Cat or Dog? I'm Screwed!
I'm screwed...!!! Do you like cats or dogs? People always have different answers to that question. Personally, I was a dog person. That is, until I got isekai'd into this world.
Whether it was possession or reincarnation, I wasn't entirely sure. But it didn't really matter. Seventeen years. I remembered my past life when I was three years old in this body, and I'd been living here ever since. Now twenty. The guy who'd originally loved dogs had turned into a cat person.
...Why am I bringing this up all of a sudden? Because I'm standing at the most important crossroads of my life. I'm just trying to calm my nerves by thinking about something else.
My heart was pounding like mad. It was thumping so hard I worried it might jump right out of my chest. I let out a long breath into the slightly warm yet somehow chilly spring breeze. Even though it wasn't hot out, my face was flushed red from tension, and I could feel the heat radiating off it.
The Academy. Under the cherry blossom trees in full bloom, I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. Petals drifted down from the branches—truly beautiful. It was probably a famous confession spot in the original story too.
Living in this world for seventeen years had taught me one thing: the original plot wasn't that important. The Academy's existence confirmed it was an academy story, and I already knew who the leads were.
It'd only been a month since enrollment, but a few standouts had caught my eye. My guess? A reverse harem romance fantasy. Anyway.
Selena, the protagonist of this world. With her puppy-like charm, she'd been drawing crowds since day one. Hell, the name Selena screamed romance fantasy heroine. And just looking at the guys swarming around her like bees—their faces and talents—made it obvious she was the center of this world.
Trials and tribulations? They'd handle that themselves. An extra like me jumping in wouldn't help much, especially since I had zero knowledge of the original plot. I'd just be a nuisance.
Still, there was only one reason I'd enrolled in this eye-of-the-storm Academy.
Sylvia.
My childhood friend, born around the same time as me, who we'd grown up together... and the girl I'd been crushing on.
Everyone around me was busy praising Selena's beauty, but I couldn't understand it. 'Isn't Sylvia way prettier, no matter who you ask?'
Of course, even I knew it was a matter of taste. Sylvia had that cool, cat-like vibe somewhere aloof, while Selena was all bubbly and puppy-ish.
But even accounting for all that, Sylvia was prettier. No arguments.
Should I be relieved people still hadn't noticed Sylvia's charm, or just shake my head at their blindness? Either way... it was a huge positive for me right now.
Because today was the day I confessed to her.
There were various reasons, but this wasn't some impulsive thing. I was certain.
...Or maybe it's just wishful thinking.
I hope you feel the same way.
Thud, thud. Beyond my naturally sharp hearing—now even more attuned—I caught footsteps approaching from afar. Light steps. This was a secluded spot with hardly any foot traffic, so no one else would come here.
As the footsteps grew closer, I squeezed my eyes shut tight. If I saw Sylvia's face right now, or read the emotion on it, the courage I'd barely mustered might evaporate.
So, eyes closed, I shouted.
"I've liked you for a long time. Will you go out with me for real?"
I could've listed dozens, hundreds of reasons why I liked her. But right now, words failed me. I just conveyed my honest feelings, plain and simple.
"...?"
No reply. It must've caught her off guard too. Silence wrapped around us. Eyes still shut tight, I waited calmly for her answer amid the quiet.
And then...
"Sure."
The response I'd been desperately hoping for came.
But.
"...Huh?"
Something felt off. It wasn't the voice I knew, the one I'd heard so many times. Sylvia's voice.
At that soft, unfamiliar lilt, I opened my eyes. And stared at the girl in front of me.
Her cheeks flushed bright red, gazing back at me...
Selena.
...Ah?
"Looking forward to it from now on."
Blushing shyly, unable to stay still, Selena bowed her head politely and then turned and bolted away.
I stood there, staring at her retreating figure, trying to process it all for a good long while.
"...Ha?"
Covering my mouth, I could only think one thing.
I'm screwed...!!!