6 Chapter 6

Meanwhile, as the video finished uploading, Edward didn't rush home. Instead, he made his way to his friend's house, which happened to be just a stone's throw away.

Today marked a special occasion—it was his friend's birthday. Three days prior, he had received a warm invitation along with a group of others.

In the previous time and space, there were few people that he could consider his true friends, and Jake was one of them.

Arriving at Jake's residence, Edward was greeted by none other than Jake's younger brother, who beamed at the familiar face and invited him in.

Inside, the cozy atmosphere was already buzzing with the chatter and laughter of friends and acquaintances who had gathered for the birthday celebration.

It was a scene that Edward had encountered before, in a different chapter of his life, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

As he moved through the room, his face lit up with a genuine smile for those he knew well, old companions from previous time and space.

Their presence warmed his heart, and he was eager to catch up with them.

"Yo, Ed, wassup? How are you doin'?" Jake, on the sofa with his girlfriend, waved at him and asked.

"Same as before, nothing new. Hi Karren," Edward came beside Jake, answered casually, and slightly waved at his girlfriend, Karren.

In the previous time space, Karren and Jake dated for three years and broke up because of Jake's cheating habit.

As a form of revenge or perhaps as a way to move on from her previous relationship with Jake, Karren began dating a few other guys who were part of their group of friends.

Nonetheless, her relationships with these guys didn't last very long because she often switched boyfriends.

By 2019, Karren had dated nearly every guy within their circle of friends except for Edward. This was because, during that time, Edward had distanced himself from the group—a decision he regretted until his crossing.

"Hey, thanks," Karren replied sweetly, her words stirring a whirlwind of emotions within him.

Still, he concealed them; after all, he was in Jake's presence, and at this moment, Karren was not the same as the Karren from the future; she was still a genuine and kind-hearted girl.

Shifting his focus from her, Edward joined in the conversation with Jake, delving into various topics, including the events that had transpired during his absence.

After a while, he rose from his seat and engaged in conversations with others.

"Have you been hitting the gym or something? You look more toned than before," Angela, the short-haired girl, teased as she playfully touched his arm.

Edward looked down at his own body skeptically. "You noticed? I haven't felt any different."

Did he genuinely appear in better shape? He couldn't discern any changes himself.

"Well, girls are more perceptive when it comes to a guy's physique, and I have to say, you look better. At least not as thin as before."

Edward raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed. "Is that an insult or a compliment?"

Angela chuckled. "Of course it's a compliment; hurry up and thank me."

Edward smirked playfully. "Thanks? How about asking you for dinner?" He delivered the line with a flirtatious tone.

"Are you hitting on me? Humph! You're not my type," Angela snorted with crossed arms, but if one looked closely, she had a noticeable smile on her face.

"Yes, yes, I believe you," Edward said with a knowing look on his face, but in fact, he was sneering in his heart.

"Damnit! I'm not talking to you anymore." She gritted her teeth, pinching his arms.

"Eh, wait, no, hehe, I'm joking, wait, no, no more joking," Edward groaned in pain and begged.

He was not joking at this moment; this girl was just as he remembered her from his previous time and space.

Abusive × Tsundere

However, he had to admit that teasing this girl did feel good.

In the previous time and space, she had grown up quite nicely—curvy figure, petite body, B-cup, and smooth, fair skin. Though she was petite, she had a very alluring charm.

Right now, she still maintains a tomboyish style, unlike in the future. She wears an oversized shirt, shorts, a cap, and slippers, emphasizing comfort and a casual look rather than a more traditional, feminine appearance.

Time flew by, and before he realized it, it was already five in the afternoon. He had informed his parents earlier that he'd be coming home late, so there was no rush.

At six in the evening, they fired up the videoke machine, and everyone took turns singing.

However, when it was finally his turn, he left everyone in awe, and they gazed at him with admiration.

"Woah, Ed, is that really you? Last time you sang, it was more like a butchered chicken," Jake teased, and everyone laughed.

Edward jokingly adjusted imaginary glasses. "Well, thank you, Professor," he quipped, causing even more laughter.

"Damn it, Ed, cut it out!" Jake scolded with a sigh.

Jake had his own embarrassing moment during a school stage play. He played a professor, and while he did well, it kind of ruined his cool-guy image.

At seven in the evening, others began opening bottles of beer, gathering around the round table, and taking shots in turn.

As time passed, he started losing his inhibitions, and the only thing keeping him from doing something outrageous was the little bit of rationality he had left.

At around eight o'clock in the evening, his vision was already blurred, and he was barely aware of his surroundings. He could only make out a small figure sitting on his lap, and his lips felt numb.

He realized it was the same loli from earlier.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he mumbled.

"Shut up! I'm not a kid anymore! Damnit!" she retorted.

Edward attempted to scold her but struggled to speak coherently.

TF?

Edward was perplexed. This situation had never occurred in his previous timeline. As far as he could recall, he and the loli were just friends.

He admitted that he occasionally checked her social media profiles, and he admits that he was a little moved by her; after all, she really glowed up a lot after learning how to dress during college days, but that's all.

They were just friends, and even though he had some ideas, he dared not make a first move because she was already dating someone at the time.

After college and passing the education licensure exam, she became a high school teacher and was assigned to different cities.

After that, they lost contact with each other.

Years later, when the two met again, she was already married.

Looking at it now, Edward feels complicated.

Is this the legendary butterfly effect?

Surely it won't change the course of history on a grand scale, right?

Sigh, never mind.

Knowing Angela for so many years, he knew that he was really not her type.

He knew that she was only impulsive because of the effects of alcohol.

She likes tall guys, and he wasn't tall, but anyway, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he might as well make the most of it.

In the future, he's going to use this material to tease her.

Thinking about how she would react to him at that time, Edward couldn't help but feel excited.

End.