[Hmmm... what happened..?]

Opening my eyes, My vision is a blur and I can feel my head pounding. Rubbing my eyes, I can finally see clearly a bit and notice an unfamiliar ceiling.

[What..? Where am I?]

Turning my head, I see a coffee table with 2 mugs. I slowly sit up and the pounding in my head gets louder.

[UGH..! Must be a headache..!]

Sitting up, I see a black cat sitting at the end of the bed where my feet are.

[I don’t own a cat...]

Looking around, I suddenly hear, “You there.”

Surprised, I look at the cat and stare at it.

[What..?! Can the cat talk..?!!]

The cat walks closer to me and sits on my lap, “Lady, can you hear me?”

“Um, yes,” I answer questionably.

The cat climbs on my chest and stares at me with its blue sapphire eyes, “This was the only way I could repay you for trying to save me.”

[Save me? Wait- I saved you?]

I looked at him mind boggled since I’m not sure what exactly happened and the cat looks at me with an irritated look.

[For a cat, you don’t hide your emotions at all do ya?]

Jumping off my lap onto the floor, he walks away talking, “You were at death’s door steps until I gave you another chance at life. We Gods don’t just go around giving people life.”

[God? Death? I WAS DEAD?!!]

I start to panic by searching my body for bruises, cuts, scars, and any internal damage that could be dangerous.

“Are you stupid?”

I stop searching inside my shirt and look up to see the cat looking at me with disgust.

[You don’t have to wear your emotions so well on your face...]

That cat sighs, “My name is Niel, the God of Chance. I’m giving you a chance to prove yourself if you deserve this life I’ve given you.”

“But there is a catch...?”

“You’re not as dumb as you acted,” he says with his cat tail waving in the air, “Think of this as a trial.”

“Wait,” putting both my hands in front.

Niel stares at me, “what?”

“Bathroom first.”

“........fine..!”

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

After finding the bathroom and using it, I come back and sit on the couch next to Niel.

I bow to Niel, “Sorry. Please continue.”

“No more interruptions correct,” he says irritated.

“No no no. I’m okay!!”

Niel looks up at me making complete eye contact, “This is a trial. This second life I’ve given you is a test basically.”

Dumbfounded, “Test? Why?”

“You’re not exactly, ‘bad’ to begin with,” he said unconfidently, “But you have always had a kind heart which is why we 13 Gods have given you this chance.”

“13 Gods? Never heard of such a thing,” closing my eyes to think of every folklore that I can come across.

“Zodiacs. 13 Animal God Zodiacs.”

“Technically, there is only 12,” I say with a little bit of doubt in my tone.

Niel looks at me angrily, “Just because I didn’t attend the banquet doesn’t mean I wasn’t invited to become a God.”

[He’s not wrong if you look at it from that point of view.]

“The point is,” he jumps on my lap, climbing me with his cat face closer to mines, “Each God has their own test. Even I’m not sure what it is since mines was for you to have a second chance at life considering how ‘plain’ you lived it.”

I freak out and panic a bit, “And... what happens if I don’t... meet everyone’s conditions?”

Jumping off me, Niel walks away towards the kitchen, “Let’s just say, death isn’t the end of the road.”

Feeling lost, I feel inside myself- a black hole of emotions of a dark, gloomy cloud come over me. Looking down at my lap, I bring my hands in front of me terrified and see my hands shaking from terror.

[...why... not just let me die then...?]

“Oh,” I turn my head staring at him and see Niel looking back at me, “I should mention that I brought you to the only place that I thought that could bring you happiness.”

I stare blankly at him, semi-confused.

“Don’t you like playing that game on your phone..? What’s it called,” Niel says thinking and staring up at the ceiling.

“...you mean...my Otome game... ‘Kiss me by Midnight’ Niel,” doubting all possibilities that what he said is true.

Niel stands on all 4 legs happily, “Yeah. That one.”

[GYAAAAAK!!!! PLEASE NO...!]

I slam my face into the couch without a second thought.

“What’s wrong with you,” Niel says weirded out.

“Mmmmmhmmmm......mmmhmmmmmmm....MMMMMMMMMHM,” replying as loud as I can with my face planted into the couch.

[What am I suppose to do..!!? I read every characters story in the game and to top it off, I know all their bed scenes, quirks, troubles, and I desire them all so bad... but they were 2D which is why I was single for so long... BECAUSE I STARTED TO DESIRE 2D MEN MORE..!!!]

I start balling my eyes out into the couch.

“Hey... are you...okay?”

[I FAILED...!! I FAILED THE TEST!!! What makes you think I won’t go and jump these guys into bed?!]

I’m laying on the couch in the fetus position because my brain can’t process the idea that I’ve been reborn as myself in my favorite Josei Otome Game with the chance to basically, sleep with all my favorite 2D men who has officially become 3D men.

[I’m gratefully to Niel and the ‘Weeb God’ if there is one.. but honestly, I’m going to fail this test.]

I start to recall on how I even ended up in this situation in the first place...

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

It’s Thursday, April 7th and My team and I just finished styling the last mannequin model’s look for the launch of our line ‘Crystal Night’ for the company ‘Dia Couture.’ Our company became even more famous when Big Star, Lenalee Rise mentioned us by blogging our brand and stated that she likes to shop out clothing line for ‘minimalistic style and our mature cute edge.’

I start packing my backpack with all my designer stuff.

[Better safe than sorry.]

“Rina\~,” I look over my shoulder and see Racheal standing there with his cross bag.

I zip up and turn around, “What’s up?”

“Everybody is going to celebrate before the launch in 3 days since we’re going to be pretty busy after that,” and I start to see everyone coming over, “Let’s go out for a few drinks.”

Tomorrow, half of us have the day off in rotation to the other half of the team. I do have the day off but I don’t really want to drink but nor do I want to not celebrate.

[It’ll be okay to go for a bit...]

“I’ll love to come if you all don’t mind.”

“Really,” everyone says with surprise.

I answer with sincerity, “I know that I tend to skip out on most of the gatherings but,” happily, “I really do want to celebrate this event with everyone since we worked so hard.”

Everyone was in ‘awe’ with my answer and decided that we should hurry and leave. I rushed myself as well since I was pretty excited to celebrate myself.

[My ‘lovers’ can wait for me until tomorrow morning. I can play all day tomorrow in bed.]

All 11 of us left the building and headed to our destination.

—————————— ٩( ᐛ )و

We went to eat first.

We decided to celebrate by eating at a dine-in pub that was near our office. While eating, we drank a few beers. After a spending 2 hours there, we headed out to karaoke for the night. We all spend 2 hours singing our hearts out but as we leave, some of us want to continue partying while some ‘need’ to get home and sleep.

“Shall we all go to the bars,” Lisa, our team lead asks us happily.

Everyone who works tomorrow turns down her offer and apologizes since they have to leave and catch the last train. Anyone who did not have to work tomorrow, stayed and planned for the next spot.

[I am pretty tired... plus- I want to start the new ‘Spring Campaign’ for my game..!]

Someone headlocks me while I was too focused, “Rina!! Coming along?”

I notice Jenni, our financial specialist walking up to us, “You don’t have to but,” looking at me with upset eyes, “You don’t have to headlock her Lisa.”

“OF COURSE SHE DOES!!”

I kindly chuckle, “Haha, I am a bit tired since I don’t usually do these kinds of things,” I start to remove myself from Lisa’s headlock, “but I’m going to head home for the night.”

Lisa starts to get upset and whines a bit about why ‘I’m not going’ but everyone waves bye to me and wishes me safe travels.

I start to head to the train station and since I live the other direction from where we hung out. On my way, I thought I would check on my ‘lovers’ since I have time.

Unlocking my phone, I open my otome game ‘Kiss Me by Midnight’ and I start to scream internally from excitement.

[I’m so ready to see my love, Kiyoharu-sama!!!]

Mumbling all the characters names, I stop at the crosswalk where the light was red. While peeking around, I heart phone ‘ding’ and see that there is a promotion going on .

[Hmm, what’s this?]

A pop-up appeared on my screen that wrote ‘Would you like to come to Our World Love?’ It seemed kind of funny and cute since it was a game so I clicked yes. Just then, I heard a cat meow, crossing the street from the opposite side and I see beam lights from a truck driving fast from my right.

[That cat’s going to die!!]

Before I knew it, my body reacted ok pure instincts and jumped to save the cat in the middle of the street. I hear the truck honking while I grab the cat but all I could make out was a white-bright light and suddenly, I woke up.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

I hold my hands tighter from recalling the memories of my ‘death’ since Niel told me that I died.

[I’m sure that someone wouldn’t fake death considering the fact that I am somewhere I’m not suppose to be.]

I finally start to wander my eyes in the room and notice a few random and weird things in the room such as photos of me with Niel happy, a graduation photo of myself in a gown, and more.

Then I notice one picture which makes the hair on my neck stand. I roll of the couch placing my feet on the ground to stand up and walk over to a photo on the wall near the small hallway to the bathroom.

“It’s,” I reach up to touch the frame, “A picture of my family... my actually family... Why...is it here...?”

Tears start to swell in my eyes as I keep looking at the photo.

[....why..?]

“I see you’ve spotted one of the few items I could bring to you here.”

I turn my head around, looking over my shoulders, spotting Niel sitting at the open entrance of the hallway and living room.

“Niel,” trying to speak in a calm-and-collected voice, “You could have just left all those things behind you know.”

There was photos of my mother and I when I was a child hanging on the wall. Then I noticed one of my mother and step-father with all of his kids and me. He had 2 kids from his previous marriage. One boy and girl. The girl was almost the 2 years younger than me and the boy, he was 5 years older than me.

The only thing was, my step-father’s two kids were never fond of my mother and I. Especially me. When they got married, I moved out 2 months after telling my mother it was easier and safer to live closer to work. My step-father insisted that I should stay but I cannot say that his kids despise me for thinking that my mother and I were gold-diggers trying to live off their money. They weren’t bad people but I can say that they were shallow.

[Now that I’m gone, I wonder if my mom is okay…]

Feeling the pain and sadness from leaving my mom, tears keeping pouring out as I mope.

“Are you okay, Rina?”

Nodding while wiping my tears away, I sniffle up my runny nose and listen as all the snot are being sucked in.

“THAT’S JUST DIGUSTING!!”

I burst into a laughter as Niel keeps talking.

“Why don’t you just blow your nose or something? That’s just disgusting and not sanitary at all… UGH!!!”

“Niel,” rubbing my eyes of any excess tears, “Thank you for everything.”

I look over and spot Niel staring at me as if he just seen a ghost.

“What?”

I walks over and suddenly, a flash of light appears making me shut my eyes. I freak out and the suddenly, I open my eyes and spot a handsome man facing me, making eye contact. We keeping staring at each other and I start to feel the heat rise to my face as I notice that this man is very handsome.

“Rina…”

“Yes, ” responding naturally.

[Wait..! Don’t tell me that this is…!]

I grab a hold of the shirt that he is wearing to ensure that this man doesn’t escape.

“NIEL,’ shouting into his face questioning the appearance I see.

Placing his hands on top of mines which are grasping his shirt, “You don’t have to hold on to my shirt so tight” chuckling, “I’m not going anywhere yet.”

“Key word is ‘YET’ so,” I tighten my grip, “I plan to keep holding.”

We stare at each other with smiles on our faces…

[I can tell that he did not expect me to act this way but… I have this odd feeling that, If I let go, he was going to do something.]

“Rina,” Niel says mumbling under his breath, “Do you mind,” pointing at my hands as I don’t loosen my grip.

I smile with a slight chuckle, “I do mind Niel.”

We keep staring but now, I can tell that he is officially annoyed since I won’t let him go.

“Let me go Rina,” he aggressively suggest with a grin on his face.

I respond with he same tone, “Why is that Niel?”

Irritated with each other, he finally sighs.

Closing his eyes in distress, “I was just going to bless you in this life before leaving,”

“Oh,” realizing this, I let go of my grip and he places his hand on top of my head gently.

“It’s okay to not be okay,” He says gently with a soft tone, “But try to live a life you can be happy with.”

My emotions start to swell up inside from those words Niel just spoke. Suddenly, From the top of my head where his hand is placed, it feels like the sun is pouring inside me a drop of it’s light.

[Is this magic?]

“This is my blessing for you,” Niel states, “I hope that you take chances with your life this time and don’t sell yourself short.”

I close my eyes and focus on the warm sensation this blessing gives me.

After a few minutes have passed, I slowly open my eyes to notice that Niel was gone.

“…Niel…?”

I walk back into the living room making my way to the door of the bedroom. Turning the knob to instantly push the door open and see nothing but the bed and a night stand. I rush away to the kitchen and notice something on the dining table.

[What’s this?]

Walking over to the table, I see a bank book, a pair of keys, and a shoe box with a note on top, folded. Opening it up, I read what is written on it. I burst into laughter as I tighten my hold on the sheet of paper.

“Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she’ll conquer the world.”

-****Marylin Monro