Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

In a blurry haze of a blank space, fleeting thoughts of sweet nothings went in and out his head as he held his head with a deep groan. The weight of sleep sat on his eyes heavily yet he still forced his eyes to open amidst the black. A throbbing sensation burned in his head and he clutched at it, breathing heavily through his nostrils.

If anything, wasn't that just proof that he drank again last night?

Still, he tried to recall what had happened the previous day. He failed the test and—... he failed the test and drove to a motel to drink his sorrows away?

Sitting up, he felt the blur of sleep fade into nothingness and the urging panic settle in its place instead. Where was he? It was not familiar to him in the slightest, at all. Even in his drunken state he could tell where he went and when.

He dragged himself away from the bed, reassuring himself that he'll remember once the urge of the need to piss had been filled.

Though that quickly changed once he saw the face in the mirror.

"A—Ack..! "

In his shock, he startled and stumbled to the ground ungracefully, hitting a side of his back that left him wincing in pain. He rubbed at his side, feeling the coolness of the floor beneath his hands.

Looking into the mirror, he saw the flushed face of a guy who looked to be in his early twenty's. Healthy black hair with a slightly chiseled jaw, accompanied with a set of honey-colored eyes. The man in front of him wore a loose gray shirt that had long sleeve and a pair of pajamas as well. Even as he moved his hand and the man in front of him did as well, mimicking his every movement— He still could not believe...

'What's with my face...?"

His face — or was it? But it looked apprehensive, matching his thoughts well.

'Was that... me?'

In transmigration novels, usually you wake up to a different world with a different body, right?

Once the initial panic wore off, what was left was an unsettling sense of ease. He almost felt calm despite the situation being so wildly bizarre.

Regarding the situation, Gunwoo found two things that both might explain the current events at hand.

An empty medicine bottle and a suicide note.

How daunting.

It looked self-explanatory yet Ryu Gunwoo continued to read the note, his face unmoved. His eyes roamed around the letter mechanically, detaching himself from the feelings that might show.

An orphan who suffered under the workings of the world and cried at the unfairness of it all.

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth all of a sudden, as if he was tasting something foul on the tip of his tongue.

Gunwoo looked at the note with unreadable eyes, and set it down neatly. He had continued rummaging through the place after finding the note and the bottle. Shortly after, he found an ID of the kid.

"Park Moondae..." He tested out the name on his tongue. If this continued, he would have to be the kid himself, didn't he?

Noticing something, he felt a bit uneasy. "I've gotten younger as well.."

It seemed that he was at the age of twenty-three or something similar. Though by his picture alone, he looked youthful enough to pass as a highschooler. On further inspection, he looked a bit shy— like the type of kid who's the most targeted for bullying-kind.

Ah, maybe he realized the implications a bit too late. Still, there was nothing he could do to help him anymore seeing as they had occupied his body instead.

Another possibility was that the two had switched bodies— meaning that the kid, "Park Moondae" had woken up in his body instead. So if they could meet, there could be a chance of cooperation.

He quickly patted himself on the back before rushing to get outside, after this was done and over, he could return back to his usual routine.

'Being hungover in this summer heat is too much.' Gunwoo mused before glancing at the window that held winter on the outside. He looked back to the door before quickly taking another look, his eyes widening a bit.

"Snow?"

Suddenly, the tight feeling in his chest acted up again.

How could it be possible? It was July when he got drunk and fell asleep, he was sure of it. It couldn't have been winter outside, was it not a simple case of body swap?

Rushing inside the motel room, he took a glance at a calendar on the desk that was dated three years ago.

Was his body even alive in the first place...?

Though he was Ryu Gunwoo, now he resided within Park Moondae whether he liked it or not. He had packed up and walked to a nearby internet cafe that was just by the motel.

The dizziness that blurred his vision initially quickly receded after a moment of trying to calm down. Well, the shock he had experienced in finding out the reason for the season's change felt a bit minor considering the whole body swap situation.

It seemed that the "him" of this world did not exist. In fact, no one he would know briefly would even exist as well.

Calling his phone number, trying to open his various accounts for SNS or for his university...

None of them existed, or atleast didn't work.

So, this "Park Moondae" possibly couldn't exist either as he did not exist, atleast in this world. If the theory regarding where his body could be was taken into account.

His regrets...

None of them were apparent in his previous body. His parents died in an accident years ago, and his relatives have fallen out of touch as the years went on. He had no personal relationships as of the moment.

He was basically a nobody, atleast in a world so heavily impacted by relationships and connections.

And the Internet right now? It was a bit different as trends and topics come and go. He had searched up various celebrities or famous places but none of them had shown, instead displaying unfamiliar faces and places.

It was very plausible now that he thought about it, the situation was unexpected so you could afford to become even more unexpected than the usual. The evidences shown, its not like it contradicts. It could be that he was not in his world... but in a fictional one.

What was it they called it?

It was very common in genres such as shounen novels...

Wasn't it—

"S.. Status window? " He called out weakly.

Almost immediately, he could hear the trash talk and insults pour out in waves aimed towards him. Daring him to talk for such a moronic move.

He felt his face flush red in embarrassment immediately, the heat of his face heightening as he bit his lip.

Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot—!

He can't believe he actually...

"A—A-ACK—!? "

The guy beside him turned around to look at him with mild concern and irritation, but he could only focus on the semi translucent screen that hovered infront of him.

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
Level: 0
Title: N/A

Knowledge - C+
Appearance - C
Stamina - D
Charm - D

(Reputation : 0%)

[Capture Target One - Cha Eugene : 0%]
[Capture Target Two - ??? : 0%]
[Capture Target Three - ??? : 0%]
[...]

Characteristics - Infinite Potential, No Heartbreak

Remaining Points: 0

Hey. Was he going insane or what?

Looking at it now though, it felt more different than usual. The status window looked more catered towards... dating simulators?

That can't be right, he was sure that—

[Outbreak!]

[Status Abnormality: 'Date or Die!' Occurs!]

[Mission: If you don't raise a capture target's love meter to 100% within the allotted time, you will die.]

His eyes bugged out, making a ridiculous expression on his face. Rather than the dismay he might have felt, he only felt the bewilderedness that the situation deserved.

"... Customer? Um..."

Did he ever curse at the world? He'll take it back right now, this was too much. Was this the karma he's receiving after selling Idol's photos?

"Are you hurt anyw..."

Too ridiculous. He'll die? Seriously. Hold on.

He'll die if he doesn't date those damn people?

Suddenly, the high blood pressure caught up to him and he choked on his spit, collapsing to the ground with only one thought.

'Damn.... you..!'

"Sir! Oh my gosh—!"

The world faded into a blank space of black.

"Run away with me... I'll be the one to set you free."

"Y-y—yes!"

Two figures immersed in a intimate embrace that could only be between two lovers.

Dating simulators.

They were certainly a genre. He didn't play them often due to his busy job but he could certainly understand the appeal.

Back in college, he tried one out of pure curiosity. Trying out different routes and checking the website for its tutorials and guides. He had favored the characters who were known for their tranquility while disliking the unruly characters who brought a sense of noise during the gameplay. Without even knowing it, he somehow got invested— if only for a short while.

From games that catered towards the young girls or the young boys. He tried them all and found different major flaws in each. Still, though it wasn't perfect, it granted its purpose of it being entertainment.

That, however, did not mean he actually wanted to pursue people in real life in the guise of a dating simulator.

After his freakout in the Internet cafe, he woke up shortly and apologized frequently for disrupting the staff and customers. They told him it was fine but he could tell that they were slightly irritated. Rushing out, he quickly checked more of his newly acquired status window, finding a swipe option.

It felt weird to do so, but he relented and swiped his finger to the left and opened a new status window.

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
Level: 0
Title: N/A
Vocal - C
Dance -
Visual - C
Talent -
Characteristics - Infinite Potential, No Heartbreak

Remaining Points: 0

Park Moondae almost coughed to death once again but managed to refrain it from getting worse. After much analysis, it seemed that these two status windows were connected to eachother in a more intimate way as it pointed towards the variable "Cha Eugene".

First of all, this "Cha Eugene" was the first place winner of Idol Inc. Academy's ninth year installation. It was quite a scene as the eighth year of the academy had become hot garbage despite the previous years installation's stellar reception, no one had anymore expectations for a show who failed so brutally.

He was also fictional.

Having recognized that name, Moondae almost groaned at how he had managed to possess a fictional, no-name nobody character. He muttered a quick apology to the original Park Moondae who possessed this body at that remark.

[REVIEW: Your Love Idol★!]

It was a fairly decent game made from an infamous company that ranged from releasing absolutely amazing games or to downright trash games, if he were to phrase it in the exact words of the reviewers. Though after their previous game that had failed spectacularly, the fanbase had resorted to boycotting and withdrawing support for the time being, giving negative ratings and trash talking the developers and those who associated with it.

When the company announced a new release, no one had such expectations despite the many timeless classics that they had produced. But despite the pessimism surrounding it, they persisted and brought forth a otome dating simulator that many found very pleasant.

It starts with a young girl who is forced to participate in a school, Idol Inc. Academy, for young boys under the guise of a male student. Along the way, she finds friends, family, fans and most importantly, love in her journey. Either bad endings, good endings, or endings without a love interest, the fanbase had eaten it up and demanded for more greedily. Seeing as it was a commercial success, many events, comics, additional plot lines, and merch had been produced, all of it sold out within seconds.

What was Idol Inc. Academy exactly? The official statement from its own wikipage was that it was a school for rookies and trainees in polishing and improving their skills as idols. It launched off with the intent of one goal in mind, debut a group by the end of the year under the guise of graduation. Remaining trainees who get eliminated get the chance to participate in the next year installation or to surrender.

It indeed lived up to its name, managing to debut most of the most successful groups that lived inside the game. One that each capture target had admired, they also served as an indication for what genre or concept each love interest liked and how the player can use it to their own advantage.

Essentially, for the first semester, it only served as a way for an evaluation for the trainees. To discern who were the higher ranked and lower ranked while letting the trainees connect with eachother and improve their vocal, dance, and rap skills through specialized classes given from the show staff. The second semester is when the training wheels are taken off, all are pushed into a ruthless competition for a spot to debut.

As stated earlier, Cha Eugene was the winner of such, having placed first in rankings and even managing to accumulate a very established fan base. Known for his exuberant personality and a cheery disposition was what endeared him to the fans of the show, managing to conquer the other participants in amassing stocks and such. Though his skills were nothing to scoff at either, managing to be recognized as one of the best rookies in visuals, dance, and vocals by several articles and fans of older generations.

It was amazing how this man had been able to capture the hearts of so many people just like in the game.

He was a powerhouse, one that Moondae did not want to chase, as it was only beyond a screen. But it wasn't up to his choice now, was it? If it were in his control, he would be back in his apartment, not inside a fictional world, a hangover and with his usual routine.

Sighing, he found himself singing inside a noraebang parlor despite his utter lack of fondness for such activities. Moondae.... really didn't know what he was doing at all.

Status windows, an important part of games no matter how trivial it may seem as it was essentially an information sheet that listed the stats and skills of both him and the enemy.

And despite the initial status window that appeared, similar to the status windows seen in dating simulators. It seemed that the second status window was equally important as well as it pertained to the idol-like abilities needed inside the academy. Simply put, both do help him though in different areas.

The Idol status window, he had seen in [REVIEW: Your Love Idol★!]. It had stated the current level and the required levels of skills that the player had to achieve in order to proceed with the storyline or to be able to win in a competition minigame. Thought, it seemed that the Date status window was unique to him only, as the version of it in the game was a bit different.

[Achievement Accomplished!]

Level 0 > 1

[1 POINT GAINED!]

'I knew it,' Moondae breathed through his nose, 'My level increased as I was singing...'

"Achievement...?" He muttered outloud as the translucent screen immediately changed. He was only asking himself but he supposed an actual answer was good too.

[Achievements in Progress]

10 attempts (0/10)

100 attempts (0/100)

1st experience (0/1)

10 experiences (0/10)

The scroll bar continued to endlessly travel to the bottom, although there didn't even seem to be one. As he went further down, the more impossible the Achievements seemed to get. Though half was blank, meaning he had no way of checking otherwise.

Maybe he needed to use the point he had gained?

He called out the status window once more and gazed at the remaining points of his which was a number of only one.

"Allot one point to Vocals." Moondae called out softly.

It seemed the status window changed, upgrading his vocals.

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
Level: 1
Title: N/A
Vocal - C+
Dance -
Visual - C
Talent -
Characteristics - Infinite Potential, No Heartbreak

Remaining Points: 0

He cleared his throat, prepping his vocal chords to test right away.

As soon as he sung, he almost stopped at the change in his voice.

Clear and refreshing akin to a spring's everflowing water. His voice improved in bounds, however subtle it might have been to the untrained ear. Not to say that his was but hearing yourself sing for the past few hours with nothing but the same dull yet full of potential voice, you'd be able to spot the difference as well.

He quickly checked the "Infinite Potential" in the category of Characteristics.

People's performance usually depend on their natural talent, though the effort comes in at second place. But even so, there was a limit to how much you can grow. But now, this ridiculous window was telling him that it was disgustingly a high efficiency as effort and that the limit of his growth was endless. Having even tested it out himself as well.

Park Moondae sat in deep thought, his mind wandering into deep and unfamiliar routes. As his mind started going into unwanted territory, identified by the system somehow. A pop-up appeared on the window.

[Outbreak!]

[Status Abnormality: 'Date or Die!' Occurs!]

['Date or Die!']

If you don't raise each capture target's love meter to 100% within the allotted time, you will die.

Remaining period: D-365

The text in red warned him accordingly, as if it had caught his train of thought.

What an ominous feeling. Not only was it crazy enough that he was already in another body inside a dating game, but there's no telling how much more strange things might happen.

As Park Moondae finished reading the warning, his status window naturally changed as well.

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
Level: 1
Title: N/A

Knowledge - C+
Appearance - C
Stamina - D
Charm - D

(Reputation : 0%)

[Capture Target One - Cha Eugene : 0%]
[Capture Target Two - ??? : 0%]
[Capture Target Three - ??? : 0%]
[...]

Characteristics - Infinite Potential, No Heartbreak

[!] Status Abnormality: 'Date or Die'

Remaining Points: 0

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
Level: 1
Title: N/A
Vocal - C+
Dance -
Visual - C
Talent -
Characteristics - Infinite Potential, No Heartbreak

[!] Status Abnormality: 'Date or Die'

Remaining Points: 0

A line of curses and swears immediately flooded out of Moondae's lips, forgetting he was in a public space for a moment.

Anger, he felt deep rooted anger in his heart.

Ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous—!

He wanted to curse at whoever was responsible, but today was not a time to vent wasn't it? Moondae had no intentions of dying and so he would focus on that, no matter how much he wanted to scream and shout to lift the anger from his heart.

Moondae tried to will his heart into a state of calm, the itchy feeling of irritation that spiked inside him soothed a little. Still, he felt wronged and sang as such with a rough voice in front of the machine. Venting his feelings into an empty room of only himself while increasing his level.

Yes, he can multitask.

If it was correct, there was only one way that someone like him could get into the academy which was through recruitment.

He'll need to get this quick and over with.