The world felt both alien and familiar.

Y/n- still felt strange to call herself that-stood in the hallway of Kamome Academy, gripping the strap of her schoolbag as stream of students walk past her. She caught small shots of their conversations: rumors about ghost, exciting whispers about their new crushes, and the general chatter of a new school year.

A week had passed since she woken up in this world. Though her inner panic had subsided, she still felt like a stranger in her own skin. Her memories of this life-her new life,were hazy. She had no idea how the universe had manifested them for her, but they were just clear enough for her to navigate day-to-day life without drawing too much attention to herself.

---

The school was both everything she'd dreamed of and more than she could have demmand. The classrooms were lively, filled with students who filled with energy and excitement. The teachers were strict but kind. And the school itself-every corner, every detail was accurate to how the manga had depicted.

But actually being here wasn't the same as reading about it. She wasn't a nameless bystander anymore. She was a part of the story, even if only as a background character. And with no dangerous apparitions appearing yet, she had to admit-life here was surprisingly normal.

Y/n had quickly learned that she was an average student, not particularly remarkable in academics or athletics. But she was friendly enough to blend in, and soon, she'd fallen into an easy routine with her classmates.

Her closest companions were two students from her class: Aoi Akane(the male lead's bestie), a sweet and beautiful girl who is very popular among male student,

and Yashiro Nene(the male lead), a bubbly, kind-hearted girl with a penchant for hopeless crushes.

---

"Y/n-chan!"

Y/n turned to see Nene running down the hallway toward her, her evil horn thingy swaying excitingly as she waved. She couldn't help but smile. If there was one thing she'd learned about Nene in the past week, it was that her energy was infectious.

"Morning, Nene-chan," Y/n greeted.

"Guess what!" Nene said, putting her hands together with a dreamy sigh.

Y/n tilted her head. "Another crush?"

Nene gasped, scandalized. "How did you know?"

"Lucky, i guess."

"It's the second-year in Class 2-B," Nene continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Nakahara-senpai. He's just so cool and handsome and... perfect!"

Y/n tried to hide her smile. Even though she already knew about Nene's habit of falling head over heels for someone new in the first look, seeing it in person was oddly adorable.

"You should talk to him," Y/n said, though she knew from the manga that Nene's attempts to confess her feelings didn't ended well....but...welp! Gotta try to not affect the original story!

Nene groaned. "I wish! But what if he doesn't like me? Or what if he already has a girlfriend? What if-"

"Nene-chan," Y/n interrupted .

"please, calm down."

Nene blinked, then let out a nervous laugh. "Right. Sorry, I get carried away sometimes."

---

Despite her awkwardness, Y/n found herself growing close to Nene and Aoi over the next few weeks.

"Y/n, you're spacing out again," Aoi said one afternoon as they walked to the cafeteria together.

"Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing important."

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Are you lying to me?."

Before she could respond, Nene appeared, holding high her lunchbox.

"Guess what I made today!" Nene said.

"Let me guess," Aoi said . "Something heart-shaped?"

Nene pouted. "You don't have to be so mean, Aoi."

"Am I wrong?"

"Well... no, but still!"

Y/n laughed, the warmth of their voice easing the lingering tension in her chest. For the first time since she arrived in this world, she felt like she belonged there.

Still, there were moments when the reality of her situation hit her.

At night, when she was alone in her room, she would stare at the ceiling and wonder why she was here. Was this a second chance? A punishment? Or the birthday wish god actually heard her silly wish?

But those thoughts always faded in the morning, replaced by the simple joys of school life.

---

One Friday afternoon, Nene burst into the classroom, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Y/n-chan! Aoi! I've decided-I'm going to confess to Nakahara-senpai!"

Aoi sighed, but still she smile and said"good luck, Nene-chan."

"This time it will different!" Nene insisted, plopping down in the seat next to Aoi. "I have a plan."

"What kind of plan?" Y/n asked, genuinely curious.

"I'm going to bake him cookies," Nene said, her eyes sparkling. "And then I'll write a letter for him too! It'll be perfect!"

"hmm....That sounds like a great idea, Nene-chan! Do you want any help?"

Aoi look at me remember that I didn't know about Nene's legend of 100 failed confession yet.

Nene beamed. "Really? You'd help me?"

"Of course!"

And so, that weekend, Y/n found herself in Nene's kitchen, surrounded by flour, sugar, and an alarming number of heart-shaped cookie cutters.

"This is going to be perfect!" Nene said, rolling out the dough with surprising determination.

Y/n smiled, glad to see Nene so excited.

---

Monday morning arrived, and Nene was a bundle of nerves as she hold the carefully wrapped box of cookies.

"You've got this,"Y/n said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Nene nodded, though her hands were trembling.

Unfortunately, the confession didn't go as planned. Nakahara-senpai harshly declined her.

Nene returned to the classroom with teary eyes, clutching the cookie bag, now messy inside.

"I'm such an idiot," she said, her voice trembling.

"No, you're not," Y/n said firmly. "It takes a lot of courage to confess your feelings. That's something to be proud of."

"She's right," Aoi added, "Besides, there's always next time."

Nene then smile slighy, her spirits lifting a bit.

And that evening, as Y/n walked home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Life here was far from perfect, but it is enough for her.
-------------------
Late writing again;::::(
23:49, Monday(30/12/2024)