Cherry blossoms swirled in the air, their petals tickling people's noses with pollen.
The bright spring sun poured down on everyone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Today the weather is great!
"...Yeah, Writer-nim."
With awkward steps, I climbed the uphill path where people were walking.
This body still felt unfamiliar.
When I accidentally bumped into some students climbing the same path, they reacted strongly.
"Watch where you're going...!"
"Ah, sorry."
"Uh, it's... fine!"
The moment they saw my face, the students suddenly turned polite.
They fled the scene as if escaping. A wallet slipped from one boy's pocket and fell to the ground.
He probably didn't notice.
Time to practice my ability. I decided to use it naturally.
The thread from my half-glove unraveled and shot toward the wallet.
...Nice, success. I need to use it more to get comfortable.
I snapped my fingers lightly on the thread like casting a fishing line, snagging the wallet. Then I glanced toward where the boys had been.
"Shoot, they already left."
I smiled to myself.
Judging by their uniforms, they were students from the Academy I was about to enter.
Better return it quickly.
Even if they're just extras, building connections could help down the line.
The moment I started toward the direction they'd gone...
Suddenly.
Someone grabbed my arm.
"Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"You shouldn't steal other people's things."
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue softly.
This damn appearance of mine. No matter what I do, I always get misunderstood.
I glanced at the face of the one holding my arm. He was handsome. Really handsome.
...Unfair. Some people turn into women and get misunderstood every damn day.
My mood soured a bit, sharpening my tone.
"...Let go."
"Urk...?!"
Huh, why's he so surprised?
Did I do something wrong?
"Don't worry. I'm just going to return it to its owner."
To clear up the misunderstanding, I flashed a smile, even though I didn't feel like it.
The boy looked flustered.
Well, he probably misunderstood me based on my looks too.
I do look a bit suspicious, after all.
To get away quickly, I hurried ahead. Luckily, the kids weren't far off.
"Hey, boy, can you stop for a sec?"
"...W-what? I apologized already."
"Is this wallet yours?"
"My wallet?! Give it back!"
"Sure thing."
I tossed the wallet to the startled boy.
Good. Now, time to build some connections with these boys...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙That boy from earlier was the protagonist! Wow, he's so handsome. Protagonists have to be handsome, right?!
"...Huh?"
My focus shifted from the boys to my ears.
What did Writer-nim just say? ...Protagonist? That handsome kid from earlier?
"Writer-nim, that kid..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Yes! Exactly what you're thinking, reader! The novel's protagonist, Yoo Siu! Isn't he cool?!
"...Already made contact, huh."
It's finally starting.
The journey to take this novel all the way to its conclusion.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Hehe, protagonists have to be cool...!
While keeping the author who wrote this novel firmly in hand.
I had to turn this unpredictable story—where I couldn't see even one step ahead—into a happy ending.
I didn't want to die, after all.
"Alright, let's give it a shot, Writer-nim."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Yes? ...Yes! Let's do our best! All the way to the end! Aja aja!
For now, one immediate goal.
I needed to get close to Yoo Siu.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Suspicious..."
The boy—Yoo Siu—thought to himself.
Way too suspicious.