Chapter Text
-"Hey Edward! Look what I've made!"
Zip held up a strange device, its internal gears spinning rapidly and emitting flashing blue sparks. Edward, who had just turned his back to the chemical cabinet, carefully held several vials of dark red liquid. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing in warning:
-"Don't touch it, Zip. I don't think it's good. Give it to me—"
Edward hadn't finished his sentence, nor had he reached to snatch the device. Zip's finger had already pressed the red activation button in the center.
A sharp CLICK echoed, followed by a piercing screech of air compressed to its limit. A spatial rift exploded in the middle of the lab.
Zip was the first to be sucked in.
-"OUGH!"
-"ZIP!"
Edward tried to pull Zip back, but as a result, both of them were sucked into the spatial anomaly.
The thing grew larger and larger, then it moved, traveling down the corridors and continuing to "absorb" other students and teachers—including Alice. She couldn't resist its terrifying pull either.
So where is Zip now?
The ticking of the wall clock was maddeningly regular, each heavy beat echoing in the stillness. Zip slumped on the edge of the bed, her hand tracing the pale gray sheet. This room was both strange and eerily familiar. The square corners, the bookshelves overflowing with textbooks in plain, unlabeled covers, and the closed window overlooking a gray sky as if covered in a thick layer of dust. Everything lacked the chaotic atmosphere, the swirling scribbles, dismantled machinery, and mischievous pranks she usually played.
In her chest, an invisible void was throbbing. It wasn't a sudden fear, but a deep-seated exhaustion—a numb, empty feeling, as if someone had drained all color and emotion from her mind.
What's wrong with me? Depression? Or just another unending nightmare?
Zip lowered her head, staring at the phone emitting a cold blue light in her hand. The screen remained on Facebook, displaying the official homepage of Academy Paper—the high school she attended. The posts that flashed before her eyes had a formal, stiff, and peculiar tone: perfect academic schedules, spotless report cards, and lists of high-achieving students. There were no rebellious comments, no funny candid photos, and no sign of the familiar commotion.
She swallowed hard, then stood up. Her bare feet touched the cold wooden floor, causing her to involuntarily shiver.
-"Dad? Mom?"
She went downstairs, but the first floor was completely empty, not a soul in sight. The house was so silent you could hear the dust falling. Zip sighed, intending to go back upstairs, when her eyes involuntarily stopped at the wooden table next to the TV.
There, right next to the glass fruit bowl filled with apples and oranges, lay a folded piece of paper and two carefully folded banknotes.
Curiosity drove her closer, and she picked up the banknotes, examining them in the dim light filtering through the windowpane. The front featured an unfamiliar historical figure with intricate, embossed patterns. The number 10,000 was clearly visible, along with the country's name in neat, square characters.
Yen? What the heck is this? I'm in America, aren't I?
Zip frowned, her mind becoming even more confused. She put the money down and opened the letter. The flowing, even black ink handwriting appeared before her eyes. This handwriting…Zip immediately recognized it as Hiragana—the Japanese writing system. Although her brain was numb with a strange emptiness, her basic knowledge allowed her to understand the letter her parents had left:
"Dear Zip,
We left for America this morning. Because you're currently studying at Academy Paper, we can't take you with us (though we know you'd love to). We believe that a grown-up high school girl like you is perfectly capable of living independently.
To help you cover your expenses for the first week, we're leaving you 20,000 Yen. This amount certainly won't be enough for your personal expenses afterward, so please find a part-time job. You could apply to a maid cafe on the shopping street near your house, or sign up to tutor younger students. Take good care of yourself!"
Zip finished reading the letter, her face blank for three seconds, then slumped her head onto the table, letting out a long, weary sigh.
"America? They're traveling in America while I'm standing in a place that uses Yen, writes in Japanese, and I'm actually in America?" Zip muttered, finding the absurdity almost comical. "And they're telling me to work at a maid cafe or tutor? Is Mom kidding me? Someone like me, who's always causing trouble, teaching someone? And wearing a maid outfit to greet customers? I'd burn down the whole place!"
Nevertheless, her stomach began to rumble, calling out the harsh reality, reminding Zip that whether in a parallel reality or some distorted space, hunger was real. She wearily went back to her bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and prepared to change.
Inside hung a school uniform—a typical Japanese-style seifuku with a pristine white navy shirt, a dark blue collar, and a matching pleated skirt that reached her knees. Except for the skirt being considerably longer than her usual rebellious style, its fabric was lifelessly smooth, without a single wrinkle or the familiar scent of laundry. Zip grimaced as she put on the uniform; the rough nylon fabric felt slightly uncomfortable against her skin. She grabbed the *Japanese book bag* on the table, stuffed two 10,000 Yen bills and her phone inside, and hurried out of the house.
The atmosphere outside remained a dreary gray. The rows of straight Japanese-style buildings on either side of the street stood silently like emotionless concrete blocks. Zip turned down the nearby shopping street—where, according to the letter from parents, there was a maid cafe and service shops.
It was called a shopping street, but the atmosphere was eerily quiet. The Japanese signs flickered monotonously; there were no vendors' calls, no crowds, or the lively music typical of commercial areas. Glancing across the street, Zip saw a small ramen shop with a crimson noren curtain swaying gently in the cold breeze. Inside, steam rose from large pots of broth, but the head chef stood motionless behind a stone counter, his eyes staring blankly into space.
"Ramen is delicious, but eating in that horror movie-like place... I'd rather tiptoe and leave quickly,"
Zip thought, shuddering.
Her gaze settled on the familiar blue and white fluorescent lights of a convenience store a few steps away. There it was, the best, quickest option for a quick bite before school.
The automatic glass doors slid open with a steady ding-dong. A blast of cold, air-conditioned air mixed with the smell of chemical cleaning agents immediately assaulted Zip's nose. Inside, the shelves were neatly and perfectly stocked—bento boxes, soda bottles, and snack packs arranged in perfectly straight rows as if measured with a ruler.
Zip walked toward the bread section, glancing at a variety of red bean paste buns, sausage buns, and croissants wrapped in clear plastic. She quickly grabbed a sweet vanilla cream bun and a small carton of strawberry milk.
At the checkout counter, the cashier—a young man in a blue and white striped uniform—stood perfectly straight, his face expressionless, a forced, artificial smile plastered on his lips.
-"Hello. Your total is 450 Yen,"
His voice was monotonous, flat like a pre-recorded message from a vending machine, devoid of any human intonation.
Zip took out a 10,000 Yen bill and handed it to the cashier. The cashier took the bill, quickly and mechanically changing the change.
Click. Swoosh...
The polymer banknotes and coins were neatly returned. Zip stuffed the money into her bag, tore open the plastic wrapper of her sandwich, and took a big bite as she left the store.
The slightly sweet taste of the vanilla cream filling quickly spread through her mouth. The bread was soft, but its flavor was strangely bland—more like a perfectly synthesized product from a lab than a dish made with love or culinary artistry. Nevertheless, it was enough to soothe Zip's rumbling stomach.
She chewed the bread as she walked toward Academy Paper, her other hand pulling out her phone to check it. The notifications on the screen were still just lifeless academic posts from the school's homepage.
Lost in scrolling through the lifeless academic notifications on her phone screen, Zip didn't pay attention to the road ahead and unexpectedly crashed into a tall figure.
Thump!
The impact jolted Zip, causing her hand to slip and her strawberry milk carton to fall to the ground. The lid popped off, and the shimmering pink liquid spilled all over the gray asphalt.
-"Oh, that's a shame..."
Zip winced, rubbing her slightly aching forehead.
-"Are you alright? I'm sorry, I was in a hurry and didn't look carefully."
A deep, warm voice sounded right above her head. Zip looked up, intending to grumble, but all the words immediately choked in her throat.
It was Edward.
But Edward, standing before her, was wearing a school uniform (gakuran?), scratching the back of his head, his eyes clearly showing confusion and embarrassment as he faced her.
-"You... you're Zip, right? Class 2-1 next door?"
Edward stammered, his awkward smile revealing the shyness of someone who had only met her a few times.
Zip froze for a few seconds. Her head was spinning. His memory has been erased? Oh my god...
However, the moment Edward stood right in front of her—just an arm's length away—a strange phenomenon occurred.
The loneliness, emptiness, and gloomy feeling that had weighed on Zip's chest since waking up suddenly vanished completely. Like a switch being flipped, the gray, monotonous space around them seemed to be illuminated by a soft light. The ash-gray hues vanished, replaced by a warm, sweet breeze that shimmered with a delicate pink. The weary ticking of the clock in her head was completely drowned out by the rapid, pounding of her heart.
Thump. Thump.
Zip's heart pounded so fast that her cheeks flushed. It felt like she had just opened up a whole new world—a world devoid of boredom and lifelessness, as long as he was there.
-"Ah... I, I'm fine!"
Zip nervously waved her hand, trying to hide her rising embarrassment.
-"I should have bought you another carton of milk, but it's almost time for class to start,"
Edward smiled, his shyness quickly disappearing.
-"Today is the opening ceremony, isn't it?"
Before Zip could react, a loud voice called from the school gate:
-"Hey Edward! Hurry up, the teacher's starting roll call!"
-"I'm coming!"
Edward turned his head in response.
He turned to look at Zip, flashed a radiant smile, waved goodbye, and hurried ahead of his group of friends.
But as soon as the distance between Edward and Zip widened—about three meters—the shimmering pink light surrounding Zip suddenly cracked.
Crack.
The color faded at breakneck speed. The vibrant scene vanished like an illusion, returning to a cold, dreary, and silent leaden atmosphere. A void returned to invade Zip's chest, cold and cruel.
Zip stood bewildered on the slope, watching Edward's energetic back as he casually teased and joked with his friends ahead. He was a super extroverted, charming, and easy-going student, while she—with her introverted nature and perfectly clear mind amidst this artificial reality—was strangely alone.
Zip blinked a few times to adjust to the gray air that had just swept over her. Looking at the leaden cloud hanging heavy overhead, she realized it was time for school. The bell rang out in long, dry, and heavy tones, urging hundreds of students to move through the massive iron gates of Academy Paper.
Zip silently blended into the crowd, her eyes cautiously scanning her surroundings. And the moment she stepped through the gate, she immediately confirmed a harsh reality: the hypothesis that everyone's memories had been erased was entirely true.
In front of the schoolyard, Claire, Engel, and Bubble's group were gathered under a bare, leafless cherry tree. Usually, whenever Zip, Edward, or Oliver passed by, Claire's eyes were filled with wariness, a hint of caution and wariness at their mischievous pranks.
But now?
As Zip walked past, Claire turned, a strangely gentle and natural smile on her lips. She waved lightly at Zip:
-"Good morning, Zip! You look tired on the first day of school?"
Engel, standing beside her, also nodded in greeting, his clear eyes completely devoid of their usual shyness. There was no longer any confrontation, no longer any tense clashes between the two sides, and no trace of old grudges. They spoke to Zip in a calm, polite, and superficial tone—almost as if her presence was merely a minor detail, an insignificant character passing through their lives.
Zip paused for a moment, intending to reply, but her throat felt dry. She nodded perfunctorily and silently continued down the corridor leading to the classrooms.
Buzzing... buzzing...
The school's loudspeaker suddenly blared, shattering the quiet atmosphere with a flat, pre-recorded voice: "All students from all grades are requested to proceed immediately to the gymnasium for the opening ceremony and student council elections."
The crowd shifted direction. Zip trudged through the throng, her mind racing with chaotic thoughts. On her way to the gymnasium, she glanced at a series of familiar faces. There was Abbie with Lana—both laughing softly, no longer displaying their usual shyness or fear. A little further away were Lizzy and Petunia. Beside them, she recognized Kevin and many unfamiliar faces she had never seen at Paper School. But no matter how different their clothes or appearances, they all shared one thing in common: a cold, lifeless, vacant gaze.
The gymnasium was vast, with a high ceiling but a gloomy atmosphere. Zip weaved through the neatly lined-up students, trying to get closer to the main stage. As Principal Grace stepped onto the podium in her impeccably tailored business suit and stern expression, Zip inadvertently squeezed into a spot right next to… Edward.
The moment the distance between them narrowed, the gray world around Zip instantly melted away. A shimmering pink glow erupted, enveloping the space in a warm, vibrant energy. But this time, accompanied by a pounding heart and flushed cheeks, a completely new emotion suddenly ignited within Zip—a fierce and blind desire for possession. As that colorful space enveloped them both, a dark, overwhelming thought echoed in her mind: I want this person. I want to do everything to make him mine forever.
Zip was startled by her own thoughts. The embarrassment reached its peak, leaving her frozen in place, struggling to control her ragged breathing, not daring to move an inch for fear he would notice her unusual behavior.
Just then, Principal Grace spoke through the microphone, moving on to the most important part of the ceremony: the election of the Student Council President.
Zip swallowed hard, resisting Edward's allure to look up at the stage. And immediately, two figures emerged from behind the velvet curtain, leaving her completely paralyzed.
It was Alice and Oliver.
But Alice on stage now didn't have the fierce, terrifying appearance that would frighten anyone. She wore an elegant schoolgirl uniform, her soft hair flowing, a gentle, refined smile on her lips—the epitome of a "perfect young lady." In stark contrast to that gentleness, Oliver, standing beside her, maintained his mischievous expression, his eyes narrowed playfully, and his familiar smirk unaffected by the lifeless meekness of this world.
But what shocked Zip the most wasn't their appearance.
In front of all the students and teachers, Oliver casually reached out and gently placed his hand around Alice's waist. He pulled her close, possessively. And Alice—the devilish girl who could tear apart anyone who dared touch her—simply tilted her head slightly, accepting the embrace without any sign of discomfort or aversion. They stood side by side, perfectly in sync and inseparable, like a single entity.
Zip gaped in astonishment. In a world where all relationships are erased, it seems that the feelings and bond between Oliver and Alice are the only things that remain intact, even becoming more open and intense than ever before.
The vibrant atmosphere vanished the moment the ceremony ended and the crowd dispersed. Zip wandered aimlessly toward the Class 2-1 room, her mind still reeling from the chaos of the gym.
The homeroom teacher for Class 2-1 was Ms. Emily—the History teacher. The first lesson was primarily about explaining school rules and getting to know each other. While her classmates began turning their chairs and engaging in conversation, Zip sat quietly in the corner near the window. She was completely uninterested and didn't bother to speak to anyone.
Zip's mind was now completely consumed by the image of Edward. The warm, overwhelming feeling and intense desire to possess him whenever she was near him kept replaying in her head like a slow-motion film. Her cheeks began to flush again.
The morning bell rang, signaling free time for students to explore the campus. Zip walked slowly along the gardening club area and then turned onto the slope leading to the West Zen Garden—a tranquil Japanese-style Zen garden with bamboo groves and gray gravel paths. The silence here helped calm her racing heart.
-"Zip! Wait for me!"
A sudden call came from behind. Zip jumped and saw Edward running towards her.
-"Thank goodness I found you,"
Edward smiled brightly, holding out his hand. In his palm was a chilled can of soda, condensation clinging to the shiny aluminum.
-"Consider this... compensation for the carton of milk I spilled this morning."
Zip looked at the soda can, then up at Edward's smile. The overwhelming urge to possess her resurfaced, making her so embarrassed that her fingers trembled as she reached out to take the can of soda.
-"T...Thank you, Edward."
Zip mumbled, her cheeks burning.
-"You're welcome! I have to go register for the science club. See ya later!"
Edward waved goodbye and dashed off.
A strange but serious thought flashed through Zip's mind: This item... I absolutely must keep it safe. This will be the first "treasure" in my personal collection of him.
Zip shook her head slightly, trying to dispel the strange thought that had just flashed through her mind and regain some composure. She hurried back to class 2-1, packed her books into her school bag, and slung it over her shoulder as she headed home.
Along the street leading out of the school, pale pink cherry blossoms began to swirl and fall in the wind. This seemingly poetic and romantic scene, in Zip's eyes, appeared bland and artificial. Everything felt like a meticulously crafted film, but lacking soul. The emptiness in her chest surged once again, cold and vast, reminding her of the oppressive reality she was trapped in.
To forget that gloomy feeling, Zip stopped at a small supermarket near her house to buy some fresh food to cook herself. After all, her hungry stomach couldn't rely on those sweet bread rolls from the convenience store forever.
Back in the quiet house, Zip took off her shoes, grabbed her bag of groceries, and went straight to her bedroom. She locked the door, placed her bag on the floor, and carried Edward's soda can to the corner of the room—where a small wooden shelf was hidden behind the wardrobe.
Zip carefully wiped away the condensation from the outside of the soda can, meticulously opened the lid, poured the soda into a glass, and placed the empty aluminum can in the center of the shelf. She stepped back a few paces, crossed her arms, and admired her "creation."
-"It looks so empty..."
Zip muttered, clicking her tongue in dismay. An empty soda can sitting alone on the wooden shelf looked like discarded trash.
Just then, as she opened the drawer of her desk to find some things, Zip's hand accidentally touched a hard object encased in glass. She raised her eyebrows and pulled it out.
It was a portrait of Edward. In the photo, he was leaning against the edge of the lab table, his familiar half-smile and eyes captured in the afternoon sunlight. The photograph was framed in a black wooden frame, so meticulously and flawlessly that it was almost unbelievable.
Zip stared at the picture in her hand, a slight smile curving her lips.
-"Oh, this is good stuff."
She placed the framed photograph neatly behind the empty soda can. Edward's radiant portrait, combined with this first "keepsake," made the small shelf corner look like a genuine personal shrine. Zip gazed at the little corner, her cheeks flushing slightly as the strange thought of ownership resurfaced, dispelling some of the loneliness that enveloped the room.