Chapter 4: Doki Doki literary club

“Uh… well, don’t eat too much ramen. It changes your constitution.”

With my clumsy closing remarks, the entrance ceremony ended, and the students began heading to their respective classrooms.

My assigned class was Class 1. Unlike the other classes, it was located on the first floor, making it easy to get to.

As I left the auditorium and passed through the main building’s garden, I heard murmurs from all around. Looking around, I saw students already gathered in small groups, chatting away like old friends.

I smiled wryly at the sight.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have any friends.

Well, it wasn’t a personality issue. Let’s just say it was the aftereffect of a boy becoming a girl.

Girl talk was a bit too high-level for me.

“Is this it?”

I pushed open the classroom door with a green nameplate that read “1-1.”

A few students were already scattered around the room.

I paused for a moment to find an empty seat, then settled into one in the back by the window.

Soon, other students filed in, filling the remaining seats.

However, the seat next to me remained empty.

The boys were understandable, but even the girls seemed to shy away after looking at me, as if I was somehow intimidating.

*Did I have something on my face? I quickly checked my reflection in my phone, but I looked normal as always. In the end, no one sat next to me until the teacher arrived.

“Alright, quiet down!”

A woman’s sharp voice rang out as she rapped on the lectern, demanding attention.

Her mature beauty was accentuated by light makeup.

A form-fitting office look hugged her curvy figure.

With apologies to the teacher, looking at her made me realize what it truly meant to be a woman.

A thought that would probably shock others if I said it aloud.

I stared, somewhat dazed, as she explained the academic schedule.

Fortunately, she seemed oblivious to my suggestive gaze and maintained a composed expression.

“Any questions?”

“What’s your name?”

“Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Na Doyeon.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Unfortunately… no, don’t ask that.”

Na Doyeon… Yes, a beautiful name to match her appearance. I should try to remember it. No, I must remember it. And no boyfriend. I made a mental note of that above all else.

Just as I was starting to focus, with unusual seriousness, the back door of the classroom creaked open. A female student, breathing heavily, appeared in the doorway.

“Huff… huff… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, it’s your first day. Did you get lost? Go ahead and take a seat.”

“Yes… huff.”

The student walked towards me.

She was a slender girl with a striking, cat-like figure.

Her modestly shortened skirt swayed just above her knees.

Her eyes slanted upwards, giving her a mischievous, feline look, but it wasn’t too noticeable because of her demure expression.

Her auburn hair, cut around her shoulders, shimmered like sunlight.

This girl, who could easily be called beautiful, seemed to have rushed here, her flushed cheeks and heavy breaths betraying her exertion.

“Hi there.”

“Oh…”

I pulled out the chair next to me and greeted her before she could reach for it.

She seemed startled, as if just realizing my presence.

Then, with an inexplicably joyful expression, she returned my greeting.

“Hi.”

“You looked like you were struggling when you came in. Were you running?”

“Yes… I was behind on work.”

“Work? Do you have a part-time job?”

“Yes. I should have finished it last night, but I was too sleepy…”

“Well, it happens.”

I nodded and offered some words of agreement to her shy confession.

The orientation was over, and the bell had rung for break time.

I was having a casual conversation with this girl I was meeting for the first time, yet somehow felt familiar. She seemed to be alone as well, perhaps because, like me, she hadn’t made any friends yet.

I’d had part-time jobs during vacations, but never during the school semester.

Seeing her late for the entrance ceremony because of work, she must have been incredibly busy.

Was she in a difficult financial situation like me? I carefully observed her.

Her enviable pale skin and slender frame now seemed a cause for concern.

“Let’s do our best. Both you and I.”

“Huh? Why?”

You understand without me saying it.

So there’s no need to explain.

I placed my hand on her delicate shoulder.

I should help her out more in the future.

Helping such a beautiful girl would make me happy. I smiled gently, and she returned an awkward smile.

“By the way, Sia, you’re the top freshman, right? I overheard some students talking.”

“Well, I guess.”

“As expected of Sia. To get the top score on such a difficult exam…”

Contrary to her praise, it wasn’t that big of a deal.

I had the experience of my past life, and my sister’s help.

Thanks to those, and a bit of effort, I was able to achieve a higher rank than the original protagonist.

Ah, I remembered the original protagonist’s grades being around average.

That was still impressive considering the school, though.

But “as expected”? This was the first time we’d met.

She probably knew my name from the attendance list, but did she already know about me?

“‘As expected’? You talk as if you’ve known me for a while.”

“Oh, th-that’s because… well, Sia, you’re so famous. Everyone in the neighboring schools knows about you.”

She stuttered nervously. But I understood her meaning perfectly, and my eyes widened.

“Me? Famous?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a great student… a model student… and… very pretty.”

I didn’t think I was that exceptional in terms of ability or looks to be famous in neighboring schools.

Then, was it because I was my sister’s younger sibling? My sister, who was much smarter than me, had never missed a perfect score on an exam since elementary school.

Unlike me, who only excelled in academics, she got perfect scores in art and music as well.

On top of that, she had an angelic personality and was incredibly cute.

A perfect superhuman. Honestly, if she wasn’t my sister, I would have already… Ah, that was a slip of the tongue.

Well, I should accept the compliment graciously.

“Thank you. But I think you’re prettier.”

“N-no… I’m not.”

—Ding dong

“Oh, the bell.”

The bell signaling the start of class brought our conversation to an end.

I looked at her, and she shyly turned her head away, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.

We were still a little awkward.

But I was sure we’d become closer as we talked more. Smiling slightly with that thought, she shyly smiled back.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing.

“Right. What’s your name?”

“Me? I’m…”

A pleasant voice rang out. Kang Seon-a.

It was the same name as the rival in the game.