I Got Isekai’d as an NPC… And That’s Great! (Until It’s Not)

I knew something was wrong the moment I woke up in a bed that wasn't mine.

The ceiling above me was wooden, rough-hewn, with faint cracks running along the planks. The scent of morning dew mixed with something earthy—like freshly cut wood and old parchment. The sheets beneath my hands were coarse, nothing like the smooth, synthetic fabric I was used to.

My brain struggled to process the unfamiliarity. This wasn't my room. My bed at home had a soft mattress, warm blankets, and—most importantly—was located in a modern-day city with working Wi-Fi.

I sat up, my limbs oddly sluggish, and looked around.

The room was small, barely furnished. A rickety wooden dresser stood against one wall, its edges worn down with age. A tiny window let in narrow beams of golden sunlight, illuminating dust particles in the air. There was a cracked mirror in the corner, reflecting a blurry image of a disheveled young man.

My stomach clenched.

That was me.

Same messy black hair. Same half-lidded gray eyes. But everything else? Completely unfamiliar.

A sinking feeling settled in my gut.

No way. No, no, no. This wasn't happening.

I scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping as my foot caught on the rough wooden floor. Ignoring the uncomfortable cold against my bare feet, I staggered toward the cracked mirror.

Up close, my reflection was clearer—and so was my growing horror.

I was wearing a loose, beige tunic made of cheap fabric, the kind you'd see on background villagers in fantasy RPGs. My pants were equally dull, rough-spun and slightly oversized.

My pulse pounded in my ears. This had to be a dream. A prank. Some kind of bizarre, overly realistic VR simulation—except I hadn't signed up for anything remotely like this.

I inhaled sharply and muttered under my breath.

"Status window."

Nothing.

"Open menu."

Silence.

I tried waving my hand in the air, making swiping motions like I was in some kind of UI-driven game. Still nothing.

Okay. Okay. Stay calm. Deep breaths.

I pressed my fingers to my temples, forcing myself to think.

Let's assume the worst-case scenario. I somehow got isekai'd. Sent to another world. Possibly reincarnated. But if that's the case, where exactly am I?

There was something familiar about this place—about this whole medieval-style setup.

Slowly, I turned to the tiny wooden desk in the corner. There was a folded piece of parchment lying on it. My heart pounded as I snatched it up.

The second I read the first line, my stomach dropped.

[Welcome to Eternal Lovers Academy!]

…Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

No. No, no, no. This wasn't happening.

I knew that name—Eternal Lovers Academy. It was a fantasy dating sim with RPG mechanics that I played before… well, before whatever the hell happened that landed me here.

My hands gripped the parchment tightly as I skimmed the rest of the letter. The more I read, the worse my headache got.

Congratulations! You have been granted admission to the prestigious Royal Academy of Alstein, the kingdom's finest institution for young nobles and aspiring knights.

May your future shine as bright as the heroes of legend!

The letter was written in fancy script, sealed with a wax crest. But none of that mattered.

Because I already knew where this was going.

I slumped back onto the chair, burying my face in my hands.

I'd been isekai'd into Eternal Lovers Academy.

But instead of being the chosen hero or even a high-ranking noble, I was…

I looked down at my cheap tunic and rough pants.

…A commoner.

I groaned, tilting my head back toward the ceiling.

"Out of all the possible roles, I got stuck as some random background character?!"

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm the sheer annoyance bubbling inside me.

Let's break this down.

Eternal Lovers Academy was a romance fantasy game set in a prestigious noble academy. The protagonist—a handsome, overpowered noble hero—would attend school, gather a harem of beautiful girls, and eventually defeat the Demon Lord to save the kingdom.

In other words, a generic dating sim with RPG elements.

The academy was filled with nobles—dukes, marquesses, and even the crown prince himself. Meanwhile, commoners like me? Barely existed in the story.

At best, they were background extras. At worst, they were servants, merchants, or cannon fodder in random battle events.

And guess where I landed?

Right in the NPC zone.

I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head.

"Well, at least I'm not important."

That was the one saving grace here. If I wasn't a named character, that meant I wasn't tied to the game's ridiculous plotline.

No harem nonsense. No world-ending threats. No dramatic love triangles involving the crown prince and his many noble fiancées.

All I had to do was live quietly as an unremarkable commoner.

Honestly? That sounded amazing.

For the first time since waking up, I felt a bit of relief.

I wasn't the protagonist. I wasn't a noble. I wasn't important. That meant I could actually live a normal, peaceful life without getting caught up in the game's absurd plot.

And so, I made a decision.

I would live my new life as a proper NPC.

No getting involved with the main characters. No interfering with the story. Just a quiet, low-risk existence in the background of a ridiculous romance game.

With that in mind, I spent the next month adjusting to my new life.

It wasn't too bad, honestly.

Since I wasn't born into nobility, I lived in the commoner district of the capital—far from the main academy, far from the game's major plotlines. I got a simple job at a café, working as a waiter, and for a while…

Everything was perfect.

No arrogant nobles to deal with. No insane love triangles. Just me, my café job, and a life of blissful mediocrity.

It was, without a doubt, the best possible outcome.

Until, of course… the world decided to ruin everything.

It started with a letter.

A beautifully embossed envelope, sealed with gold wax, dropped right onto my café table while I was on my lunch break.

I blinked at it. The expensive parchment practically screamed "noble business", which meant it had nothing to do with me.

Frowning, I picked it up.

To Kaito Asagiri,

You have been accepted into the Royal Academy of Alstein.

Your attendance is mandatory.

I reread it. Once. Twice.

Then I calmly set the letter down.

Took a deep breath.

And ripped it in half.

"Nope. Not happening."

I tossed the torn pieces into the nearest trash bin and went back to my sandwich.

I wasn't a noble. I wasn't a named character. There was zero reason for me to be at that academy.

Clearly, this was a mistake.

The next morning, a second letter arrived.

Same fancy parchment. Same golden wax seal. Same message.

Your attendance is mandatory.

This time, I didn't even bother opening it. I just crumpled the damn thing and tossed it in the bin.

But the letters kept coming.

Every morning, without fail, a new one would magically appear at my doorstep, at my café table, even once on my pillow while I was sleeping.

I tried everything.

Burning it? Another one showed up.

Burying it? A fresh copy was delivered by a passing noble's carriage.

Throwing it into the river? The next day, a waterproofed version appeared.

By the end of the week, I had an entire drawer full of unopened letters.

"Persistent bastards," I muttered, staring at the growing pile.

At this point, I had to accept one thing.

Whoever—or whatever—was running this world really wanted me at that academy.

But I still refused.

I was a background character. I had no reason to be at a school filled with spoiled nobles, love-struck heroines, and the most arrogant prince in the kingdom.

So I held my ground.

…Right up until the Royal Knights showed up at my door.

It was early morning, the sun barely rising over the rooftops of the commoner district. I was halfway through my usual routine—wash face, get dressed, avoid thinking about existential crises—when there was a loud knock at my door.

No. Not a knock.

A fist pounding against wood with the force of an angry debt collector.

I froze. "…That better not be what I think it is."

The knocking came again, harder this time.

"This is the Royal Guard," a deep voice announced from the other side. "Kaito Asagiri, by royal decree, you are to report to the Academy immediately."

I stared at the door, expression blank.

Then I turned to my open window, seriously considering jumping out of it.

I took a slow, deep breath.

Okay. Options.

Option one: Cooperate. Go with the knights, enroll in the academy, and get sucked into a noble-infested cesspool of romance drama that I wanted nothing to do with.

Hard pass.

Option two: Run. Climb out the window, disappear into the back alleys, and live the rest of my days as a mysterious hermit waiter.

Tempting, but not sustainable.

Option three: Pretend I'm not home.

"Sir, we know you're inside," the knight called.

Damn it.

I stayed silent, hoping they'd give up.

"We have permission to break down the door if necessary."

…Yeah, that figured.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. What kind of world forces a background character into the main story like this?!

Finally, with the heavy weight of defeat settling on my shoulders, I trudged toward the door, unlocked it, and swung it open.

At least five armored knights stood outside, their expressions blank but vaguely apologetic.

"Good morning," I said flatly. "I take it this isn't a friendly visit?"

The leading knight cleared his throat. "For what it's worth, sir, we were hoping you'd cooperate voluntarily."

I sighed.

"Yeah, well. You overestimated me."

The knights didn't react to my sarcasm. Professional to a fault.

"By royal decree, you are to be escorted to the Academy immediately," the lead knight repeated. "Your acceptance is not optional."

I crossed my arms. "And if I refuse?"

The knight hesitated. "We… have orders to bring you regardless."

A brief pause.

I glanced at their armor—polished steel, high-quality craftsmanship, the royal emblem gleaming on their chest plates. These weren't just any knights. They were elite guards.

Which meant resisting wasn't an option unless I wanted to end up hogtied and tossed onto a carriage.

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "Let me get my bag."

"Already packed." One of the knights handed me a satchel filled with neatly folded clothes, boots, and a few personal belongings.

I stared at it.

"…Did you guys rob my house while I was sleeping?"

"No," the knight said immediately. A little too quickly.

I squinted. He avoided eye contact.

Yup. They totally did.

"Well," I muttered, slinging the bag over my shoulder, "I guess I'm going to the Academy."

The knights stepped aside, allowing me to exit. As I walked past them, I cast one last, longing glance at my quiet little home.

Goodbye, peaceful NPC life.

Hello, unavoidable story hell.

The carriage ride to the Royal Academy was long, bumpy, and filled with existential dread.

I sat slumped in my seat, staring blankly out the window as the capital city rolled past. Bustling market stalls, armored guards patrolling the streets, noble carriages gliding along pristine roads—it was the textbook fantasy setting straight out of Eternal Lovers Academy.

Which made sense. Because it was Eternal Lovers Academy.

And now I was being forcibly transferred into the heart of the story I had zero interest in.

I leaned my forehead against the cool glass, groaning softly. "This is so stupid."

One of the knights across from me coughed awkwardly. "You, uh… don't seem very excited."

"Excited? Oh, sure. I'm thrilled," I deadpanned. "It's been my lifelong dream to be dragged against my will to a school full of egotistical nobles. Really, this is the best day of my life."

The knight wisely shut up.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Maybe I was being a little dramatic, but who could blame me?

I'd spent the last month living a peaceful, drama-free life. And now, thanks to whatever cruel fate was running this world, I was being dropped straight into the center of a chaotic dating sim plot.

And the worst part?

I knew exactly what was waiting for me when I got there.

Because today wasn't just any day at the Royal Academy.

Today was the infamous Engagement Breaking Event.

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

The Engagement Breaking Event. One of the most infamous scenes in Eternal Lovers Academy.

The setup was simple.

Prince Reinhardt Alstein, the golden-haired, blue-eyed crown prince and main protagonist of this world, would publicly break off his engagement with his betrothed, Selene von Nachtwald, in front of the entire academy.

A perfectly humiliating, reputation-destroying moment.

And from that point on, Selene—the game's designated villainess—would be scorned by the nobility, abandoned by her supposed allies, and slowly pushed toward becoming a future antagonist.

All while Reinhardt continued gathering his harem without a second thought.

I knew the scene well. It was a major turning point in the game's story. But this time, I wouldn't be watching from behind a screen.

I'd be right there.

I ran a hand down my face. Great. I'm walking straight into the flames.

"Sir," one of the knights called out. "We're approaching the Academy."

I looked up.

Beyond the carriage window, towering white stone gates came into view, gleaming under the midday sun.

The Royal Academy of Alstein.

A place filled with noble arrogance, overpowered heroes, and absurd love triangles.

And soon, I'd be standing right in the middle of it.

The carriage slowed to a stop.

The moment I stepped out, I was hit by the overwhelming grandeur of the Academy.

Towering marble buildings lined the expansive campus, their surfaces engraved with golden etchings of past heroes and legendary scholars. The pathways were made of pristine white stone, stretching through carefully manicured gardens that looked straight out of a royal palace.

Students in elegant uniforms strolled through the courtyards—tall boots, fine capes, embroidered coats that screamed "I'm richer than you." Every single one of them oozed noble arrogance.

I tugged at the rough fabric of my commoner's tunic. Yeah. I'm going to fit in just fine.

As I adjusted my satchel, a sudden commotion echoed through the courtyard.

A large crowd had gathered in the center, nobles murmuring amongst themselves in hushed, excited tones.

I frowned. "What's going on?"

One of the knights sighed. "The Crown Prince is making an announcement."

My stomach twisted.

I already knew what this was.

No, no, no. Don't tell me I arrived just in time for—

"Prince Reinhardt is formally breaking his engagement," the knight continued.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Of course I did.

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face.

Of all the possible moments I could have arrived at the Academy, it just had to be during the Engagement Breaking Event.

As if on cue, a voice boomed across the courtyard.

"I, Prince Reinhardt Alstein, heir to the throne of Alstein, hereby declare that I am breaking my engagement to Lady Selene von Nachtwald!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs and gasps.

I groaned internally. Here we go.

Pushing through the edges of the gathered nobles, I finally caught sight of the main stage of this unfolding drama.

Standing in the center of the courtyard was Reinhardt himself—the Hero of this world.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome enough to make lesser men cry, he stood confidently in his pristine military-style uniform. His short golden hair gleamed in the sunlight, his sky-blue eyes burning with determination.

Across from him stood Selene von Nachtwald, the girl he had just publicly humiliated.

The feared villainess of Eternal Lovers Academy.

Dressed in a pristine black-and-silver uniform, she looked as elegant and composed as ever. Long, silky raven-black hair cascaded down her back, framing her pale face. Her piercing red eyes—the signature trait of her noble demonkin bloodline—remained unreadable.

But even from here, I could see her fingers trembling slightly at her sides.

No one else noticed.

They were too busy enjoying the spectacle.

I clenched my jaw.

This scene—this stupidly dramatic event—was exactly how I remembered it from the game.

Reinhardt, in all his self-righteous glory, would now begin his justification speech.

Sure enough, he placed a hand over his heart, his voice carrying through the courtyard.

"I hold the highest respect for Lady Selene, but my heart cannot be bound by mere political arrangements!" His expression was noble, heroic—self-assured. "True love cannot be dictated by duty alone! I have found my own path—one guided by destiny!"

I resisted the urge to gag.

The crowd, meanwhile, reacted exactly as expected.

The noble girls swooned.

The noble boys nodded approvingly.

The faculty members smiled like he had just quoted holy scripture.

Are these people serious?

I turned my gaze back to Selene.

Despite the whispers, the murmurs, and the dozens of judgmental eyes locked onto her, she stood perfectly still. Her expression remained cold, as if Reinhardt's words meant nothing.

But her fingers…

They clenched into tight fists.

And just for a split second, I saw it.

A flicker of something raw and painful in her crimson eyes.

No one in the crowd seemed to notice.

To them, this was just another dramatic noble spectacle—a perfectly orchestrated moment where the dashing prince broke free from his "unwanted chains" to pursue true love.

But I knew better.

In the game, this was the moment Selene became the villainess.

Humiliated, abandoned, and left to fend for herself, she would gradually turn cold, ruthless, and manipulative. This rejection was the spark that would set everything in motion—her future fall from grace, her growing resentment toward Reinhardt, and her eventual role as an obstacle to his heroic journey.

But right now?

She was just a girl who had been publicly humiliated in front of her peers.

Reinhardt, of course, didn't seem to care.

He was too busy turning toward the noble girls in the crowd—the ones who, in the game, were meant to become his harem.

"Love is a force beyond titles and duty," he continued, lifting a hand toward the sky like he was delivering a sermon. "I only wish for all of us to pursue happiness freely—without being bound by outdated traditions!"

The noble girls gushed.

The noble boys applauded.

I, on the other hand, struggled to keep my lunch down.

This guy… is the worst.

Selene finally moved.

She took a slow, measured breath before tilting her chin up, her expression still calm and composed.

"…I see," she said quietly.

Her voice was soft but steady, carrying through the courtyard with an eerie clarity.

"I had assumed the Crown Prince of Alstein would have at least a shred of dignity," she continued, her crimson eyes locking onto Reinhardt's with icy sharpness. "Clearly, I was mistaken."

The air grew heavy.

Some of the nobles shifted uncomfortably at her words.

But Reinhardt?

He just smiled as if he'd won something.

"Selene, I know this must be difficult," he said, his tone unbearably condescending. "But in time, you'll come to understand that this is for the best. This is about freedom, about following our hearts! You deserve someone who truly loves you."

Selene's fingers twitched, curling slightly at her sides.

"…I see," she said again.

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Just like that.

No dramatic outburst.

No desperate pleas.

No wicked laughter, like the stereotypical villainess she was meant to become.

She simply left.

And not a single person followed her.

The crowd watched her go in stunned silence.

Then, as if some unspoken agreement had been reached, the nobles went right back to gossiping.

"Well, that was expected."

"She should have seen it coming."

"A demonkin noble? The prince was too kind to her."

I clenched my jaw.

They didn't care.

To them, Selene was already irrelevant—a discarded political pawn who had simply lost her place in the story.

Reinhardt, meanwhile, stood tall, still radiating protagonist energy, as if he had done something righteousinstead of publicly humiliating his fiancée.

One of the noble girls stepped forward shyly. "Your Highness, does this mean your heart has already been captured by another…?"

Ah. There it was.

The real reason for this entire spectacle.

Reinhardt's face softened as he turned to the girl—one of his many future love interests.

He smiled. "Love is a journey, not a destination. My heart seeks not one, but many paths."

Translation: I want a harem.

The noble girls blushed.

The noble boys nodded in admiration.

I, meanwhile, had to physically stop myself from gagging.

This guy is a menace.

I had seen enough.

With a deep sigh, I turned away from the crowd and started walking in the opposite direction.

I wasn't a noble. I wasn't part of this ridiculous romance drama. This had nothing to do with me.

Let the story play out. Let Reinhardt collect his harem. Let the nobles whisper and fawn over him.

I was just an NPC. A background character.

And background characters did not get involved.

As I slipped away from the courtyard, I instinctively scanned my surroundings for a quiet place to hide.

The answer was obvious.

The library.

A massive, underused building filled with books, shadows, and best of all—zero noble drama.

With one last glance at the spectacle behind me, I made my way toward it.

Unaware that I was about to make the worst decision of my new life.

The library was nearly empty.

Perfect.

The moment I stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors muffled the noise from the courtyard, leaving only the faint crackle of torches and the distant rustle of parchment.

Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched across the vast hall, their polished wooden surfaces lined with tomes of all sizes. Sunlight filtered in through high stained-glass windows, casting long shadows over the red-carpeted floor.

I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing.

"Finally. Peace and quiet."

With practiced ease, I navigated toward the most secluded corner of the library, where fewer students wandered. It was a habit I had honed back in my past life—avoiding people, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

A perfect escape.

Or so I thought.

As I rounded the last bookshelf, aiming for a shadowy reading nook, I stopped mid-step.

Someone was already there.

A girl sat on one of the velvet-cushioned benches, her back straight, hands clasped neatly in her lap.

Long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting against her pale skin. Even in the dim light, her crimson eyes glowed softly, fixed downward in an unfocused stare.

Selene von Nachtwald.

The villainess.

The girl who had just been publicly humiliated in front of the entire academy.

And from the way she sat there—perfectly still, perfectly silent, completely alone—it was clear that no one had followed her.

No one had comforted her.

No one had even bothered to check on her.

I froze.

For a brief second, I considered turning around and leaving.

I wasn't supposed to be here. I wasn't supposed to get involved.

Selene was a major character, a future antagonist, and I was just some background extra who wasn't even meant to be at this academy.

If I stayed, if I said anything—I'd be interfering with the story.

And yet…

As I stood there, watching her, I couldn't bring myself to move.

Selene wasn't crying.

She wasn't throwing a tantrum, wasn't vowing revenge, wasn't doing any of the things the game had implied she would do after being humiliated.

She just sat there.

Alone.

Her fingers rested lightly on the fabric of her uniform, and even from here, I could see them trembling slightly.

…No one had ever drawn attention to this part in the game.

It had always been presented as a major victory for the protagonist, a moment where Reinhardt freed himself from his political obligations so he could follow his heart.

But no one had ever stopped to ask—

What happened to Selene afterward?

Not as a villainess. Not as a plot device.

But as a person.

I let out a slow breath.

I could still walk away.

I should walk away.

If I did, the story would continue exactly as it was meant to. Selene would become isolated, cold, and resentful. She would eventually assume her role as the villainess, causing trouble for the protagonist and his growing harem.

That was how things were supposed to go.

And yet—

"…Damn it," I muttered under my breath.

Before I could think twice, I stepped forward.

Selene's head snapped up at the sound of my footsteps.

For the first time, those crimson eyes focused on me, narrowing slightly as if she were preparing for another insult, another cruel remark.

Her entire posture was tense, like a wild animal expecting to be cornered.

I stopped a few feet away from her.

Then, without saying a word, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and held it out to her.

Selene blinked.

Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she didn't quite understand what was happening.

"…What are you doing?" she finally asked, her voice quiet.

I looked down at the handkerchief in my hand, then back at her.

"…Offering you this," I said flatly.

Selene's crimson eyes flickered with something unreadable. She didn't move to take it.

"Why?"

Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying tension beneath it—like she didn't quite believe what she was seeing.

I sighed.

Why? That was a good question.

Because it was the right thing to do? Maybe.

Because I felt bad for her? Probably.

Because this whole situation was fundamentally messed up and Reinhardt was an idiot? Definitely.

But I couldn't exactly say all of that.

So instead, I just shrugged.

"You look like you could use it."

Selene stared at me.

For a long moment, she didn't move, didn't speak—just sat there, gazing at me with an expression that was neither gratitude nor hostility.

Then, slowly, she reached out and took the handkerchief.

"…I don't need pity," she muttered, gripping the fabric lightly between her fingers.

"I'm not giving you pity," I said, folding my arms. "I just figured it'd be a shame if a noble lady walked around with dust on her face."

A pause.

Then, so faint I almost missed it, the corners of her lips twitched.

Not quite a smile.

But close.

Selene lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening slightly around the handkerchief.

For a long moment, she didn't say anything.

The air between us felt oddly heavy, like an invisible line had been crossed—one that neither of us fully understood yet.

Then, finally, she spoke.

"…You're a strange one," she murmured.

I raised an eyebrow. "Thanks?"

She shook her head slightly, still staring at the fabric in her hands. "Everyone else… they looked at me like I was nothing. Like I was already gone." Her voice was quiet, as if she were talking more to herself than to me.

I didn't respond.

Because what was I supposed to say? Yeah, well, that's because this world revolves around an overpowered protagonist and a bunch of predetermined romance flags?

Somehow, I didn't think that would go over well.

Instead, I exhaled and ran a hand through my hair.

"I don't really care about whatever noble politics are going on," I admitted. "But I do know that being humiliated in front of an entire school sucks. So… yeah." I gestured vaguely at the handkerchief. "That's all there is to it."

Selene was quiet again.

Then, ever so slightly, she tilted her head toward me, studying me with an expression I couldn't quite place.

"…You're different from the others," she finally said.

I shrugged. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Selene didn't respond immediately.

She just sat there, still gripping the handkerchief lightly between her fingers, staring at it like it was some kind of puzzle she couldn't quite solve.

I shifted awkwardly.

This was probably my cue to leave. I had done my part—offered the handkerchief, said some vaguely supportive words, and resisted the urge to call Reinhardt a self-absorbed idiot.

Now, all I had to do was turn around and walk away before I got any more involved.

And yet…

For some reason, my feet didn't move.

Selene wasn't crying. She wasn't saying anything.

But there was something about the way she sat there—completely still, completely alone—that made it hard to just leave.

…Damn it.

I sighed and, before I could overthink it, pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.

Her crimson eyes flicked up to me, mildly surprised.

"You're staying?" she asked.

I leaned back, stretching my arms behind my head. "Might as well."

"…Why?"

I shrugged. "Library's quiet. Good place to avoid annoying people."

Selene studied me for a moment, then huffed softly.

"I suppose I can't argue with that."

Selene didn't respond immediately.

She just sat there, still gripping the handkerchief lightly between her fingers, staring at it like it was some kind of puzzle she couldn't quite solve.

I shifted awkwardly.

This was probably my cue to leave. I had done my part—offered the handkerchief, said some vaguely supportive words, and resisted the urge to call Reinhardt a self-absorbed idiot.

Now, all I had to do was turn around and walk away before I got any more involved.

And yet…

For some reason, my feet didn't move.

Selene wasn't crying. She wasn't saying anything.

But there was something about the way she sat there—completely still, completely alone—that made it hard to just leave.

…Damn it.

I sighed and, before I could overthink it, pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.

Her crimson eyes flicked up to me, mildly surprised.

"You're staying?" she asked.

I leaned back, stretching my arms behind my head. "Might as well."

"…Why?"

I shrugged. "Library's quiet. Good place to avoid annoying people."

Selene studied me for a moment, then huffed softly.

"I suppose I can't argue with that."

A faint silence settled between us.

Not an awkward one. Just… quiet.

Selene didn't seem to mind my presence, and I wasn't in a hurry to leave. Maybe it was because I'd already crossed a line by talking to her. Maybe it was because, despite everything, I couldn't shake the feeling that she really didn't want to be alone right now.

Either way, I stayed.

Selene eventually shifted her gaze back to the handkerchief, brushing her thumb absently over the fabric.

"…I expected worse," she murmured.

I glanced at her. "What?"

"The aftermath." She exhaled, closing her eyes briefly. "When Reinhardt made his announcement, I assumed the nobles would take the opportunity to mock me more openly. That there would be louder insults, direct jeers. But instead…"

She trailed off.

I knew exactly what she meant.

The students hadn't needed to throw insults. Their silence had been worse.

They had already discarded her.

No need to waste words on someone who was no longer relevant.

I scratched the back of my head. "…Nobles are good at pretending people don't exist when it's convenient."

Selene let out a soft, bitter chuckle. "Yes. That, at least, is something I've always understood."

I didn't know how to respond to that.

Because what could I even say? "Yeah, that sucks"? "Sorry that the nobles are a bunch of arrogant jackasses"?

Neither seemed particularly helpful.

So instead, I leaned back in my chair and sighed. "Well, I wouldn't worry too much."

Selene raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I gestured vaguely. "People love drama, but they get bored fast. Give it a week, and they'll move on to something else. Maybe a scandal about some noble's terrible fashion sense. Or Reinhardt announcing his 'love' for five different girls at once."

Her lips twitched slightly. "You seem confident in that."

I shrugged. "I've seen enough of these types of people to know they only care about what entertains them. The moment something shinier comes along, they'll forget this ever happened."

Selene studied me for a moment before tilting her head slightly.

"You really are different from the others," she murmured.

I gave her a tired smirk. "I'll take that as a compliment."

For the first time since I met her, she actually smiled.

It was small, barely there, but it was real.

And for some reason, seeing that made me feel… strangely accomplished.

…That was probably a bad sign.

The moment passed quickly.

Selene's expression returned to its usual composed state, and she let out a small sigh.

"You talk as if you aren't one of them," she remarked.

I blinked. "One of who?"

"The nobles." She studied me again, as if reassessing something. "You don't act like them."

That was because I wasn't one of them. But explaining that I was an isekai'd commoner from another world who played this entire story as a game probably wasn't the best move.

So I just shrugged. "Guess I'm just built different."

Selene exhaled, looking away. "A commoner, then."

"Pretty much."

"…How unfortunate."

I narrowed my eyes. "Gee, thanks."

She smirked faintly. "That wasn't meant as an insult."

For some reason, I actually believed her.

Before I could think of a response, I heard the distant murmur of voices from outside the library.

Noble students, chatting about today's events.

I caught a few words—Reinhardt, the engagement, Selene, disgrace—but then I heard something else.

"…And did you see that commoner sitting with her?"

My entire body stiffened.

Oh no.

I turned to Selene. She simply raised an eyebrow at me.

"Congratulations," she said dryly. "It seems you've caught their attention."

I buried my face in my hands.

This was bad.

This was really bad.

I had spent an entire month carefully avoiding all noble drama, staying in my lane, and living my best NPC life.

And now?

Now, I had just been publicly seen sitting with the villainess right after she was humiliated in front of the entire academy.

Fantastic.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "…Welp. There goes my peaceful life."

Selene let out a quiet chuckle. "You sound as if this was unexpected."

"It was," I grumbled. "I was supposed to be a background character, damn it."

Selene tilted her head slightly, giving me a curious look. "…And yet, here you are."

I groaned. She wasn't wrong. I had chosen to stay.

I could have ignored her. Could have left the library the moment I saw her sitting there. Could have walked away and let the game's story play out exactly as intended.

But I hadn't.

And now, there was no turning back.

Outside, the whispers continued, rumors already spreading like wildfire.

I leaned back in my chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"…And just like that, my peaceful NPC life was over."