Zongman: I sign in at the second dimension

After dropping Katou Megumi off at her home, Tatsuki headed back to his own. He reached his house, pushed open the door, changed into his slippers, and walked into the living room. His parents—his father, Luo Yu, and his mother, Yunhe—looked up from their seats as footsteps sounded. Yunhe asked with concern, "Little Tatsuki, why are you coming home so late? Did something happen?"

Tatsuki poured himself a cup of water, took a sip, and then replied calmly, "Nothing, Dad, Mom. I was just out with friends. On our way back, we ran into some punks bullying a few middle schoolers. We had to put them in their place and then sent the kids home. After that, I dropped off a friend before heading back."

"Alright, if you're fine, come eat!" Yunhe said, rising from her seat. His father set aside his newspaper, and soon after, Tatsuki joined them at the dinner table.

A flashy transition later…

After Kotori's trio had finished bathing, Mio and Zero Two wrapped up dinner preparations in the kitchen. Zero Two walked to the top of the stairs and called out, "Kotori, Shikina, Nan Zui—come down and eat, quick!"

Immediately, cheerful voices from upstairs responded, "Yes, yes—we'll be down as soon as we change, Big Sis Zero Two!"

Zero Two grinned mischievously, "Hurry up, or you might miss dinner!" (repeated thrice in excited exclamation).

Then Zero Two strolled into the living room and sat down to chat with the others. The conversation went something like this:

"Zero Two, where did Kotori and the others go? I can't find them anywhere!" asked Yatogami Tokka. "Yeah, I agree—I, along with Yekuya, haven't seen them at all," replied Hachibami Yuzuru. "Exactly!" chimed in Hachibami Yekuya. "Such a hassle—but thankfully, no one got hurt!" added Yatogami Tenkou. "As long as Kotori's group is safe, it's fine. We never should have let them go buy dinner supplies," noted Manyouri. "Not sure who rescued them, though…" grumbled Zero Long. "They mentioned a boy named Tatsuki and a girl named Katou Megumi were passing by the alley, heard the commotion, and came to save them," explained Mio. "Tatsuki? That name sounds so familiar…" mused Zero Two, gently touching the headband on her hair. "Hey, Zero Two, do you actually know this Tatsuki?" Yatogami Tokka asked in surprise. Zero Two shook her head. "Not really—I haven't met him, so I can't say if he's the same as the one we once knew." "Hmm… alright then," Tokka conceded. "Anyway, we're here!" Yatogami Tokka announced, and almost immediately, Kotori's group came down from the second floor. "Alright, everyone, dinner time! Let's have Kotori's group tell us all about it at the table," clapped Mio. "All right!" came a chorus of "Yes!" nine times.

Another flashy transition…

After dinner, following a bath, Zero Two—with her long pink hair flowing down to her waist—laid on her bed, gazing at the headband she wore. She recalled how Kotori's group had described Tatsuki: "Tatsuki's looks? I remember he has messy white hair, striking blue eyes, and is about 1.8 meters tall. His black-and-blue school uniform marks him as a student from Zongwu High."

Just then, Zero Two turned to the person on the top bunk, Zero Long, and asked, "Zero Long, do you think the Tatsuki they described looks like the one we knew back when we were little?"

Zero Long paused his video browsing and said, "Childhood Tatsuki? I'm not sure—it might be the same person, but until we actually meet him, who knows?"

Zero Two sighed, "That's true… I guess without meeting him face-to-face, it's hard to tell. Oh, by the way, where's Shiori? I haven't seen her around, Zero Long."

Zero Long looked up from his phone and replied, "Shiori? She got food poisoning at school today, has a fever, and is still in the hospital. I bet Mio will have us visit her soon."

"Really…" Zero Two murmured.

Then, a voice from outside their room—Mio's voice—called out, "Zero Two, Zero Long, are you coming to the hospital to see Shiori? You guys in?"

"No kidding—speak of the devil, here she comes!" Zero Two laughed softly. "Alright, Zero Two, let's go change and head to the hospital to see Shiori," Zero Long said, jumping down from his bunk. "Sure, sure," Zero Two agreed as Mio's voice echoed again: "Hurry up, you two!"

"Okay, we'll be ready soon!" they chorused twice.

Another flashy transition…

Back on Tatsuki's side, after dinner he returned to his room, took a shower, changed into his cartoon-themed pajamas, and settled into his computer desk chair. He grabbed his phone and began chatting with his online friend, Er Ya. Their conversation went like this:

Er Ya: "Good evening, Orange Cat-sama~" (smiley face)

Orange Cat: "Good evening, Er Ya. Have you finished dinner?" (puzzled face)

Er Ya: "Heehee, guess what, Orange Cat-sama~ (￣▽￣～)~"

Orange Cat: "Ah, I have no idea ＜(｀^?)＞"

Er Ya: "Ugh, boring!"

Orange Cat: "Alright, alright—I won't tease you. But if you don't finish your dinner, how would you be here chatting with me?" (panda mischievous smile)

Er Ya: "Hmph! I'm not happy! How dare you say that about me!!!" (panda angry emoji)

Orange Cat: "Hahaha (?w?)hiahiahia"

Er Ya: "What are you laughing at?"

(Note: There's more after Chapter 14…)