Chapter 2
Splash——
The sound of waves crashing reached my ears. The rhythmic ebb and flow tickled like a gentle whisper. Cautiously, I opened my eyes to the noise.
"...Where is this?"
Rubbing my eyes cleared my blurry vision in an instant.
And there, before my restored sight, lay a serene beach where gentle waves lapped at the shore.
I was definitely in my apartment bathroom just before I blacked out.
"Ugh......"
Steadying my still-foggy mind, I decided to look around a bit. As I stood and turned my head, a face reflected in the shallow seawater caught my eye.
It was unmistakably my face.
But it was a face utterly unfamiliar to me.
"What the hell is this!?"
No matter how I looked at it, this body was far too feminine to belong to a man. My muscles had softened, my chest and thighs plush and yielding.
And down below... the sensation—or lack thereof—that I expected was simply gone.
After checking over and over, there was no denying it: I'd become a woman.
"This can't be happening... what the fuck is going on?"
It defied all common sense. Unable to process it, I kept staring at my reflection in the water, touching my cheek to confirm the face was real.
"Awake at last, Creator?"
I whipped around at the voice behind me.
Thump. Thump.
The moment I saw her face, my heart started pounding wildly.
It was only natural, really.
She reminded me of my first love from long ago—the character I'd poured my heart into creating.
"You look so shocked."
Selphira crouched there, gazing at me with silver eyes like lustrous pearls.
"Don't you think?"
Could a human even have features like hers?
Well, she wasn't a real person—she was my creation—but damn, she was too beautiful. Stunningly, impossibly so.
"No answer? Did the shock make you pass out standing up?"
Selphira rose from the sand, her eyes crinkling into charming crescents as she smiled and approached. She pressed a finger to my cheek and cooed,
"Creeeeator——."
"Uh, y-yeah...?"
"Why so quiet? It's like I'm talking to a wall."
Her cheeks puffed out in a pout, like she was a bit offended.
God, I'd made her too perfectly. If the game had launched successfully, she would've been beloved by so many...
Regret washed over me.
"You're spacing out again, aren't you?"
"Ah, sorry. Just... a lot on my mind."
"I get it. Being dragged here out of nowhere must be disorienting."
Selphira giggled softly and tugged my wrist.
"So let's head to a café and chat over drinks."
"Whoa?! Wait, Selphira——"
Before I could protest, she yanked me along, and we were off.
***
And so, dragged along like a plastic bag in the wind, I ended up inside the café with Selphira.
We settled in the most secluded corner booth.
"......"
In a rather awkward position.
"Creator, is something wrong? You seem uncomfortable."
"No... it's just you're staring so intensely."
Selphira propped her chin on her hands, just gazing at me without a word. Normally, wouldn't you check the menu or order first?
"Not ordering anything?"
"Waiting to order with you. I always get the same thing anyway."
Come to think of it, when I designed her, I'd given Selphira a special trait: her affection rose every time she had sweet desserts, especially mango smoothies.
"Mango smoothie, right?"
Her hand twitched at my words.
"...You remember."
"Of course. You're the one I made with all my love."
"Love..."
Her cheeks flushed bright red. Her porcelain skin made the blush stand out vividly.
"Excuse me, I need to hit the bathroom."
Selphira bolted up and dashed off like she was fleeing.
She looked just like a shy teenage girl, not knowing what to do with herself.
So cute.
I'd revisited this café scene with her in the game countless times because of that reaction.
Maybe it was seeing her after so long. Or having it unfold right in front of me. Either way, my heart fluttered—like back when I first created the game.
I should've stuck with it to the end, no matter what...
But regret surged alongside it.
That such a lovable girl never reached players. That I'd left her abandoned for five years without even deleting the files.
It squeezed my heart.
If only I'd tried a little harder...
Lost in those thoughts, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Creator."
Selphira was back to her usual composed self, her bangs damp as if she'd splashed water on her face to cool off.
"Your face looks pale. Everything okay?"
"...Yeah, nothing."
"Good. Did you order?"
"Got lost in thought..."
"Always thinking too much, Creator."
She chuckled and revealed her right hand, which she'd kept behind her back. A vibrating pager was already in her grip.
"Knew you would, so I ordered for us."
"What if I'd wanted to order myself?"
"Then we'd just enjoy two drinks happily, no big deal."
Selphira fiddled with her damp bangs and sat back down, resuming her chin-propped stare.
Pearl-silver eyes I'd seen countless times on my monitor.
They'd seemed beautiful then, but up close? Indescribably breathtaking.
Lost in admiration, I barely noticed.
"Creator."
Tap.
Selphira lightly flicked my nose with her index finger.
"Why stare at my face like that?"
"Because you're right here in front of me."
"Your gaze feels like it's burning holes through me."
Whoops, too obvious. I'd put her in an awkward spot.
"...Did I make you uncomfortable staring like that?"
"Not at all. How could I dislike you looking at me?"
Contrary to my worry, she smiled softly—leaning forward like she wanted more.
"Look wherever you want, Creator."
"...That sounds pretty dangerous."
"Feel free to take it that way."
This temptress.
If I were just some player instead of her creator, I'd have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Hell, I already felt myself slipping—my face burned hot enough to tell.
"Ah, drinks are here. I'll grab them."
"Y-yeah."
Thankfully, the pager buzzed right on cue, averting total surrender.
"Phew..."
I let out a long breath.
Somehow, I'd ended up inside the game. But I still had to return to reality eventually.
No matter how great this felt, it was just a game world.
I need to find a way back ASAP.
Kartellis brought me here—maybe she could help me leave too. The thought crossed my mind, but...
I wasn't ready to face her yet.
Obviously.
She was the psycho who'd smashed down my bathroom door to drag me here.
Confront her again? Not with my current courage.
"Creator, what're you thinking so deeply about?"
Glancing over, Selphira stood there with two mango smoothies.
"Nothing much. Just zoning out."
"Doesn't look like nothing."
She smirked faintly, set the drinks down, and pressed right up against me.
"You weren't thinking about some other girl, leaving me out, were you?"
Was it my imagination?
For a split second, her eyes flashed with something like Kartellis's vibe—that chilling edge.
"...No, nothing like that."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Why would I think of anyone else with you right here?"
Satisfied, she reverted to her sweet expression.
"Hehe, I'll trust you. Because you're the Creator."
"What would you have done if it was someone else?"
"If you were lying... I'd crush them, somehow."
Chills ran down my spine.
Unlike octopus-motif Kartellis, Selphira was based on an orca—scary smart. If she seriously targeted someone, she'd ruin their entire life without breaking a sweat.
"Creator, you're looking pale. You were thinking of another girl, weren't you?"
"N-no way. Just imagining what you'd do if you tormented someone."
"Ahaha... Don't worry. I'd never hurt you."
She took my hand gently and whispered,
"Because I like you, Creator."
......I nearly lost it right there.
A girl this adorable shyly confessing like that? Any guy—not a eunuch, anyway—would accept in a heartbeat.
"Ahem... Anyway, not drinking your mango smoothie?"
I barely regained composure and changed the subject, but
"Staring at you is so much better, I forgot all about it."
Her love bombs kept coming.
"...Didn't you used to say mango smoothies were the best thing ever?"
"Still can't beat you."
She beamed and wrapped both arms around one of mine.
"You're the one I love and cherish most."
This was torture.
With my measly two dating experiences, skinship this close was overwhelming. Great, sure—but I might go insane.
"Hehe, you look so troubled. Don't tell me you hate it?"
"No, of course not... just too close......"
"You're such a hopeless stiff."
Selphira tightened her grip on my arm.
Then she tilted her head up, leaning in close.
Smack.
And pressed her lips to mine.