When I woke up I was staring at a familiar ceiling. Jerking my head up, I search my surroundings to see pretty much what I expected.

Sinking back into my bed I let out a relieved sigh. I was back in my old bedroom.

So… It really was a dream huh? Why would I dream about Majikoi out of nowhere like that? I haven't read the novel in years… I guess the brain works in mysterious ways.

With that thought, I stayed lying in bed for a while longer before checking my alarm clock.

9 am huh? Well, I got work at noon but I'm not really tired so I might as well get up and get productive. With that thought in mind, I jumped out of bed and headed into the kitchen for some breakfast.

That dream… was so realistic. I still can't get it out of my head. Honestly, a part of me wouldn't mind if I had a continuation of the dream, but that rarely ever happens to me so I won't get my hopes up… I just didn't get a chance to talk to all the characters I used to love.

Waiting to greet me there was an… odd sight. Not because of who it was, mind you, but because of why she was there. "Mom? What are you doing here, don't you have to go to work?" I asked as I walked up behind her.

"Omari, what are you doing here?" My mother spoke in a monotone voice.

"Me?" I questioned. "I just woke up, I don't have work till noon, remember?" My mother was forgetful, but I've been working this schedule for about a year now, It'd be strange to she forgot.

Something was off about all of this. The fact that she was home, the fact that she spoke to me in a monotone voice and… the fact that she didn't even turn around to greet me… all of these things made my hair stand on ends.

"Work?" My mother said as she began to turn around. "Oh honey, don't you remember? You don't have to go to work anymore."

"A-And why's that?" I question asked her tone changed to a creepy spaced out mess.

"Because you died, sweetie. Don't you remember?" I could almost see her face as she spoke those lines. But at this point, I no longer wanted to see her… but I couldn't look away either.

"I died?" I spoke in a hushed whisper as my mother finally faced me.

"You don't remember? You're dead meat."

"Huh?"

"DEAD MEAT!"

And with that, she lunged at me.

...

"Hey hey, Mari-kun!"

Suddenly, after being awoken from my slumber I was greeted by a loud and high pitched voice. Lifting my head, I came to see that it was pretty much who I expected it to be. The brown haired amber eyed dog herself, Kazuko.

I almost wanted to wrap her up in a hug from waking me from that shitty dream but I decided against it... I'm just glad that it WAS a dream. But I guess that means something.

Unless I just dreamed in a dream, this… is reality…

Though… I guess it could still be a dream I just…

Have trouble believing in all of this shit.

"Mari-kun?" She asked again.

Oh shit, I woke up and I've been ignoring her this entire time. "Oh hey, Wan- uh Kazuko-san?" Whew, I almost called her by her nickname. That could have been bad.

She tilted her head, obviously confused. "How do you know my name already?" SHIT! I forgot I wasn't even supposed to know her name yet! Let alone her given name!

"Uh, I heard the teacher say it during class," hopefully she believes this because I don't even think she was called on once during the whole class.

She laughs sheepishly as she scratches her face. "Sometimes I fall asleep in class so I guess I didn't hear her," whew, thank god for slacking. "But I came over to ask you something."

"Shoot," I was more than happy to answer her question

"Do you do any sort of martial art?" Well, that was a question out of nowhere. Though I have to admit, I am getting some really weird Déjà vu right about now.

"Hmm well, I'm into boxing I guess," which is true I actually am. Though I haven't done it in over a year but hey, who's counting am I right?

She smiled brightly. "I could tell that you were strong the moment I saw you!" Me? Strong? I'm blushing.

I wave my hand around in denial. "Nah, not at all," compared to her I was definitely a plebian. Never would I ever wanna get in the ring with her. Nope, no way no how, not going to happen. Never ever. Did I mention that nothing on this planet could make me do that? Cause it's the truth.

"Sensei, I'd like to greet the new student," What was she talking about? Her expression of childish delight turned to one of pure confidence. "The old fashion way!"

A chatter started amongst the room started up in full force.

"Kazuko's challenging him?"

"Does he really seem that strong?"

"I hope she doesn't screw up his face too much!" Wait, who said that last one!?

Not only that what are they talking about? Challenge? What kind of challenge? Let me think…. Let me think…

While racking my brain for answers a silver-haired teacher with a goatee chimed in. I guess the teachers switched around while I was sleeping. "Hm? Are you sure Kawakami? He doesn't look weak, that's for sure, but I'm not sure if he could square off with you."

"Square off?" I mumbled… Then it hit me. "Wait a second!" I called out.

She cut me off. "You're wrong, sensei. I sense that this guy has some serious fight in him," with that she slammed the patch on her shoulder down on the table. "Mari-kun, I challenge you to a battle!"

Before I could even reply another quest notification popped up as time froze around me.

[Quest added:

"Don't underestimate me, sensei!"

Description:

Kazuko Kawakami has challenged you to a duel! Are you the type to back down from a challenge?

Reward:

Winning: 5000 XP

Lose (Surviving): 2500 XP

Lose (Death): 0 XP]

Wait a minute… are you telling me, just by surviving I'd get 2500 XP? That's a crazy offer considering I only need 250 XP to reach the next level. That also means whatever system this thing is using knows that this battle will be a hard fought one and the chances of me winning are almost zero to none.

But… I don't think Kazuko would kill me… Well not on purpose anyway… I know I was just saying a second ago it would never happen, but… that's a few levels worth of XP there dude! I just can't let that shit walk away. I mean, I have no idea when I'll even have a quest like this again…

Hesitantly, I reached out towards the accept button. My hand hovers there for a minute. "Here goes nothing."

...

A/N:

Sorry, the wait for such a short chapter. Work has been hell and my brain is fried from drugs so you can definitely blame it on me lol. But Nah, I'll try to make the next episode come out faster.

I will reply to some reviews though.

To the guest and first reviewer of this fic I say: You're absolutely right, the anime was cool and the novel was even cooler, Really wish the fandom was bigger and more active but it's whatever.

To naoeNamikaze: What do you mean? Are you referring to the game mechanic? Eh, that might be hard then, because the game mechanic and most games are kinda designed to move you in a certain direction.