Why yes, Chiaki does think in references to retro video games and anime, why do you ask? Since this takes place in the year 2000, I can't have her make modern references, but I'm going to do my best to make it so that even if you don't know the specific reference, you shouldn't be too lost. In this case, we're looking at Chiaki, Kenta, and Fumiko as characters from the original Dragon Quest. Even if you don't know the characters they're dressed as, I hope that it's clear enough that in her daydream:
Chiaki = Hero
Kenta = Villain
Fumiko = Damsel

Bear with me, though. I'm just a big nerd myself. XD

I'd also like to highlight the two girls Kenta is talking to in Panel 6. The one with glasses is Honoka, and the blonde (the gyaru) is Ai. You don't need to know their names yet so don't worry if you don't remember, but I wanted to mention this in case anyone is curious. We'll see them again.

All that aside, the page also dips into more serious matters. Whether you have a crush on them or not, seeing your friend in a toxic relationship is rough. Especially when they insist "everything is totally fine and you don't need to worry" and it's so obvious to you and literally everyone else that everything is totally not fine. As someone who's been both the one in the relationship not seeing the problem, and the one outside watching my friends hurt, it's sadly a bad time for everyone.

But that's enough out of me for now. We'll wrap up the prologue with the next page tomorrow.

©2022
My Impossible Soulmate, all characters, and all other aspects of the story are copyright material belonging to Jocelyn Samara (aka Lynn Senpai).