Zongman: I sign in at the second dimension

After his workout at the park, Tatsuki noticed how the brilliant blue sky had deepened into a warm dusk. Glancing upward and seeing nightfall setting in, he kicked into a gentle run toward home.

When he reached his front door, the glowing lights inside told him his mom and dad had already returned from work. He opened the door, and his dad—still absorbed in the morning paper—looked up as Tatsuki cheerfully announced, "I'm back, Tatsuki."

Tatsuki slipped off his running shoes and changed into his slippers. "Hey, Dad, Mom—I'm home," he said.

From the kitchen came his mom's familiar call: "Tatsuki, wash your hands and set out your bowl—we're about to have dinner!"

"Okay, I got it," Tatsuki replied. He headed to the kitchen, washed up, and retrieved the dinnerware from the sterilizer. Placing them on the freshly wiped table, he pulled out a stool and sat down. Taking out his phone, he began scrolling through comments on his latest novel, patiently waiting for his mom to serve dinner.

After dinner, Tatsuki cleaned his bowl and retreated to his room. Following a refreshing shower, he collapsed onto his soft bed. There, while still in his pajamas, he opened his messaging app and began chatting with an online friend whose handle was "Er Ya." Their conversation unfolded as follows:

Er Ya: "Orange Cat, when is your Elf Pact going to be turned into an anime?"

Orange Cat: "Elf Pact, huh… well..."

Er Ya: "Yeah, when will it get an anime adaptation? I'm so excited!"

Orange Cat: "Probably next month. I'm even planning to attend the anime expo—after all, as the author of Elf Pact, I wouldn't miss a chance to be there."

Er Ya: "Oh my gosh, does that mean we can finally meet you in person?!"

Orange Cat: "Really looking forward to it, Er Ya."

Er Ya sent an excited panda emoji with a wild nod.

Orange Cat: "Hahaha…"

At that moment, Tatsuki's lips curled into a small smile as he typed a reply to Er Ya. Setting his phone aside, he rose from his bed and walked over to his computer desk. He opened his laptop and navigated to the website where he published his novel. Memories of past storylines from his previous life flooded back as he began drafting new chapters.

Meanwhile, from Er Ya's perspective, the scene shifted. Clad in cozy gray pajamas, Er Ya lay on his bed, phone in hand, chatting with "Orange Cat." Overjoyed at the prospect of finally meeting the author in person next month, he wrapped his arms tightly around his favorite pillow. His bedroom walls were adorned with posters of Elf Pact in every color and style imaginable. While cradling his pillow, he continued typing:

Er Ya: "So… Orange Cat, we're meeting next month. Are you excited?"

Orange Cat: "Of course! We've been chatting on 'Weiwei' for nearly three years now."

Er Ya: "Time really flies… And since I was the first one to add you as a friend, do I get any special reward when we meet? Hehe!"

Er Ya sent a cheeky dog-face emoji.

Seeing the conversation, Tatsuki—now in his online persona "Orange Cat"—smiled and typed back:

Orange Cat: "So, what reward would you like, Er Ya?"

Er Ya: "Hmm… I'll have to think about it!"

Orange Cat: "Alright, take your time. I've got a novel to write, so I'll catch you later. Bye for now, Er Ya!"

He sent a waving panda emoji.

Er Ya: "Okay, bye! I'll tell you tomorrow what I want—hehe, see ya!"

Orange Cat: "Mm…"

Tatsuki then tucked his phone away, rose from his bed, and sat at his computer desk once more. He opened his notebook and dove into writing, inspired by both his current ideas and echoes of his past.

Switching back to Er Ya's side of the screen, after finishing his chat with "Orange Cat," he too moved over to his computer. Sitting in an e-sports chair that he'd won as the first prize in a lottery hosted by "Orange Cat" (a prize he still couldn't believe he'd scored), Er Ya excitedly opened his laptop. He began drafting the novel he'd been dreaming about, his heart racing with creative energy. If Tatsuki ever found out that one of the characters in Elf Pact was eerily similar to Er Ya, he'd recognize him immediately!

Outside, high above, stars twinkled gently in the sky while a crescent moon hung majestically at its center, both silently watching over the world of dreamers below.

The next morning, as usual, Tatsuki's mom kicked his bedroom door open with a practiced thump. Wielding a spatula in one hand, she peered in to rouse him for the day. Tatsuki didn't mind the spirited wake-up call—even marveling a little at how his door survived her daily boot.

Just as every day, Tatsuki set off for Zongwu High on foot, while his dad and mom drove off to work at the government offices. Entering his classroom, he casually tossed his backpack onto his seat, landing it neatly atop the desk—a sight that never failed to astonish his classmates.

Making his way to Chiane's desk, he plopped down heavily. "Morning, Tatsuki!" greeted Chiane.

"Morning. Hey, Chiane, has that damn Kevin shown up yet?" Tatsuki asked.

"Kevin? He'll be here any minute. Why, do you need something from him?" Chiane replied, a note of curiosity in his voice.

"Ha! And why would I? Since you and he always take the same route home, I figured—who else am I gonna ask?" Tatsuki teased.

"You're right about that!" Chiane chuckled with a goofy grin.

Just then, a familiar voice echoed from across the room: "Chiane, Tatsuki, you want me to come? Daddy's here!"

"Scram!" came the simultaneous retort from both Chiane and Tatsuki.

Unfazed, Kevin ambled over with a wide, mischievous smile and clapped a hand on Tatsuki's shoulder. "Hey, don't be shy—I'm already here, hehe!"

"Alright, alright—don't get too full of yourself, Kevin. You might be average looking, but you sure have some big ideas," Tatsuki joked, rolling his eyes as laughter rippled through the room.