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[Event - "Academy Tour – The Transfer Student's Journey."]
A routine introduction turns into an unavoidable entanglement. The academy's newest arrivals are drawn into the expected traditions of student life, whether they wish to be or not.
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You mean...
That...
That, I am a transfer student too?!
The realization settled in as I processed Aeron's words. That explained the look the homeroom teacher gave me back then—like she was implying something though I didn't get it.
But why?
Why was I also a victim of the cliché?
And more importantly… why didn't any of my classmates react just now? Shouldn't someone have mentioned it? Given me a passing glance? Even a casual "Oh yeah, him too"?
...Was I a loner?
A sigh almost slipped past my lips, but I held it in. No use dwelling on that now.
Before I could decide what to say, another screen materialized in my vision.
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[Scenario - "A Walk Through the Halls of Fate!"]
"A new school, unfamiliar halls, and an invitation that cannot be refused. Will this journey be a simple tour, or the start of something far greater?"
Objective: Accompany the group on a tour of the academy.
Failure Penalty: Memory erasure.
Rewards: ??? (Determined by choices made during the tour.)
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I mentally groaned. Of course, the school tour cliché. How predictable.
"Why don't you join us?" Aeron repeated, his smile holding a faint trace of desperation.
Come on, dude, are you that much of a coward?
And sorry, I had enough of your cringes.
"So-"
Just as I was about decline, Emilia cut me short, tilting her head slightly.
"It would be better if we had someone similar to me on the tour," she said, her tone graceful and composed. "I would like you to join us as wel. Sharing the joy of discovery is pretty good after all."
I studied her for a second.
Was she just saying that for the sake of politeness, or did she actually mean it?
Either way, I quickly weighed my options.
Pros:
- I could learn more about the academy. Since I would eventually need to do it.
- I could stay in the protagonist's group and avoid being suspiciously isolated.
- If something important happened, I wouldn't be left in the dark.
Cons:
- I would be stuck in a walking, talking romcom scenario.
- High chances of witnessing or suffering through secondhand embarrassment.
- etc...
...Considering the balance and the penalty, it was safer to just go with the flow. For now.
I nodded calmly. "Alright."
Aeron visibly relaxed, flashing a relieved smile. "I knew I could rely on you, Aman."
I blinked.
Aman?
So that was my name.
Pretty decent, actually. At least it wasn't John Doe or some other painfully generic name.
Before I could dwell on it, Aeron clapped his hands together.
"Then, shall we go and have lunch first? It's already lunchtime, and I'm really hungry."
Emilia let out a light chuckle. "That does sound like a good idea."
I nodded subtly, choosing not to comment. If food was involved, I wouldn't complain.
"Alright, our first destination is - The cafeteria."
With that, I and the mc duo set off.
Aeron and Emilia walked side by side, engaged in casual conversation, while I followed silently behind them—hoping I wouldn't have to suffer through another cringeworthy scene.
Unfortunately, knowing how things were going so far… I probably wouldn't be that lucky.
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As we made our way through the academy halls, I remained a step behind the two, letting them take the lead. Aeron and Emilia exchanged casual remarks about the academy, its facilities, and the grandeur of its architecture.
I tuned out most of it.
Not that it wasn't interesting—okay, it actually wasn't interesting—but more because I had a feeling that this wasn't going to be a simple, quiet walk.
And, I was right.
Just as we turned the corner leading to the cafeteria, the inevitable happened.
"Aeron!"
A bright, cheerful voice rang through the hallway, followed by hurried footsteps.
I slowed my pace instinctively.
Here we go.
A moment later, a girl with soft pink hair and twinkling green eyes practically launched herself towards us, or to Aeron. She had an air of boundless energy, the kind that made it impossible for her to blend into the background.
I could already tell—she was one of those characters.
"Aeron!" she repeated, her voice dripping with familiarity. "Where have you been? I was looking for you after class!"
Aeron scratched his cheek, looking a little sheepish. "Ah, sorry, Livia. I got caught up with some stuff."
Livia.
Another name to remember.
Her eyes then flickered to Emilia, and for a split second, something unreadable crossed her expression. But the smile remained. "Oh, and you must be Emilia, right? I've heard a lot about you!"
Come on, she just came today, how do you already know about her?
Emilia, ever composed, gave a polite nod. "Likewise. It's nice to meet you."
You too, you know her as well, right? Your eyes expression already betrayed you.
Livia beamed. "I've been meaning to introduce myself properly! Aeron and I are good friends, you see—"
Of course, they were.
I sighed internally. The best 'girl friend' character. If this really was a romcom setting, she was probably an important part of the protagonist's love interests. Maybe even the "girl next door" type. But seeing her personality, she was far from it.
And, as expected, she turned her attention to me next.
"And you are…?" Livia tilted her head slightly, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Aman," I answered simply.
She blinked. "Aman…?" A pause. "Wait, you're also new, right? I don't think I've seen you around before."
"I transferred this year," I confirmed as if it was obvious.
"Really? That's funny. I don't remember hearing anything about another transfer student," she mused, tapping a finger against her lips. "But I guess that makes sense. It's a big school."
Yes. Let's go with that. You guys have only your perspective after all.
Aeron, eager to shift the topic, chuckled. "Anyway, we were just about to grab lunch. You wanna come along, Livia?"
I resisted the urge to groan.
No. No, she didn't.
She absolutely did.
"Of course!" she chirped. "I wouldn't miss it!"
Wonderful.
The protagonist party was expanding.
Aeron led the way as we continued toward the cafeteria, with Livia now enthusiastically chatting away beside him. Emilia responded gracefully when addressed, while I… well, I just kept walking, hoping I wouldn't get pulled into whatever nonsense was bound to happen next.
We finally arrived at the cafeteria—a spacious hall filled with students, long tables, and the scent of freshly prepared food. The atmosphere was lively, filled with chatter and laughter.
Aeron gestured toward an empty table. "Let's sit there."
We settled down, and Aeron was about to suggest what to get when—
"Hey, isn't that the transfer student?"
I tensed slightly.
Wait. Which one? Me or Emilia?
Before I could even process that thought, another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, that's Emilia. She's supposed to be some kind of noble, right?"
Ah. So it was her.
Figures.
But then—
"And who's that sitting with them? That guy in black?"
...Oh, how smart. But, you know you are in black clothes too, right, idiot? Nearly everyone is in black.
Oh no.
"Wait, I think he's a transfer too. Amaniel or something?"
Amaniel? What exactly is my name?
"Never heard of him."
Ouch.
"Looks kinda plain, doesn't he?"
Alright. That was unnecessary.
I sighed, reaching for my glass of water and taking a slow sip.
This was exactly why I wanted to avoid scenes like this.
But, once again, my luck refused to let me off easy.
Because just as I thought I could ignore them—
A group of students approached our table.
"Aeron, my friend!" A loud, overly friendly voice cut through the noise. "Mind if we join you?"
Aeron blinked. "Uh—"
Before he could answer, the guy was already pulling out a chair, a smug grin on his face.
Oh, fantastic. The obnoxious side character troupe had arrived.
And from the way they were eyeing Emilia, this was only going to get worse.