maa, maa, Kirie-chan," Asuka smiled once more. "It's not nice to say that about others, even if they have facial hair."

Kirie's eyes lowered themselves. "But you just said a rude thing yourself, Asuka."

"That shouldn't matter right now," Asuka said with a disapproving frown. She turned towards Ayame and introduced herself. "Good evening. My name is Asuka Suzushiro, and my soon-to-be husband, Takuji Uramoto." Not only had she introduced herself; she had introduced Takuji. "Takuji's going to be interviewing the owner of the casino later on after we get married."

Kirie smiled slyly. "And Asuka's going to be interviewing Chihaya."

"Chihaya?" Ayame tilted her head to her left. "You mean, Chihaya Koda?"

Kirie nodded again. "That's right. You know, since his skills have benefited those in need, Asuka feels a strong connection to what he does. She's also teacher and kids like her for genuinely wanting to help them whenever they're stuck on a problem. She and Takuji both work, so it keeps their lives busy most of the time. This is one of the few times they get to spend time together, even though it's mainly for work. It's kind of tiring sometimes having to see Asuka double as both a teacher and a journalist/interviewer, really. I have to be on the lookout for her, especially if she overworks herself and collapses from fatigue and exhaustion."

"Wow," Ayame breathed. She placed her closed hand near the side of her chin in thought. "That must be hard, having two jobs and trying to manage your work and love life at the same time. The most horrifying thing I think that could happen while doing that is ending up in a hospital, and trying to recover from everything. I don't know if I could ever try working two jobs, though. If I were in a relationship, I think it might affect it to the point where it'll sever completely, and I might never be able to see the guy I'm dating again."

Kirie smiled. "At least you're not an idiot like Asuka is. She's too much of a hard worker to think about her body's limits."

"Kirie-chan!" Asuka angrily scolded. "I can take care of myself without getting sick. If I did collapse, it would cause trouble for Takuji. I don't want to worry him and make him miss work just to take care of me."

Kirie shook her head in dissatisfaction and looked at Ayame. "See? That's even more selfish of you to say so."

Takuji turned around and agreed, taking hold of both of Asuka's hands with his own. "That's right, Asuka! I don't want you to cut me out of your life like that!" He gazed into his soon-to-be wife's eyes with a staid and passionate expression. "We're going to be married tonight, so we have to find time for each other no matter what. Isn't that what being in a relationship is about? Supporting and taking care of the person you love is important when you're together with them, isn't it? Love is not one-sided if you have someone that you're with, so you can't let go of the person you love."

Asuka's eyes widened as she gazed right back into Takuji's periwinkle eyes. "Takuji…" Then, she smiled softly and nodded. "Of course. I want to be with you forever, too. Thank you…"

Seeing the two of them stare at each other for what felt like centuries, Kirie sighed while shaking her head once more. "What a stupid couple…"

Several minutes later, Kirie, Takuji, Asuka, Ayame, and Atsushi were in the casino. Many of the guests were already set on gambling, while others walked around every now and them to try everything they could find. It was an incredible sight to behold, and it was nice.

Takuji, however, sighed in exasperation. "Is this really where our wedding will be? I thought everyone would celebrate out on the top of the roof or something. There's a pool up there, so why not just go to the highest place here?"

Asuka smiled at the mint-haired young man. "It can't be helped right now. We'll just have to be patient until Satsuki-san tells us. He told us there was something important he wanted to say beforehand, remember?"

"I know," Takuji answered. His irritation soon showed on his face. "But if he dares to make a fool out of this, I'll have him know his place in this world."

Ayame looked at the couple and frowned. "I feel bad for Takuji. He must have really wanted to have a grander celebration than this."

"Yes, but this is just the beginning," Atsushi noted. He couldn't help but keep his broad grin on his face as he continued. "He's usually like that when he doesn't get his way at big parties like this one. He's known for being a guy who likes to party. Asuka and Kirie have attended occasions with him, along with the other workers from Rapunzel whenever they were invited to one. Takuji's always been the one to treat everyone, though. Oh, and let me just tell you this. You'll need to know it if you ever meet anyone else like him and Asuka." He looked at the brunette with a serious expression and said, "Take heed of the wealth they have. Magicians are the wealthiest beings to have ever lived in this universe, and are practically paid every day in their world. Unlike the economies of some countries here on Earth, their economy is much more successful. In fact, it flourishes without having any reason. It's also like getting paid without having to work but they actually have people who work because—"

"—that's the way the world runs?" Ayame finished. "I've heard many people say things that end with those words before you hired me, Boss. It just keeps getting older and older every time I hear someone say that the world runs that way."

The editor-in-chief was a little taken aback. "Err… I guess you already knew about this stuff, huh, Irodori?"

"Doesn't everyone know about magicians by now?" the brunette lowered her eyes, somewhat irritated by the well-known facts. She knew by the fact that magicians like Takuji and Asuka rarely had natural physical features and all of their kind had pale white skin that was beautiful on the outside. "We're in the twenty-first century, Jinnai-san. The least you can do is try to keep up with your employees. I'm not as old as you, and I'm not someone who looks that way, either. So, in all pretenses, I don't want to be on the same level as you."

Atsushi's mouth dropped when he realized the truth. Indeed, he was nearing the age of what the youngsters called an "old man" since he was nearing his mid-twenties. But hearing something like that was the most critical hit he had ever taken in his life. It was as if an arrow had struck right through his heart, piercing it in the center.

"…!" He had a pained look on his face as he stared at the floor. "You got me there, in my most important organ... Irodori."

Ayame sighed at the pathetic sight of her current employer. "Geez… Get a grip, will you?"

Meanwhile, Kirie was playing pool with a few of her co-workers from Rapunzel. Everyone who was playing and/or observing the match were enjoying themselves, throwing in laughs and a round of applause every now and then.

"Go for it, Kirie!" one of the onlookers shouted encouragingly. It was a woman who had been employed around the same time Takuji had started working at Rapunzel.

Kirie made a shot and the ball she hit with the cue ball went into one of the holes. As the game kept going, there were more cheers than anywhere else in the room. This, of course, attracted the attention of a familiar college student. He turned his gaze towards the Rapunzel employees who were playing and watching the players make their moves. Needless to say, the first person to catch his eye was Kirie herself. He couldn't take his eyes off her and kept staring at the dark magenta-haired girl as lingering feelings floated all around him.

Shortly afterwards, Satsuki Kitaoji began his speech.

"Attention, everyone," he said. All eyes were now on the casino owner and each and every person excluding Satsuki himself was listening. "As you all may know, today is a very special day, which is why I have opened the Urban Casino and Resort Roppongi today for those who wish to enter and enjoy themselves here. Tonight, in particular, marks a very special night for my friend, Takuji Uramoto, and his bride, Asuka Suzushiro. In order to celebrate their wedding, I have arranged for it to be held on the rooftop of the hotel and casino. Everyone is invited to come as you are all guests here. I apologize for not making this announcement sooner, but we will now be moving to the roof for the wedding ceremony."

Takuji's sour expression brightened and he was back to his jubilant old self in no time. He started jumping, which sounded as if he was making bouncing effects, going "boing" everywhere with his arms held high for everyone to see. Satsuki, in particular, glanced to the right corner of his vision, and smiled amusingly. He was content to see the young CEO of Rapunzel back in high spirits, letting out a lighthearted chuckle. On the inside, he felt as though he was going to burst into a fit of laugher at any moment. Asuka, on the other hand, smiled happily at the sight of her fiancé/groom. It was very uplifting to all of the guests gathered in the casino; Takuji of all people could not contain his happiness and kept jumping for a while before he stopped. Most of the guests had let out a laugh or two at the scene and were enjoying themselves not nearly as much as the mint-haired magician.

After that, they all made their way up to the roof, which had a large pool, and the wedding began. Takuji and Asuka exchanged rings and a few words right before putting their partner's designated wedding ring on each other's left ring fingers. Everyone smiled and clapped once Takuji's ring was on his, and they all partied for a while before almost all of the interviewers, journalists, and reporters were gone, leaving Kirie, Takuji, Asuka, and Ayame to go to the VIP room, stay in the hotel, or go home.

"Thanks, Satsuki," Takuji smiled at older man. He was still bubbling with bliss on the inside as he and Asuka walked together with Satsuki. "Nothing could make a man happier than to finally marry the love of his life. And it's all thanks to you, my friend."

Asuka smiled along with them. "Indeed. It was really fun to have everyone with us. Thank you, Satsuki-san."

"It was my pleasure to hold the ceremony here as part of the grand opening," Satsuki responded courtly. He was glad to see the two of them have a good time. "You two have helped me throughout many difficult situations, so it was the least I could do. Why don't you come with me to the VIP room? I also invited Kirie earlier and she said she'll stop by later. Yuzuki and the others will also be there, so we can all hang out leisurely."

"That's a great idea," Takuji grinned excitedly. "We can't just let the fun go by. The night's still here, so we have to enjoy ourselves while we still can!"

Asuka nodded. "It'll also be a good time for our interviews, so we'll have plenty of it left afterwards."

"Alright!" Takuji held out both his arms in front of him with closed hands. "We'll get everything done and have lots of fun talking with each other. It'll be the best thing we'll do in Roppongi!"

Satsuki smiled agreeably. "Of course. I'm looking forward to answering your questions and spending time with you, Takuji. It's been some time since we last had a chat together with everyone else, so I'm also looking forward to it."

Soon, the three of them made their way to the VIP room Satsuki had mentioned not too long ago and kept conversing with one another along the way, enjoying the time they had together.

Kirie slowly opened the door to the VIP room and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"Excuse me," she said. She took a look around and saw a group of four other men with Satsuki, Takuji, and Asuka, in the room. She glanced up at Satsuki and asked, "Um… Yuzuki's going to stay with her for a while, so I thought I should let you know since you're his older brother."

Satsuki saw the look on Kirie's face and smiled. "Thank you. I'm sure that Miss Ayame would at least like to know that he's been looking after her when she wakes up."

"You've been a big help yourself," Chihaya proclaimed, acknowledging Kirie's assistance. "When she passed out like that, you were the one who told the other guests to prepare a room for her, and let her rest. We don't normally see someone like you, but I guess extraordinary human women actually exist in this world."

"Now, aren't you a rude one," Ryoichi Hirose, the famous author, smirked. "True, she's a rarity amongst almost all of the women in the world, but she's at least got the guts to help someone out. That's something that should be commended by others such as yourself, Chihaya. Even I have to give her some credit for it."

Noel nodded while still having his nonchalant expression on his face. "Women can be strong to a large extent, but it mostly depends on them. Not many are like her."

"I know what you all mean," Chihaya added, "but you don't really have to explain any further than what's already been said. Remember, I was only stating my side of it. It's not like I really wanted to downgrade her or anything. I was just complimenting her in my own way."

Satsuki frowned. "Still, that was very impolite of you to say, Chihaya. She's a guest here, and being rude to a guest is not something that I approve of."

Chihaya let out a small chuckle. "I know. You're always like this, Satsuki. But that's one of the good things about you."

As the rest of the group continued to engage in a conversation of their own, Mirai could not help but stare at Kirie's face. He knew he had seen her before, and it put him in a daze. Kirie herself soon noticed the gaze she was receiving from him and glanced at the college student. Then, she smiled in a faint but relaxed way at him.

Satsuki caught on shortly after and frowned. "Mirai, go on and greet her. It's not tactful if you just keep looking at one of our guests for the rest of the night without saying anything."

"…" Although he heard the financial prince's words, he could not react to them the way he usually did. In fact, he was still looking at Kirie with longing eyes.

Satsuki glanced at Mirai once more. Then he turned his head towards Kirie with an apologetic expression. "Please forgive him, Kirie. He's not usually like this. He's really a good kid at heart, but…"

Kirie shook her head. "No, it's fine. I don't mind at all, Satsuki." Then, she glanced at Mirai, still smiling at the younger man. "It's nice to see you again. My name is Kirie Kuroki. I'm also an editor at Rapunzel, so I also work with Takuji and Asuka over there."

At that moment, Mirai's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. The name he had just heard triggered his first memory with the dark magenta-haired young woman.

"…!"

Kirie? The same Kirie I met three years ago? Is it really true? Am I really seeing her again? Those thoughts swirled around in his head as stared at Kirie in realization and remembrance of his first love standing right in front of him.