The chirping of the sparrows was annoying.
The glaring sunlight pierced through my eyelids, disturbing my sleep.
It was strange. I always slept with blackout curtains drawn.
I frowned and lifted my upper body, eyes still closed.
The blanket felt odd.
Unlike my usual soft, thick one, this felt as rough as hemp fabric.
Even the area beneath my hips was firm, like a mattress on the floor rather than a bed.
'What…'
I forced my heavy eyelids open and looked around.
A spacious room, with several green mats woven from straw spread across the floor.
Tatami mats? The scent of rice straw reminded me of the ryokan I visited in Japan last time.
As I groaned and sat up, everything seemed unfamiliar.
The interior, the furniture, the structure of the house—it all felt like I was in someone else's home.
'What the hell…'
Wondering if this was a lucid dream, I slid open the nearby window.
Stepping onto the brown wooden veranda connected to the living room, a small garden came into view.
It was overgrown with withered plants from neglect.
Looking around, I saw several houses resembling traditional Japanese hanok, similar to the one I was in.
Nothing made sense. My mind was a mess.
Where was I?
As I tried to gather my thoughts, a young man passed in front of me.
He had a piece of bread clamped in his mouth and a bag slung over one shoulder, sweating as he ran somewhere.
The classic cliché of school stories: the protagonist sprinting with toast in mouth to avoid being late.
Seeing it play out in reality, I relaxed and smiled—then whipped my head around in shock.
Because the man's face was incredibly familiar.
'That… That guy…'
I knew him all too well.
'Isn't that Tetsuya…?'
Tetsuya Miura.
The frustrating protagonist of Tokiaka had just passed right in front of me.
Tall yet slender, with unkempt hair that looked stifling.
From behind, his features matched perfectly. That was definitely Miura Tetsuya.
Shocked, I rushed out barefoot and vaulted over the house's wall.
Slap!
I struck my cheek hard.
It hurt. So much that stars danced in my vision.
If this was a dream, why did it hurt?
Wasn't it said that you don't feel pain in dreams?
"Haha…"
My breathing grew ragged. I couldn't comprehend the situation.
Swallowing dryly, I moved and spotted the firmly closed front door of the house I'd just left.
My eyes caught the nameplate beside it.
Elegant kanji carved neatly, with small kana script next to it.
I didn't know Japanese at all, but strangely, the name read naturally to me.
'Ken Matsuda…?'
I knew this name.
Matsuda Ken had tried to make a move on the main heroine, Miyuki, but got schooled by Tetsuya under the "My Woman's Crisis" buff… and that was the end of his role.
A disposable character to strengthen the bond between Tetsuya Miura and Miyuki.
Like me, he was an orphan with no parents, and he'd inherited a sizable fortune, so I felt a strange kinship.
It was a shame such a character was wasted on a minor role.
Then, was I experiencing Tokiaka from Matsuda's perspective?
The moment that thought hit me,
"Keugh…! Aagh!"
A tremendous pain surged through my head.
And memories flowed in naturally.
Ken Matsuda's memories.
"Heh… Heh…!"
I panted heavily, trying to calm myself, when a middle-aged woman walking by recognized me and asked,
"Matsuda-kun? Are you okay?"
I didn't have time to respond, so I ignored her and hurried back into the house.
**
Fortunately, the pain subsided quickly.
Like syncing a phone, the memories settled in fast, greatly improving my adaptation to this unfamiliar place.
Thanks to that, I adjusted perfectly and gazed calmly into the bathroom mirror.
Short hair, an average-sized head, and sharp features set within it.
Broad shoulders, a moderately muscular build, slightly tanned skin.
After checking my appearance, I couldn't close my mouth in surprise.
'This is me…?'
The person in the mirror was me.
Not Tokiaka's Ken Matsuda, but the real me.
I had a bit more muscle than before, but it was definitely me.
"Ah ah ah ah ah…"
When I vocalized like a singer warming up, it sounded just like in reality.
So, had Ken become me?
No—since I was the one in control, and I was now in Japan, the setting of Tokiaka… it meant I'd become Ken Matsuda.
Moreover, when I'd clutched my head in pain, that woman had called me 'Matsuda-kun.'
She'd recognized me as Ken Matsuda.
Putting it all together… I'd possessed Matsuda Ken while remaining myself.
Unbelievable as it was.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the living room and opened the refrigerator.
I grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it.
I had no idea why this had happened to me.
Maybe the Tokiaka developer was some god who'd gotten angry at my review.
It was a wild idea, but given I'd ended up here, it wasn't impossible.
But did those bastards have any right to be angry?
I'd only cursed the game and its writer—criticism anyone would level at such trash.
Anyway, the thought of living as this guy from now on felt strange.
I was nervous, too.
Why? Because being in Tokiaka's world meant I could meet heroines like Miyuki.
It meant I could pursue them.
I'd escaped my dull life by watching those beautiful girls and enjoying academy days with their varied personalities.
Though I'd swallowed a ton of frustration thanks to Tetsuya's denseness.
Thoughts of returning to reality? None.
I had no intention of seeking a way back.
I'd live happily here.
With whom? The heroines.
Honestly, it'd be better for them to like me than suffer heartache over an idiot like Tetsuya.
I snapped back to my senses after that sly thought.
'Let's head to the academy.'
Ken… No, I was a delinquent who racked up tardies and absences.
My image was poor because I hung out with bad crowds.
Naturally, the heroines viewed me negatively.
Fortunately, the moment I'd arrived was before I'd laid a hand on Miyuki.
That was enough.
As long as I avoided major screw-ups, I could build favorability.
In every dating sim, events boost affection.
And I knew all the events involving Tetsuya and the heroines.
From now on, I'd intervene in those.
And Miyuki, Renka, Hiyori… I'd turn their hearts toward me.
Of course, intervening would change the future, creating new events.
That didn't matter. I'd be the center of those new ones.
I naturally slid open the wardrobe, changed into uniform, and left the house. The route to the academy felt as familiar as my own backyard.
I knew where to catch the bus and transfer to the subway.
"Heh…"
I chuckled and walked down the street with light steps.
Even in summer, it wasn't hot—just pleasantly cool.
I'd been reborn.
In the best world, as someone I liked.
**
In Tokiaka's world, the academy was mandatory after high school graduation.
It was one step above high school, one below university.
An institution with that ambiguous status.
And I attended a prestigious private one in Tokyo called Yeboni Academy.
I immediately knew how I'd gotten in despite my poor studies.
Sadly, it was just luck of the draw.
Well, the world-building wasn't important, so let's move on…
Arriving here, I'd seriously considered my approach.
One way was to mimic Tetsuya to gain the heroines' favor.
But I didn't want to.
Why imitate an idiot who couldn't even hold hands after dating so long?
I pitied the heroines for falling for such a clueless guy… Mimicking that herbivore was too much.
Still, charging in like a playboy was out. I'd only lose points.
After deep thought, my answer was… to keep Matsuda Ken's persona but tweak it my way.
An insincere guy with a warm side…
Occasionally showing unexpected facets, gradually changing and improving under the heroines' guidance…
That was my acting goal.
Of course, I'd adapt to situations, but that was the framework.
'Class 1-A… Class 1-A…'
I found my classroom and opened the door without hesitation.
Creak!
As the wooden door slid open with a groan, all eyes in the class turned to me.
From the professor to the students… everyone stared.
Some glared, others averted their eyes in fear.
And… among the glarers, one burned with the most intensity.
Long, straight light brown hair, eyes of the same hue, a refined nose, and slim jawline.
Even her ample E-cup breasts that tempted a touch, and her narrow waist…
A model student seated at the front, with the appearance I knew.
She was Miyuki Hanazawa, class president of Yeboni Academy's Class 1-A, Tetsuya's childhood friend, and Tokiaka's main heroine.
Seeing her in reality was perfection.
Her looks and figure were insanely captivating.
Barely resisting the urge to pounce, I greeted her inwardly and averted my gaze.
Ignoring Miyuki, whom I'd longed to see, wasn't easy… but I had to endure for the future.
"Matsuda-kun, you're here today after all."
I mumbled a yeah to the elderly professor and headed to the back seat.
Glancing sideways, I saw Tetsuya focused on class.
Come to think of it, he was in the same class. Utterly useless.
I calmed my racing heart while awkwardly staring at Miyuki's back, but soon the bell rang.
After the professor left, I looked at Tetsuya scribbling furiously with his pencil.
As an art lover, he'd doodle in spare time—seeing it live felt fresh.
With a nod toward Tetsuya, I called out.
"Hey, Miura. What're you up to?"
"Ah, this… It's nothing."
Tetsuya shyly covered his notebook with his arm.
I snorted at the absurdity and rose to tease him further.
Just then, Miyuki stood, scraping her chair, and approached me.
Miyuki hated me partly for being a delinquent, but mainly because I sometimes messed with Tetsuya.
Like stealing his drawing and posting it on the blackboard, or mocking him for smelling like poop on his way to the bathroom.
Tetsuya would smile it off, but he despised me inside.
Anyway, Miyuki seemed to sense I was about to bother Tetsuya again and came to intervene.
As she strode closer, I thought.
'For her title… I should stick to what I know, right?'
I was focusing on yobiste.
The Japanese way of addressing people.
There were standards, but they varied by situation and person, making it tricky.
For Miyuki, only her longtime childhood friend Tetsuya called her by name.
Close friends could say 'Miyuki-chan,' acquaintances or classmates 'Hanazawa.'
Others used 'Hanazawa-chan' or 'Hanazawa-san,' perhaps?
From her view, I was trash, so 'Hanazawa-san' or 'chan' fit, but…
'San' lacked affection, and 'chan' was too cutesy for me.
Let's go with Hanazawa. Matsuda Ken called Miyuki that, so it should be fine.
I quickly decided and spoke as she reached my desk.
"What? Hanazawa."
As expected, Miyuki ignored the address.
But her disdain was clear.
That contemptuous look… wasn't half bad.
"Matsuda-kun, if you're going to be late, just come after class. Why disrupt the students?"
Ah… Her voice was so lovely I nearly lost focus.
Hold it together. I had to.
Calming my pounding heart, I replied curtly.
"Because absences deduct more points than tardies? I need to get serious about studying soon."
"You never cared before. You gave up on studies."
"It stings to hear it so bluntly…"
"I doubt you'll take it to heart. Just don't do it again."
I desperately wanted to say I understood and pledge unwavering loyalty.
"When the class president speaks so sternly, I have to listen. Got it."
"I want you to listen properly, without mocking."
"I know."
At my slightly annoyed response, Miyuki glared like when I'd entered, then turned to Tetsuya.
"Tetsuya-kun, I want to hit the store. Want to come?"
"Ah… Yeah. Let's go."
Tetsuya replied quickly, having watched us.
The two soon left the classroom.
Now, Miyuki would probably badmouth me, and Tetsuya would smile and agree.
The gap between Miyuki and me was vast and rugged.
Even as class president meant to care for classmates, her attitude said it all.
I understood—I'd built up that karma.
But it was fine. As I'd thought, I knew everything about Miyuki's events.
I'd close the distance quickly. I was confident.
It was currently July 10th. My arrival timing was perfect.
Why? Because tomorrow, a romcom cliché would unfold.
Originally, it'd strengthen Miyuki's feelings for Tetsuya… but I planned to intervene.
From there, Miyuki's attitude would soften.
And Tetsuya… naturally, he'd be out of our affinity event.