Chapter 2 - Discrepancies in the Plot?

Yuu– or rather, Haruko Kisaragi puts her textbooks away and leans back into her seat to analyze her surroundings. It had been a few hours since she had figured out she had somehow ended up in a popular dating sim as an NPC. 

All she knows about Haruko Kisaragi is that she wasn't ever involved with the main characters and is often in the background with other NPCs, hell – she was one of the faceless NPCs so it was definitely a surprise when she saw her reflection for the first time. It was no wonder she couldn't figure out who she was at a first glance. 

The only relevance she had in the plot was that she was the best friend of Minami Okamura, one of the supporting characters that aids Takashi in his journey. And that Minami spent some time showing her around because she had just moved from the states and needed guidance around the area. 

‘What do I do now…? It's not like I have many options, I can't even talk to other NPCs…’ She ponders, resting her elbow on her desk before pressing her cheek against the palm of her hand.  

She had tried to start a conversation with the person sitting nearby, her attempts being for nought though, considering they were only programmed to talk about what they were set to do. Which was, be a background character that only spoke when approached by the main lead. Or you know, to put in their two cents in a conversation that involved the whole class. 

‘Born to be a nobody, reborn to still be a nobody… surprise, surprise…’ Haruko glances out the window and sighs heavily. At least she'll adapt quickly, considering the similarities of being a loner and having to not force interactions. This'll give her some time to figure out if she's stuck here forever, or maybe… somehow able to go back to her own world? But how...?

She'll use her role as a background character to observe from a far, figure out things quietly to herself--

Or so she thought…

“Haru.” Minami calls out, grabbing the other girl's attention. She approaches her table with pep in her step and a gentle smile. Something Haruko wasn't used to, if she was going to be honest. “Did you bring lunch today?”

Something she had noticed about being known as a supporting character's best friend, is that they surprisingly interacted a lot outside of what was shown from the main character's perspective. 

“Uhh, unfortunately I did not...” Haruko says sheepishly, forcing out an awkward smile. “Didn't have time to make anything this morning…” She honestly forgot it was lunch time to begin with, usually she'd be working through her breaktimes anyways. 

“Great! Let's go to the cafeteria together, I've been meaning to show you that area for a while now, and maybe they have something good to eat today.” Minami suggests. 

“Yea, sure.” Haruko shoves her cellphone into the back pocket of her jeans and follows Minami out of the lecture hall they shared that period. Heading in the direction of what Haruko could only assume was the cafeteria. 

And just as they turn the corner to exit into the open corridor, they bump into a pair of familiar faces. Very familiar faces, considering they were twins. 

“Oh! Hello, Hasegawa twins.” Minami greets with a playful chuckle, she hooks her arms with Haruko's, practically keeping her from straying away. 

“Ugh… don't remind me. I can't believe I’m related to him…” The girl twin groans, her expressions distorting to one of disgust. She was about Minami's height, only slightly taller, her hair a dark brown and in a half updo, reaching the middle of her back. The front of her hair swept back from her face and caught in an elegant ponytail on the back of her head with the rest cascading down her back and shoulders.

“I am literally right here…” The man  deadpanned in response, he was surprisingly shorter than Haruko, his hair a bit more unkempt in comparison to his counterpart as it curled in all sorts of directions. 

Haruko already knew them without needing any introduction, Yukiko and Takashi Hasegawa. 

“Unfortunately, I know.” The woman rolls her eyes, rests a hand on her hip and looks back at Minami. “Heading to the cafeteria, Minami?”

“Yes ma'am.” Minami hums in response. “I'm showing an old friend around.” She motions slightly to Haruko, the taller woman unconsciously trying to hide behind her. “Haru, don't be shy.”

‘What…? I don't remember this happening at all…’ Haruko thought, trying to recount what actually happens when you play the game normally as Takashi. “Umm… Hi.” she got out awkwardly, giving a small wave of her hand. 

“You're new.” Takashi smiles widely, “Welcome! My name is Takashi Hasegawa.” He says, offering his hand.

Haruko hesitantly takes it into her own and gives him a firm handshake. “Haruko Kisaragi.” she states simply. 

“This is my sister, Yukiko Hasegawa, we're both in our 2nd years here. But I'm in computer science and Yuki's a business major.”

“It's nice to meet you...” Yukiko says, seemingly more introverted than Takashi. 

“Mind if we join you two for lunch?” Takashi asks, turning his attention towards Minami. 

‘Please say no…’ Haruko practically begs internally. 

“Not at all, the more the merrier as they say!” Minami hums in response. “It'll be a good chance for Haruko to make more friends.” She beams brightly.

‘Damnit… how can I hate her, she's just doing what's best for me…’ 

They continue down the corridor that leads to the cafeteria. Minami has a short conversation with the siblings as Haruko follows beside them quietly. Listening in, it was definitely something they discussed through the actual gameplay. 

And if memory serves, Takashi should be making his first interaction with a love interest that makes herself known later in the story– 

She snaps out of her daze when someone bumps into her and she hears a girlish yelp. Haruko looks down to see a woman on the ground in front of her, her books sprawled out around them. 

“Oh my God.” Haruko quickly untangled herself from Minami to help other women instinctively. She kneels down, gathers the books and papers, then helps the other woman up to her feet. “I'm so sorry about that, I-I wasn't paying attention and–” 

The woman let out an amused chuckle, holding a hand up to stop her from rambling on. “It's okay, don't worry about it.” she reassures her. She brushes a strand of her own hair behind her ear before holding her hands out towards Haruko. 

“?” Haruko tilts her head curiously, placing her free hand in the other's. 

“Ah.” The woman looks up at her in surprise at first, bursting into a soft giggle. “No, silly. My things…?” 

Haruko mentally facepalms, embarrassed by her own actions. “O…Oh!” she pulls her hand back quickly, replacing it with the stack of books and papers she had picked up. 

“Akemi?” Someone calls out from the side. “Let's hurry before Tachibana gets mad that we're late.” The other woman sighs. 

‘Akemi… Takashi was supposed to bump into her…’ Haruko thought. ‘That was supposed to be their first interaction… Did me being here just mess that up for him…??’

“Coming.” The woman, Akemi, replies back. She walks past Haruko briefly before pausing and turning back, “I hope to see you again, Silly Girl.” she says with a teasing grin, following after her friend. 

Haruko watches them leave for a moment, her eyes falling onto Minami, who had been watching the whole interaction with an amused gleam in her eyes. Her cheeks flushed red when she realized she had been caught looking so hard. “G…Gosh, I didn't mean to embarrass myself already…”

Honestly, she really hadn't meant for that to happen at all. 

“Don't worry, Haru! It was cute!” Minami reassures her with a light pat on the back. They continue forward, walking alongside the other two as they push through the cafeteria doors. “I'm sure she understands. Minatozaki is known for being really nice and understanding after all.” 

“You know her too, Minami?” Haruko asks. Was she surprised Minami knew her, not really. But she never really brought her up until later, so…

“Everyone technically knows her.” Takashi cuts in, “She's well known in this school, well… her and her friends.”

“Welp, that makes me feel even worse for some reason…” 

“Don't worry too much about it, Kisaragi. She really didn't seem to mind at all.” Takashi says, patting her shoulder lightly, “Let's just eat?” he suggests, motioning towards the lunch line. 

*

The group get their lunch and head over to one of the empty tables. Haruko made sure to sit beside Minami as the other two sat across from them. 

She's had enough interaction with the main cast for now, she'd like to go back to being in the background again. 

...

“So… where did you move from, Kisaragi?” Takashi asks suddenly, wincing when Yukiko slaps his arm harshly. 

‘Spoke too soon…’ Haruko grumbles.

“Couldn't wait 10 minutes without being nosy, huh?” Yukiko hissed. 

“Ow! What?? I'm just curious.” Takashi groans, rubbing his arm in pain. 

“Yea, I bet.” Yukiko huffs out, “You always are. Please, excuse him, Kisaragi.”

“Uhh, it's alright.” Haruko shrugs slightly, poking at her lunch. “Like Minami said, I moved here from the states.” She says, playing off of what she had heard earlier, when Minami introduced her to them. 

“Are you like, half-American? It explains your eyes.” Takashi continues, eating a mouthful of udon. He hums when Haruko nods in agreement. 

Although she was just going with the flow at this point. Who knows if what she was agreeing to was true or not. 

“Speaking of, you're probably still unpacking your things, huh?” Minami added in. 

‘Was her move always that fresh in the beginning of the game??’ Haruko ponders, ‘I mean, her room seemed pretty tidy when I saw it… then again, that's pretty much all I saw…’  

“Yea, I was able to get some things done and would've been done with the rest a while ago... But I've been putting that off to the side, I suppose.” Haruko rubs the back of her neck sheepishly. “I should probably get back to it after the rest of today's classes.”

“You could do that, sure. Orrrr… we could go shopping.” Minami exclaims excitedly. “We should at least fill up your fridge so you have something to eat at home.” 

“I uhh, suppose that's true...” 

“Great! We'll go after school then.” Minami smiles, she glances at the other two across from them. “Are you two interested in coming as well?”

“Sorry, Minami. We're actually busy after school today.” Takashi says with an apologetic gaze, “Maybe next time?”

“That's fine!” Minami laughs when Haruko sighs heavily in relief when they have declined. “Gives me more time to hang out with my bestie!” 

Haruko cheers mentally. There shouldn't be any more deviations from the main storyline at this point. Takashi is supposed to be bumping into his main love interest after school. 

She takes this chance to try and reduce her presence on the table, allowing the three to talk amongst themselves as they eat. 

*

To her surprise, Haruko actually enjoys spending time with Minami. The relationship between them felt very familiar, and it was comforting because of that.

After they had both finished with their classes, they met up at the front gates. Minami showed Haruko to the nearest supermarket where they shopped for things to fill up her fridge. 

“I'm pretty sure this is enough…” Haruko says, “I don't eat much anyways, so…” 

“This'll suffice for now, I suppose.” Minami hums, carrying some of the plastic bags as well. “But still, don't forget to keep refilling your fridge with food. I know you don't like eating, but you should still do it.” 

It was definitely weird hearing it come out of someone else, the concern of her eating habits. Yet, very refreshing.

When was it, the last time someone checked up on what she had for dinner… she couldn't remember, it felt like a distant memory. 

“Okay, Haru? Make sure you eat.” Minami says once more as they make their way towards the exit.

“I will. I will.” Haruko laughs in response. She stops in her tracks when she notices the girl from that morning standing there, just outside of the supermarket. It was Shizuka Uehara to be exact, a somewhat tall and slender beauty with pale complexion, she has raven-black hair, long and in the style of a hime cut. 

“Woah… that's one hell of a group.” Minami commented, smiling nervously. 

Haruko realized then that Shizuka wasn't alone, she was surrounded by gruff individuals, some of them holding weapons that consist of metal pipes or baseball bats. Her nose scrunched at the heavy scent of cigarettes filling the air around them. “Ugh…” she huffed in disgust, had the smell of cigarettes always been so… repulsive? It was all she could smell on the people that surrounded her in her office job. 

“Maybe we should walk the other way…?” Minami suggests, tugging on Haruko's sleeve. 

Haruko looks around briefly, wasn't Shizuka supposed to be meeting Takashi? Why was she here and surrounded by these hooligans? “I think we should see if she's with them…” Haruko says suddenly, her eyes still glued to the other woman that stood ahead of them. 

“What? We should think about this, Haru… what if they're carrying something dangerous??” Minami says as a warning, but it gives Haruko more reasons to try and step in and do something about it. 

What would happen if Shizuka is harmed before their love story even begins?? She's one of the main characters and a love interest at that, there's definitely some things in the story that can't happen without her presence. 

If that were to happen… would she be stuck in an endless loop again? Or worse, would a continuous repeat of this one day keep occurring over and over like a bugged out game.

There was no way she was letting that happen. Not when she could do something to help push the story forward. 

But a confrontation? There was no way someone like her could do it. Not back then, and definitely not now… 

Right?

“...” Haruko's grip tightens around her bags briefly before she comes to a conclusion. She hands her bags over to Minami. “I'll be back, stay here…” she says before storming in hastily towards the group. 

She breathes in sharply when the smell of cigarettes becomes stronger and the gaze of their eyes grow heavy on her shoulders, following her every move the closer she gets. 

Haruko exhales heavily, ignoring everything to the best of her ability. She grabs the woman's wrist lightly, giving it a slight tug. “U-Umm… are you okay…? Let's leave.” She got out nervously, the men around them now glaring directly at her while the other woman, Shizuka, merely stared up at her in awe. 

“Kisaragi…?” A familiar voice calls out from behind them at a distance. Haruko looks back to see the Hasegawa siblings standing there. The two are surrounded by another set of gruff looking men. “Uehara…” Takashi mumbles, his eyes growing harsh when they land on the woman standing beside Haruko. 

“H-Hasegawa…??” 

“Get away from her, Kisaragi.” Yukiko says seriously, glaring daggers into Shizuka's very being. 

“Takashi?? Yukiko?” Minami approaches them hesitantly from the side. “W-What's going on??”

‘That's what I'm trying to figure out…’ Haruko swallows hard, her grip on Shizuka's wrist loosening. 

“She's dangerous.” Yukiko admits, “What do you think you are doing with her, Uehara…?” 

“As if I was doing anything.” The woman scoffs, flipping her long black hair behind her shoulders. “She was the one that tried to pull me away first.” She motions to Haruko. 

“Liar.”

“Always jumping to conclusions, huh? That's all your tiny little brain is capable of doing, Hasegawa Yuki.” Shizuka spat out  with distaste. 

“Bitch.” Yukiko shot back, equally as aggressive. “Get away from her Kisaragi.” 

Haruko lets go of Shizuka's wrist and tries to walk away quickly, her eyes locked onto Minami, seeking safety. She stops in her tracks when she felt slim fingers wrap around her own hand. Shizuka tugged her back lightly.

“What's wrong, Hasegawa?” Shizuka snickers. “Did I just find your Achilles heel? Why do you care so much for this girl? I thought you were only in love with that disgusting twin brother of yours.” 

Haruko fucked up, she definitly fucked up somewhere because, what the hell was going on right now?? This was not part of the plot at all, she wasn't even sure if Yukiko had been present during Takashi's encounter with Shizuka to begin with.

“I swear to God, I'll bash your fucking head in once I get my hands on you.” Yukiko threatens angrily.

“Yuki, stop. Think about the situation right now, Kisaragi is still with her…” Takashi states calmly, holding his sister back. He tries to approach the group hesitantly. “We can talk this out. Shizuka, just let her go. She's not a part of our syndicate, she's just someone we met at school…”

It dawned on Haruko what was going on at that point. The most important detail of the dating sim that she had somehow forgotten–

Shizuka Uehara and the Hasegawa siblings were in opposing gangs that hated each other to the core. It was a whole -- deeply rooted -- turf war thing going on between their familes and it had somehow flown across her head going into it. 

That's what made the dating sim so popular, not only the mafia-romance genre but the enemies to lovers trope that all the booktok girlies adored. 

“I wouldn't come any closer if I were you.” Shizuka warned dully. "I'll hurt you, and then what, you'll fight back? Sick your little dog on me." She deadpans, motioning to Yukiko.

“I am not going to hurt a woman.” Takashi shook his head, taking a few more steps towards the two. “Just let her go.”

“Truly a shame, really… well, I did warn you and as much as I'd love to sit down and chat, I don't-- I've lost my patience.” Shizuka claims, suddenly striking Takashi on the side with a metal pipe she had snagged from one of her men close by. 

Haruko winces at the sound of metal hitting bone and Takashi's pained scream as he falls back in shock. She was able to slip out of Shizuka's grasp in time.

Before Yukiko, rushes towards Shizuka in a fit of anger. Tackling her to the ground where they begin to tug and pull at each other's hair.

“H-Hey! Come on, s-stop fighting!!” Minami tries, backing up when the men around them begin to get into their own fights. 

“Mina, be careful. It's dangerous.” Haruko warns, she helps Takashi up quickly. Guiding the two somewhere considerably away from danger. “Stay here, I'm going to try and pull your sister off of her.” She says suddenly.

“What?? You just said this, It's dangerous, why would you do that Kisaragi…??” Takashi asks worriedly. 

“It's technically my fault you got hurt… I was in the wrong place at the wrong time…” Haruko admits. ‘Also, this wasn't supposed to happen to begin with.’

“Haru, at least-- please be careful…” Minami frowns, allowing Takashi to lean on her for support. The man clutching at his side in pain. 

“I will.” Haruko nods. “Just stay put, we don't want you getting any more hurt than you are now, Hasegawa.” She turns away from the two and takes a deep breath before going back into the mass of men fighting around them. She makes her way through, barely dodging stray hits that were being thrown around carelessly. 

“Get off of me…!” Shizuka yells in the midst of it all, tugging on Yukiko's hair even harder. 

“Let go of my hair then!” Yukiko groans, her fingers just as tight around Shizuka's hair. Tugging with the intention of ripping them out. 

Usually she'd be avoiding fights, avoiding all the drama. But here she was, in the middle of an all out brawl between two opposing groups. About to make an attempt to stop a fight…. A cat fight at that…

“H-Hey…!” Haruko drops to her knees to get on their level, making it so that they at least let go of each other's hair. Somewhat. The sound of police sirens blaring loudly in the distance catching her attention, and seemingly only hers as they continued to fight and argue. 

There was no way she was letting them get caught by the police right now. “Stop fighting…!” Haruko demanded sternly now, using her arms to keep them away from each other. 

Silence. 

There was a pause, her eyes widening when she felt something soft in both her hands. She looks up to see that she had unintentionally grabbed both of their chests in the heat of the moment.

“H-H-Haruko…!!” Yukiko flushes red, backing up quickly. Her arms shielding her own chest instinctively. 

Shizuka finds herself in a similar state as she stares at Haruko in shock and embarrassment. 

“I-I-I'm so sorry…” Haruko says, looking between them nervously. “I-I didn't mean to–” The sirens were getting closer, there really was no time to be fucking around rignt now. “Y-You two need to get out of here now..!” she suggests.

“Huh??” Shizuka looks at her with utter confusion now. 

“The police, they're on their way right no– woah… woah, woah…!” Haruko swallows hard, a cluster of men coming at her violently. 

“Ms. Uehara! Is she causing you any trouble…!?” One of Shizuka's men asks, stopping his own fight to approach the three quickly. He helps the woman up to her feet, looking at Haruko harshly. 

“Did she just touch you inappropriately, Yuki!?” Another man asks, standing protectively in front of Yukiko. 

Fortunately a bunch of them had stopped fighting, but unfortunately for Haruko, they had backed her into a wall.

“W…Wait!” Yukiko calls out, attempting to pry some of her members away. “Leave her alone, you idiots!” 

“She didn't do anything wrong, back off now.” Shizuka frowns when one of her men grasps at Haruko's shirt and shakes her roughly. “Hey! Stop this instant!” 

“Who do you think ya are, huh??” One of the rowdy women hissed, smacking the back of Haruko's head. “Tryna cop a feel… Sick perv!” 

“Please stop…!” Yukiko whines, her pleas going unnoticed.

Haruko shook her head, looking towards the two women desperately. “Please, I need you two to just leave right now, the police are coming.” she warns them. 

“B-But, Haruko–”

“Just go, all of you…!” Haruko demands at this point. She groans when one of the men let go of her shirt, dropping her onto her butt as the sirens draw near. 

“Haruko…!” Yukiko was about to help her up, abruptly cut off by some of her group members pulling her away. 

“We need to go, boss!” One of them says hurriedly, dragging Yukiko in the opposite direction of the sirens. Making sure to help Takashi and Minami out along the way. 

“W-Wait..!” Shizuka looks back at Haruko worriedly as her men drag her into one of the cars nearby. Taking off as soon as they were inside. 

“Tsk… oww….” Haruko groans, rubbing her butt in pain as she stands back up.

“Freeze!”A stern voice demanded. “Hands up right now.” 

Haruko stiffens as she looks up to see police vehicles parked ahead and blocking her path of escape. Officers staring her down as she brings her hands up cautiously. “U-Uhh…”

“Young lady, you are in so much trouble.” One of the officers says. “We're taking you down to the station for disorderly conduct in a public area.” he frowns, approaching her to put cuffs around her wrists.

“I-I uhhh… I didn't– this isn't what it looks like.” Haruko tries in defense, smiling nervously.  She looks around her to see that some of the men were still around, lying on the ground,  beaten and unconscious. She glances down at her own hands to see that they were bloodied, from when she landed in some of the blood during that fall. “Okay… so this is exactly what it looks like… ummm…”

“Save your excuses.” 

‘Well, fuck me I guess…’