The bustling school atmosphere that afternoon was so lively. It was a free period, and the sound of laughter echoed among the students as they waited for the final bell to ring.
I sat at my desk, letting the rustling noise pass by while listening to my friends' chatter around me.
"Ara, I heard the new game from the Love Eternal series is coming out next month!" Haruka, my seatmate, exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
"That's right! I've already pre-ordered it!" I replied enthusiastically. "The characters look amazing in the trailer! Especially the male lead. He's absolutely perfect!"
Haruka giggled, a playful smile on her face. "Ayumu-chan, when are you going to get a real boyfriend? You're way too obsessed with fictional characters."
I pouted, pretending to be upset. "Real life is too boring. If I could, I'd rather reincarnate into a dating sim game world and be surrounded by handsome prince!"
Our conversation continued until the school bell rang. The cheerful voices of the students were replaced by the sound of hurried footsteps heading toward the exits. I quickly packed my books, almost forgetting to zip my bag.
"Haruka, I'm heading out first!" I called out, waving.
"As usual, rushing home to play games!"
She wasn't wrong. With excitement bubbling inside me, I briskly walked out of school, making my way down a sidewalk covered in golden autumn leaves. The aroma of roasted chestnuts wafted from a small roadside stall, and children fresh out of school played in a park near the intersection.
Autumn in Japan always had its own charm, as if even the real world held a small trace of magic.
My pace quickened as my apartment came into view at the end of the street. I opened the door, kicked off my shoes in one swift motion, and dashed into my room. Closing the door firmly behind me, I ensured no one would disturb my precious time with my 2D boyfriends.
"Ah… finally!"
This room was my personal haven. Posters of husbando adorned the walls, shelves brimming with figurines, and a study desk that was more often used to display merchandise than hold schoolbooks.
I collapsed onto my soft bed, smiling up at the ceiling, and grabbed my phone. A few taps on the screen brought up the newly released dating sim game, Love Eternal: Refrain.
"Alright, Yukito-kun… this time, I'll make you fall for me!" I murmured, brimming with excitement, as if performing a well-practiced ritual.
Hours flew by in an instant as I immersed myself in Yukito-kun's romantic, enigmatic world and his captivating smile.
When my eyes grew heavy, I placed my phone on the bedside table. Feeling satisfied, I pulled the blanket up to my chin, recalling Yukito's last romantic dialogue.
"If only a world like this really existed…" I muttered softly before drifting into sleep.
But my dream that night felt different. I wasn't in my bed. It felt like I was floating in a void, cold air seeping into my bones.
Darkness.
I reached out, trying to grab onto something, but there was nothing around me. Just a consuming blackness swallowing me whole.
A small light appeared in the distance, like a candle flickering in an endless space. The light called to me, pulling me silently. I tried to reach it, though my body felt heavy.
The closer I got, the brighter the light.
*****
I found myself lying on a warm, plush bed. My arms clutched a pillow tightly to my chest, savoring its softness. A fragrant aroma filled my nose, combining to create a comfort so overwhelming that I didn't want to move.
Unfortunately, sunlight streamed through the window, its rays warming my chilled body. The brightness pierced my closed eyelids, insistently urging me to wake from my blissful dream.
"Mmm… five more minutes…" I groaned lazily.
But the light didn't relent. Its warmth turned into heat, making me uncomfortably warm. It seemed the sun was determined not to let me laze about in peace.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. I squinted, feeling something was off. "Wait… this isn't my room!"
I bolted upright, my drowsiness evaporating instantly, replaced by confusion and panic. My mind felt blank, unable to process what was happening.
"Where am I? What is this place? Why am I here?"
I scanned the room, observing every detail. It was clear I was no longer in my simple bedroom but in a lavish European-style chamber painted in soft pink. Antique ceramic furniture adorned the room, and the floor was covered with a red carpet embroidered with golden edges.
In the corner, an aroma diffuser wafted a light fragrance through the air, filling the space with a calming scent. Above me hung a golden chandelier, casting a warm glow across the room.
Even the bed I lay on was extravagantly luxurious–soft and fragrant, with a thick, warm velvet duvet and simple yet plush pillows.
Sheer white silk drapes surrounded the bed, swaying slightly in the gentle breeze coming through an open window.
I gaped at the scene. "What kind of place is this? It looks like a princess's bedroom in a fantasy world."
My shock deepened when I pulled back the covers and realized my favorite pink pajamas had been replaced by a white nightgown made of fine, silky fabric.
"Aaaaaaah!" My scream echoed throughout the room. "Whoever is playing this prank, come out! This is way too much!"
Soon, the door burst open, revealing a beautiful maid with shoulder-length hair. She appeared a few years older than me, with striking light blue eyes that complimented her neat uniform.
And… somehow, I recognized her. A strange sense of familiarity washed over me. I smiled at her as if we had known each other for a long time, even though this was our first meeting.
Her expression was filled with concern. She rushed toward me. "What happened, my lady? Is something troubling you?" she asked politely.
"I-I'm fine… just a… ugh… bad dream," I stammered, attempting to deflect. "What are you doing here, Sophie?" I asked, addressing the maid to change the subject.
The maid bowed respectfully before replying. "I heard you scream loudly, my lady, and came to check on you." She then scrutinized me closely, ensuring I was unharmed, before sighing in relief. "Thank goodness. I was worried something might have happened to you."
"No, it's fine," I replied with a forced smile, hoping it would reassure her, even just a little.
"A-all right, Miss. I understand."
Not a single word passed between us for several seconds, leaving an awkward silence in the air. Damn, what am I supposed to say? And how do I even know Sophie when this is our first time meeting?
The silence dragged on until Sophie took the initiative to break it. "I-if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Miss."
"Y-yes. You may go, Sophie." I bowed slightly, trying to mask the unease swirling in my thoughts.
Sophie gave me a faint smile before stepping toward the door. But just as she was about to close it completely, she turned back and spoke softly, her words lingering in the air.
"If you ever feel something is wrong, please don't hesitate to tell me."
I could only stare at her, my mouth slightly agape. Somehow, her words soothed a small part of my anxiety. A slow smile spread across my face. "Thank you, Sophie."
"You're welcome, Miss Alicia," she replied.
Once the door shut fully, I stood frozen in place. Silence engulfed the room, blanketing it in a cold stillness. But one thing refused to stop echoing in my mind.
Alicia. That name… she called me Alicia.
I whispered it softly, repeating what I'd just heard. "Alicia…" The name sounded familiar, achingly so, as though I understood everything about its owner. "That name… No, it can't be."
My blood ran cold, and without a second thought, I hurried to the large mirror in the corner of the room. My breath quickened as I stood before it, my eyes locking onto the reflection staring back at me.
It wasn't me.
That reflection… it wasn't my face.
"What is this?" I murmured, barely audible. "Is this… Alicia?"
The mirror reflected the image of an extraordinarily beautiful noblewoman. Her long pink hair cascaded down her back, her sky-blue eyes gleaming with an otherworldly charm. Her skin was flawless and pale.
My hand reached out, fingers brushing against the cold surface of the mirror. No matter how I looked at it, the image remained unchanged. I pinched my cheek, and the sharp pain confirmed it. "Ouch. This isn't a dream."
Staggered by shock, I dragged myself back to the bed, collapsing onto it and staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I've become Alicia!?" A disbelieving smile crept onto my face.
I wasn't entirely sure what had happened, but one thing was clear: I had somehow become Alicia Van Basten – the protagonist of Love in Arcana, a dating sim game I'd played in my previous world.
It was a game set in a fantasy world of swords and magic, praised for its outstanding narrative. Beyond the romance, it delved deep into political themes, offering harsh realities and heart-wrenching truths in each route. It was no wonder the game had captivated even boys players, despite being originally targeted at girls.
I wasn't sure whether to be happy or distressed about transmigrating into this game, especially as the main character.
"This is… unexpected," I muttered. But soon, curiosity gave way to a bright smile. "But… maybe this isn't so bad. I can start a new here."
I got out of bed, feeling refreshed. My steps were light as I approached the balcony. When I opened the balcony doors, the sight before me filled my heart with warmth.
A sprawling tulip garden belonging to the Van Basten family stretched as far as the eye could see, the colorful petals swaying gracefully in the morning breeze. My smile widened, unstoppable.
"Maybe… here, I can find the happiness I've been searching for."
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, letting the crisp air flow through me. Optimism swelled in my chest. My resolve solidified. I would embrace my new destiny and experience the joys of this world, including dating the princes.
"Too bad this game doesn't have a reverse harem route," I chuckled.
My grin grew wider, but it didn't take long for reality to hit. My thoughts turned to the darker aspects of this world—a complex tale filled with political intrigue and heartbreaking struggles.
My gaze fell, and I murmured to myself, "This game… it's too grim."
An iconic scene from the game flashed in my mind: a visit to the slums. Poverty ran rampant there. Children starved and slept under bridges, a stark contrast to the dazzling lives of the nobles in their opulent mansions. One of the male leads had remarked that the empire's pervasive corruption was to blame.
I clenched my fists, biting my lower lip. Anger and frustration boiled within me, though they gradually gave way to a sense of determination.
Exhaling deeply, I whispered, "I can face this. I will face this."
"I'll become stronger, far stronger than my original version. And with the people I trust, we'll transform this empire in our own way."
"I promise. A revolution will come sooner than anyone expects. That's certain."
With renewed vigor, I left the balcony, ready to embark on this new journey. My steps brimmed with confidence, and I knew that each one would bring change, not just for me, but for the world around me.
I was ready to carve a new story, one filled with joy and courage.