May Fate Reject Rom-Com!

Ah, gym class...the sacred hour where we all pretend to be athletes, or at least attempt to move our bodies in ways that vaguely resemble physical activity. The gymnasium was alive with the cacophony of squeaking shoes, the rhythmic thud-thud-thud of basketballs, and the occasional yelp of someone who stretched a little too far. Some were dunking like they were auditioning for the NBA, while others were just trying to touch their toes without pulling a muscle. As for me? Well, I was there for the noble cause of self-improvement. My current side mission: to transform my scrawny frame into something resembling a human being who didn’t look like they’d snap in half during a light breeze. My body was my sword, and I wasn't that determined to hone it into something worthy of a shonen manga protagonist but atleast as a decent background character.

“Haaah! I hate Wednesdays! You feel me, Amiya?” Eiji Hitsugi groaned, slumping onto the bench like a deflated balloon.

“Yeah, my back’s killing me!” I stretched upward, wincing as my spine let out a series of ominous cracks.

“Seriously, gym class is torture. What’s so fun about running around chasing a ball? Teamwork? Inter-high school tournaments? Nonsense! They should all just live as hikikomori and have a blast at home.” Eiji added with miserable tone.

Eiji, the main character for reasons unknown, after our rooftop chat yesterday has been oddly sticking up with me. Now he was casually dropping my first name like we’d been friends since kindergarten. I had no choice but to play along, though I couldn’t help but wonder if this guy had ever heard of personal space, no matter how dense a person can be they should be aware.

The gym was divided into sections, with girls on one side and boys on the other. Separate courts meant we could all awkwardly avoid eye contact while pretending not to notice each other. But let’s be real, everyone’s eyes were glued to Fukada Erina. She moved across the court like a winter storm, her icy demeanor cutting through her opponents with precision. She dribbled, dodged, and scored with the grace of a national athlete. Aside from us guys even her teammates and whole girl's crowd were staring at her like she’s Gojo Satoru, a fictional character every otaku girl earns for. Though I am glad that character can't be found in this world! Dammit die good looking  anime characters! (male)

“Ah, Fukada Erina… you’re still not over stalking her, huh? Look, man, she’s out of your league. You should aim for someone more… attainable,” Eiji said, his tone as blunt as a sledgehammer after catching me staring at her.

“Hey, that’s not it! Also I am not a stalker” I protested, my voice cracking slightly. “I mean, look at her! Everyone’s watching her play. She’s like a pro athlete or something!” I gestured wildly, trying to deflect from the fact that, yes, I had been staring. The light novel’s illustrations did do her justice too- seeing her in action was like watching a live-action anime scene unfold right before my eyes.

Eiji smirked, clearly enjoying my flustered state. “Nah, it’s not her play they’re looking at. You’re naive, Amiya. They’re all staring at those massive bonkers you know what I mean right?”

“U-uh, yeah, well, I guess you’re not wrong,” I interrupted, my face heating up. Seriously, what did I do to deserve this guy’s unfiltered commentary? How can this protagonist be not dense at stuff like these.

In my previous life, I’d have been sitting in the corner of the gymnasium, minding my own business though I excercised thoroughly at home. But now, thanks to my decision to “start fresh” in this world, I was stuck in the middle of normies trying to exercise off to build atleast a little bit of muscle in my body and posture.

I glanced over at the badminton court, where I was waiting for my turn to play. It was the one sport I could halfway keep up with, and I’d even borrowed a racket from Tamaki, who looked at me like I’d just announced I was joining the circus. “You? Playing badminton? Who are you, and what have you done with Amiya?” her expression seemed to say that I recoiled back thinking my mask was easily transparent that I was just playing her brother, though yes I genuinely think her as of my real sister though.

And then someone else joined the conversation arriving.

“Pwahh! I won again!” Housaka Joji announced, slinging an arm around Eiji’s sweaty shoulders. The guy was like a walking advertisement for any athletic class, with his six-pack abs and good skinny biceps though they looked like they could crush a watermelon. I couldn’t help but feel slightly discomfort. My own body was more “teddy bear plushie” than “Greek god,” but hey, I just started working on it.

“Joji… please lend me your muscles. I’m so fragile that my butt hurts every time I move. I can’t keep up with my opponents—they’re too strong,” Eiji whined, leaning dramatically against Joji.

“Ew, Eiji, what the hell are you saying? People are gonna get the wrong idea!” Joji stepped back, wiping his sweat with his gym shirt and accidentally flashing his abs in the process. The guy was like a walking fitness magazine cover. Even though he is just the main character Hitsugi's buddy (side character), he is the cool type. “Besides, you’ve got abs too, you lazy bum. How can you say you don’t work out?”

My eyes darted to Eiji’s torso, recalling the beach chapter illustrations where his muscles were on full display. Sure, he wasn’t as ripped as Joji, but he definitely had the kind of physique that made girls swoon. It was unfair, really. Meanwhile, I was over here looking like a strong breeze could knock me over.

“Nah, I never work out. It’s a pain in the butt. I bet Amiya’s got better abs than me,” the dense Eiji said, his gaze shifting to me. Before I could react, Joji’s curiosity got the better of him. He reached out, grabbed the hem of my shirt, and yanked it up, exposing my bare chest to the world.

“Woaaah,” they both said in unison, their voices dripping with a mix of awe and pity.

Shame. That’s what I felt. Pure, unadulterated shame.

Awkwardness hung in the air like a bad smell. Joji’s face paled as he realized what he’d done. “S-sorry, Amiya. I didn’t think there’d be a teddy bear plushie sewn into your chest,” he stammered, his apology somehow making things worse.

No, Joji, this is not a good reason to apologize. Comparing my body to a stuffed animal and exposing me to the entire gym without my consent is not okay. AND OF COURSE I DON’T HAVE ABS! I JUST STARTED WORKING OUT, OKAY? I’M SORRY MY BODY LOOKS LIKE IT WAS DRAWN BY SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER SEEN A HUMAN BEFORE! I MEAN I AM JUST A BACKGROUND CHARACTER DAMMIT!

I screamed internally, my face burning brighter than the sun. Meanwhile, Joji looked at me with such genuine pity that I half-expected him to offer me a protein shake and a hug. “It’s alright, Joji,” I said, waving my hands in a feeble attempt to brush it off. “I just started working out, so… yeah. I’ll get there eventually.”

"..." They kept silent bowing apologeticly.

As if the universe hadn’t humiliated me enough, I suddenly realized why Eiji and Joji were on a first-name basis with me. Eiji had trouble pronouncing my last name, so he’d just started calling me Amiya, and Joji had followed suit. It was oddly realistic for a light novel, but that didn’t make it any less awkward. It was as the writer's original work afterall.

I sighed, watching as Joji and Eiji resumed their usual banter.

Why was I getting involved with the main characters again? Well thanks to dense Hitsugi keep thinking me as his friend and naturally it was hard to ignore Housaka Joji, the main character's buddy. 

I had to admit I was able to talk to them almost smoothly. I am trying hard not to be awkward introvert, I guess it was paying off too easily. Guess there are introverts who can talk to people if they try atleast.

❋❋❋

I looked at him from my usual spot, tucked away in the corner behind the courts. He didn’t notice me ofcourse he was on his own world. I’m not athletic like Erina or anyone else here. I don’t even want to participate in anything, so here I sit, clutching my knees in a way that feels pathetic, though I try not to dwell on it. His body was exposed for a moment, scrawny and awkward, and I couldn’t help but feel secondhand embarrassment looking the three of them messing around. He’s not the type to approach people first, but he tries. I didn't thought he would be able to talk to people. He really does. And somehow, that makes it all the more painful to watch.

I remember the first day I met him, during the entrance ceremony. He was seated next to my desk, asleep of all things. At first, I thought I’d just let him be and slip away quietly, but something about him made me feel bad. He looked so alone, even in his sleep. So, I approached him. It was awkward...our first meeting. He was just a clumsy boy in my eyes, someone who would sleep through something as important as the entrance ceremony. “What is he doing?” I thought but I woke him up and we walk along towards the gymnasium. But despite the awkwardness in class and gymnasium, we ended up talking a few times after that.

I learned he was in the “go home” club, which didn’t surprise me.

No one would join a club with no clubroom, no activities, no purpose. It was mundane, pointless. But still...

I had to ask him to join the club I joined.

I told myself it was to break the solitary loneliness I felt, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t just that. Being lonely wasn’t necessarily bad, but the thought of having someone there, even if it was just him, made me feel... something. He always sat alone in class, right beside me. I thought maybe, just maybe, he’d join the literature club. And to my surprise, he did too easily. It made me happy, in a quiet, fragile way.

There was even a rumor that he’d been rejected by Fukada Erina, the beautiful girl in our class. I didn’t believe it. A guy as clumsy as him wouldn’t have the guts to ask someone like her out. But then she appeared in the clubroom, applying to join. Things happened, and somehow, the three of us grew closer in just days. I talked to two other girls in class, they were kind and helped me with things, but when I asked them to join the literature club, they laughed. Not in a mean way, but it still stung. They joined the table tennis club instead, and I told myself it was fine. I thought I’d be the only member of the literature club, but I was wrong. Kitsuragi-kun stayed. Erina stayed. And we talked about books together.

But then I noticed something. He was trying harder to approach me, to talk to me. Why? Why did I feel like there was a care in his face when he looked at me? I caught him glancing at me during class several times, but from his angle, Erina was also visible. Was he looking at her? The thought made my chest tighten. He even went out of his way to help her carry books once, and it stung. Why did it sting? Would I be left alone again? What if Erina and Kitsuragi-kun became close, and I was pushed to the side? I couldn’t let that happen. I had to do something.

I fabricated a reason to get him to go out with me—book recommendations. If I could talk to him more, maybe I could get closer to him. But why was I trying so hard? I didn’t understand it myself. I thought back to the time he got punched by Erina, and I gave him a lap pillow. It was embarrassing, but I couldn’t just let him lie on the floor like that. I had to muster up the courage to help him, as I wanted to. The scent of his hair oil lingered on my legs afterward, and I couldn’t look him in the eye when he woke up. His face was too close, and my heart raced.

My thoughts snapped back to the present when I saw him in the waiting spot, the place where we’d start our way to Kinokuniya. We had a great time that day, but something inside me started to unravel. The stress I’d been building up, the weight of everything, became too much. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Kitsuragi-kun, help me.”

The words spilled out before I could stop them. I started talking about my family problems, about things I’d never told anyone. I shouldn’t have said anything. I shouldn’t have burdened him. But my mouth kept moving, as if possessed. It was raining heavily that day, and after I showed him my scar even though I am really shy to show even a little skin in public, his expression turned to one of terror. He cared. He was concerned. I was right...he had that caring face I’d noticed before. But instead of feeling happy, I felt guilty. Why did I tell him? What was I expecting?

What was I even doing?

I ruined our friendship. We stopped talking after that. I stopped going to the clubroom because it felt wrong to face him after venting like that. It was rude and childish of me. I didn’t want him to get involved in my mess. But then, after a week, Erina and Kitsuragi-kun came to find me. They made some weird, perverted joke, though it felt more scary than funny and the. Erina forced me to go back to the clubroom. Kitsuragi-kun tagged along, and just like that, we were back together again. The three of us. It was that easy? No, it wasn't...It was all thanks to Erina and Kitsuragi-kun.

I was the one avoiding them, they didn't avoided me.

It made me happy.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for being me.

I’m sorry that you all had to be with someone dramatic as me.

But even so, it still makes me happy.

Suddenly, Erina put her head on Kitsuragi-kun’s shoulder, teasing him. What is she even doing? It’s so embarrassing! But somewhere in my heart, it ached. I want him to lend his shoulder to me too...

“Shinomoi, hey Shinomori... are you alright?”

I snapped out of my thoughts as if the memory fog cleared from my head at the sound of Erina’s voice. She was wiping sweat from her face, handing me a bottle of water even though I’d been sitting in the corner doing nothing. It made me chuckle softly.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Erina. Are you done playing?”

“Well, honestly, I wanted to leave, but those seniors kept pestering me to play match after match. After all that running, my chest is killing me.”

“Eh? Heartache? You need to see a doctor, Erina!”

“Huh? No, I’m talking about my... you know, my chest. It gets in the way when I...”

I love the present.

I hope we can all stay together like this.

❋❋❋

As usual, we were in the clubroom. It had been two weeks since I found myself in this world, and while the plot had been rewritten by yours truly, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Everything seemed fine...too fine, actually. The kind of "fine" that makes me suspicious, like when my new mom says, “We need to talk,” but then just asks how your day was.

In the original light novel, by this point, Hitsugi and Erina were supposed to have at least one awkward non-date scenario. But for some reason, Erina was here, spending time with us, completely detached from Hitsugi’s orbit. The three of us...Shinomori, the clumsy bookworm; Erina, the cold ice queen; and me, the introverted social failure had grown closer. I feel like I am slowly siding the normie side. I have noticed I was gradually started to able to talk with confidence slowly.

What a trio we made.

“Seriously, what is the academy thinking, springing this trip on us so suddenly?” Erina huffed, crossing her arms like the world had personally offended her.

“Yeah... it’s right before our exams too...” Shinomori chimed in, her voice soft but tinged with frustration.

Ah, yes. The field trip. The homeroom teacher had dropped the bombshell earlier that day - a first-year field trip to Aomori, courtesy of some new cram school trying to promote itself. Two hours by bus, mandatory attendance, and the promise of “collaborative learning.” Basically a glorified ad campaign disguised as education.

But here’s the kicker, this trip is supposed to be the second major plot point in the light novel. The kind of scenario where things spiral out of control, feelings get messy, and someone inevitably ends up crying in a corner. I had this gnawing feeling that no matter how much I’d changed the plot, the universe was determined to course-correct. Hitsugi and Erina had crossed paths a few times which was noticable but they didn't speak to eachother, because I’d managed to steer things away from the original trajectory first hand during the canteen scenario. Or so I thought

Then there’s Ootori Shea. The time on rooftop I noticed her glaring daggers at Hitsugi after he called Shinomori “beautiful” was a clear sign that her tsundere tendencies were alive and well. And let’s not forget the accidental kissing scene that’s supposed to happen soon. Ridiculous, right? But with the way things are going smoothly there is no way in hell that's supposed to be. Erina and Hitsugi didn't exchange words after that and their fate has been shattered.

Oh, and lately, I’ve been feeling like someone’s been following me. Maybe I’m just paranoid, or maybe I’ve officially joined the ranks of shizo patients. Either way, it’s not a great feeling.

Back to reality I shook off my spiraling thoughts and rejoined the conversation.

“Well, for that trip, I need to do some shopping... but uh, my bank account is looking a little sad,” Erina admitted, pouting like a broke princess. Which, honestly, she kind of is. That's what I titled her no matter how much sheltered Ojou-sama vibe she gave.

“Kitsuragi-kun has it easy since he’s a guy. Boys don’t think twice before buying stuff, right?” Shinomori smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with innocence.

I blinked. Was she... complimenting me? Or was she just roasting me subtly? Either way, I couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked in that moment. It’s still hard to believe a background character was illustrated this beautifully.

“Well, I just ask my sister to pick stuff for me. I’m not really confident about what to buy, especially clothes...” I sighed, deciding to be honest. No point hiding my lifestyle when we’re going to be stuck together for three years in this school.

In my previous world, after high school, I’d seen people drift apart from their friends. I didn’t have any friends back then, so I couldn’t relate, but here, in this light novel world, I couldn’t help but wonder if we still be friends after graduation? Or would this all just be just a fleeting memory?

“Uwah, a sis-con.” Erina looked at me with disgust, her nose wrinkling like she’d just smelled something foul. Yet that didn't break her beauty.

“Hey, Erina, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a family member helping with shopping, even if he’s grown enough to do it himself... wait, uh, he’s getting helped by his sister...” Shinomori’s sentence trailed off, her tone shifting from supportive to skeptical.

“Oi, Shinomori, what’s with your sentence not matching the first line? What’s with that doubt?” I made a troubled expression, feeling attacked from all sides.

“Well, you know, Kitsuragi-kun, you’re grown enough to shop for yourself, right? Aside from shopping kitchen stuff, I think you should handle it alone,” Shinomori said, her tone suddenly motherly.

“Geh.” I was out of words. Did she just mom-shame me?

“By the way, it feels really off calling you Kitsuragi-kun every time. I think...” Erina tapped her chin with her index finger, her sharp eyes narrowing.

“Finally!” I squeaked in happiness before she could even finish her sentence.

“Finally what?” Erina asked, her tone icy.

“That’s uh...” I stammered, realizing I couldn’t exactly explain how much it bothered me to be the only one stuck with honorifics. I was genuinely happy she brought it up.

“Hmm~ so you’re happy and want us to call you... drainage rat?” Erina’s smile was sharper than a katana.

“O-Of course not that!” I protested, my voice cracking. At least notice my demise!

“K-Kitsuragi-kun, you want us to call you d-drainage rat? I might have to rethink your personality...” Shinomori looked genuinely concerned buying Erina's word

“Hey, Erina! Because of you, even Shinomori-san is making cruel jokes!” I turned to Shinomori for confirmation. “It’s a joke, right? Right?!”

No answer. She actually believed it.

“HIYAAAAHHHH!!!!” I screamed, clutching my head as the mental attacks piled up. Erina chuckled, clearly enjoying my suffering.

“My my, I was joking. Though it looks like Shinomori wasn’t. My bad, Amiya.” Erina’s smile didn’t waver, and I could tell she wasn’t the least bit sorry.

“It was a joke?” Shinomori-san blinked, her face turning red. Just how gullible was she?

Just then when I noticed -

“Wait a minute, Erina-san. I thought you were removing the honorifics? Why the first name?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

“Well, I saw Hitsugi-kun and that guy who follows him everywhere calling you that. I mean, he’s not wrong. Shorter names are easier,” Erina said matter-of-factly.

Just when the hell did she listen us.

“You’re right, Erina. Maybe I should call him Amiya too from now on... Ah, also, you two can call me Shishie,” Shinomori added, her cheeks still flushed.

“That’s cute, Shishie. Adorable! By the way, I prefer being called Erina. I don’t quite like my first name as it’s kind of manly,” Erina said, her sharp eyes softening slightly.

Shinomori—no, Shishie—agreed. But still, first names? GOD DAMMIT. I hate Japanese formalities. It’s like my heart was doing somersaults just imagining two girls calling me by my first name. Straight out of an anime, and here I was, living it.

“S-so, Erina and S-Shishie, is it?” I stuttered nervously, feeling incredibly uncool. How do normies like Hitsugi and Joji do this so naturally? Though I had no problem removing formalities as they were males.

“Ufufufu~ Why did you hesitate calling Shishie’s name, hm? Don’t tell me you’re flustered,” Erina teased, her grin widening.

“Hey, cut that out! I’m an introvert, you should know that by now!” I shot back, glancing at Shishie, who was now blushing furiously.

W-what are you blushing for? I’m the one who’s embarrassed the most, dammit! ...Still cute, though.

Instead of reading books, we spent most of our time chatting. It wasn’t a bad thing, honestly. The present felt like a miracle, smooth and uneventful. But I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Shishie’s fate—her death in the original light novel—was still looming. I’d been lazy, letting myself get swept up in the moment, but...

Looks like...

I was right...

I messed up...

When next week arrived, we went on the trip. After the cram school session, I decided to take a quick stroll in the evening. The sky was dyed red, and as I turned a corner, I two identical shadows.

At closer inspection, it was Erina and Hitsugi.

At the edge of a cliff.

The scenario from the light novel was playing out right in front of my eyes. It wasn’t supposed to happen. I’d changed the plot, rewritten it. But there they were, exactly as the author had described, exactly at the same time, exactly in the same spot.

And worse...

Standing beside me was Ootori Shea, her face a mask of shock.

Well, crap.