Chapter Text
Aiko luckily made it to school on time, with minutes to spare to text her parents and brothers she was there safe. However, she wasn’t alone long as Acchan tackled her soon after arriving.
“You should’ve told me you were walking! I would’ve walked with you.” Atsuko scolded gently. Aiko gave a fond grin.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry. Anyway!” Aiko got down to business. “I saw an angel that looked just like Maria Campbell from Fortune Lover! My heart was about to burst from her pure aura!”
“Oh?” Atsuko grinned, eyes sparkling in mischief. “You sure you didn’t fall in love?”
“You’re missing the point! She even gave me sweets!” Aiko showed Atsuko the bag the mysterious girl gave her. Atsuko examined the bag before grinning wider.
“Sounds like you just met your future wife, Aiko-chan.” Acchan laughed.
“Acchan! Pay attention, what if Maria was reverse Isekai-ed? We have to get her back in the game before Katarina Claes conquers the black-hearted, sadistic prince route!” Aiko shook her friend. Acchan laughed harder.
“You told me you can’t even play that game anymore because you get headaches—there’s no point in mourning Katarina Claes winning.” Acchan giggled. “By the way, here.” She took out a game case and handed it to Aiko. “Try this game, instead. The protagonist is a cutie!”
“Persona 5 Royal?” Aiko examined the cover. She saw a handsome black haired boy in a mask on the cover smirking back at her. Atsuko nodded.
“Yeah, I just finished it. You’ll like it. The hacker girl reminds me of you, haha.”
“Thanks, Acchan. It sucks I can’t play Fortune Lover anymore though.” Aiko pouted.
“I can’t really blame you. I’ve had to hide my game case too. I’ve been having weird dreams every time I play it.” Atsuko confessed. Aiko blinked.
“Dreams?”
“Yeah, that I have white hair and red eyes and I have a very quiet brother who watches over me. I live in a manor too. Maybe I’ve been playing Nicol’s route too much…”
Aiko didn’t want to mention when she first saw Atsuko when she woke up, she saw the same image Atsuko was describing. An eerie feeling crept up in her stomach, but she shook her feelings away.
“Anyway, we should probably get to class…” Aiko began, but Atsuko’s attention was elsewhere.
“Hey look, guess it’s the new transfer students.” Atsuko pointed out, and Aiko turned her attention to the limo pulling up to school. Students in the courtyard observed the spectacle with curiosity.
“Transfer students?” Aiko furrowed her brow.
“They announced it in our class. You were too busy sneaking a snack in class, silly.” Atsuko grinned fondly at her friend. “The game Fortune Lover was based off their appearances. That Maria look-a-like was probably her real life model.”
“What? Really? You never told me that.” Aiko was confused. Atsuko then looked confused herself.
“Hmmm it’s strange… that fact just popped into my head just now.” Atsuko wondered. “Maybe I forgot to tell you because I didn’t think it was important?”
“You usually know everything about games though.” Aiko reminded her. Then she made a face. “You’ve spoiled enough of them for me to know…”
“You know you love my spoiling.” Atsuko smirked. “Oh! There they are! I heard they’re all really high status. Weird that they’re coming to our school.”
“Yeah… weird…” Aiko’s attention was on the seven students who were now entering the courtyard. They were all exceptionally beautiful. Aiko felt her heart go doki doki at their magnificent aura. It was like they were from another world, despite wearing the same school uniform she did. Yet, more so than their beauty, they were familiar. She wanted to know why. Why did she want to go up and embrace them?
“Ow…” Aiko said, holding her head. A sharp pain was piercing her skull. Atsuko steadied her.
“Hey, let’s go to the nurse. I’m not feeling too great either…” Acchan told her. “Maybe it was something I ate?”
“It could be because you’re not sleeping well you said…” Aiko murmured, still in pain. Atsuko and her began walking towards the nurse’s office.
As they walked away, they didn’t realize the seven transfer students were watching them.