Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Episode 1 The World Was a Yuri Game.
A cold expression as frigid as an icy field. Her face, devoid of any trace of emotion, enough to bring to mind a snowstorm-swept tundra, seemed to radiate a chilling frost.
Yet rather than diminishing the girl’s charm, it instead created a synergistic effect that elevated her beauty even further, like an aurora shimmering above a frozen lake.
“My name is In Yuna. I look forward to getting along with everyone.”
The atmosphere itself conveyed how everyone was inwardly admiring the beautiful girl introducing herself at the podium. It was merely a small act of stating her name and greeting the class, yet even that tiny motion appeared picture-perfect, like a painting come to life.
Violent beauty.
That was probably the exact phrase meant for someone like her.
A peerless beauty that anyone would fall for. An aura as though she had transcended mortal existence. A charisma impossible to believe belonged to someone her age. All of her classmates were already dizzy just from brushing against even a fragment of it.
But the reason I was shocked had nothing to do with that.
‘No, wait. This scene.’
The first thing I felt was déjà vu.
A strange familiarity, as though I had definitely seen this exact scene somewhere before. Or perhaps I had heard that name before. For some reason, that sensation continued to grow.
Determined not to miss something so small that I could lose hold of it at any moment, I desperately dug through my memories with sharpened focus.
‘No way.’
I forcefully swallowed down the shock that nearly made me leap from my seat and tightly shut my twitching mouth.
‘This is the world of a yuri game!!!’
【The Pure White Flowers Bloomed by Maidens】.
This visual novel, nicknamed “Yuri Garden,” was exactly what its name suggested—a yuri dating sim depicting romance between girls.
Despite being created by a small club rather than a company, it supposedly amazed countless players with its unbelievably beautiful artwork, heart-stirring dialogue, unforgettable CG scenes, and the pure, beautiful romance shared between girls.
Why am I saying “supposedly”?
Because I never played it.
‘Well, I’m a guy.’
Of course, there’s no rule saying guys can’t play yuri games. Actually, they say men tend to play them even more often, but I at least never had that kind of hobby.
The only reason I knew about “Yuri Garden” at all was because my younger sister from my previous life kept rambling excitedly beside me about how fun it was.
If not for that, I probably never would’ve realized this world was the setting of a yuri game, nor would I have felt any sense of familiarity toward In Yuna.
‘I’m pretty sure she said hidden heroine?’
According to my sister, “She’s obviously the hidden heroine prepared for the true ending!!!” The heroine she had been determined to conquer no matter what was probably that very same In Yuna.
“Our Yangyang’s a man after all.”
When I turned at the sudden tap on my back, there he was—my nemesis, otherwise known as my friend, grinning slyly.
“Stop frowning like that. When you do it, it’s actually scary.”
“Then stop hitting me from behind out of nowhere.”
“That’s up to me.”
What a selfish bastard.
“So you’re interested in the transfer student too, Yangyang?”
The way he blatantly asked like it was some huge surprise instantly irritated me.
“A transfer student showing up in our second year? Of course I’m interested.”
“Heeh, that’s unexpected. You, of all people, who usually looks at girls like they’re rocks.”
“Who are you calling a blockhead?”
“You are one. A guy who could get a girlfriend whenever he wants but ignores every girl around him—how are you not one?”
“Hey, lower your voice.”
“Relax. Nobody’s listening.”
Seriously, the problem with this guy is that he knows me too well. He even knows parts of me others don’t, so sometimes I hesitate over how to respond to him.
“You aiming for her?”
“…The way you say it makes it sound criminal.”
“That’s harsh. I’m asking seriously.”
“What if I am?”
“I’ll interfere.”
The shameless confidence with which he declared that made me reasonably question whether this bastard was really my friend. But no matter how hard I glared at him, there was no way he’d change his attitude. He stood there brazenly as if carrying all the justice in the world on his back.
“A true friend is someone who turns your misfortune into their happiness. That’s what people call real friendship.”
“Good to know. From now on, I’ll classify you as an enemy.”
“So what’s the real answer?”
“I’m not interested. I don’t have thoughts like that.”
For some reason, seeing him nod in understanding with a “Yeah, figures,” really ticked me off. What kind of reaction would he make if I suddenly claimed I did like her?
‘No, that sounds terrifying.’
Better not provoke him for no reason when I have no idea how he’d react later.
“By the way, shouldn’t you be over there? Normally you’d be the first to approach her and show yourself off.”
“Hmph hmph hmph, who do you think I am?”
When I asked why someone always whining about wanting a girlfriend was sticking beside me instead, he answered with the atmosphere of a warrior returning from a brutal battlefield.
“I already made my move first!”
“So you already got rejected.”
“Why are you assuming I failed!?”
“Then did it work?”
“…I lasted five seconds.”
“Congratz.”
“Why are you congratulating me!?”
Didn’t you say it yourself? True friends are people who make each other’s misfortune their happiness. So doesn’t that make us true friends?
“Damn it! The confidence of a popular guy who could date anytime he wants! Damn you!?”
“Who are you calling popular?”
If I really were popular, there’s no way my only friend would be you. But when I shot back like that, he responded coldly.
“Tch, this is why natural-born popular guys are the worst!”
Why though?
After the lunch bell rang, I noticed an unfamiliar back while heading toward the school store.
It was In Yuna, the transfer student from today—the one who made me realize this world was from a game.
‘She heading to the store too?’
Well, it’s not like it had anything to do with me. Even after realizing this world was a yuri game, my emotions remained surprisingly calm. Sure, I was shocked at first, but soon I just accepted it with a “So what?” kind of attitude. Even I had to admit my adaptability was impressive.
Maybe it was because of the life I’d lived until now, so it didn’t shake me that much. Even after regaining memories of my previous life, I still had no idea what kind of life I had lived back then, which might explain why I felt so detached.
“Kyaaaak!”
A sudden shrill scream rang out. I saw a small figure tumbling toward In Yuna. Did she fall down the stairs? No, more importantly, if they collided like that, both of them would get hurt.
Whoosh!
“Phew, are you okay?”
“Huh? Ah?”
The female student who had been sprawled across the stairs and about to crash into In Yuna ended up getting caught by me after I jumped between them. Thankfully, the collision was avoided.
The girl stared up at me blankly, eyes widening before her pupils shook violently.
“I-I’m sorry!!!”
“You seem fine.”
Seeing how quickly she ran off, she probably wasn’t injured. Thank goodness.
Just as I turned to leave since there was no need to worry anymore, I suddenly felt something tugging me back.
“Hm? What is it?”
Following the elegant hand clutching the edge of my uniform upward with my gaze, I met In Yuna’s cold and noble face. I absolutely did not stare at the ample mountains that briefly entered my sight along the way.
“Thank you.”
“It was nothing. You’re not hurt, right?”
“Thanks to you, nothing happened. My name is In Yuna.”
Her voice was gentle. At first glance it felt as cold as her face, yet listening to it somehow melted away your guard, carrying the scent of a spring breeze.
Would it sound poetic if I said it felt like winter giving way to spring?
“What’s your name?”
“You’re asking mine?”
Nod.
“Ah, well… don’t laugh.”
“?”
“Geum Taeyang.”
“…I see.”
There was a very slight pause there, but honestly, just not laughing was already enough. Usually people reacted to my name in one of two ways—they either laughed or stared blankly.
“It suits you.”
“Huh?”
“Your hair.”
Pointing at my blond hair, In Yuna moved ever so slightly—so subtly it almost felt like an illusion.
“Like the sun.”
“……”
Without a doubt, she smiled like spring sunlight melting away winter.
“…Hearing you say that makes me happy.”
She was the first person to ever say something like that. People often mistook my hair for dye, and back in middle school I’d even been labeled a delinquent because of it. Even so, I liked this hair.
“In any case, I’m Geum Taeyang. Looking forward to getting along with you.”
“In Yuna.”
Repeating her own name once more, we properly exchanged greetings.
In Yuna stood blankly in the hallway, watching his retreating figure.
A broad, sturdy back. Even beneath his school uniform, his well-trained body couldn’t be concealed as he gradually disappeared into the distance.
“……”
Her clear eyes, transparent like a lake, silently followed him without a single ripple appearing within them. Yet it was impossible to tell what thoughts lay hidden beneath the surface.
“I’m home.”
“Welcome back.”
As I stepped through the front door, my mother’s warm smile greeted me as always. Her bright golden hair was tied and draped over the front of her shoulder.
That’s why I don’t dislike this blond hair of mine. How could I not be happy inheriting the color of the mother I love so much?
“Dad’s not home yet?”
“He said he’s busy today too. He said he’d be back before dinner.”
“If he said that, then he’ll come.”
Who was my father? A man who had been married for twenty-five years and was still as lovey-dovey with Mom as ever. He was basically an addict who got withdrawal symptoms if he stayed apart from her too long, so he’d definitely keep his word.
Passing by Mom and heading through the hallway toward my room, I spotted someone lounging around on the sofa.
Our family cat, Shami, was sprawled on top of it.
“So you were here.”
“You’re back, Oppabang.”
“What’s with that title now? Been watching weird anime again?”
“Hmph.”
My younger sister used to adorably follow me around calling me Oppa, but after growing up she turned into a sullen brat who just plugged in earphones and watched anime on her phone even when her brother came home.
Though she’s my sister, she really does love anime.
Normally I wouldn’t think much of it, but today I had regained memories of my previous life and realized this was my second life. I still didn’t remember what kind of person I had been, yet something about my younger sister sprawled on the couch watching anime kept triggering my sense of déjà vu.
‘Could she also…’
The suspicion that maybe my sister also possessed memories of a previous life began creeping into my mind, so I immediately decided to confirm it.
“Geum Mari.”
“Why are you suddenly calling me? This is an important scene.”
“You watch all kinds of anime regardless of medium or genre, right? Does that apply to games too?”
“What about it?”
Seeing my sister frown, I casually threw out a probing jab.
“Do you play yuri games too, by any chance?”
“H-Hah!?”
“Gotcha.”
“W-What!?”
Did you really think I’ve been your older brother for over ten years for nothing? I know every tiny habit you have. That reaction just now was obviously the reaction of someone whose weak point had been struck.
“Well, it’s not like I’d discriminate against you for it or anything, but don’t overdo it.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Oppabang!? Hey, Geum Taeyang!”
The way my younger sister desperately shouted from behind to stop me sounded incredibly satisfying.
After entering my room, changing out of my uniform, and throwing myself onto the soft bed, I let out a long breath. I still hadn’t confirmed whether my sister was also someone reincarnated from a previous life, but what did it matter? She was still my little sister in the end.
Whether this world was a yuri game or not, I was still me, and this was still my life.
Just because I learned this world was a yuri game didn’t mean my life would suddenly change. I had no ambition to steal the heroines for myself, and I didn’t even know the story in the first place, so how could I possibly conquer anyone?
‘As long as I don’t interfere in the yuri romance.’
Yeah. Exactly.