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With everything turning back to the way it looked like earlier, it felt surreal and I checked if I were still dreaming. I tried to pinch my face... I tried it again...

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha" I think I'm turning crazy.

"Host? Oh, I forgot to mention but since this is your first time to do a transmission you may feel a slight pain. I apologize, host, it may help if you would close your eyes for 10 seconds before opening them again."

"3% remaining entering sleep mode"

Wh-What is this girl saying? Pain? I don't even feel anythi- "AHHHHHHHH! WHAT IS THIS?! WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?" In the first place what happened back then? I think I saw my father back when he was younger, but who was the man that died? My father called him Nick. "Ah, the pain is gone."

Sigh, there's a lot of information that's flooding my head right now I can't even think properly. I think I need a rest. Come to think of it, today is my birthday, right? I'm also getting hungry, alright I'll stop thinking about this and I'll eat some breakfast first.

Cray stood up and looked at the box that he just opened and was suddenly surprised because he couldn't seem to find the hologram that just appeared earlier.

"Note? Where are you?" Don't tell me I was just imagining this whole time and was just dreaming?

But before Cray got so engrossed with his thoughts he heard some knocks on the door.

"CRAY! WAKE UP! TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY!" A girly voice was calling out to him just outside the door.

"Hannah? Why are you shouting it's still early in the morning you know? You might wake up the neighbors." He immediately opened the door only to see a girl who looks about the same age as him wearing a bright red dress that suited her angelic looking face. She was holding a tray that has a cake with the words Happy Birthday and a candle placed on top of it.

She looked surprised as she didn't seem to expect that Cray would wake up early even though he usually didn't. But she suddenly looked as if she figured out why he's up early. "Hmmm..... looks like a certain someone was too excited and woke up a little too early." Hannah giggled and directly went inside his house and placed the cake on top of a table and took out a match to light a candle. After that, she sang a birthday song. She then smiled and gestured for him to blow the candle. "I made that cake y'know? It was really hard, it took me a whole week to finally make something that tastes like one, so you better eat up!"

Cray as if he was hit by a thunder was thinking.

Hannah made me a cake.... So, it's homemade huh? Does she like me that much?... wait! Come to think of it, she's at the age where it's normal to be dating with someone already. If she is making this much effort for me could she actually love me? Since when? Why didn't I notice it before? Well, she is cute..... She also smells nice.... And she lives just across the street..... We've also been together throughout our childhood...

While Cray's thoughts were slowly spiraling out of control Hannah was slowly starting to glare at him for not even trying to eat the cake that she worked so hard to bake.

"If you don't want to eat it then say so from the beginning. And here I thought that my dear childhood friend would like it. What a bummer. If you don't even appreciate the things that I do for you then I'll never come back here again." Hannah then started to slowly stand up and acted as if she was about to leave.

F-Friend? Oh right... We were just childhood friends..... "WAIT! I'LL EAT IT OKAY? So please don't leave you'll make your best friend here very sad if you do that okay? I was just thinking about how nice of you to make me a cake. And it's even made of chocolate my favorite!" Cray then started stuffing his mouth with the cake.

They looked at each other and laughed. They both spent time talking and eating with each other not caring about their loud voices.

"Hey...Cray, it's about that time, right? Are you really going to the military?... Can't you just live life like this? Are you really not satisfied with what you have now?" Hannah started to become a bit emotional as she started to sob midway.

"Don't cry Hannah, it's not like we wouldn't see each other anymore right? Look at the bright side, if I were to join the military I might even have a chance at becoming at least a rank 8 citizen, right?" He bashfully rubbed her hair, then swept away her tears.

He smiled as if he wants to let her know that he already made up his mind and no one can change it.

The two continued to spend time together for the whole day and was making idle talk. When the sun was about to set, Cray walked Hannah back to her house, bid farewell to her and her mother. He then returned to his room.

He spent time thinking about his future.

He slowly sighed and whispered in a low voice. "I hate this...."

He opened the window near him and started to look at his surroundings, he saw rugged looking old houses, some were with holes, some were too small and cramped to even live in. Even his own house was shabby. He looked at the huge banner with the royal crest of the empire. He slowly read each word out loud. "Welcome to Zone 9, Division 12, Sector 2, Main Island of the Western Continent."

He then looked at the emblem that was pinned on his shirt. It shined with a golden sparkle with the words "Rank 9 Citizen" written on the surface.

He looked agonized as he slowly caressed those words that were embedded. "I Definitely wouldn't let Hannah remain a Rank 9 Citizen. If I were to climb up the military ladder, then I would definitely be able to bring along 3 people with me all the way to the 8th zone." I really owe a lot to Hannah and her family."

He made another sigh as he remembered how Hannah's mother took care of him and Hannah when his parents had just died leaving him alone without other relatives to count on.

I guess I need to start preparing soon. The camp starts after 3 days after all.

He then straightened his back with clear resolve reflected in his eyes. He was about to start washing the dishes when he heard.

"I'm back host!"