Zongman: I sign in at the second dimension

After Nakano Miku finished her self-introduction, it was Tatsuki's turn to speak up.

"Hello everyone, my name is Tatsuki. My hobbies are playing basketball, running, and whipping up delicious desserts." With that, he took his seat.

Clap–clap–clap…

Teacher Mafuyu Kirisugi clapped her hands and announced, "Alright, now that you've all had a taste of each other's introductions, let's begin our Chinese lesson."

Mafuyu then picked up her textbook and started teaching as the class settled into the lesson.

After three class periods, it was finally time for lunch. Nakano Miku, sitting beside Tatsuki, tidied up the table and left with Nakano Nino for the cafeteria, while Tatsuki himself also got up and headed off.

Tatsuki thought to himself, as always: unless I feel like cooking, I'll never lift a finger—so he made his way to the cafeteria alone. After waiting in line for a while, he reached the counter and placed his order.

The friendly cafeteria lady asked, "Hey kid, what would you like today?"

Scanning the menu, Tatsuki replied, "Ma'am, I'll have one serving of braised chicken rice, one serving of char siu pork, and an egg, please."

"Coming right up! Here's your bowl," she said with a smile.

Tatsuki accepted the bowl with a polite "thank you" and chose an empty seat at a large table. He then pulled out his brand-new, Dragon Kingdom–exclusive Aik 15 smartphone from his pocket and began watching videos while eating.

Just as Tatsuki started his meal, a voice from nearby piped up, "Um… Tatsuki, may we sit here?"

Without even looking up, he replied casually, "Sure, this table's big enough."

"Thanks, Tatsuki!" came the grateful response.

A moment later, a girl at the adjacent seat called out loudly, "Ichika, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki—I found room! Come join me!"

Startled, Tatsuki paused mid-bite and turned toward the voice. "Nakano Nino?" he asked.

Nakano Nino, who had been sitting right beside him, set her bowl down, folded her arms proudly, and declared, "Of course it's me, Tatsuki!"

Almost on cue, four other beautiful girls approached. They were:

Nakano Ichika,

Nakano Miku,

Nakano Yotsuba, and

Nakano Itsuki.

Nakano Ichika sat next to Nino, while Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki took seats directly across from Tatsuki. In unison, they cheerfully greeted him, "Sorry to interrupt, Tatsuki!"

A bit flustered, Tatsuki scratched his head and replied politely, "No problem…"

He then put away his phone and resumed eating, while the five sisters chatted among themselves—leaving him to his own company. However, as he munched on his lunch, a thought nagged at him. Quietly, he asked his little assistant, "Hey, little assistant—does something feel off about how things are unfolding?"

The assistant replied with a slightly guilty tone, "Well… it's nothing to worry about. Just stick to the plan in your heart!"

"Really? Is that so?" Tatsuki asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"Ah, relax! In this crossover anime world, you won't encounter any character like that… you know, Feng Taro!"

"Feng Taro!" Tatsuki echoed.

"Exactly! In this world, there's no male lead like Feng Taro to steal your spotlight. Trust me—on Goddess Alice's name, I swear it!" the assistant insisted.

"Alright then, if you've got Goddess Alice vouching for it, I suppose there's nothing to worry about."

With that settled, Tatsuki finished his meal, stood up with his bowl, and carried it over to the designated collection basket before leaving the cafeteria. At his now-empty table, only the five Nakano sisters remained.

Once Tatsuki had departed, the sisters began discussing him.

Nakano Ichika asked, "Nino, Miku—are you both in the same class as Tatsuki now?"

"Of course we are!" Nakano Nino replied.

"Indeed, Ichika," added Miku.

"Oh… that's such a shame…" Ichika murmured softly.

Then Nakano Yotsuba piped up, "Hey, Ichika, Nino, Miku, Itsuki—don't you feel like Tatsuki doesn't even recognize us anymore?"

After swallowing her last bite, Nakano Itsuki wondered aloud, "Could it be that we've been apart for so long he's forgotten who we are?"

"Ah! If that's true, it'd be such a pity…" Ichika wailed dramatically.

"Let's think—how long has it been since we last saw Tatsuki?" mused Nakano Nino.

"It must have been about four or five years," Miku added.

"Seems like it. Ever since our sixth grade, we haven't seen him. But now! Fate has brought us together again—this must be meant to help us!" declared Nino, slamming her hand on the table. The sudden noise drew several curious glances from other diners, and realizing the attention, Nino blushed and quickly sat back down.

After Ichika apologized quietly to those around, the sisters resumed their conversation.

"I'm sorry, Ichika," said Nino apologetically.

"It's alright, really. Let's get back to what we were saying," Ichika waved off the concern.

"Yes, Nino's right. Fate has reunited us with Tatsuki, and this is surely meant to help us!" Yotsuba chimed in.

"Yotsuba's right. This time, we're not going to let Tatsuki slip away from us!" Miku declared, her voice filled with determination as she clutched her hands together.

"And yes—we must make sure Tatsuki sticks to the promise he made! After all… he said he'd protect all five of us, and wouldn't let any harm befall us!" Nakano Nino exclaimed excitedly.

With that fervor echoing around the table, the sisters' resolve to keep Tatsuki close shone as brightly as their shared memories—and perhaps, as their future together was about to begin.