Under the server's polite gaze, all four of them left the restaurant and started walking down the street together.
The night sky stretched above them, deep and scattered with stars. Their faint light sprinkled down, adding a sense of mystery and quiet to the mostly empty street.
Nanase Ren started the introductions.
"This is my friend, Hayato."
"Hello. I'm Hayato." Hayato nodded to the twin sisters.
"This is Ryou, Fujibayashi Ryou, my classmate from nursing school. And this is her twin sister, Fujibayashi Kyou. They're both really pretty, right? Always had guys confessing to them."
"Ren, don't say things like that..." Fujibayashi Ryou grabbed her arm, swaying it shyly before turning to Hayato. "Nice to meet you."
Fujibayashi Kyou simply gave a single nod as her greeting.
But all three of them noticed the sudden shift in Hayato's expression.
"Hayato-kun? Is something wrong?"
"Fujibayashi-san... You're from a town called Hikarizaka, aren't you?"
"Eh? You know about Hikarizaka?!" Ryou looked genuinely surprised.
She really is from there. In that moment, Hayato was absolutely certain.
'I'd never expected even the heroines from Clannad to exist in this world!'
So that's why Hayato feels these twins seem familiar! They are not high school students anymore, that's why Hayato didn't recognize them at that moment.
That series had meant so much to him back then. In his previous life, it had been twenty years since it aired. How many people even remember it anymore?
"I've heard of it. Actually considered going to high school there at one point."
"Really?! Then... then both my sisters and I would technically be your senpai, wouldn't we?"
She wasn't entirely sure how old Hayato was from his fashion.
"Yeah. Can I ask if you know someone named Sakagami Tomoyo?"
"Sakagami... the student council president? Everyone knew her. She was president when we were third-years. You know her, too?"
"I do. Though it's entirely one-sided on my part."
Sakagami Tomoyo exists in this world, too. This keeps getting more and more interesting.
Ryou couldn't help glancing at Nanase Ren. But her friend's expression was completely normal. She didn't seem bothered at all that Hayato was asking about another woman. Maybe they really aren't dating?
She also explained why they'd come to Chiba. Their father's job had been transferred here, and coincidentally, Kyou had received a teaching position at an elementary school in the area. So the whole family had decided to temporarily settle in Chiba.
"That's wonderful, Ryou! Now we can hang out all the time, eat together, and watch movies like we used to. I really missed those days."
Nanase Ren and Ryou walked side by side at the front, happily chatting and reminiscing. All that earlier sadness had completely disappeared.
Hayato naturally fell back a few meters, following behind them.
Kyou, as the older sister, also gradually increased the distance between the two in front. Before she realized it, she was walking right beside Hayato.
There's something about this man that feels... different somehow.
Compared to the cheerful conversation happening up front, Hayato and Kyou walking behind were considerably quieter.
The silence started feeling a bit uncomfortable, so Kyou broke it first.
"I still don't know where you work."
"Sobu High."
Hayato didn't mention that he was still a student. Even Nanase Ren hadn't figured out he was only a second-year.
'A high school teacher?' she assumed.
"Would you mind if I asked something a bit personal?"
Hayato wanted to know if the sisters had any romantic connections to the original protagonist. It would help him determine whether this version matched the source material.
"I would mind." Direct refusal.
"Then perhaps I'll ask your sister instead."
"Don't you dare!" Kyou quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path. They both stopped.
"Fine. Ask your question. What is it?"
She'd compromised. She knew her sister too well. For Ren's sake, Ryou would definitely answer whatever he asked.
"If this offends you, I apologize in advance."
Her eyes narrowed as she stared him down.
"Just ask already."
"Do you or your sister have anyone you're interested in? Romantically, I mean."
If this followed the original timeline, there should be someone, right?
Kyou's expression darkened immediately. Her eyes went sharp, her entire demeanor turned cold.
"Sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"No."
She gave him that single-word answer.
"I'm warning you right now. Don't get any ideas about my little sister. If I find out you're targeting her, I won't forgive you. I'll make you regret it."
She flexed slightly, demonstrating exactly what kind of regret she had in mind.
"What if I said I was interested in you instead?"
"Then I'll beat you up every time I see you."
Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!
She threw a practice punch. The sound of air cutting was honestly intimidating.
Hayato smiled. The girl in front of him had the exact same personality he remembered from the original. 'Even after entering the world of society, this person is still aggressively protective just like in my memory...'
Seeing his smile only irritated her more. She was about to issue another threat when Ryou's voice called from up ahead.
"Onee-chan! What are you two doing back there?"
"Nothing! I'm coming!"
Kyou turned immediately, her purple hair swaying. Right before she jogged ahead to catch up, she shot one final warning glare at Hayato.
Hayato watched her retreating back, the corner of his mouth curving upward slightly.
Two major surprises in one day had put him in an excellent mood.
What other surprises might this world have in store? He was genuinely looking forward to finding out.
Hayato really enjoyed that sense of genuine surprise when an anime character appeared unexpectedly. If he searched for them methodically, missing ones would be disappointing, and finding ones would merely be satisfying. Nothing could beat the thrill of accidentally encountering a character anime in this world.