Multiverse travel starts from a crossover right?

"Man, look at this guy. How pathetic can he get?"

"Right? He's not even good-looking like me. Why the hell is Hori-san dating him?"

"You think he's blackmailing her or something?"

"Honestly? Wouldn't be surprised."

"Exactly. No way she picked him on her own. There are way better options."

"You talking about yourself?"

"Shut up. Look at your nose."

"Still better than your height, dude."

Miyamura sighed, barely glancing up as the usual background noise of his life played on.

It was the same thing every day. Different variations of "Why is Hori-san dating that loser?" mixed with the occasional accusation of blackmail or bribery.

He acted like it didn't bother him. Like he didn't care.

But hearing it day after day? Yeah… it got to him.

Hori didn't seem to mind the gossip, but lately, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she deserved someone better.

"Don't think too much about them."

Miyamura blinked and turned toward the voice. A guy from another class, he was pretty sure, but the name escaped him. Kakashi? Sakashi? Something like that.

Not that he had time to figure it out, because the guy, Takashi, right?, kept talking.

"It's up to her to decide if you deserve her or not," Takashi said, hands stuffed in his pockets like he couldn't be bothered. "If she's fine with it, then who cares what others think? They're just jealous they're not in your spot."

Miyamura stared. Someone was actually… defending him? That was new.

Takashi, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed, glancing at the group of gossiping students. "Besides, they're just doing what people do. Running their mouths to feel important." He smirked. "Bet half of them couldn't even talk to a girl properly."

"Oi, I heard that!" one of the guys yelled.

"And?" Takashi raised an eyebrow, looking completely uninterested in their existence.

The guy opened his mouth, then promptly shut it.

Miyamura couldn't help but be impressed.

Takashi turned back to him. "Point is, don't let these idiots get to you. You've got something they don't."

Miyamura hesitated. "…And that is?"

"A girlfriend."

Miyamura nearly choked on air.

Takashi clapped him on the shoulder. "Think about it."

Miyamura did. And then immediately regretted it, because Takashi was right. They could mock him all they wanted, but at the end of the day, he was the one dating Hori.

Yeah, he knew that. The self-doubt had always been there, but getting trolled nonstop just made it worse.

But hearing those words? It reminded him he shouldn't care so much about what others thought. Hori-san was fine with him. He had never done anything to hurt her.

Yeah. If I don't deserve her, she'll tell me.

Snapping out of it, Miyamura realized Takashi was already walking ahead, done with the conversation.

He quickly caught up. "Uh—"

"Don't say thanks, it's not a big deal," Takashi cut in before he could get a word out. Then, eyeing his hair, he added, "But you should get a haircut. The ponytail suits you, but sometimes changing things up does something for your vibe."

A smirk. "Or maybe surprise her."

Miyamura blinked. This guy…

Takashi wasn't just saying it randomly. He remembered her reaction from the series.

Watching Takashi disappear into the washroom, Miyamura muttered under his breath, "Did he see me outside…?"

He didn't think anyone at school knew what he was like outside of it. Even Hori-san hadn't recognised him when he took her brother home for the first time.

And more importantly, someone actually talked to him.

Which… didn't happen often.

That alone was enough to put a small, genuine smile on his face. He was happy.

Unfortunately, the world wasn't ready for a smiling Miyamura.

"See?! I told you he's weird!"

"Yeah, who the hell smiles in front of a washroom?!"

"A pervert. Obviously."

"We should warn the others!"

"Wait, shit, he's looking this way! RUN!"

"Fuck, I'm straight, Miyamuraaa!"

Miyamura barely had time to process the absolute insanity before he watched a group of guys sprint down the hall like their lives depended on it. The speed. The panic. The raw desperation.

He swore their legs could rival a damn horse.

"I'm never walking near this washroom again," he muttered, rubbing his temples.

But the damage was already done. His nonexistent dignity had just been erased from existence.

Completely.

Forever.

Then he paused, realisation sinking in.

Wait… what if Hori-san hears about this?

If word spread to her that her boyfriend was smiling creepily in front of a bathroom and causing mass panic…

He could already hear her voice.

"Miyamura, what the hell did you do?!"

Tears already forming, he muttered his last prayer.

"Hori-san… shouldn't hear about this…"

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Suggestions for plot, character, etc, GO WILD