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Generic Otome Fantasy. That’s literally what it’s called on Steam. Some dumbass visual novel where you go to magic school and romance a bunch of hunky guys. A new year, woo. Me? I’m sitting alone in my room again, cans stacked on my desk, LED lights making me look like a radioactive grape, streaming another VN because Lord knows I’m never finding anybody in real life.
This is my third playthrough. Yeah. Third. I finished Bo’s route on stream last week, Lukey’s yesterday, and tonight I figured… eh, let’s go for TrickyB. He’s pretty hot. My chat, the Noombas, are already spamming “cope” and “Numi down bad” but whatever.
“This game is so ridiculous,” I tell them, sipping my half-warm White Claw. “Like, bro, no one actually talks like this. It’s gooner bait. Pure gooner bait.”
Still, I keep clicking. New term, new classes, some generic characters fawning over me. I lean back in my chair, making dumb voices as I read lines. I’m not even invested. But then,
She shows up.
Michi Mochievee.
Long black hair perfectly framed, uniform crisp, eyes sharp enough to cut glass. The game always frames her with a little glitter effect, like even the engine knows she’s built different. And I know she doesn’t fuck with me , literally insults the player every time she shows up , but damn. Damn.
“I need a femme like that in my life,” I mutter into the mic.
Chat explodes.
“???”
“She’s evil numi”
“om”
I wave them off. “No, shut up, she’s not evil. She’s bad. And she’s so cute. I can’t believe she’s not a romance option. Like, hello? Devs? V-Bozo? You’re really gonna make a character this fine and not let us date her? I need my yuri fix!”
The story rolls into her first big scene. Michi’s at the academy gates, looking the protagonist up and down.
“Well if it isn’t the rag girl,” she sneers, voice sharp through my headphones. “Couldn’t afford proper clothes and your textbooks? Isn’t it embarrassing to show up like that?”
The crowd gasps. I snicker, mimicking her tone. “She doesn’t fuck with my fit. Guess I’ll just die.”
But then the script kicks in. The dashing Prince Mataro steps forward, wagging his finger. “How dare you act so cruel, Lady Mochievee. All people are welcome here. Apologize!”
And Michi , Michi looks cornered. Her eyes go wide, her lip trembles. She blurts out, “I was only trying to, ” but the script cuts her off. She runs away crying, faceless sprites whispering about her cruelty.
My chest hurts. I set the can down. “See? They did her dirty. She’s not evil. She’s awkward. She’s anxious. She puts on the villainess mask but she’s actually the most caring one here.”
I slam the desk for emphasis. “She doesn’t deserve this fate. Fuck the devs. Fuck V-Bozo!”
Chat spams “???” “numi pls” “DOWN BAD” but I don’t care. Michi’s all I can see on the screen.
I crack open another claw. The rain outside my window is getting heavy, thunder rumbling my roof. My head’s buzzing from the alcohol and the neon glow, and I sigh into the mic.
“God, I wish I could just get a hot femme. But nah, don’t worry chat. I’m forever on my femcel arc. I’ll just read my yuri, simp for fake girls, and rot alone.”
I giggle, a dumb little hehehe, staring at Michi’s portrait. Lightning flashes white across the room, blinding, deafening. My whole body lurches like I’m on a carnival ride. My stomach flips. And then, nothing.
Black.
Chat explodes in silence.
“muted?”
“????”
“she’s been gone 10 years”
The stream keeps running. No me. Just the game.
Then I hear it.
A loud voice. Crisp, elegant, familiar.
“Well if it isn’t the rag girl. Couldn’t afford clothes and your textbooks, I presume? Isn’t it embarrassing to show up looking like that?”
I jolt awake, slamming my desk , except it’s not my desk. I’m in a classroom. Actual chalkboard. Actual desks. My body feels too heavy, too real.
I look up. She’s standing there.
Michi Mochievee.
“Michi Mochievee?” I gasp.
Her lip curls. “Don’t say my name so casually, commoner.”
“I love you.”
Her face goes red. “Wh-what? How dare you speak to me like that, I-I-I’ll get you back for this!” She spins and storms out, skirt swishing.
And all I can think, dazed and dumb, is: wow. Beautiful woman.