Before Kanade could fully open her eyes, she sensed an unfamiliar scent—wood, dust… and something else. Something strange. The air felt heavy and still, lacking the magical energy that normally flowed through her world.
When she slowly opened her eyes, she saw a smooth white ceiling. No decorations. No runes. Completely foreign.
Where am I…?
She carefully sat up, feeling the firmness of the narrow bed beneath her. Her gaze swept across the room: clothes piled messily, books stacked into chaotic towers, strange machines with dark, lifeless screens.
"What kind of magic is this…?" she murmured.
Before she could ask anything else, the door opened with a soft creak. A dark-skinned boy stepped inside, his expression tense, holding a tray with steaming cups. Their eyes met.
"O-Oh… you're awake already," he stammered.
Kanade stared at him, confused and on edge.
"Who are you? Where am I?"
He gripped the tray with both hands, avoiding her gaze.
"My name is Alex… and this is my house. Last night… I found you unconscious on the street. I couldn't just leave you there, so I brought you here."
Kanade frowned. Her memories were hazy, fragmented. She remembered a flash of light… and then nothing.
"Your house? Is this… another kingdom? It looks nothing like my homeland."
"N-No, it's not another kingdom," he replied nervously. "This is Japan. Just a normal city… in my world."
The word Japan meant nothing to her.
"Japan…? Then this isn't the world of Shadowfall."
Alex blinked, confused.
"There's no place called Shadowfall here. But… this might sound strange. You look exactly like someone I know. Well… like a character from my favorite anime. Kanade Himejima."
Kanade's eyes widened.
"How do you know my name? Are you some kind of mage?"
"No! Nothing like that," he answered quickly. "It's just that… in my world, you exist as a story. You're a fictional character… from an anime."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you saying? I'm human! I'm a warrior! I'm not some made-up character!"
"I know… I know that now. But when I saw you fall from the sky, I thought… maybe it was because of a wish."
"A wish?"
"Yeah. Last night I saw a shooting star and wished for my life to be a little more exciting. And then… you appeared. Literally. You fell from the sky."
Kanade crossed her arms, processing everything.
"So you summoned me to this world? Do you want me to join you on your adventures?"
"N-No!" he exclaimed, his face turning red. "I just… I don't know how to send you back yet. But I want to help."
She studied him closely. He had no magical aura, no presence of a spellcaster—but he was the only person who could guide her now.
"Alex… if you can't return me to my world yet, then at least show me this place," she said, her tone softening.
He swallowed and handed her one of the cups.
"H-Here. Some tea… it's the only thing I can make quickly."
Kanade inhaled the aroma, took a small sip… and smiled.
"Mmm… not bad. Thank you, Alex. I think I might actually enjoy this."
---
After talking for a while, Alex decided there was a better way to explain everything. He walked over to his desk and turned on his computer. Kanade nearly jumped when the screen suddenly lit up.
"Kanade… this is going to be strange, but I need to show you something."
He searched for the anime she appeared in.
Kanade stared at the screen, her eyes wide, as an animated version of herself appeared.
"That's me! How is this possible? Who is watching my life like this?"
"Here… millions of people know you. But only as a character. No one believes you're real."
She fell silent, overwhelmed.
"So to all of you… my life is just a story?"
"To me…" he said with a faint smile, "you're real now. And you're in my room."
Kanade looked at him, calmer now—almost amused.
"Then, Alex… if this world knows me so well, I want you to be my guide. Teach me everything about Japan."
"O-Of course!" he replied, relieved. "And while we're at it, I'll help you find a way back home."
---
Hours later, Alex and Kanade stood before the school principal, Mr. Kurogane. He was an intimidating man with a sharp, piercing gaze.
"Mr. Kurogane… I know this sounds crazy, but… Kanade appeared after I made a wish on a shooting star."
"I see," Kurogane replied calmly. "So this young lady is a 2D character who fell from the sky."
"Eh? You're accepting this way too easily!"
"Of course. Strange things happen all the time."
Alex's eyes widened in disbelief. Meanwhile, Kanade was staring intently at a clock on the wall.
"Kanade-chan, would you like to study here?" the principal asked.
"Alex said he'd show me this world. So yes," Kanade replied with a smile.
Kurogane nodded in satisfaction and placed a heavy hand on Alex's shoulder.
"Very well. Her education will be your responsibility. Don't fail me."
"I-I'll do my best!"
"Oh, and if another anime character appears, bring them to me immediately," Kurogane added seriously. "I need help fixing the air conditioner."
"…What?"
The principal opened the door and dismissed them.
As they walked down the hallway, Kanade whispered,
"Your principal is… strange."
"Yeah…" Alex sighed. "And he's supposed to be the most terrifying person in the school. But now I'm not so sure."
They walked side by side, sharing a look that said more than words ever could.
At that moment, they both knew it.
Their adventure had only just begun.