40 Last Flight

Haruki blinked, but narrowed his eyes and pinched Jun's hand.

"What's the problem Harukiiiii…" Jun said aloud, now being bolder and putting a hand in his lower back, sending shivers in his spine.

Haruki swallowed and squirmed, twisting his body to the side, away from Jun's hand and from everyone's sight.

And the singer was aware that, on his back, there was Saito's icy gaze.

As Hinata was curiously observing them, and it also made him nervous, Haruki used it to complain and throw a smoke curtain on his own state, saying aloud.

"Don't judge me, Hinata-kun, I know it's lame even for a first attempt. Takashi-san, I don't know what I did wrong."

"Hinata-kun, why don't you put some pins on your tux? What about changing the shirt for something… cuter?" suggested Takashi, going behind Haruki to check the tie and straighten it.

"I didn't think I could!" replied the senior student, suddenly interested.

"Of course we can, Hinata-kun. We can use everything in our closets," replied Daisuke. "In fact, this is the idea. Use our clothes to show our unique personalities," said Daisuke, sitting down to wait for them to get ready. "If you want to put the pins on, be quick."

********

Mr. Ita entered the room wearing a navy cap, and with him, they saw a female android in an aviator outfit from the early 20th century. "Gentlemen, this is the Okami System, Okami no AI's avatar in Neona."

She had a beautiful face, somewhat cold and too perfect, though, and looked at each of them before saying with a subtle smile,

"Good evening, gentlemen. I will emerge in remarkable moments of Covet and Temptation."

"Sure sure. You will say farewell in the most memorable moment to us, which is leaving," Jun sneered.

"Tonight, I'm here for the first time you will take part in an official event with the protagonist Sawada Niko. And to take the Golden Ticket Winner to Tanabata Matsuri Destiny," she ignored Jun, looking directly at Haruki.

Haruki tried to identify her voice. He was sure he knew it from somewhere.

"And the protagonist chose one of the most luxurious sceneries as the first event. The Tanabata Matsuri Destiny's First Masquerade was chosen for Niko Sawada's romantic encounter with Prince Miyake Takao. Your flight will leave in five minutes. Come with me, Prince Miyake."

"Not so fast, Okami-san. It was agreed we will be addressed by our names," Saito said, putting his arm stretched out in front of Haruki.

"Your complaint was sent for further analysis, Nishimura-san," the android replied.

The baker, staring at Saito said,

"Saito-san, if it hasn't already been done, it's because they obviously need more time. Demanding an immediate exchange may harm Haruki. If registration errors harm people in real life, think about the consequences of an error here," said Jun. And turning to Hinata asked," Hinata-kun, can you explain to him, please?"

"Jun-senpai may be right, Saito-san. For the system, the name is a complex binary set. It's probably interlinked with the game score and several other applications. To tamper with the codes of an archetype like changing a name, it will affect everything that is contained in it. So I think it may take up to a few days to be changed safely, as Jun-senpai guessed," Hinata explained.

Haruki was amazed at Jun's wits.

"Okami-san, please, include in the complaint that I'd like to have an option to disable the hearts the smartwatch pops into the air. I didn't find that option available," Takashi asked politely.

"Your complaint was sent for further analysis, Honda-san." The android computed the order, and turning to Haruki said,

"Prince Miyake, I'm sorry for delaying your flight by two minutes."

"Okay, guys! See ya on the cruise, bye," the singer said tapping Saito on the shoulder, but speaking to everyone.

There was a plane on the lawn that looked like it came out of an old history book. It was green, with leather seats and a wooden panel. A vintage classic.

Too bad Haruki didn't know much about aviation to be able to appreciate every detail better. Then realization fell on him divinely. This should be a perfect replica of an airplane from the 20th century Imperial Fleet. The singer touched it with deep respect.

Okami started the engines. The plane slid across the grass and descended just before taking off, reaching the clouds. It was like being on a roller coaster wagon. Very different from flying in a modern plane.

"Wohoooooo!" the singer screamed with euphoria, and looking down he saw the Princess Island, discovering that they shaped it like a heart. And at sea, it was easy to spot an orange boat piloted by Ita-san with his friends, heading for the monstrous ocean liner.

"Okami-san, why am I on a plane, and they are on a boat if we all were invited to the TMD?" Haruki suspected the reason, but wanted to hear the System's response.

"Miyake-san is the winner of the Golden Ticket Hunt. Therefore, the 'Prince' of the 1st Masquerade of Tanabata Matsuri Destiny. Your friends are the Prince's guests."

'The Prince's Guests hahaha! So that was the chief engineer's solution.' Haruki had to congratulate Honda for the 'in-game solution' he found for this problem. All six had invitations, but only Haruki was a VIP, with several benefits he had already forgotten which ones they were. The other five invitations gave access to the ball and minor gifts.

The singer didn't have time to ask any more questions. The android tilted the aircraft's tip down in a vertical descent.

Haruki felt his back sticking to the leather bench, his heart speeding up painfully, and his lungs hurt. He felt his vision darken and his conscience faded,

'Shiiiiiiiiit, is this how I'm going to die?!'