/POP Sana/
Alice turned back her eyes to Sana in a sweet voice. "Sana, I'll treasure that name. You're my hero." Her face turned a little red.
Sana felt his heart beat so fast than usual.
[Did I do something wrong? Is this world really Japan? Or maybe just an illusion of my sweet dream? This life is fucking bullshit. Am I still playing this death game, being trapped in an illusion where something good happens in this life? Is all my effort just a waste of time?]
Sana smiled back at her while hiding his headache. "I'm just a normal guy, but I feel really great when I can become someone's hero."
[What a liar, I never want to be a hero like this, I will never reach my life like this.]
Alice shook her head. "No, you're truly my hero."
[I am now being a hero… it still feels heavy somehow, right? Maybe living a normal life is the best thing rather than being something special to other people. To be known by many people is a bad idea for me, right?]
Sana tried to change the topic because he felt weird continuing this conversation. "What about your parents? Did you call them about this?"
[Hopefully not like the same Alice I know… her parents are always busy going to work, and she is always lonely during the rest of her childhood. Maybe that's just a way the app was made, to give the user a chance to spend time with her alone in her home.]
Alice looked down while hiding her sad face. "Yes, I already talked to them, so don't worry."
[You're a liar. I know you very well. I'm sure she is the Alice I know, but she looks more human than ever.]
Sana took a long sigh. "That's a relief. I'll meet them when I recover to apologise for borrowing their daughter."
Alice looked a little scared, avoiding his gaze. "They're very busy. I wish they could come see you as their hero."
Sana wanted to comfort her and said in a warm voice, "It's okay, I understand. They work hard to earn money and take care of you."
For some reason, his words triggered something deep inside her, like a deep wound becoming deeper. Her face showed hurt and then, in a harsh voice, she said, "I never thought like that… they're just working and working. They don't care about me."
[Alice… why haven't you changed much? Why does your life always suck? I feel bad for you. I wish I could bring some happiness into your life. But sorry, I can't show it. It would be weird if I showed inconsistent behavior.]
Sana: "Maybe they have their own problems they can't tell you. Even if it feels bad… they're still our parents."
Alice looked at his face. "You're so different… you're more mature than I thought."
Sana smiled. "Maybe." He scratched his head.
Alice: "Are you still feeling hurt?" She looked at him with a worried face.
Sana did feel hurt badly, but he hid it. He didn't want to make her worry. "I believe I'll recover soon, so don't worry."
Alice smiled. "That's great to hear."
Alice checked her phone because she had lied to Sana. She hadn't actually called her parents. She didn't want to bother them—they usually came home very late.
When she opened her phone, a lot of notifications appeared.
Sana: "Is something wrong?"
Alice checked the announcements on her phone. They were not from her parents, but from her childhood friend. She bit her lip as she read them. There were many calls from him.
[Why does he keep annoying me even after that?]
Sana held her hand.
Alice was taken aback. "Oh, I'm sorry… just some annoying things keep coming to me." But she didn't let go of his hand.
Sana slowly tried to take his hand back, but Alice didn't let go. Her face turned a little red.
"I was just thinking too deeply… I didn't control my actions."
Sana smiled. "It's okay. You look like you have trouble."
Alice: "It's my childhood friend. I've rejected him many times, but he never gives up. I already told him I really don't like him." She looked down.
Sana: "I can understand why he keeps pursuing you… You're beautiful, and also his childhood friend."
Alice: "We just know each other. I never wanted to be friends with him. Just because we live near each other doesn't mean we're childhood friends."
Sana: "I have a way to help you." Sana felt his heart beat faster.
Alice looked curious.
Sana: "I'll pretend to be your boyfriend." His voice trembled slightly.
Alice smiled at him. "Yes, my hero. You're the only one I can trust." She held his hand again, tighter this time.
Sana's face turned slightly red. "Yeah… in return, you need to take care of me well."
Alice nodded. "Yes, I promise."