Zak sat cross-legged on his bed, staring at the hovering blue interface that had appeared the night before. The text glowed softly in the dim morning light.
System: WELCOME, CHOSEN ONE.
System: Accessing Summoning Module…
System: You may now summon a being from your memory database.
He swallowed, heart pounding. So this is real. I can… summon someone? His thoughts immediately turned toward the countless anime characters he had adored in his past life - characters that had made him, well… more enthusiastic than usual. He shivered, feeling a mix of guilt and excitement. Please… let it be someone beautiful… someone I've always… admired.
The interface displayed a spinning roulette wheel, glowing glyphs circling faster and faster. Names flashed across it - characters he recognized, ones he'd imagined meeting. His stomach twisted with anticipation, pulse accelerating. Come on… come on…
The wheel slowed, each name flashing like starlight, until it finally stopped.
Marin Kitagawa.
Zak's jaw dropped. No way… Marin? His mind immediately conjured her image: lively, playful, stunningly beautiful, and unmistakably confident. She was perfect. This is… unbelievable.
A flash of light erupted in the center of his room, illuminating the walls. Zak squinted as a circle of intricate, glowing runes formed on the floor, spinning and shimmering. He could feel the faint hum of energy in the air, the hair on his arms standing on end. And then… she appeared.
Tall, graceful, with golden-blonde hair cascading past her shoulders.
Marin blinked rapidly, her vibrant expression faltering as her eyes darted around the unfamiliar room. She took a small step back, confusion painted across her face. "Huh? Where… am I?" she whispered, almost to herself.
Zak swallowed, trying to find his words. "I - I'm Zak. I know this is sudden but "
Before he could finish, Marin stiffened. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as her hands flew to her head. Her knees trembled, and Zak's heart lurched in panic.
"W-What's wrong?!" he asked, reaching out but hesitating just short of touching her.
Marin's eyes widened, her breathing quick and uneven. Flashes tore through her mind - bright camera lights, excited voices, the chaos of a packed cosplay event. Then came the chilling image of steel glinting in the air, the shock of pain, the screams. Darkness.
"I… I died…" Her voice was barely audible, trembling. "That fan… the knife… I…" She bit her lip, tears threatening to fall.
Zak's chest tightened. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. His mind raced - flashes of her memories hitting him hard. Cameras, screams, the glint of steel… death.
Wait. That can't be right. In her original world, she never… she never died. Zak's stomach twisted as realization sank in: the system… it must have copied her at the moment of death. Or worse - maybe it orchestrated this somehow, creating a version of her that had died.
System: Clarification.
System: Marin Kitagawa originates from a parallel reality of Dress Up Darling. In that world, her life proceeded normally until she tragically died at a cosplay event from a fan attack, never meeting Gojo. Your summoning retrieved her consciousness at that point.
Zak exhaled slowly, his mind spinning. So… she's not "original" Marin from the main story- but a version that met a cruel fate. He felt both relief and unease. Relief that she existed here, yet unease at the system's role in her death. He had created this version of her, or at least pulled her from a moment of tragedy.
Conflicting thoughts tore through him. This wasn't just a summon anymore. Was he responsible? Could he protect her now? Could he ever allow her to know what had happened in her previous life? His fists relaxed slightly, but the weight in his chest remained.
"Hey," he said softly, steady but firm, forcing his voice calm despite the turmoil inside. "You're safe now. Whatever happened before… it's over. You're here, Marin."
She blinked, confusion mixing with relief. Then, as if instinctively, she straightened and gave him a small, respectful bow. "B-Boss… thank you for summoning me."
Zak immediately shook his head, frowning. "No, no. Don't call me 'boss.' Just… Zak. You can call me Zak."
Marin's cheeks flushed a soft pink. "O-Okay… Zak," she said quietly. Then, almost shyly, she placed a hand on her stomach. "Ugh… I'm, like, starving right now~"
Zak chuckled softly, a little awkwardly. "Right… well, let's see what I've got." He rummaged through his small kitchen and pulled out a pack of instant ramen. It's not much… but it's something. He cooked it carefully, the steam rising, and handed her the bowl.
Marin sniffed it, her eyes sparkling. "Wow… this smells amazing." She took a tentative bite, then grinned brightly. "Omg, Zak… this is, like, super good! You're, like, actually amazing at this!"
Zak's heart skipped. "Uh… don't mention it. I… I don't have much, but I can make it work.
Marin waved her hand lazily. "Chill, Zak~ It's totally fine, like, really!" She slurped another bite, eyes sparkling as she hummed happily.
Watching her enjoy something so simple, Zak felt a quiet warmth bloom in his chest. Even the smallest things - like making her a bowl of ramen - were enough to make him feel happy…..
The next few days blurred into a rhythm of school, late-night shifts, and slowly adjusting to life with Marin. She explored the house with childlike curiosity - poking into cupboards, peeking behind doors, and firing off questions about everything she saw.
The house itself wasn't big, but it had three bedrooms. Zak had kept the master after his grandmother died, and Marin now slept in the one right next to his. Knowing she was just a few steps away gave him a strange sense of responsibility… and, if he was being honest, temptation. He told himself to act like a decent guy, but late at night, when he heard her humming in her room or padding barefoot across the hall, his imagination sometimes wandered.
During the day, though, it was impossible not to just admire her energy. She was carefree, vibrant, always smiling - even when she teased him for being too serious. She'd lean across the counter while he cooked, her shirt slipping just low enough to make him look away too quickly. Or she'd flop onto the couch in shorts that barely counted as clothing, leaving Zak swallowing hard and forcing himself to focus on literally anything else.
Still, under all that, he realized he was becoming protective of her. Not just because she was beautiful in ways that made his self-control ache, but because she was Marin - a girl pulled into this world with nothing, relying on him.
For the first few days, Marin had worn what Zak had managed to give her - his late mother's clothes. They were clean, but old, some stretched or faded, and most didn't really fit her right. He had already sold most of his mother's wardrobe years ago for money, so what little remained barely passed. Marin never complained, but Zak could see it -shirts too loose on her, jeans awkward around her hips.
That's why he finally took her shopping.
Marin was thrilled, practically bouncing through aisles, holding up skirts, dresses, and cute tops to her body with an infectious smile. Zak, on the other hand, felt a knot tightening in his chest. She looked incredible in everything, every twirl and laugh hitting him like a sucker punch, but guilt gnawed at him.
I can't even get her the kind of clothes she used to wear back in her world, he thought, watching her grin over a cheap sundress. Designer stuff, quality fabric - she probably lived in that before. And here I am, handing her bargain rack leftovers.
That night, while Marin sprawled on the couch happily scrolling through her new clothes, Zak sat on his bed, staring at his phone. He knew what he had to do. Extra shifts, late-night part-time jobs, anything to save money. He'd grind himself down if he had to.
Not just to support her, but to make sure she could join college, make friends, and live a "normal" life in this crazy world. Even if he had to bleed for it, Zak decided, Marin wouldn't feel like a burden. She'd feel like she belonged.
Small moments of intimacy and flirtation had already started slipping into their daily life. Marin would lean on him to try a new dress, brush past him in the kitchen, or casually rest her head on his shoulder while they watched TV. Zak found himself blushing, heart hammering, yet enjoying every second. Their connection grew slowly, like a soft spark igniting into a quiet, steady flame.
Zak's days started early and ended late. When classes were done, he'd clock in for extra shifts - delivery runs, stock work, anything that paid. By the time he got home, his shoulders ached, and his hands carried the faint scent of grease or cardboard. Still, he'd force a smile the moment he opened the door, not wanting Marin to worry.
But she noticed. She always noticed.
That evening, they sat across from each other at the small dining table. Marin twirled noodles around her chopsticks, sneaking glances at him between bites. His hair was damp from a quick shower, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, yet he still asked her about her day with genuine interest.
Finally, she set her chopsticks down. "Zak…" Her voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant.
He looked up, mid-bite. "Hm?"
Her brows pinched together, concern flickering across her face. "Why are you working yourself to death? You come home so late, looking exhausted, and it's… it's for me, isn't it?"
Zak froze for a moment, then ran a hand over the back of his neck. "I… I just don't want you to feel trapped, Marin. You deserve better —college, friends, a normal life. I want you to have all of that… and more. You're important to me. That's all there is to it."
Her lips parted, surprise softening into something warmer. Slowly, a smile tugged at her mouth. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
He blinked. "Huh?"
She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, eyes sparkling. "Most guys wouldn't even bother. But you… you're working so hard just so I can feel like I belong. It's… kind of cute."
Heat rushed to his face, and he looked away, suddenly very interested in his bowl. His chest, though, felt lighter - as if her words had made the exhaustion worth it.
And across the table, Marin's heart fluttered too.
____
The morning sunlight spilled into Zak's room as he stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling lazily behind him. A towel rested on top of his head as he rubbed his damp hair, completely naked, too caught up in his routine to bother locking the door.
The handle turned.
"Zak! You won't believe….." Marin's voice rang out as she pushed the door open, still in her soft pajamas. She froze mid-step, eyes locking onto him.
Zak froze too.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Just silence. Just her wide, shocked eyes staring into his.
And then… her gaze flickered down.
Her breath hitched audibly, her face instantly flooding crimson. She didn't even blink, caught staring as her lips parted in disbelief. Holy shit…
"Marin…" he started, but it was too late.
Her eyes lingered a fraction too long on the heavy length hanging between his legs, even soft, before reality slammed back into her. With a strangled squeak, she spun on her heel and bolted, slamming the door shut behind her.
"Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she squealed, her voice cracking with panic.
Zak stood frozen, blood rushing to his face. "What… the fuck just happened…" he muttered, finally realizing his full display. His hands shot down to cover himself. "..fuck!"
Meanwhile, Marin barreled into her room, diving face-first into her bed. She buried her face in a pillow, muffling a groan as she kicked her legs furiously.
"Why did I go in without knocking?! Why?!" she cried, rolling onto her back and covering her face with her hands. Her heart was racing so hard it hurt.
But no matter how much she screamed into her pillow, the image wouldn't leave her mind. Zak's stunned face… his bare chest dripping with water… and - her whole body heated again, the sheer size of what she had just seen.
She squeezed her thighs together, biting her lip as her thoughts betrayed her. How can it even be that big… it didn't even look hard…
Her hands hovered awkwardly over her stomach before slowly trailing lower, the heat between her legs matching the blush burning across her cheeks. "God, what's wrong with me…" she whispered, though her body was already betraying her thoughts.
———
Even after leaving the house, Zak couldn't shake the morning's image from his mind. Marin's wide, flustered eyes… the way her face had gone scarlet before she bolted. Every time he tried to focus, his brain dragged him back to that moment, and his cheeks burned all over again
God, she saw everything. Just act normal. Pretend it never happened.
But "normal" wasn't easy. By the time he reached campus and settled into class, his head was still buzzing.
The hours dragged until break arrived, and the classroom began to buzz with activity. More students filtered in, some from other departments, voices rising in excited chatter. Zak didn't need to guess why.
Felicia Hardy.
She sat gracefully at her desk, as untouchable as a queen on her throne. Her blonde hair caught the light, her poise immaculate. As the vice president of the student council, she was the pride of the college - and to most of the guys around, the very definition of perfection.
Compliments and flirty remarks rained down on her from all sides. Some tried humor, others offered help carrying her books or notes. Felicia responded to each with perfect politeness, her tone calm, her smile practiced.
But Zak noticed the truth beneath it. The faint stiffness in her posture, the flicker of irritation in her eyes. She's disgusted…
He sighed, stood, and slung his bag over his shoulder. He wasn't about to waste his time in this circus. Not when he already had someone just as beautiful - and far more genuine - waiting back home.
Without a word, he left the room.
It was such a small act, so casual that he didn't give it a second thought. But two pairs of eyes followed him.
Felicia's polite smile faltered ever so slightly as she noticed the one guy not scrambling for her attention, the one who had glanced her way and then simply… left. No hesitation. No awe. Just indifference.
And from the far side of the room, Julia Cornwall adjusted her glasses, quietly observing. Beneath the nerdy disguise she wore so well, her eyes lingered on Zak, thoughtful.
——-
By the time Zak got home that evening, he was exhausted from work. Still, Marin's cheerful energy greeted him as she lounged on the couch, humming and flipping through her sketches.
"Hey," he greeted quietly, dropping his bag by the door.
"Hey!" she replied, bright as sunlight, glancing up with that mischievous grin that always made his chest tighten.
As they settled at the small dining table to eat, Zak couldn't help but bring up the moment that had been bugging him all day. "So… what did you want to say this morning?"
Marin froze for a split second, a shadow crossing her expression as she recalled the morning incident .. but she quickly shook it off. "Oh, nothing serious!" she said smoothly. "I was just thinking about starting a vlog channel, maybe taking a few modeling gigs. I found some agencies nearby that look promising."
Zak paused mid-bite, frowning slightly. I can't let her get hurt… not again. Not by creepy fans, not by anyone dangerous. He forced himself to mask his worry, though every instinct screamed caution. Part of him also remembered how beautiful and talented she was, and how easily people could become obsessed with her.
"Remember," he added gently, "we talked about this before… my world isn't normal like your past one. Heroes, villains, powers… things happen that you can't always predict."
Marin noticed his shifting expression - frown, hesitation, deep though, and smirked knowingly. "What's the matter? Don't believe in me?" she teased, but her tone carried a hint of seriousness, aware of why he might be worried.
Zak stumbled over his words, trying to find the right balance. "I—I didn't mean that… it's just… I just want to make sure nothing bad happens to you. You've… been through enough. You'll do great, I'm sure, but… please be careful."
She laughed softly, a mix of warmth and reassurance. " I know, I know, Zak.. I've managed tricky stuff before, so no worries, okay? I can handle myself—and I'll be smart about it."
Zak nodded, still tense but slightly relieved. "Alright… just promise me you'll stay cautious."
She leaned forward, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Promise. But don't forget… I can take more than you think, ya know…"
Zak felt a shiver run down his spine, his chest tightening as the words carried an unspoken challenge and something else he couldn't quite ignore.
Marin's eyes sparkled with a cheeky glint. "Or… like, we could start vlogging together first… and, y'know, reveal we're married. Bet that'd scare off most of the creepy dudes, teehee~"
Zak choked on his food, coughing and sputtering. "W-what? Don't mess around!" He jumped to his feet, still flustered, carrying his dish to the sink.
Marin's laughter followed him, light and teasing, drifting after him as he moved away. She murmured softly to herself, almost inaudible, "I wasn't though…"
Even as Zak scrubbed the dish, cheeks still burning, a small warmth lingered in his chest. That playful teasing, that effortless charm, Marin had a way of getting under his skin without even trying.
——
Their days passed in quiet, comfortable companionship — cooking together, watching shows, quick shopping trips, and long conversations that stretched into the night. Zak noticed that Marin's energy wasn't just lively; it was infectious. Even the smallest, most mundane moments like helping her pick out socks or brewing instant coffee felt special.
Sometimes, she would tease him, plopping onto the couch while he cleaned, or brushing close to see if he noticed a small wardrobe mishap. Each time, his cheeks flushed, and a warmth spread through his chest. Staying in control was getting harder by the day.
Zak looked at her sleeping peacefully now, the soft rise and fall of her breathing calming him in a way nothing else could. A small, quiet smile tugged at his lips. Life was unpredictable and messy but with Marin here, it already felt… right.