A warm light passed through the window and lighten the whole room, as the light continued to spread, the mass of mess little by little showed. A male lying on the bed slowly opened his swollen eyes, he seated on his bed and scratched his half-***** body.

...----------------...

I was in the middle of my dream when there's a mass of light met my eyes, I closed my eyes for a moment and slowly open them.

'It's too bright, maybe I should change the curtain for a thicker one' I thought, still half asleep.

I sat on my bed and scratched my back ... why is it so itchy?.. I looked at my room and it's kind of messy, It's been two days since I locked and crawled myself into my room without cleaning any mess.

As I stood up, a small book fell from my bed. My gaze shifted to the hand size book on the floor.

{ Black Roses vol.23 }

It's the R-18 romance drama manga that I'd spent reading this last few months, well don't misunderstand the R-18 but yes it is an R-18 manga, and there's content where only adults can only read.

I picked up the book without looking at the cover, it wasn't as though there's a lewd picture on it or anything else, but it is because I couldn't recover from its story and how shitty it ended.

I spent two to three months reading this manga and two to three months just to endure the selfishness of the main character.

This was how the story goes.

Mikael is a fourth-year high school student who secretly loves a third-year college student and his childhood friend Arisa, but Arisa's younger sister Ericka who is also a fourth-year high school student loves Mikael and Arisa knew it.

It is a kind of love triangle, a typical story cliche.

After Arisa left the city, Ericka confesses to Mikael, and Mikael accepted it thinking that he might need a girl to fill his loneliness. Then afterward the story continues on Ericka's pitiful life being a replacement for her older sister.

“That's why if ever there's a girl who admires me, I'll cherish her,” I muttered to myself.

"Michael! you better hurried or you'll be late"

I heard my mom shouted from the first floor of our house... Oh, I remember, it was the first day of my third year of high school in GMATS.

I quickly ran out of my room and downstairs... but I made a mistake, after a few steps I tripped and fell and hit my head at the edge of the wall.

'...'

" I said hurry right?"

I heard my mom's voice.

' Did I lose my consciousness?'

I open my eyes and quickly looked at the clock on the wall... thank goodness I didn't last 5 minutes unconsciously lying on the stairs.

"How long do you plan to stay in that position? Michael you're in high school now so try to act like a normal high school student"

I looked at her and smile but she just left, after that, I finished all my stuff quickly and ran out of the house.

The sun was fully out when I arrived at the school gate, even I was in the front of the school, I already saw the crowd of students in the front of the third year bulletin board. I didn't know my classroom section yet, so I decided to throw myself in the mass of students.

"Excuse me... excuse.."

I said while gently pushing them aside but I stopped when someone grabbed the back of my collar and pulled me out of the crowd.

I looked at him while being pulled by him.

"Yo, what are you doing here?"

It was Marco, my friend from my previous class section.

"Hey get off me I was looking for my classroom"

He took off his grip from my collar and looked at me.

*Ehe*

This guy's smile always irritated me.

"I have no idea that you are the type of person who likes those younger than him"

"Huh? no I'm not! "

"Is that so?" he said, curving his eyebrow. "Anyway I already found our classroom Let's go"

He turned his back and started to walk, it looks like we're both in the same class again. Honestly, I'm tired of seeing his face every day.

While we are walking Marco didn't stop saying stupid things, he is always keeping his field in an awkward state.

I smiled for a second.

"Hey, why are you on third year's bulletin board? "

I didn't answer him because it is an obvious question, it is the first day of our third year in GMATS and naturally, I would look for my assigned classroom.

I didn't listen to his gossips and continued walking, but for some reason, I felt strange. I looked around and noticed a block of pillars near the cafeteria.

"Hey Marco, is that pillar already there last year?" pointing my index finger to the pillars.

I asked him but he didn't answer my question. I think I just didn't notice it last year.

After a few minutes, arrived at the unfamiliar building next to the gym.

It wasn't here last year, a new building?... while walking I looked around the building but it wasn't looked like a new build or anything because of the scratches and marks left on the building's wall.

"Hey, Mar-"

"We're here"

We arrived at the fourth room of the second school of the building, I looked at the signboard at the center of the door.

{ Class 4-B }

I remember the number stands for the grade level of the student.

"Hey Marco this is for the fourth year"

I said with a confused look on my face.

"What are you talking about? we are in the fourth year"

What the heck is he saying?... I look at the piece of paper sticking on the wall and I did see my name on it.

I made a confused face.

Is this a mistake?

"Hey, Michael are you okay?"

Confused, I felt something vibrated inside my pocket. I took my phone and saw a reminder.

{ Now. The first day of my fourth-year life at Hikarino High }

What the heck is happening?

***

It's been fifteen minutes since I entered the classroom but until now, I still can't believe what was happening. Before I sit earlier, I asked the advisor if I was registered as a fourth-year student but she just patted my shoulder and told me to go to my sit.

This isn't real right?... Is this some kind of prank made by Marco? but if I think deeply about it, it is impossible, that's because he can't just ask some stranger to play on his game, I know him.

"After I distributed your I.D, you will introduce yourself... and how about leave some impression? it is your last year here in Hikarino"

I looked at the people around me. Except for Marco who's sitting at the back of my seat, all of the students here, and even the advisor—I don't recognize their faces, every one of them.

"Michael, what's wrong?"

I didn't notice that the advisor was standing at my right side.

" Here... your I.D," she said and handed me a piece of rectangular plastic. "After her, you're next" I looked at the girl who's sitting next to me.

'Short black hair, brown eyes and a look that giving a vibe that she's not interested in her surrounding... for some reason she reminded me of Ericka from the Black Rose'

For a moment I was distracted by her appearance but this was not the time for peering over some stranger.

I slapped my right cheek gently. I remembered I was tripped over on the stairs this morning and hit my head on the wall. I wondered if I struck my head on the wall, would I wake up or something?

"Ericka, you're next"

"Yes ma'am, I am-"

*tugh*

"Ow..ow..ow..ow"

I hold my forehead for a second... I didn't know that it will be more painful if it wasn't an accident.

For a moment, I hadn't noticed any sound or voice from my classmates, I looked around and all of them are staring at me, even the girl next to me.

"Weirdo"

She said while looking at me... those eyes of her felt stabbing me.

"Ahem... you may continue Ericka"

'Ericka?'

I looked at her. Her appearance, the way she looks, and the way she talks, just like the Ericka from the manga... it can't be.

"I am Ericka Hernandez, nice to meet you"

Wait what?!

I was in shock when the door opened. A male, who was likely at the same age as I, entered. His hand was in his pocket while the other was holding his backpack.

"You're always late Mikael" The guy looks at Ericka and smiles.

"You are just too early, Ericka"

The scene in the room reminds him of the first chapter of the 'Black Roses' it does not just remind him... it is the first scene where the whole story started.

Michael stared at Mikael with a face as if he has seen a ghost. Mikael notices him but Michael looked away.

'is he the Mikael from the manga?... it must be a coincidence... because if it is not it means that I'm dragged into the story! '

I'm looking at him when he started to walk, I averted my eyes and look at the window instead.

I felt Marco poking my back.

"What is it?" I asked

"Let's change seats"

He continuously poking my back with his finger. What's with this guy?

I lean my back on the chair and looked at him.

'It looked like I already know why he wants us to change our seats'

"Michael you're next!"

The advisor shouted from the back of the room... I almost forgot that we are in the middle of introducing ourselves.

I stood up and faced my classmates.

"Michael Tuazon... nice to meet you"

I bowed and back to my seat, I gazed at Mikael who was in the back talking to the advisor.

If it is the Black Roses that I know then the advisor's name would be...

I take a looked at the I. D that gave to us earlier.

[ADVISOR: Ms. Jhade Velasquez]

'Eh? '

I stopped after I confirmed that it was her... the Ms. Jhade from the manga. As far as I know, she is an excellent advisor, it is just sometimes she didn't act like a normal advisor.

"Hahahahaha then why are you still here Mikael?"

I heard her laughing at the back.

'Then it is mean that I'm in the world of Black Roses that I know, that's why there's a sudden change in the school earlier'

Then again Marco Didn't stop poking my back.

"Please?"

He said while looking at Ericka.

"Shut up... and stop poking me!"

is he just bored or what?

I looked to my side as I felt someone passed by. It was Mikael who's now in the vacant seat in front of me. I was looking at him when he turned his back and looked at me.

" I'm Mikael Teodones... Let's get along this year"

" Michael Tuazon... nice to meet you"

" Yeah I heard it earlier"

ah! it is when I am introducing myself earlier... I didn't know that he is listening at that time, especially if he was talking to Ms. Jhade.

"Our name is pretty similar right?"

"oh? yes I think so too"

" And that girl is Ericka... she is a friend of mine so take good care of her"

he said while looking at Ericka.

" What do you mean?"

He brought his face close to my ears and whispered.

" I noticed that she's always looking at you"

"What?! "

I looked at him grinning.

" it's a joke it's a joke"

oh! he said it twice... but if it is true that Ericka's looking at me then maybe...

I smiled.

"Just kidding"

"Did you say anything?"

"nothing"

We stopped when Ms. Jhade announced that it is time to start the class and she started to write something on the board.

"Michael?"

Ms. Jhade called me.

"Answer this"

she said and tap the board in the front... I stood up proudly and started to walk...

If there's something that I can do best, it is studying, I am pretty confident in my smart brain. Last year I was in the top 10 of the highest grade in our classroom, in other words, it will be a piece of cake for me... Yeah, a piece of cake... a piece... of cake...

Now that I am standing in front of the board and there's only one thing I can say...

'What the heck is this?!"

Ms. Jhade approached me.

" You can answer it right?"

I think she doesn't want me to feel embarrassed that why she whispered it to me. But... I still have my pride... no.. no... It's now my chance to redo my impression earlier.

"Please do not disturb me"

I said and continue thinking...

'Is this the lesson for the third year? but I haven't learned it yet... I feel like I jump in a whole year... wait I'd jumped a whole year I am fourth year in this worl-'

I stopped when I feel someone hit my head and looked at who was it.

"Oh, are you okay? did someone hit you?"

'eh... I think I pissed her "

I smiled at her and looked back at the board but she hit me again!.

" You should start answering Michael"

she said while smiling... I still can't get why did she act like a child despite being a 28 years old woman.

I just laughed awkwardly.

"You may go back to your seat"

I nodded and started walking to my seat when I noticed that Marco and Mikael are both suppressing their laugher.

I looked at Ericka for a second... it seems like she didn't see that.

"What are you laughing at?"

I asked both of them after I sat down but they didn't answer me.

This is not bad as I thought, I admit that I panicked earlier when I found out that I am... we are in their world. But something is bothering me.

'Why Marco didn't surprised about this? '

I remember he is the one who recommended me that manga.

"Am I too handsome?"

Marco while rubbing his chin.

" Shut up"

I said and looked in a different direction. I didn't notice that I am staring at him.

A few hours had passed and it's already lunch break, Marco and Mikael go out to buy us some food.

"I didn't know that the two of them already know each other"

I said blankly while looking at the window.

" They both laughed at you earlier"

I was surprised and looked at Ericka who's cleaning her desk. She looked at me with a blank face"

"What?"

" No, it's just... I didn't expect you to open a conversation with me"

Yeah, that is true... the moment that I figured out that she's the Ericka from the Manga I've already expected that she will not talk to me unless there's something she needs... that's the personality that gave to her by the author so I can't complain.

"Oh! right-"

what is it? she's thinking?

"Ummm... weirdo do you have some spare pen? I think I lost mine"

'Eh? that's why she talks to me? and what's with weirdo?!'

I open my backpack and took my spare pen.

"Here... and my name is Michael I introduced earlier right?"

She took the pen and open her mouth.

" Thanks...hmmm weirdo"

" As I said it is Michael"

"Yeah... weirdo"

"Its Michael"

" oh? it's not your name... I just called you weirdo"

" Don't just address someone like that!"

" Ok... weirdo"

" As I .... ok ok forget it... it will become an infinite loop"

" oh? you said ok twice"

As I thought, it is like an argument but her expression and tone of her voice didn't change as well. It's like I throw a ball on the wall and it hit me back.

"Yo! we're back!"

It was Marco who entered the door while waving the plastic bag in his right hand, at his back is Mikael sipping a can of a strawberry milkshake.

"Here..."

Mikael and put a can of strawberry milkshake on Ericka's table.

"Can I talk to you later?"

Ericka while looking at him... isn't this the first chapter? then that means the first event will happen after school.

"Sure"

'Then after school is the start of the story huh?'

“For now why don't we eat first?”

Mikael said and sat down in his seat.

“Oh! are you jealous Michael? here's your food.”

Marco sneered at me. Did he see me looking at the two?. He opened the plastic bag and took a pack of burgers and placed it on my desk.

“Eh... thanks.”

“Nah! it's nothing.”

He waved his hand and winked at me. Gross!!

Until now I can't read his thoughts, just what kind of brain he has, there's a time that you can't even feel his presence and sometimes the opposite. Marco ahh...

I glanced at Ericka but I noticed someone peeking from outside. I didn't remember that someone is looking at these two in the first episode.

I looked at the burger in front of me and contemplated.

in time, after school... I am the only one who knows what will happen to these two. The manga says that they just act normally after the first event but ... If we are in the real world there's no way a normal person can do that... and especially Mikael...

I glimpsed at him and clenched my fist.

‘Thinking that he didn't even bother-’

“Are you trying to stab him with your eyes?”

Ericka whispered. I didn't notice that she was looking at me. I looked at her and her food before I opened my mouth.

“Na... Nah... it's nothing I just thinking of something,” I shrugged, scratching my chin.

“Then don't look at someone like that... ”

“Ahh... sorry, my bad.”

Did I offend her just by looking at Mikael like that?... no... I just overthinking it, but what should I do...

I shoved my face into my desk.

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!! Don't remember her ***** body! it's just a manga! a manga you damn pervert!

“Gross.”

Mikael and Marco chuckled. After I realized that I unconsciously wriggled my body in some weird ways, I stopped and sat properly.

How ... embarrassing, I thought as I felt a warmth roused on my cheek.

Hours passed and it was already the end of today's class. As I tidied my table, I watched Mikael and Marco chatting at the door. Those two just how they been so close in just one day.

I glanced at Ericka who was walking in the direction of Mikael and Marco.

*W*hat should I do?...is it better to leave things as they are? or stopped them... but what will happen if I messed up the story?... It could be best not to interfere and just leave it...

“But...”

I glimpse at Mikael and Ericka.

“Aaaahh, it's so damn hard.”

As the event goes, I found my feet following their direction on autopilot. Honestly, I felt a bit hesitant, and my heart was so warm since earlier. But what could I do?

“Then... where are we going?”

“There's a playground near here... we used to play there a long time ago... do you remember?”

I heard them chatting as I followed them and hide at every corner of the street.

“Yeah, now you said that, it's been a while since we last visit that place.”

“We're always there every day a long time ago...”

“We used to visit the playground after school. I wonder when did we stop doing that,” Said Mikael and let a light laugh.

“Who knows...”

“I miss running around there. You, me, and Arisa. Oh right, did Arisa tell you about anything? I haven't heard a thing from her for a while.”

ah! I remember Mikael always bringing Arisa into their conversation whenever they are talking just the two of them. I thought as I maintained my position where they couldn't see me.

Ericka stopped speaking and walked a bit faster.

“Hey wait, aren't you a bit excited?”

*S*tupid Mikael read the freaking situation!!

“No... It's not like that. Anyway, we're here.”

I waited for them to enter the playground first before I followed and hid at the entrance of the playground. I saw Ericka sitting on the vacant swing while Mikael is looking around like a kid.

“Oohhh... it feels nostalgic.”

Mikael stood in the back of Ericka and gently pushed her.

“Look! Ericka, it's still here!”

Mikael then rushed to the old seesaw like a child and looked under it. After a second, he returned in front of Ericka and showed her a small white marble.

“It's the rock that Arisa took from the pond near here and hid it under the seesaw... I remember she said she will hide her treasure so no one kids will know it but just one look anyone can see it.”

“Say, Mikael...”

“Hum?”

Mikael stopped and looked at Ericka.

“Do you want to do it with me?”

Mikael looks confused.

“What do you mean?”

I bit my lower lip as I listened to them from the playground entrance. It's too fast... in the first place why did the author put the first event this early.

“Do you want to do that thing?”

I was shocked after I heard those words from Ericka, I already know that this will happen but to hear it in real life and not just read it in the manga... I didn't know what to say.

“What are you saying, Ericka?”

Mikael laughed lightly and shrugged his shoulder.

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

“......”

“Something is bothering me. So I want to find out what this thing is and why I feel like this.”

Ericka said and put her hand into her chest. Now I remember why Ericka's like this, ever since she was a child, her parents and relatives always compared her to her sister. From her academic performance and her behavior, her parents always say that be like Arisa. Well, Arisa and Ericka are opposite, unlike Ericka, Arisa is so cheerful and likes to put herself in many different situations, she was an honor student back in her high school days and- ... ah! I suppose to cheer up Ericka but instead, I bragged about Arisa.

“Would it be awkward for the both of us? see, we're always been together ever since we are young. I know you and Ericka out of all people besides my family and...”

“That's why!” Ericka suddenly raised her voice. I felt my heart skip a bit. “That is why I am asking this to you and not to anybody...”

“Ericka...” I muttered under my breath.

My chest felt heavy and a second later, something cracked inside my chest. Suddenly, I began to question myself. *W*hy I am here?... I'm not supposed to be here... hey... I'm not from their world even if I stopped this event...if I stopped this... will this world collapse? and I will force to back to my world?... I can't do that.

I silently walked away from the playground. I knew it didn't have to be me, I knew someone from our world will recognize them and stopped this event... Eventually, I ran away until heavy breaths came out of my mouth. After running out of breath I halted and put my hands on my laps. I noticed a few signboards while running but they didn't matter.

“Marco...”

Marco suddenly came up in my mind. Marco is the one who recommended the manga to me, I'm sure he can help.

I quickly took my phone out of my pocket and navigated his name on my contact list. As I found it I hastily dialed his phone and wait for him to answer, foot restlessly thumping on the ground.

“Yo! Michael, what's up?” Glad, you answered.

“Marco, where are you?”

“Whoa, no hello or anything, Michael? Do you miss me too much?”

I noticed a signboard on the right as I decided to go back to the park. I just realized how dumb I was, letting my emotion to conquered me. [Dahlia Street] Dahlia street was two to three streets far from the playground.

“Marco, I'm in Dahlia Street, can you come here?”

“Hmm... Why? I'm pretty busy right now.”

I stopped walking.

“Do you remember the manga that you recommended to me last summer? The Black Rose? they are real, the characters, the scene... even the school name changed. Marco the fi-"

I heard him giggle. it isn't the time for playing around!

“Hey, take it seriously!” I yelled on the phone.

“O sorry sorry...my fault. I'm just wondering what in world are you saying. Have you accidentally hit your head somewhere? Did you take a ton of medicine and now drowning in illusion? Stop bothering me, I'm busy.”

I heard him pulling away from his mouth from the phone.

“Wait, Marco.”

“Why? I told you I'm busy. Oh, and what are you talking about the manga recommendation? I didn't recommend anything though.”

I didn't speak and just stand in the street for a while. Am I the only one who knows that they are real?... wait no it can't be...

“Hey, Marco one last thing...”

“Just be quick.”

“What is the name of our school?” I waited for his response intensely.

He sighed before he answered, “It's Hikarino and always Hikarino. What's wro-”

Damn it!

I didn't wait for him to finish talking and hung up the call. I hastily ran back to the playground.

That explained everything... he didn't look surprised that the school name suddenly changed and that he didn't even recognize the main character from the manga even if they are right in front of him. Did it means I am the only one who knows that we are in their world... or they are in our world...

“I'm so stupid! I should know it from the start”