Thereâs a legendary cat known as âSchrodingerâs cat.â
The simple explanation about it was that unless a subjective observer made an observation, the result would be uncertain.
Although it sounded fantastical, it was actually high-level theoretical quantum physics, and that was the subtlest part about it.
Schrodingerâs cat was comparable with Cat-loving Flying Fishâs current situation.
After her personal observations, she still couldnât decipher if the person across the screen from her was, as she imagined, a person she previously knew.
The boy with the silver mask that sheâd only known for one week was one of the strangest live-streamers sheâs ever seen, as he was satisfied with her as his only spectator for the entire weekâŠ
At first, she simply thought that this boy was cute and funny, then she discovered that they had many common interests; but now, she was beginning to suspect something.
Ever since that âSnail and Sparrowâ song, there were so many small details that they were coincidentally complementary on.
In the teeming sea of people out there, meeting someone with the exact same interests as you wasnât impossible. But, wasnât it also likely that the two of them actually knew each other?
Cat-loving Flying Fish was having the exact same thought as Seiji. She couldnât figure out which of the two possibilities seemed more likely.
She thought about it from the angle of some sort of plot to ensnare her as well, thinking that perhaps this boy was targeting her for some reason, but the more she thought about it and the more she chatted with him, she believed this scenario wasnât the case.
But it still wasnât impossible, since if a scammer was serious about it, such a plot seemed possible.
That was the reason behind her current indecisiveness.
Cat-loving Flying Fish was hesitating whether or not she should confirm his identity.
If he really was a perfect stranger who coincidentally had the same interests, then it was fine, and they could continue being friends and improve their relationship.
But what if he was someone she knew, or a boy that was targeting her to capture her heart, or he had some other nefarious intention?
For the first, depending on who he was, it could have various outcomes. If he was specifically targeting her, then it would be as if she had poked a bubbleâit would pop, and he would disappear.
She genuinely enjoyed chatting with him and enjoyed hearing him sing and watching him dance, even though he was nothing special.
But the moment she tried to confirm his identity, everything might change.
Schrodingerâs cat.
Her internet username âCat-loving Flying Fishâ didnât have anything to do with the legendary Schrodingerâs cat whose concept was even in this parallel world, but she didnât expect that such a situation much like Schrodingerâs cat would arise.
The state of life or death of the cat would be decided by an observer.
And the relationship between her and him would be decided by her observations.
She couldnât bring herself to observe anymore and confirm his identity.
Nobody had ever truly observed Schrodingerâs cat before, so even now, nobody knew if that cat was living or dead.
She could copy that.
If everything would end if she observed the result, then all she had to do was remain passive.
Although she wouldnât be able to improve her relationship with him if she couldnât confirm his identity, that didnât really matter. It was just an internet friendship to begin with; there was no need to make it any deeper.
âYep, this will be fine.â
Cat-loving Flying Fish decided to continue raising this cat.
âWell, forget it. I wonât think too much into it.â
Simultaneously, from across the screen, Seiji also made the same decision to give up on asking her name and identity after some hesitation.
Sometimes, leaving a bit of mystery would be more romantic.
The two of them made the exact same decision without even discussing it.
âMy apologies. Iâm so sorry for leaving you alone last night, beautiful Flying Fish⊠But now itâs time for my singing performance. Milady, which song would you like to hear tonight?â
Seiji grinned widely as he talked to the computer screen.
âŠ
The next day.
Kaho Miyamoto quietly got out of her bed, put on some clothes comfortable to exercise in, washed her face, and was about to go out for her morning jog.
However, she saw her older sister at the door.
Karen Miyamoto.
With sleek brown hair tied in a ponytail, a beautiful oval-shaped face, thin and dainty eyelashes, soft and gentle orange-colored eyes, a small birthmark that just happened to be at the corner of her right eye, and attractive luscious lips that were gently smiling, Karen Miyamoto was a beauty that embodied the ideal of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
But for the opposite gender, the first thing they would notice about her wasnât her serene beauty, but rather what was underneath her own workout clothesâthe two bulging mounds that her clothing completely failed to conceal!
Her large breast size was just too obvious; even if all she did was stand there with her arms folded, it would still make her breasts stand out like a pair of ripe fruits!
âGood morning, Kaho.â
Seeing her beautiful sister smile and wave towards her, Kahoâs shoulders instantly drooped.
Kaho loved her older sister, but the thing she hated the most in the world was standing by her sisterâs side!
Not only was her older sister beautiful, Karen had a gentle yet resolute personality and was skilled at just about everything.
Karen was skilled at housework and helping their parents out at work. She was a good athlete, had high grades, and she was even adept at making friends; in conclusion, Karen Miyamoto was perfect in everything.
Kaho Miyamoto could only pale in comparisonâeven though she was actually decent at everything, she would only seem like an idiot when compared to her sister.
When they were still little, Kaho would always stick by her sisterâs side. However, thanks to constant comparisons with her sister, cruel reality attacked Kahoâs heart, distancing her from her sister and changing her into a loner obsessed with otaku things. She stopped caring about her personal appearance and finally turned into a fat otaku girl.
During this process, her parents lectured her countless times about learning from her older sister, being as hard-working as her older sister, and living like her older sister⊠It was so annoying!!!
Kaho was aware that her parents were right, and she also knew that her sister didnât do anything wrong, but she was so annoyed at everything that she didnât want to listen or build a closer relationship with her sister.
Her parentsâ attempts at persuasion and her sisterâs gentle demeanor would only cause her to feel pain and frustration, even if she was clear that her family didnât do anything wrong, and it was her who was in the wrong.
But those were her feelings.
She shut herself in, just like a tiny animal living in a dark corner, and continued to eke out an existence by herself.
Until that day.
âYes, youâre rather fat and somewhat disgusting.â
âBut so what?â
âIâm already used to someone thatâs 100 times more disgusting than you are. Iâm talking about myself.â
âI didnât expect to become this handsomeâI only intended to lose some weight.â
âPlease let it remain a secret for me.â
âBecause youâre the same type as me.â
That impossibly handsome boy had been reaching out to with his hand while smiling in the brilliant sunshine.
âWill you be my friend, Miyamoto-san?â
That moment was like a beautiful fantasy to her.
It had been just like a dream, but it was all real!
She was the only one whoâd ever learned of the boyâs secret.
Neither the bright and shiny pigtailed girl nor the charismatic tomboy that were always by his side knew this about him!
This was something that belonged only to her; it was her personal experience, a dreamlike⊠reality.
She wanted to hold onto that hand of his.
But she couldnât.
She felt like sheâd contaminate him if she impulsively touched that boy who was shining so brightly after heâd finally managed to break free from his dark past following his great effort to change himself.
Even if he didnât really mind.
Especially because he didnât mind.
She wanted to change herself!
She wanted to hard at losing weight, learn how to put on makeup, buy some new clothes, and become prettier.
Change herself to the degree where heâd be rather surprised, before appearing in front of him, saying: âLook at me, Iâve become beautiful!â
Heâd definitely laugh at her saying how silly she was, but heâd probably be mentally praising her at the same time.
Thatâs when sheâd finally be able to happily reach her hand out to him and sayââPlease be friends with me!â
âHonestly, did you reject me the first time because you wanted to do this?â
Heâd probably say that while laughing and taking her hand.
âYou shocked meâIâve lost to you, Miyamoto-sanâŠâ
With that fantasy in mind, and convinced that she could make it a reality, Kaho Miyamoto was currently working hard towards her goal.
In the past week, sheâd been secretly exercising and decreasing her food intake appropriately.
The change was clearly noticeable. In just one week, sheâd lost more weight than she expected, which gave her more confidence that she could succeed.
However⊠it was only natural that sheâd be found out.
Kaho sighed; it was evident her older sister was intentionally waiting for her there.
âGood morning, Sister⊠What are you waiting here for?â