"You really need to try this game. All the male leads are so handsome and charming." My friend explained as she shoved her phone into my face.
I rolled my eyes at her and chuckled.
"No way. I'm not interested in those otome games in the slightest."
"Oh c'mon. At least try it before you judge. And plus it's free to play."
I saw her interact with one of the men. His model had black hair with a side part and blood red eyes.
"Isn't he so handsome?" She once again tried to show me her game.
"Uh…sure."
"You're so boring!"
"Sorry I don't want to play your game." I said playfully.
She smiled at me. "Just one time please?"
I sighed.
"Hmm…alright." I sighed and reluctantly agreed.
"Yay!"
She handed me her phone and started a new save file.
The screen game loaded up a girl with three men surrounding her.
"This is the main character and the three capture targets. Obviously Eric, the one with the black hair, is mine so don't even think about choosing him."
"Don't worry I won't even touch him…"
I pressed start but the bell rang and the teacher entered. He hushed everyone and told us to put away our devices. My friend groaned and took her phone back, putting it in her bag.
"Download it tonight and tell me how it goes tomorrow." She said before going back to her own seat.
"Yeah…will do."
-
I splat into my bed and pulled out my phone, beginning to download the game.
"Hearts of mine…what a cringy title…" I said to myself. As the game started up I couldn't help but feel how typical it was. First the female lead is almost hit by a motorcycle which turns out that the driver is one of the male leads, Erick. He was a typical bad boy archetype but with a soft spot for the heroine. She was luckily saved by the other male lead, Keiran. Good boy, blond hair, student council president. Not interesting at all.
The last target wasn't met until later in the game. Liam. He was a photographer and came off as a bit more shy than the other two. His design was pretty typical for a shy guy type. One eye covered by his reddish brown hair.
I couldn't help but feel robbed of my time as I played this game but it was addicting for some reason. I couldn't help but want to see what happens next to the main heroine. I wanted to collect all the endings.
The next morning I arrived at school and sat in my seat. I yawned due to my exhaustion from last night and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and heard my friend gasp.
"Woah, you look dead."
"Yeah, I ended up playing your little game all night and got all the endings."
"Already?! It took me two weeks max to get all the endings."
"I couldn't help it. It was…fun…I guess."
My friend smirked and poked fun at me.
"I knew you would like it. So who was your favorite?"
"My favorite? Keiran I guess?"
He wasn't really my favorite but he was the most obvious choice. If I was being honest none of them really stuck out to me.
As the school day passed, me and her continued talking about Hearts of Mine. She mentioned a few things, some I dismissed and some I listened intently to.
As we split paths on the walk home, I pulled out my phone to play except, as I looked at the loading screen, something was different. Instead of the usual load game save, it said enter game. Surely this was just an update the devs just made. As I pressed the button I heard someone scream in horror. In an instance I felt my body smash into the floor as pain ensued my body. My vision started to fade as I felt my very existence change.
-
"Selene, wake up. Selene…"
I heard a little girl's voice say an unfamiliar name.
"Selene…stop messing with me…"
I opened my eyes and saw a little girl with light pink hair and bright gold eyes.
"You're awake. Thank goodness you're okay…" she said with tears building up in her eyes.
I was so confused. Who was this little girl and why was she acting like she knew me? There was something oddly familiar about her though. As I sat up, I felt my body was different? It was harder to control, as if my movements were delayed and slowed.
I adjusted my eyes to my surroundings and saw I was at a park.
"Selene…?" I heard the girl say again.
"Who-"
I paused. This wasn't my voice. No, it was completely different. It was high, almost like a little girl. I looked at my body. My hands, my legs. My mind was shook as I realized I was in a child's body.
"No way?! What happened? Who are you?!" I said in a panic. The little girl looked at me worriedly.
"Who am I…?" Her voice wavered. "Selene I told you…stop messing with me already…"
I saw her hands tighten into a ball. There was something that told me I should play along with this.
"I-I'm joking! See I'm fine!"
I laughed awkwardly. She glared at me and somehow this little girl's stare was somewhat scaring me.
"You play around too much."
She stood up and crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry…?" I said, confused.
"You should be. I was really scared when you fell down and didn't wake up. I thought you had died…"
Died? Am I dead? No it couldn't be after all…I'm still myself. All my memories, I still have them. All I remember was being in the street and then a truck hit me. Now I'm here in a child's body as another scolds me?
I slowly stood upright and started adjusting to this body. It felt odd being a child again. Maybe this was just a dream.
"Selene! Layla! It's time to go home!" My ears perked up as I heard the other name. I assumed since the girl called me Selene then she must be Layla but, it couldn't be. Could it? All the cards were in the right place but, how could it be possible?
"Selene, come on, your mom is calling us."
She grabbed onto my hand and made me walk.
Layla…the main protagonist's name in the game. I only remember this because I didn't bother to change it when I started to play but, how is it even possible? Did pressing that odd button somehow manage to reincarnate me into the game when I died?
I studied Layla's appearance. It was too close to how the heroine looked. Pink hair, yellow eyes. This was all too surreal. I really did get put into this game.
"You okay Selene? You look out of it." My supposed mother said.
"Uh…yeah." I said, still weirded out by my voice.
"You sure? You took a hard fall back there."
"I'm okay."
"Alright then. Let's go home you two."
Layla nodded and I followed the woman. Heading towards an unfamiliar home I was dazzled by the sparkly and beautiful exterior. It screamed rich and money all over. Was this my home?
The woman opened the large gate and let us inside. It was so extravagant I couldn't believe it. Whether I died and reincarnated into this game, I could care less if this was my new life.
A man, who was way too tall, or maybe just because I was a child, happily ran over to hug me and held me in the air as he smiled widely at me.
"Oh! My daughter, you're back! Daddy missed you. How was your play date with Layla?"
"It was fun." I said absolutely lying my ass off. What else was I supposed to say? I don't recall anything other than my past life.
My "mom" came inside and walked over to my "dad" and put her hand on his shoulder.
"They had lots of fun. Oh you should have seen them playing."
He sighed and gently put me onto my feet.
"If only work didn't require me so much."
He put on a smile again and lowered himself to Layla.
"How about I make you and Selene something nice to eat."
Layla simply nodded and thanked him. She was polite for a little girl but then again, she was the protagonist and in the game she was always polite and kind.
The rest of the day played out smoothly. Somehow I was able to act like a normal little kid and no one suspected anything. I suppose the character I reincarnated as is sort of like me or maybe I'm just childish.
It was fun though, somehow, these adults were kind and loving parents. Layla was also not what I was expecting. She was more quiet and reserved than I had anticipated. It was weird seeing characters other than Layla fully fleshed out and talking.
This also made me question, who was I? What character am I? And then it hit me. Selene was Layla's supporting best friend. Albeit a minor character who didn't even get a model, but I was her or at least I'm assuming I'm her.
This is my chance though, to see Layla fall in love with someone she actually likes. Since I was always choosing which one of the guys she liked, I can finally see what her life will turn out to be like without my interference. All I have to do is support her just like Selene did in the game. I can't wait till we start highschool then, the game will take place.
"Selene, what are you thinking so hard about?" Layla said as she sat on my bed.
I smiled.
"Oh nothing, just, I can't wait until highschool."
"Highschool? That's so long from now though."
"No it's not! We'll be in there before we know it!" I said. I wasn't lying though. Maybe it was from my past experience but being a kid to a teen really just flies by. I guess the only exciting part was seeing Layla but to be honest, being a kid isn't so bad either. I should embrace this before I have to start worrying about life again.
Layla got up and stood in front of me.
"We're still gonna be friends till then right?"
I nodded happily.
"Of course we will."
There was no trace of doubt hidden in my voice. I was sincere about being her friend. Until then, I'll just live out my life carelessly. I'm sure the story of this game will continue as it should and I'll be happy just being a side character like this. I just hope the guy she chooses is a good route and nothing out of the ordinary happens.