Sakamiya University

  Front Gate

  08:48 AM

  Hundreds of citizens, along with a number of curious onlookers, gathered into a massive crowd in front of the Sakamiya University’s front gate, eager to capture photos and videos of the unprecedented dimensional rift phenomenon. Groups of journalists and reporters were already on-site, broadcasting live news updates directly from the scene.

  Several influencers, including SelebStars, ViewTubers, VikTokers, with massive social media followings were even streaming live on the popular social media platforms InStara, ViewTube and VikTok. Each of them attracting thousands of viewers as the event unfolded in real time.

  Everyone was competing for the best position to take photos and videos of the interdimensional phenomenon, despite the two layers of barricades and the presence of dozens of riot police officers along with a handful of military soldiers standing ready to prevent unauthorized entry into the restricted area.

  Few moments earlier, the first barricade had been breached by the crowd before riot police reinforcements arrived to restore order.

  Suddenly, a commotion erupted as a woman, seemingly out of nowhere, pushed her way to the front. her voice sharp and filled with indignation as she confronted the officers at the first security checkpoint. Her shout drawing the attention of everyone around.

  "I am a famous influencer with 25 million followers! Let me through!" the influencer snapped, her voice dripping with entitlement as she attempted to shove her way past the officers.

  She was undeniably attractive young woman, around 23 years old, with striking features that she clearly used to her advantage. Her rather revealing, slightly tight, stylish clothes looked like they were took out from a fantasy anime. She was like cosplaying a sexy, passionate female character.

  The outfit accentuated her curvaceous body, especially her large breasts, which she proudly flaunted. Her full, meticulous makeup made her look more ready for a glamorous photoshoot than facing the imminent danger that surrounded the scene.

  She strutted forward, her high heels clacking sharply against the pavement with each determined step. As she loudly proclaimed her 25 million followers on InStara, she aggressively pushed against the security barricade, insisting on her importance.

  "Do you know who I am?" she barked, flipping her hair dramatically. "I’m way too important to be stuck back here with all these people. My followers want to see what’s happening!" Her voice carried over the restless crowd as she waved her phone in front of the officers, as though it were a badge of authority.

  —

  The officers stationed at the barricade exchanged weary glances, trying to maintain their composure.

  "Ma’am, I’m sorry, but no one is allowed past this point without clearance from our commanding officer." one officer said firmly, his patience beginning to fray.

  "This is a restricted area. Please return home. It’s for your own safety."

  At that moment the woman suddenly got mad.

  "HAAH!! Hey, police officers, DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM!? Look at me, LOOK AT ME!" she shouted, her voice shrill with arrogance. "Don’t you recognize me? I’m famous! I appear on TV, my content goes viral, and I’m constantly invited to big events! I have 25 million followers, DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!?"

  She glared at the officers, her tone dripping with disdain. As the morning sun began to cast its light over the scene, her outfit shimmered briefly, drawing even more unwanted attention.

  Now, all eyes turned to the boldly female influencer that shamelessly confronted the police officers, insisting that she has right to get in. The crowd magically get more silent as they instictively want to heard and watched the confrontation, where this will led to.

  The officer sighed, clearly unimpressed by her outburst.

  "We understand who you are, ma’am, but this is a dangerous situation. I’m sorry, but no one can pass without authorization. The phenomenon we’re dealing with is not fully understood, and we’re here to protect everyone, including you. Please, return home for your own safety.” His voice was calm but carried a clear warning.

  "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Don’t you have a TV or a social media account? What era do you live in?" she hissed, her eyes narrowing.

  "I’m a famous influencer! I don’t need your clearance. My audience deserves to know what’s going on!" She took another aggressive step forward, dramatically tossing her perfectly styled hair behind her shoulder. Her large breasts bounced slightly as she shifted and waved her hands in exaggerated gestures.

  "Look, this isn’t about who you are or how many followers you have. This is a highly dangerous situation, and no exceptions will be made. Please, step back and return to your home." the same officer responded, now visibly frustrated. His tone was firmer, but the influencer wasn’t back down.

  She tossed her hair over her shoulder once again, her defiant glare fixed on the officer. "You’re making a huge mistake! I’ll report this and make sure all of you lose your jobs! YOU INCOMPETENT OFFICERS..!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

  "I’ll make sure you regret this!"

  She quickly pulled out her phone, furiously typing out a message to her followers. Her eyes suddenly lit up as she spotted a group of reporters nearby, their cameras poised and ready. A sly smile crept across her face—she was plotting something!

  —

  She waved at the TV reporters, signaling them to come over and record her confrontation with the officers.

  "Hey, TV reporters! Come here! You need to broadcast this live! Let’s show everyone what’s really going on!" she shouted with a full of smug confidence.

  The reporters, eager for a story, swarmed around her, microphones pointed in her direction. Their cameras were rolling in no time, capturing every word and movement.

  "Breaking News Live on Tokyo TV. We are currently witnessing a confrontation between a famous influencer and police officers at Sakamiya University, where a controversial dimensional crack has appeared. Let’s hear more from the influencer.”

  “Miss, why are you insisting to enter the restricted area? What are your concerns?" a female reporter from Tokyo TV asked, pushing the microphone toward her.

  "Just call me Erika Chan, my InStara account is erikachanofficial. I have 25 million followers who deserve to know what’s happening here, and you’re preventing me from showing them!" she shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the police.

  With the cameras now focused on her, Erika seized the moment, positioning herself as the voice of the people. "Why aren’t we allowed to see it?" she demanded, her voice rising above the restless crowd.

  "What are they hiding from us?" She gestured dramatically toward the officers, as if she were some kind of heroine fighting for justice and the people behind her. Her words began to fuel the crowd’s growing impatience.

  "What is the government hiding?" another TV reporter shouted, shoving a microphone toward one of the officers. "Is this some kind of failed experiment? The people deserve answers!" yelled another.

  The questions came fast and furious, the cameras rolling live as the crowd surged forward, emboldened by Erika’s defiance.

  "Let us in! We have the right to know what’s happening!" a man shouted from the back of the crowd.

  "Are you making dangerous chemical weapons here? Why are you doing this at a university?" another young man yelled, further inciting the already agitated crowd.

  The police and military personnel struggled to maintain order as the influencer and reporters fanned the flames. The crowd grew louder, more restless, their accusations flying as the influencers and reporters continued to stoke the flames. The officers, now visibly outnumbered, did their best to hold the line, but it was clear that the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control.

  Erika, sensing the momentum behind her, smiled smugly as she continued to argue with the officers.

  "We have millions of people watching this right now!" she boasted, pointing toward the cameras. "The world is watching, and you can’t stop us from seeing the truth!" Her voice oozed triumph, as if she had already won.

  The reporters, eager for more drama, kept pushing. "What are you hiding? Why can’t we see what’s inside?" one of them shouted, the microphone still shoved toward the officer.

  "Is the government covering this up? What’s really happening in there?" another reporter pressed, cornering the officer.

  —

  The officer in charge stepped forward, attempting to regain control. "Please, calm down! We are doing this for your safety. This area is restricted due to unknown risks associated with the phenomenon at the campus. You must leave immediately for your own protection!" His voice was commanding, yet still reasonable, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

  More voices from the back of the crowd joined the fray, shouting accusations and demands.

  "What’s really happening inside?"

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  "Why are you keeping us out?"

  "Are you hiding something from us?"

  "This is our city! We deserve to know what’s going on!"

  "Explain what’s happening!"

  The crowd grew louder, their impatience palpable, their demands growing increasingly aggressive.

  Erika, emboldened by the chaos, took another step toward the barricade.

  "The government is covering-up something evil. We, the people of Tokyo, deserve answers! We have a right to be here!" she yelled, her voice rising above the growing uproar.

  The reporters captured every second, broadcasting the scene live to millions of viewers across Japan. The tension in the air was thick, like a storm waiting to erupt.

  With the gray clouds still lingering from the earlier rain, the atmosphere became even more charged. The sun, barely breaking through the clouds, cast a dull light over the scene, heightening the somber mood. The combination of the crowd’s growing impatience and the eerie mood created a sense of impending disaster.

  The crowd’s attention was torn between the mysterious dimensional portal looming ominously in the distance and their increasingly desperate attempts to break through the security perimeter.

  Excitement and anticipation rippled through the sea of people. More than 500 had already gathered and the number kept rising.

  The air was thick with tension, and the officers guarding the barricade could feel it—they knew it wouldn’t take much longer for the situation to spiral into complete chaos.

  As Erika continued to rile up the crowd, the officers near the barricade exchanged uneasy glances. One officer leaned closer to his colleague, muttering with a tone of urgency, “If we don’t do something soon, this is going to turn into a riot.” His words were laced with concern, his eyes darting back and forth between the restless crowd and the influencer fanning the flames of discontent.

  Erika, fully aware of the tension she was stirring, reveled in it. She took a bold step forward, positioning herself on higher ground near the barricade. Her eyes gleamed with excitement, her voice rising above the murmur of the crowd.

  “They can’t keep us in the dark forever!” she shouted, her tone dripping with entitlement. “We have the right to know what’s happening!” Her words echoed over the throng of people, fueling their anger and impatience.

  HOOOOOO..!!

  HEEEEAAAA..!!

  The crowd roared in agreement, their excitement teetering dangerously on the edge of chaos. Erika’s confidence surged, her smile widening as she fed off the energy of the growing unrest.

  Raising her hand dramatically into the air, she declared with smug self-righteousness, “We, the people of Tokyo, deserve the truth! We won’t be silenced!” her voice filled with a dangerous mixture of righteousness and defiance. Each word fanning the flames of rebellion.

  The crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer, their fervor nearing the boiling point.

  This is going to be a ridiculous riot. These people are.. crazy.. Haruto thought as he shook his head, shocked by the behavior of the crowd around him.

  —

  The officers braced themselves, fully aware of how close they were to losing control of the situation. Vastly outnumbered, they sensed the threat in the air, the tension mounting with the influencer at the helm, riling up the masses.

  The riot police at the barricade subtly raised their shields, tightening their grips on their batons as they prepared for the inevitable surge of bodies that would crash down upon them.

  Erika lifted her right hand high, preparing to deliver the final incendiary call to action. Her smile broadened, eyes glittering with anticipation as she felt the power of the crowd behind her, ready to act at her command. Just one more spark—one more provocative word—and the scene would explode into a full-blown riot.

  The officers stood ready, their hearts pounding, knowing that they were mere seconds away from turmoil.

  Just one word to chaos…

  The crowd waited. The officers waited. Everyone was tense, bracing for the inevitable.

  . . .

  . . .

  Still facing the crowd with her right hand raised, Erika’s expression suddenly shifted as she turned her head at the police officers direction. Her confident gaze faltered as her eyes widened, her attention drawn to something beyond the barricades.

  Her eyes locking onto a figure approaching from behind the line of police officers. Her lips parted in disbelief. She froze, her mind racing, hesitant about whether to continue her provocative speech.

  The crowd, however, still brimming with anticipation, remained on edge, waiting for Erika’s signal to charge the barricade. They hadn’t noticed her sudden hesitation, their energy still electric, as they stood poised, ready to break through. But… the signal they were expecting… never came..

  . . .

  . . .

  Several moments passed since Erika had raised her right hand. The crowd, growing restless, still continued to wait for her command. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her, tension hanging in the air like a thick fog.

  A sudden, eerie silence fell over the area, as though the entire Sakamiya University campus was holding its breath, anticipating something monumental to happen

  Then, breaking the silence, the sound of two pairs of footsteps grew louder, crisp and clear against the stillness. Time seemed to slow as two figures emerged, walking toward the front gate from within the campus. Their steps rang sharply through the tense atmosphere, where Erika stood on the brink of inciting the crowd to riot, awaiting her signal.

  Soldiers and policemen, who had been on edge moments earlier, snapped to attention. Their collective voices rang out, "GENERAL!" as they saluted in unison, making way for the man they addressed with such respect.

  The officers turned their backs to the crowd, their focus now entirely on the person approaching, ignoring the heated mass of people that had been just moments away from rioting. They saluting again in unison: “GENERAL!”

  The figure who emerged from behind the line of officers was a large, imposing Japanese military officer, his presence commanding and fierce. His face bore a deep, rough scar that told a story of countless battles, giving him a fearsome look, added to his intimidating appearance. The man radiated authority as his every step seemed to reverberate through the ground. His reputation known and seemed respected by all the police and soldiers present.

  As he walked, he was accompanied by a woman—her features familiar to some. She had her hair tied back in a ponytail, her attire casual yet professional, with a skirt swaying lightly as she moved. Her eyes scanned the crowd before lighting up with recognition. She called out with a voice filled with both relief and urgency.

  “Haruto-kuun! There you are. Come here, this way!" Kanna’s voice echoed through the tense silence, her tone a mix of anxiety and reassurance.

  Erika, still standing with her hand raised, suddenly turned toward the source of the commotion. Several officers, noticing her movement, immediately shifted their focus back to her, standing at attention and bracing themselves for another aggressive outburst. But Erika’s eyes were wide with excitement. She looked past them, her voice high-pitched and full of surprise.

  "PAPA..! PAPA..!" Erika called out, her face lighting up with pure joy. She waved her arms energetically toward the scarred man walking toward the barricade.

  “PAPA..!?!?” The crowd collectively gasped, their surprise palpable. A murmur spread through the sea of people, their eyes wide with disbelief as they processed what they had just heard.

  Erika jogged toward the barricade, leaning forward as she puffed out her chest. Her large breasts prominently pushing against her outfit—bouncing slightly as she moved.

  The police officers in front of her, caught off guard, instinctively stepped back as she waved vigorously at the man who had been called General, who had now reached the second layer of barricades.

  “PAPA! Why are you here? What’s happening, Papa?” Erika’s voice was filled with excitement, Her eyes sparkled like those of a child seeing a long-lost parent.

  The General, now standing directly in front of the barricade, looked up at his daughter with a bemused expression, and sighed. “Oh, Erika, what are you doing here?” he replied, his tone both stern and gentle.

  The shock was immediate and widespread. Haruto, Kanna, the crowd, the press, the cameramen, the journalists, the police officers, and the military personnel—all of them were visibly stunned. Their reactions were almost comical, eyes wide, jaws slack with disbelief, as if they had just witnessed something utterly inconceivable. The air was thick with tension, disbelief washing over everyone like a tidal wave.

  A police officer who had been arguing with Erika earlier swallowed hard, his throat dry, before mustering the courage to speak, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard. It was as if time had momentarily slowed down, allowing the weight of the revelation to fully sink in.

  “Excuse me, General, permission to ask!” the officer stammered, snapping a salute with stiff, nervous movements. His hand shook slightly, betraying his unease, but he managed to maintain a semblance of professionalism as he faced the imposing figure of the General.

  The General turned to face the officer, his expression unreadable as he nodded slightly, “Yes, what is it, officer?” he responded, carrying a quiet authority that made everyone around him fall silent.

  “I-I’m very sorry if I’m being presumptuous, but… may I ask, what is the relationship between you and Erika the influencer?” The officer’s voice wavered, as if he was unsure whether he was treading on dangerous ground. His hesitation was clear, fear of overstepping clear in his tone, yet driven by the whirlwind of confusion swirling in his mind.

  —

  The tension in the air thickened as everyone awaited the General’s response, curiosity and disbelief hanging over the crowd like a heavy cloud.

  The General’s response was calm and matter-of-fact, almost as if he had anticipated the question.

  “Oh, this is Erika. She’s my daughter. My beloved, and only daughter.” He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd before adding.

  “Is there something wrong with her?” His tone was even, devoid of any emotion, yet the statement itself was enough to send powerful shockwave through the crowd.

  "HIS DAUGHTER..!?!?" the crowd shouted in perfect unison, their collective voices ringing out in an almost absurd chorus. The sheer surprise in their voices was palpable, the disbelief almost tangible as it rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.

  "EEEEHHHHH…!!" echoed the police officers and military personnel, their voices rising in a cacophony of disbelief and confusion. The reaction was so over-the-top that several people in the crowd, including some reporters, couldn't help but react dramatically.

  Some collapsed to the ground in exaggerated disbelief, mimicking a silly scene from an anime, while others sweatdropped, rubbing the back of their heads awkwardly. The sight was absurd yet strangely fitting for the bizarre turn of events that had just unfolded.

  The air was filled with nervous laughter and astonishment, as if the sheer absurdity of the situation had broken through the tension. Sweaty foreheads glistened under the dull sunlight, and everyone shifted uncomfortably, struggling to process the unexpected revelation. It was as though the ground had shifted beneath their feet, and they were left scrambling to regain their footing.

  No one had expected Erika, the loud, entitled influencer who had just led the crowd near a full-blown riot, to be the daughter of the most powerful military officer in Japan. The irony of the situation was almost too much for them to handle.

  It was a twist no one saw coming.. Absolutely.. no one had seen this coming!

  For a moment, the disbelief hung in the air like a surreal joke, a moment frozen in time where everyone seemed to hold their breath. And then…

  "EEEEEEHHHHHHH…!!!" the crowd erupted again, this time even louder than before, as the second wave of shock crashed over them. The sheer intensity of the reaction left no one unaffected, the disbelief spreading like wildfire through the crowd. Haruto and Kanna who stood there, their faces painted with disbelief, still trying to wrap their heads around the bombshell that had just been dropped.

  Especially Haruto, who had been quietly observing the situation, found himself struggling to process the bizarre turn of events. It was as though reality had taken a sharp left turn, leaving him scrambling to keep up.

  The reporters, realizing they were still broadcasting live, quickly snapped out of their shock and shifted gears. The cameras zoomed in on the General and Erika, capturing every second of the surreal exchange. The breaking news aired across the nation, their viewers just as stunned as those on the scene, the image of the General and his influencer daughter plastered across every screen.

  As the commotion began to settle, albeit slightly, the military soldiers swiftly opened a path through the second layer of barricades, making way for the General to enter the first.

  The man, whom Haruto recognized as General Victor Vorpal from countless television appearances and news reports, turned his attention toward Haruto, who stood not too far from the first layer of barricades.

  The General’s gaze was sharp, calculating, as he gave Haruto a brief nod of acknowledgment before raising his voice to call out.

  “Haruto Mori, come here!” The General’s voice cut through the noise, firm and authoritative.

  Haruto froze for an instant. A chill of unease rippled down his spine as a cascade of questions surged uncontrollably within his mind.

  Me…? Seriously..? Why is a renowned General like him calling for me?

  Could this possibly be related to the message the Spirit Girl gave me on the train..?

  — — — — —