Willow opened his eyes to a non-yellow, normal looking ceiling. The surface beneath him was soft, probably a bed. Getting up, he looked around to see he was a room. A bedroom, to be exact.
It seemed like it was the original owner's room. The room was fairly simple and clean, not unlike his own. His bare feet touched the wooden floor, making him shiver.
Willow decided to find a mirror to check his current appearance. After all, this is going to be his face for a long time. 50 positive reviews isn't exactly a small amount.
The bathroom was simple, but spacious. There was a walk in closet to the other side. He looked around curiously to see that the original owner's clothing taste also seemed to match his own. To be honest, Willow might have been fine with any style as long as it wasn't too flashy, but simple hoodie and sneakers were the best.
Cupping some of the water in his hands, he lightly splashed his face. Cold water helped him clear his mind since he was feeling a little dizzy from the whole turn of events. Slowly, he gazed upwards in the mirror.
A new yet familiar face stared back at him. It was him....but also not him at the same time. With long slender nose, round face and somewhat feminine features, he looked....cute. Fortunately, his face didn't seems to have changed that much. Apart from the skin becoming extra smooth and the eyes bigger, it was still his own average face.
His height seemed to have reduced a bit too. He was already short, and now he's even shorter.
But wait a minute....Why on earth is he 'cute'? Weren't they supposed to transmigrate in a novel and continue it? Then, wasn't he supposed be the main character? And isn't the main character always handsome? Heck, each and every man in novels is handsome with a tall and muscular body!
So why was he, the probable main character, cute?
Willow heard the sound of the door opening as he was lamenting about his appearance. Someone seemed to enter his room. There was a knock on the bathroom door. "Will? Are you awake?"
The voice was soft and warm. Although the speaker was clearly male, the voice wasn't gruff or intimidating.
Hearing no answer, the man called again, "Willow? Are you there? You're alright, right? Why aren't you answering dad-"
The man outside became more worried when he still received no answer. His knocking became more urgent. "Will? Hey, Will! Are you okay? You didn't fall, right? Do you need dad to come in and help you-"
"I'm okay, dad."
According to what he said, it seemed like he was his father in this world. Willow wiped his face in a hurry and opened the bathroom door.
The first thing he saw was a man with a good height and figure standing there. He had sharp features and an aura which made people think of him as unapproachable. He would have been the perfect CEO in the novels young girls read nowadays if it weren't for his nervous and anxious expression. He was even wearing an apron!
This homely appearance and warm appearance contrasted with his fine looks. Seems like their mom in this world had good luck in the matchmaking department. A man with a good job who even cooks! What more do you need?
"Will? Are you okay? Why didn't you answer me? I was almost worried to death. Come on, let's go eat breakfast. Your sister should also be awake by now."
"..."
...Wasn't this conversation a little odd? Sure, he may be his dad but....why was he acting like a mother worried for her child? Where was the expected coldness and indifference?
And don't book characters usually have their parents dead? Or family issues? All this is so common that at this point, it's weirder if the main character has a normal family.
Since he was with this man and couldn't exactly scream 'system' without appearing crazy or suspicious, he tried to whispering it several times . Even after numerous attempts, no holographic screen appeared before him.
Ha, was this silly system late again? If he ever gets the chance to review him, Willow felt like he'll be sure to leave a terrible rating.
Adelia was already seated on the table. He was able to tell the unfamiliar girl sitting on the table was Adelia because she looked almost the same, except for a few differences. She was also playing with her hands as she waited, an action he had seen his sister do countless times when bored. The appearance similarity and actions overlapped too much for her to not be Adelia.
A variety of dishes were served on the table with cutlery and seats for 4 people. On counting himself, their dad and Adelia , it seemed like one person was due to arrive.
"Adel! You're awake too? My sweet little girl."
That man, who had introduced himself as their dad, quickly went over and hugged her. She was startled and stared at him blankly due to the sudden intimate action. Fortunately, he didn't see her and by the time he retracted his head, she already fixed her expression a little.
'OMG, Adel, you looked so stupid for a second,' Willow tried to stifle his laughter at her dumbfounded expression.
'YOU!'
He almost jumped in his seat due to the sudden scream. He was sure it was in his head because the whole time, his sister's lips didn't move but the loud and shrill voice in his head was definitely her.
'A-Adel, you can hear my thoughts?'
'Yeah, didn't you know?'
'Umm, no'
'Makes sense I guess. That system sent you first. While your transmigration was in process, he told me we can communicate through our thoughts.'
'Oh.'
Adelia quietly chewed her toast as they continued to speak through the channel. 'By the way, Will, were you able to reach him? I've been calling since morning.'
'No. Maybe he's late-'
"Why aren't you eating, Will? Is the food not good? Does it taste horrible? I knew I shouldn't have tried making it."
Willow was surprised for a moment. He soon realized he hadn't eaten anything since he arrived at the table. Their 'dad' was looking at his empty plate worriedly as he continued, "No, Will. Don't force yourself to eat if you don't want to! It's horrible, right? I'll ask the chef to prepare something else right away. I should've known, making you eat bad food like that-"
Willow was startled by his behavior. Feeling guilty for worrying him for no reason, he shook his head in a hurry, "N-no, it's alright! I, uh, I was just thinking about something! The food's alright. It's very good, dad."
Technically, he wasn't lying. He really was thinking his conversation with Adelia.
The man still wasn't convinced. Willow reassured his some more and only when he finished half his plate did their dad calm down. He went back to his own meal and they ate in silence for a while.
While their dad looked quite comfortable, it was getting a little awkward for both of them.
"Um, dad, where's mom?" Adelia asked hesitantly, attempting to start a conversation.
"Mom?" Their dad tilted his head in confusion.
Why did he look so confused? Oh god, was their mom dead? It wouldn't be a surprise even if she was because one or both parents dead is so common for novel protagonists! Did they touch a sore spot?
Adelia too seemed to be thinking of the same thing as she changed her words in a hurry, "S-sorry dad. I didn't mean to bring up mom. I'm sorry. You must be so sad, yet I-"
Before Adelia could fully launch in a grieving-daughter mode, their dad interrupted her, "Sad? Why would I be sad?"
Deciding not to speak, Willow kept his silence as he watched. Even he could see that the situation wasn't working out and it was getting worse as Adelia tried to mend it. He didn't want to interfere because he knew that if he even said one word, Adelia would somehow blame the whole thing on him later. Silence was golden.
In a sorry attempt to clarify, Adelia stammered, "B-because she's dead?"
Their dad continued to eat and looked thoughtful. "Is she? Hmm, I don't know. After all, we had no contact after you us were born. Actually, it would have been strange if we kept in touch."
What? Was it just him, or is the situation getting weirder with each passing minute?