Ch1

Opening his eyes slowly, Mimi looked towards the spacious dark blue room. It was small but not too small where one would be uncomfortable. He looked around in confusion.

What's going on? He thought as he sniffed and looked to see not much in this place.

[Hello host!] A voice sounded around Mimi; he was startled by the happy voice as he looked again around but saw no one that connected with the voice.

"Who- who's there?" Mimi trembled; he knew if he did something wrong, he'd be disciplined, so he watched what he said.

[My name is Banana, I am an artificial intelligence, also known as an AI, I've been created for you to go through multiple worlds and gain points, as you gain points, they will be used by leveling myself up, which will grant me to become a more useful system and conduct better analysis in upcoming worlds, along with you gaining skills to complete worlds easier.] Banana explained simply.

"Banana?" Mimi questioned. "Like the odd yellow fruit humans eat?"

[Yellow fruit?] Banana said, its turn to sound confused.

"Well, what will happen now?" Mimi questioned as he wished to not go through odd worlds where he will be beaten like his past world by his owner.

[Well, first things first, host!] Banana began. [I will explain your current position. When it was born, your soul was supposed to be inside of a human, but after an unforeseen circumstance, your soul was placed inside a dog. For that, the god that made me apologizes dearly and has gifted you with a second chance to live, and so here we are.]

"So I was supposed to be a human?" Mimi thought out loud, his shock now rising from the time that Banana had first spoken.

[Yes, sir! Now that we have settled the simple stuff, Banana will guide you to be the best host among other systems instructions!] Banana exclaimed in excitement.

"Yes!" Mimi nodded in acknowledgment, now slightly excited about what's to come.

[Transferring first-world information now!] 

Mimi's surroundings became black; his consciousness slept as Banana took his soul to the first world.

This first world is about the male lead, his name, Erik Cane. In his upbringing, he was surrounded by wealth and status; his father worked for a huge company inherited from his father. His mother was a retired actress who was now a stay-at-home mother to take care of the children, Erik and his older brother Anthony. Of course, in every world, there has to be something wrong with the male lead, and for Erik, it was the son of the main wife of his father, Stanley. While his stepmother, the retired actress, Mary, was the mistress. Being so, Erik was always shunned by both her mother and half-brother. 

Growing up in such a neglected environment, he was cold and distant from everyone, especially women.

Then steps in the female lead, Anna Harrison; she was the daughter of two well-business parents with two younger brothers, Steven and Markus's adopted son. Erik had first met Anna when they were in the college of their last year; she was raised surrounded by love from both parents and so was very lively and pure; she hadn't even held the hand of a boy before. Seeing such a pure and innocent woman for the first time caught Erik by surprise. He thought that every woman was scheming and that none should be trusted, but Anna changed him slowly since they were partnered up for almost every project they were assigned in a single class they both attended.

Let's not forget that there will always be someone who wished to come between them with every love story. And that person is the adopted son of the Harrison family, Markus. 

The day he had moved into their home at the ripe age of seventeen, he had fallen in love with the female lead; he thanked the gods that they weren't related by blood and was always seen beside her. Grabbing anything that she had forgotten at home for her, even if it made him late for school. He picked her up from school as they grew up and always dropped her off. Being two years younger was always hard for him since she had gone abroad to study during her first three college years. Once she returned and went to the same university as he was, he knew they were destined, but they had no classes together. Sadly, that hasn't stopped him from being overprotective with her. It was heaven every time he made her laugh; it brought him back to the times when she would care for him once he was sick.

But his fantasy world had crumbled once Erik showed his face to her; she was smitten at first glance. All his hard work for the past five years had gone to waste. But that didn't make him give up her heart so easily, he fought harder, and once he pushed the male lead's buttons too hard, he was found dead in a ditch, hated and loathed by his family and his first and only love.

And so the story ended with both male and female protagonists living happily ever after when Erik took over his father's company, becoming CEO, and Anna popping out three children.

-

Mimi opened his eyes; he saw that he was currently in front of a school for young children. He remembers the many times he would come with his master's father to pick up his master after spending a long time in school than needed so he could study more. Mimi was out of breath as he looked down at his clothes, it was a different uniform from his masters, but he knew that he was currently attending the school if he was in such a hurry. In his hand was a pink feminine pen that he was almost certain that he didn't own, which gave him a single person to which would be running like a crazed person with a single pen in hand.

"I am Markus?" Mimi spoke out loud.

[Correct host! And please refrain from speaking out loud when talking to me, or you will be deemed strange by other human students.] Banana sounded in his head.

Mimi, now Markus, nodded as he looked down yet again to see his physique; he was quite fit. But his thoughts suddenly snapped as he looked down to his legs... his human legs. Losing his balance, he fell to the floor with an oomph, not used to two legs.

[Take it, easy host, this is probably a problem, Banana should have given you a simulation of a human body when in the grey room, it's Banana's fault completely, to apologize, Banana will give you an endurance pill!] Banana said, pride in his voice at how amazing a system he was.

Markus sighed as he moved his legs. 

"Are you alright?" A deep voice sounded from behind Markus, causing him to jump and yelp in surprise.

He turned around to see a very handsome human looking down at him with icy eyes; he flinched, remembering his master when he was about to receive his beating. Noticing this, the strange young cold man softens his eyes, making him seem a little traumatized animal in front of him. How frightening close his thoughts were.

[Host! It's the male lead!] Banana squealed in excitement. [Don't do anything stupid, your main mission is not to be killed by the male lead.]

Nodding at the system, he hadn't realized that he had also unintentionally answered Erik's question.

"Can you walk?" Erik said, much softer than he intended, so he switched back to his cold attitude.

Shrugging, Markus grabbed hold of the nearby brick wall and stood slowly on wobbly legs.

[Assure male lead that you're fine, try looking manly as well, better to come off as strong than looking like a wimpy human] Banana instructed Markus, who thought through the many memories he has with his past humans and thought of a gesture that he would always see in the television.

Markus lifted his hand with a determined look and stuck out a thump, giving Erik a hilarious image of a trembling-looking deer with a thumbs up.

[...]

Suppressing a smile, Erik nodded. "Good, be careful next time." And with that, Erik turned around and entered a black sleek car; it drove off with a hum of its engine.

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Ch2

Markus watched the car leave and gave a heavy sigh as he turned back to the school's entrance.

"I... can... talk," Markus spoke slowly while stuttering. 

[You sure can host! Now get to your class, or you'll be even more late than usual.] Banana spoke. [The current setting is Anna's senior year in high school, soon she will leave and study abroad, there is only a week left before summer vacation.]

"Summer," Markus spoke as he thought back to when he would spend happy times with his master, yet after everything went downhill, summer became a nightmare.

[Go on the host, there is nothing to be scared of.] Banana spoke tenderly; the system knew how Mimi's life was before his death and felt pity for him.

"Yes." Markus walked cautiously towards the huge building.

He followed his system's directions and was in front of his classroom when the second bell rang for the next period to start. He opened the classroom door and stepped inside, at that moment everyone that was talking among themselves quickly shut their mouths as they turned towards the door to see who had come, and seeing that it was Markus everyone knew that it was his sister that was the reason for why he was late, like always.

"Mr. Henderson, I see that you're yet again late to school." The class monitor glared at Markus.

[Host, time to act like the villain, you must not turn out of character, or you will be punished.] Banana spoke into his head which only received a small reply with a paling face, to be told to a soul that used to be beaten all the time for the littlest things that he will be punished if something went wrong was terrifying for Markus, so he quickly scanned the personality of the original character and tried his best.

"So what, do you have something to say?" Markus replied, his golden amazing eyes turned cold as he looked towards the class monitor.

"As a matter of fact, I do-"

"Markus?" A feminine voice sounded from the door, where Markus was currently a few steps away.

Markus turned to see a beautiful young woman standing at the door; she was well dressed in an iron-pressed uniform, not a single piece out of place.

[Host, that's the female lead, Anna! It seems that you still haven't gone to give the pen that the other Markus went to grab.]

"Anna, sorry I was in a rush to school that I forgot to give you your pen," Markus replied, his cold features turning warm. 

"Forgot?" Anna said, shocked; it seems that what she's hearing wasn't right since her little brother never forgot about things when it came to her.

[Host, the female lead doubted in her heart, what you just said is out of character, quickly fix it!] Banana panicked.

"Yes, this morning, a car hit me slightly, and I was a little startled that when I was walking into the school, I forgot about what I was currently doing," Markus explained. 

"Oh my! Are you alright? Do you need to go to the nurse to get checked? You might have a concussion." Anna walked slightly closer to her little brother, looking him over to see any visible injuries. 

"I'm alright, Anna; the car barely grazed me." Markus smiled his dazzling smile that he would only show to his older sister.

"Are you sure? Let's go to the nurse just in case." Anna grabbed hold of his arm, about to take him to the nurse.

"There's no need, you should head to class, or you'll be late; it won't be proper for a senior to cut class for another student's fault." The class monitor cut in as he grabbed hold of Anna's arm to release Markus, but Markus beat him to it.

"Where do you think you're touching?" Markus turned a frosty glare towards the class monitor.

"C-class monitor, y-you should be careful when involving yourself with his older sister; he's very protective towards her." A female student intervened as she warned her friend.

"Alright, everyone, get to your seats; the class is about to start; get going to the ones that aren't in my class." The teacher walked in as he kicked out the student that wasn't his.

"Here, Anna, it's the pen I went to grab for you; you said that you forgot it this morning."

"Markus, you shouldn't have; I borrowed one from a classmate, for just a pen you came late to school, now I feel like a burden. I should be the one to take care of you, not the other way around." Anna sulked.

"There's no need for that; once I grow older, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life." Markus smiled, a deeper meaning to what he said; although it was all acting, everyone knew that he was adopted to the Henderson family not long ago.

Everyone knew that he has a crazy obsession with his older sister, his love for her past the boundaries of siblings. But the only one that couldn't see the truth was his sister, the innocent and naive senior that will leave overseas after graduating. Everyone pitied Markus for his failed attempts to woo his older sister, as disturbing as that sounds.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The week passed like the wind; Anna left her two little brothers and parents with a farewell that she'll be back before they knew it. As Anna rolled her luggage towards the ship after everyone left, she was stopped by her adopted little brother.

"Anna." He spoke, his voice deep that held desperation.

"What it is? You'll have to be quick; the ship is about to leave in fifteen minutes." Anna said as she looked back towards the ship then again towards her little brother.

"I just wanted to tell you that... I love you." Markus said, his golden eyes boring into her brown eyes.

"I love you to Markus; you're the cutest little brother that I have, besides little Steven."

"Not like a sibling; I'll never love you like a sister." Markus snapped, his eyes hardening, making Anna flinch at his harsh words, but they soon turned into shock as she heard what he said next. "I love you the way a lover loves his partner."

"I-I don't understand." Anna stuttered.

"Then I'll just show you." Quick and fast, he leaned forward, kissing her soft lips, and just as fast as their lips met, they parted. "Think about my confession during your stay; I'll be waiting for my response when you get back, and even if you reject me, just know that I'll chase you either way." With that, Markus turned and left a very red-faced Anna behind to board the ship.

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Ch3

Markus walked towards his college campus; it was the first day of his freshman year in college Z, the best college to teach the rich and beautiful, not to mention they accept scholarships. Markus was one of them; after being taught by the system Banana, he had been praised by the system as a rapid learner. He even understood how to catch the hearts of women, seeing as what he did to his older sister before she could retaliate and not to mention awkwardness won't involve the next day with the awkwardness between them. It was perfect; although the main mission didn't involve him catching anyone's heart, it did involve him not being killed by the male lead, and for that, he needed to stay away from his older sister. This meant that Banana was still slightly worried over his Host's future; if he continues to pursue Anna, he'll eventually bump into the male lead, leading to his death. What Banana's host was thinking was something the system had no idea. 

Markus walked towards his classroom; he'll be studying medicine, wishing to please his adopted parents, who work as doctors. That and the fact that for some odd reason, his mind was delighted to learn new things.

Markus thought deeply of his plan to survive; that instinct was always there in his past life, yet his love for his master was even stronger, so he hadn't done much when Master beat him. But this time was different, and he wanted to see what he could do; being born a dog with a human soul was something he couldn't understand; it explained a little about how he could learn faster than usual dogs. 

The first part of his plan when studying ferociously during the week Anna still had before her graduation; he looked at every book he could get his paws on and read it. These books consisted of the human brain and behavior, signs about their love interest, and how to understand everyone you could meet. Markus then read speech books, which helped twist and manipulate people's minds and made them do something they themselves don't comprehend. When Anna was leaving, he decided to start his plan. To secure his death, he needed to capture her heart; even if she didn't feel the same way, he wanted her to have him in her mind for the time she was abroad. And when she came back, he will learn her response. If she says no or yes, Markus still has a plan to play. Only time will tell, and for the next three years, he'll have to wait and study more. His knack for learning was widespread; even Banana was shocked over how fast he learned; it was as fast as when the system will introduce the skills to him once he completes this world and only needed the experience to perfect them.

If he completes the world.

[Host, what will you plan on doing when the male lead meets the female lead?] Banana spoke into his mind.

You'll just have to wait and see Banana. Markus thought as he read through the many textbooks he was currently studying in his class while his professor lectured in front of the class.

Markus heard a commotion in the front of the class, but he didn't raise his head; he needed to plan further if he wants his life extended. Markus buried his face in three textbooks, everyone in the class had a group they sat with; Markus did speak with the other students, but only for information, other than asking for paper or a pencil, he kept to himself, he was known as the cold prince in campus, with his cold golden eyes and beautiful brown hair always tied behind his head to keep it away from his face, he was a painting anyone and everyone would always stop to stare at.

His desk was partnered up with another desk, but through the first semester, he was alone, like he wanted. Yet after the commotion, his studying was interrupted by someone besides him sitting down. He stopped for a moment but didn't look up; instead, he simply froze for a moment, then continued to look into his medical textbooks.

"We meet again." A cold, indifferent voice sounded from beside him; taking a peek, he saw the male lead; although Erik didn't change much, his voice did deepen further, creating a tone of a cold king that needed to be bowed to. 

"I don't know you." Markus lied through his teeth; he needed to stay away from Erik; any closer relationship would cause his plan to alter slightly.

Markus kept his eyes on his books, trying to ignore the intense stare burning from the side of his face, he was sure that he said something wrong somehow, and it made the male lead angry. The thing is that he didn't know what. It was reasonable not to remember someone from three years ago, not to mention their only encounter was once, and it was for about five minutes.

"You don't remember me?" Erik spoke, his voice holding something that Markus couldn't quite catch.

"Should I?" Markus questioned as he finally set down his mechanical pencil; his golden eyes that were studying his textbooks met with dark eyes that startled both at the same time.

"No, I'm not sure what I expected; it was three years ago."

"Three years ago?" Markus switched his eyes away from the dark orbs as he turned to the front, looking at everything except Erik.

"Yes, I met you in front of a school; you were sitting on the floor as you had fallen."

Markus hummed his understanding, not really admitting that he remembered the memory Erik explained.

Their conversation stopped there, and classes went by slowly, they had three classes together, and Markus was confused about how he didn't notice the male character until now. In each class, Erik sat near him, the first class was the only class Erik sat right beside him; at one point, he wanted to tell Erik if he could sit somewhere else, but thought otherwise, Markus wasn't sure if that would trigger the story and his death would come early than the original storyline.

Markus left classes since it was lunchtime; he went directly towards the library; he needed to get more information on how humans act, not to manipulate them, but also act like one since he used to be a dog. Since he used to be a dog, his heightened senses came along with him when he had died; for the past three years, he could hear and smell like his past self, only it was much more sensitive than usual. It had taken him quite a while for him to adjust his sensitive senses, but soon enough, he did, making good use of them as he listened into human conversations to study more about the humans. Being the cold prince on the campus was also a problem since it didn't give the student the will to conversate with him, and he was too shy to talk to anyone in return. And let's not forget the fact that his face was always emotionless and cold, so everyone had thought that he didn't want anyone near him.

Everyone knew that Markus could always be found in class, and if he isn't in class, he was known to be in the library studying more. With all the studying, rumors spread that he was a man genius wanting more knowledge. It didn't get better when some of his old classmates went to the same college, telling everyone about his love for his older sister, which enticed the rumors that he was studying hard to take care of his sister when she returned his feelings if she returned his feelings.

Markus was at his usual spot, at the very back of the library, out of everyone's view so he could be in his own world while he researched. On his table were many books on psychology and the human body, viruses, and poisons of the such. The words felt like they were flowing into him as he read page after page, just reading it once made him able to recall it months later. He was someone otherworldly.

"You're always studying." A familiar voice sounded from in front of him; his back was against a closed window; he hated having open space behind him; it felt as if someone was going to attack him at any moment. 

"Hn," Markus replied in a shy manner, but it looked and sounded as if he was cold and distant, wanting nothing to do with anyone.

"Why?" Erik questioned; this was the first time he had asked anyone before; usually, it's the other way around.

"Money." Markus gave a quick and short reply; even if he did now have human vocal cords that could talk, it still felt odd when speaking, completely different from his usual barking.

"Money?" Erik gave an amused smirked towards the young man in front of him. "Not about following your dreams or acceptance of society?" Erik explained.

"My woman," Markus said quickly and effectively; it was a good thing that Erik spoke of the reasons; his plan needed the part where Erik knew Markus and Anna being a possible dating match and also was in love with each other.

"A woman?" Erik's playful dark eyes turned cold and deadly when hearing about a woman, to the odd feeling was shrugged off by the fact that it was hatred over women from how he was raised.

"Who?" Erik questions.

Seeing as he was being interrogated, Markus stood up and gathered his things; looking back as he pushed past Erik, he spoke with irritation. "I don't see why I have to explain to you everything that I'm doing, so if you'll excuse me."

And with that, Erik was left with confusion over his actions and a slight ache in his chest.

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Ch4

Markus and his older brother Steven weren't friends, but they also weren't enemies. They were simply aware of each other's presence in the house and school while attending the same high school. Steven knew about Markus' love for his sister as well as their parents. They had no quarrels since they were not even related by blood, only by law. It was natural for a young man to love a beautiful woman. Of course, that didn't mean that just because they were brothers mean that Steven would let go of his older sister to be with a man that he himself didn't choose for her. 

Or that's what Markus thinks about the situation, although he himself isn't well expressed when acting like a human since his life used to be a dog.

So here they are, sitting in a cafe; this small get-together would happen every month; Steven would get a day off from the company he works for and sits with his adopted brother drinking coffee.

"How have you been?" Steven began like usual; ever since Markus was adopted, he never spoke much and only did so when necessary.

"Fine."

"Healthy?"

"Yes."

"Still faking your love for my sister?" Steven said suddenly and gave a hard look towards Markus, seeing if he made any reaction; sadly, he didn't.

"Not sure what you're implying." Markus sat back and took a sip of his plain black coffee; he never had drunk coffee, not until he had these meetings, and ever since, he started to get addicted to the simple coffee.

"Sure you don't."

Steven was a girl's dream; he had brown hair short and combed to the side. His eyes were a darker shade than brown; it was almost black even. His skin wasn't pale, but it wasn't tanned either; it was like a cool shade that made him glow under the sun's rays. He was well built, muscles were well proportioned on his body, and the well-fitted business suit made his physical appearance more eye-catching, not to mention those sharp features.

"I have a project that needs to be finished by tomorrow; if you'll excuse me, brother, I'll see you next month." And with that, Markus left Steven sitting down alone, his own coffee not even touched like the past meetings.

_-_-_-_-_-_--_-_-_-_-_-_--__-_--_-_-_-_-_-_--_

The day had finally come.

The female lead is here her last year of senior year and surprised her family, causing them great joy at the early arrival of their precious oldest child. Even though Markus wasn't informed just yet of her arrival because he was living in the dorms, he knew the day when she would arrive with the help of having the story plot in his memory.

So he prepared exactly what he needed. He dressed nicely; even if he did dress the same type of elegant way, he was extra enchanting, which was very eye-catching to the other student and curious as to what was going on since their dark prince never acted this way.

And because of this out-of-character act, the student lingered at the front entrance where Markus stood at the very center, waiting straight and both hands in his pockets. Everyone chatted among themselves and waited for the reason why the cold prince was waiting. If something was worth the presence of their prince, then that person was not to be trifled with since Markus held them dearly even to be late to his class, which everyone else was as well since the bell was about to ring any minute, causing turmoil in their body, would they risk their attendance for drama or go to class and wait for the gossip to spread from the ones that were truly dedicated to Markus.

But they didn't have to wait long since a young woman arrived soon enough to as well stop at the entrance once she saw Markus standing there. Everyone stood on their toes as they saw the scene unfold. One who recognized the woman began to spread who she was and their relationship.

"What's going on?" A certain male lead arrived too when he had seen all the students outside instead of heading to their classes.

"Apparently, Markus Harrison was waiting for his first love!" A girl gossiped as she squealed, not even turning when the voice arrived, not wanting to miss a single thing.

"First love?"

"Yes, that beautiful woman there is Anna Harrison; she's older than Markus by a couple of years."

"They have the same last name."

"That's because they're siblings, but don't get grossed out; Markus is adopted, so it technically isn't wrong." The girl spilled everything. "Since the day he was adopted, he had done everything for Anna, even risking his attendance because he insisted on walking her to class all the time or fetch something that Anna would forget at their home. But not too long ago, when Anna finally graduated, she left to study abroad, apparently this is the first time back from her study. Everyone knows that Markus finally confessed the moment she was boarding the ship, it was so romantic apparently, and he let her go telling her that he'll wait for her response when she got back."

"Hm." Eric looked towards the two figured that now stood closer than he liked.

"Markus." Anna arrived as she stood in front of her little brother; even if he was younger, he towered over her like the young man he was.

"Anna, did you have a safe trip?" Markus spoke, giving out a rare gentle smile that causes the surrounding woman heartaches; this was the first time he had smiled so fondly at someone.

"Yes, thank you for your concern." Anna blushed slightly as Markus tenderly grabbed her hand as if she would break into a run.

"How would I not be concerned? You're always in my mind Anna."  Markus kept a small smile as he rubbed circles on her hand with his thumbs.

"A-anyways, the bell is about to walk; we should get to class." Anna cleared her throat as she headed first, dragging Markus along with her, her head high as she tried not to show her embarrassment.

"Ah! What does that mean?! Did she accept? Or reject him?!" A guy said as he grumbled at the girl next to him.

"Of course she accepted; if she didn't, she wouldn't have kept hold of his hand, jeez you men know nothing over a woman's actions." A girl rolled her eyes, and she crossed her arms, not noticing the deadly gaze tracking the two entering the building, and soon enough, the rest of the students entered as well, letting the news traveler like a tsunami throughout the campus.

Our main character gave off a dark look as he too headed to class, sadly he had none when it came to Markus, but he did have plenty of classes with Anna. Someone he needed to get information from as soon as possible. What Markus didn't know was the fact about Erik's feelings growing throughout the years they've spent together. Not only did his death flag vanish completely, but a new one has to emerge if Markus doesn't choose the right actions and options laid out for him.

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Ch5

"Markus!" A sweet voice caught the ears of our puppy, making his head turn as he had sat down in his usual spot during lunch; a table far away from the rest of the students and snug in a corner where he could study and eat in peace, sadly studying wasn't going to happen if the female lead was to be involved.

"Anna, what a surprise. Are you settling in well?" Markus gave his rare smile as he saw Anna bouncing towards him.

"Yes, I've made such an  amazing friend; I want to introduce you to him!" Anna exclaimed as she gave a bright smile.

"Him?" Markus tilted his head to the side, knowing full well who it was.

"Yup, oh, here he comes!" She nodded and sat down in front of Markus and turned back to search for her friend, which no surprise, Erik walked elegantly towards Markus' table.

"Markus, I'd like to introduce you to Erik; he's in almost all of my classes." Anna smiled wide.

"Hn." Markus gave the nod, but absolutely no smile was on his features when his eyes settled on Erik as the main character sat right next to him.

"Hello Markus, have you been well? what did you do for summer vacation?" Erik gave a cheerful smile along with Anna, but she gave a confused one right after speaking.

"You two know each other?" Anna questioned.

"Sadly."

"Don't say that; we are very close, actually." Erik chuckled. "Anna is very amazing; she was talking nonstop about you." Erik smiled as a strange light crossed his eyes when looking at Markus.

Anna looked back and forth between the two men; Markus didn't smile at all when looking at Erik, which gave her a relaxed feeling all the same since he only gave a smile to her. But Erik never smiled at her; he doesn't give her a true smile, only a smirk or an annoyed look. When she had started talking about Markus, he lightened his mood a bit and began to listen only when it was about Markus. Now that she was here with Markus wanting him to congratulate her on making a somewhat friend, there he was, her so-called friend smiling at Markus as if he was his entire world. At that single look of love, something snapped inside of her.

She shook her head, not knowing what to do; maybe she just saw things.

"You were? About what?" Markus turned and switched to his gentle smile, making Anna become startled and began to blush.

"A-ah hum, just st-stuff, like you're brilliant and thoughtful." Anna began as she smiled into her hands resting on the table, picking at her food.

"I see; talk more about me; I like it when people know you're going to be mine." Markus winked playfully when Anna snapped her head forwards; her face entirely beat red.

While they looked at each other with shyness and love, Erik sat beside Markus, observing them, his smile completely gone at the disgusting display of affection.

"That's the bell; I'll walk you back to class," Markus said after a long time of conversation; of course, it was only Anna talking on and on about her classes and teachers.

"I'll accompany you," Erik interjected their conversation as if he was part of it from the beginning.

Markus paid no kind, deliberately ignoring the perfect specimen and his main character's aura that makes everyone want to gravitate towards him. Markus simply guides Anna towards her classroom, which is also Erik's.

"Hey, Markus," Erik spoke after Markus had bid farewell to Anna and began to head towards his classes. But he disregarded the main character. "Why do you always ignore me?" Erik spoke, irritation clear in his voice.

"Because I don't like you," Markus states as he heads down the hallway. "And you irritate me."

"Why do you hate me? I haven't done a single thing to you; I give you no reason to hate me."

"No reason?" Markus suddenly stops while Erik almost crashes into the smaller frame. "Anna likes you," he announces.

"Me?" Erik rose a brow.

"She doesn't like me," Erik said with a confused face, emphasizing the last word.

"Of course she does," Markus says, still not turning around.

His mind was racing as he thought upon many ways to push Erik away, but this moron didn't get the hint. Erik should have already fallen in love with Anna the moment she spoke to him, yet here he was chasing after cannon fodder, not to mention a villain as well.

"You think she likes-"

"I knew from the moment I met you that when she returned, she would have fallen in love with you." Markus cut Erik off before he could speak. "That's my specialty, knowing who is meant to be."

Markus began walking again, hoping that Erik would hear his statement and start to think about the great couple he and Anna would make, yet it hadn't worked as Erik suddenly grabbed hold of Markus's arm.

"Hold on, give me a reason as to why you hate me; I don't want to hear anything about that Anna chick, I want to hear about your own reasons, I know that you like me, at least a little bit in that cold heart of yours." Erik declared.

Inside the mind of Markus, he was giving a very bewildered look. He wasn't sure what Erik was talking about when the main lead is one of the many reasons to cause his death. His head was in shambles as he tried to think of a way to get himself out of this situation. He had the ability to twist people's emotions and gain hatred or admiration, but when it comes to affection, he does not know, not because he still didn't study humans' emotions, it was because of the lack of love from his past life.

He hadn't noticed that his usually emotionless face became a look of terror until someone snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Markus." A soothing deep voice spoke from down the hall he was facing.

Quickly regaining his facial composure, he gave a raised brow to his older brother.

"Steven, what are you doing here? Last time I checked, you graduated already." Markus shoved his trembling hands into his pockets as he glanced back.

"Sorry Erik, I have some business to attend to; we'll talk some other time."

"Wait, we're not done here," Erik growled out his hatred as he gave a glare towards Steven. "Who is this guy?"

"None of your business," Steven spoke harshly as he motioned for Markus to follow him, leaving behind a fuming main lead.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\

"What pleasure do I have-"

"What happened between the two of you?" Steven cut his little brother off as they both sat outside on a bench.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I've known you for almost five years, don't start with your lies now, Markus, just like you lying about Anna being the love of your life, as you say." Steven stares intently at Markus. "Not to mention that throughout those five years, I have not once seen you make such an expression; it was as if you were scared to get too close to anybody."

"Now you're just talking nonsense brother, it was great speaking to you, but I have to return to class." Markus stood up but was soon grabbed by his wrist by a strong hand. "Let. Go."

Steven heard Markus loud and clear, it held such a strange tone that he couldn't quite figure out the word for it, but he did hear the fear in it along with panic. Slowly he had let go of the trembling hand and saw Markus leave and enter the main building.

"Who are you, really?" Steven stood up from the bench and began to walk towards the very expensive-looking car.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he glanced at the yellow folder on the passenger seat; the tab held his little brother's name. It held all of his information, yet Markus completely wiped his past life before he was adopted for what reason? He still couldn't figure out why not to mention the private investigators he hired came up with nothing as well.

He sighed as he glanced back at the school's entrance only to see Markus and Anna walk out with a displeased look towards Erik, who stood on the other side of Markus. Erik gave a glare towards Anna as well in secret as he tried catching the attention of Markus.

"What is going on now?" Steven exit his car again and walked slowly, catching wind of the conversation.

"Would you mind leaving us alone for a while Erik, I need to tell Markus something in private?" Anna tried getting rid of Erik, but much to her disappointment, he didn't leave.

"I also have something to ask Markus." Erik countered.

"But what I'm going to tell him is important!" She insisted.

"How convenient mine as well." Erik gave a sly smirk earning a burning glare from Anna.

"Fine, stay,  just don't get in my way!" Anna finally snapped as she turned towards Markus, who gave a bewildered look towards the sudden harsh tone of Anna, which she never used.

Anna had been wondering about her feelings towards Markus ever since he left her at the docks; throughout her studies, she gave her everything throughout every assignment, yet she also thought of Markus when she had nothing else to do. She experienced many things when she was on board with other students, even made mighty friends throughout her stay. She was invited to many small parties throughout the enormous ship and was well aware of all kinds of sexualities and knew how to spot them.

The moment she had seen that single spark when Erik spoke with Markus with such joy, she knew Erik was very well interested in her adopted younger brother. She felt such displeasure that she felt something snap inside of her, filling with anxiety and hopelessness as if she was letting something slip through her fingers. She had to do something and fast.

Just a couple of minutes ago, she was in class waiting for Erik to come back and make sure he hadn't done something; it took a while before she asked permission to go to the restroom. Once she left the class, she ran into Erik with a complicated expression. She had asked what had happened, caution in her words to not let any emotion show, but for a young woman that always let her emotions show, she let her mask be seen clear as daylight. Erik had taunted her that it was simply a lovers quarrel, although a small taunt it sent her over the edge, making her scream at him that Markus was hers the moment he entered their family. The two stared at each other with hatred clear in their eyes, and they soon zoomed down the hallways searching for Markus and found him as he was walking into the building with an aggravated sigh.

They had shown their concerns for him, and he gladly accepted them, but Erik jumped the boat and asked to speak with Markus in private, beating Anna to exactly what she was going to do. Either way, Markus would decline to both but was confronted with a serious expression on both that had startled him. So without another peep from him, he had been pulled along by Anna back outside where they could talk, and Erik has followed along.

"Markus..." Anna began.

"I love you," Erik interjected into her convention earning him a deadly glare from the beautiful brunette.

"Back off, I was going to say that!" She screeched.

They began to bicker as Markus looked annoyed at the two, not noticing that he was being watched closely from the school gate.

Markus wasn't sure what to do now; he had everything planned out but accidentally left out the part where Anna would confess. Although he didn't care about Erik confessing even though it sent a shock through his body, he had thought that Erik was simply confusing his own feelings for him since Erik saw how close Markus was to Anna. But he had calculated wrong and was trying to come up with something better.

Soon he thought of something and decided to end it for both of the idiots.

"I'm sorry." Markus began, catching the two bickering college seniors by surprise over his very hurt voice that had cracked slightly as if he was about to cry. "I won't be able to be with either of you." He confessed.

"Wh-why?! You said you loved me!" Anna was on the brink of tears.

"And I would have taken your hand in marriage if you had agreed with me, but my time has been shortened." Markus ran a hand through his hair.

"Shortened, what do you mean?" Erik seemed alarmed now by the new information, many things running through his mind.

"Before I was even placed in a childcare facility, I had my own family, but they weren't as kind as your family, Anna. They were vile creatures that wish to prosper and conquer the world through any means necessary. Even to the point where they made their only son do dangerous things and sent him to be trained in stealing. There had been one day where I was caught; they did many things..." He let his words hang for a while, his golden eyes staring far away from where they were standing. "When I returned, my parents simply beat me for getting caught and wasting time. Later on, they made a powerful Man that you shouldn't fool with mad, and both turned dead. Monsters took me to be a lab rat. They tested so many drugs on me to the point where I wasn't able to sleep for months; I was soon reliant on pills that kept me from falling into a coma when the police tracked down those people they found me. They placed me in a foster care home and sent many doctors my way; they told me that the drugs I was forced to take were impossible to drain from my body, and their medicines could only delay my health from deteriorating even further. The man that had the recipe to make the said pill died during the shootout. The doctor said I wouldn't be able to live past my thirties. But at some point during my recovery, my time shortened every time I pulled my body to its limits."

"How much time do you have?" Erik spoke in a whisper.

"How much?!" Anna sobbed out as Markus had been quiet for a while.

"Almost two months." Markus gave a sad smile. "I was planning to simply disappear and send enough letters throughout the years for you to know I'm alright, but I guess it's all for nothing."

"That's not fair." Anna whimpered at his story. "Why didn't you tell us? We could have done something!"

"There's nothing to do, Ann; my time is almost done; I'm sorry for not telling you. I was too much of a coward to say anything, so simply leaving was the best choice; no doctor can help me now."

Anna collapses onto the floor in a heap of sadness and heartbreak. The love of her life was going to die in two months. She doesn't know what to do, how to feel, and most importantly, who to talk to about this.

They had left that day, Markus singled out Erik to speak to him. Erik had only asked for one thing.

A kiss.

And Markus delivered sweetly for the man.

Anna wished to be left with something to remember him by, so through many arguments and finally, a lust-filled night combined with hatred and love from none other than Anna, she was left with a baby forming inside of her.

Steven hadn't spoken up from where he stood up; he simply walked back to his car and drove the entire day until he had crashed into a tree, unable to see through the stinging tears in his eyes. He had fallen.

Hard.

Only to have the one that brightened his day leave him one day. He was never found, only his wrecked car. Some say he was dragged out from his car to be eaten like prey; others say he survived and left after finding out about Markus.

Markus's funeral was filled with the people he mostly hanged around with; his adoptive parents had invited his teachers who he would speak to when bored and talk about many things that most college students could not talk to their professors. The distant family came, remembering the family's new addition and how sweet and bright he was when they were visiting their towns and cities for a birthday party.

Although it had been a sad morning when discovering his body, the doctors had deemed him to have a heart attack, but only one person knew, Markus.

He had compiled all of his tasked and didn't need to be there anymore, so he wished to return, and once done, his soul left his body and was claimed to have heart failure when the percent of his death risk turned zero.

"Banana?" Mimi spoke as he opened his eyes to see the place he left from.

[Welcome back host, will you like to take some time before entering the second world?] Banana spoke from in front of Mimi.

"Yes, please."