The ceiling is wrong.

That's the first thought that cuts through your sleep. Wrong texture, wrong color, everything. You sit up too fast and the room spins.

This is a bedroom from Eternal Lilies—the generic side-character bedroom you remember from the slice-of-life morning scenes you always skipped. Except now you're in it. In the bed. Wearing a uniform that fits perfectly even though it isn't yours.

Your phone buzzes on the nightstand. The lock screen shows April 8th. Opening ceremony day. The exact starting point of the game.

The realization hits like ice water. You played this game once or twice, found the tropes exhausting, and never finished it. Now you're inside it—not as the protagonist, but as Akari's desk mate and close friend. The text messages on this unfamiliar phone prove you already know her, your thumbprint unlocking it without hesitation.

There's no time to panic. The ceremony starts in 45 minutes.

Hanami Academy's gates tower ahead when you finally arrive, the courtyard already thick with students in perfectly pressed uniforms. Everything matches the CG backgrounds perfectly—too perfectly. You push through the crowd, heart pounding from more than just the rush.

Then you spot her.

Pink hair in loose waves, black hairpins catching the morning light, vivid purple eyes widening in relief. Akari Amaori waves frantically, weaving toward you through the sea of students. Up close, she's painfully real—every nervous fidget, every forced smile more vivid than any sprite.

"There you are! I thought you weren't coming!" She's breathless, clutching her bag strap like a lifeline. "The ceremony starts in like 12 minutes and I was freaking out because what if I had to sit alone? That would totally ruin my perfect school debut, you know?" She grins, but her eye twitches slightly. "Did you sleep through your alarm again? You look kind of... I don't know, out of it?"

Behind her, the rest of the cast is scattered through the crowd like carefully placed route triggers.

Kaede Hayashi leans against a pillar, looking ready to fight the entire ceremony.

Rei Kurosawa stands by the student council board, checking her watch with clear impatience.

Elise Beaumont complains loudly to no one in particular, already drawing attention.

Sora Nakamura holds court with a cluster of blushing girl admirers.

And half-hidden behind a pillar framing a too-bright smile—Himari Yukimura watches Akari with an intensity that doesn't match her cheerful wave.

All five main heroines, all here. The opening ceremony is about to begin, and you're standing exactly where the routes diverge.

Akari tilts her head, nervous smile still fixed in place as she fidgets with her bag strap.

The opening ceremony ends with applause that echoes too long in the auditorium.

You file out with the rest of the first-years, still processing the fact that you're inside a visual novel you barely remember. The courtyard is chaos—students checking class assignments, reuniting with friends, taking photos under sakura trees.

Akari finds you in the crowd, pink hair bouncing as she practically tackles you.

"We're in the same class! 1-A!" Her grin is wide but her eye twitches. "Thank god. I was having a literal panic attack thinking I'd be alone and my whole perfect debut would crash and burn on day one."

She's already dragging you toward the classroom building, rambling about seating charts and whether the teachers will be scary, when she freezes mid-step.

A girl with white hair stands by the classroom door. Messy bob, pale blue eyes scanning the crowd. When those eyes land on Akari, they light up.

"Akari-chan!" The girl's voice is pure sunshine. "Found you!"

Akari's face goes through five emotions at once before settling on shock.

"Himari-chan?!" She nearly drops her phone. "What—you're here? You transferred here?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Wanted it to be a surprise!" Himari closes the distance and pulls Akari into a hug that lifts her slightly off the ground. "You should see your face right now. Totally worth keeping it secret."

Akari returns the hug, laughing breathlessly, and when they pull apart she's smiling so wide it looks painful.

"I can't believe—you just disappeared and now you're just here?! This is insane!"

"Mm-hmm." Himari's still holding Akari's hands, then her gaze shifts. "Oh. Who's this?"

She's looking at you now. Still smiling, but something in her expression sharpens.

Akari blinks like she forgot you existed for a second.

"Oh! Right! This is my best friend!" She gestures between you and Himari. "We got really close over the summer. And this is Himari—my childhood friend I told you about! The one who moved away!"

Himari's smile doesn't waver but her eyes narrow just slightly.

"Best friend," she repeats, tone light and friendly. "How nice. Akari's always been good at making friends." She extends a hand toward you. "I'm Himari Yukimura. I hope we can get along too."

By plot convenience or coincidence—all three of you end up in the same class.

The opening ceremony ends with applause that echoes too long in the auditorium.

You file out with the rest of the first-years, still processing the fact that you're inside a visual novel you barely remember. The courtyard is chaos—students checking class assignments, reuniting with friends, taking photos under sakura trees.

Akari finds you in the crowd, pink hair bouncing as she practically tackles you.

"We're in the same class! 1-A!" Her grin is wide but her eye twitches. "Okay. Okay. Don't mess up, don't be weird, don't—"

She's already pulling you toward the classroom building when someone slams into her shoulder hard enough to make her stumble.

"Watch it."

The girl who says it doesn't even look back. Blonde hair past her shoulders, sleeves rolled up, tie hanging loose. Scar through her eyebrow and a scowl that could curdle milk. Fresh bruises on her knuckles.

Kaede Hayashi. The Bully Route.

Akari blinks, clutching her shoulder. "I—sorry?"

Kaede stops. Turns. Those sharp crimson eyes scan Akari from head to toe, lingering on the designer bag. "Rich kid. Figures."

Akari's face flashes confusion, then nervous. "I mean, I wouldn't say rich—"

"Didn't ask." Kaede walks away, hands shoved in her pockets. "Don't care either."

Akari stands there looking like someone kicked her puppy. "What did I do? Was it the bag? Oh god, I'm already failing—"

"Oi." Kaede's voice cuts through. She's stopped a few feet away, not quite looking back. "You coming or what? Classroom's this way."

When you reach the classroom, someone mutters "That's Kaede Hayashi" to their friend. Kaede's jaw tightens but she ignores them, claiming a seat in the back corner and immediately putting her head down.

Akari hovers uncertainly, whispering to you. "Should I sit near her or is that suicidal?"

Kaede lifts her head just enough to glare. "Stop hovering. You look pathetic."

Akari flinches. Then, in a moment of either bravery or stupidity, walks over and sits directly in front of Kaede.

The classroom goes quiet.

Kaede stares at the back of Akari's head like it personally offended her. "The hell are you doing?"

Akari turns around with an aggressively friendly smile. "Making friends! That's what people do on the first day, right?"

Kaede's eye twitches. "I'm not your friend."

"Not yet! But the year just started!"

Kaede stares. Then her head drops back down. "Fuck off."

Akari turns back around and catches your eye with a thumbs up that looks more like a cry for help.

The opening ceremony ends with applause that echoes too long in the auditorium.

You file out with the rest of the first-years, still processing the fact that you're inside a visual novel you barely remember. The courtyard is chaos—students checking class assignments, reuniting with friends, taking photos under sakura trees.

Akari finds you in the crowd, pink hair bouncing as she practically tackles you.

"We're in the same class! 1-A!" Her grin is wide but her eye twitches. "Okay, this is good. Totally salvageable as long as I don't—"

She walks directly into someone and stumbles back.

The girl doesn't move. Doesn't even sway. Straight black hair falls to her waist like a waterfall, perfectly maintained. Cold gray eyes assess Akari the way you'd examine a bug under a microscope.

Rei Kurosawa. Student Council President. The Student Council Route.

"Watch where you're going." Her voice could freeze nitrogen.

"I'm so sorry!" Akari bows at a ninety-degree angle. "I wasn't looking and I—"

"Clearly." Rei's gaze shifts to you, then back to Akari. "I'm Rei Kurosawa, second-year. You're first-years?"

Akari nods so fast her hairpins rattle.

"Class 1-A. Both of us. We just checked and—"

"Good." Rei produces a clipboard from nowhere. "The student council needs new members. You'll both attend the recruitment meeting tomorrow during lunch. Student council room, third floor."

It's not a question.

Akari's mouth opens and closes.

"I... don't think I'd be good at—"

"I didn't ask if you'd be good at it." Rei's eyes narrow slightly. "I asked if you'd attend. Will you?"

The way she says it makes 'no' feel like a foreign concept.

Akari glances at you desperately, then back at Rei.

"Um. Yes?"

"Excellent." Rei makes a note on her clipboard with movements so precise they look rehearsed. "Don't be late. I despise tardiness."

She stands there, clipboard tucked under one arm, waiting. Those gray eyes flick between you and Akari like she's cataloging weaknesses.

The opening ceremony ends with applause that echoes too long in the auditorium.

You file out with the rest of the first-years, still processing the fact that you're inside a visual novel you barely remember. The courtyard is chaos—students checking class assignments, reuniting with friends, taking photos under sakura trees.

Akari finds you in the crowd, pink hair bouncing as she practically tackles you.

"We're in the same class! 1-A!" Her grin is wide but her eye twitches. "As long as nothing crazy—"

A limousine pulls up to the gates.

The courtyard goes silent.

Out steps a girl barely five feet tall with purple twin-tails and designer everything. Behind her emerges a woman in a black suit—platinum undercut, ice-blue eyes, scar across her cheek, built like she could snap someone in half. Earpiece. Scans the crowd like she's cataloging threats.

Elise Beaumont. The Correction Route. And her terrifying bodyguard—Katrina.

"This is it?" Elise stops and crosses her arms, voice loud enough for half the courtyard to hear. "Ugh, I've seen nicer country clubs. Daddy said this place was supposed to be prestigious."

She taps her foot impatiently.

Akari's eye twitches.

Elise's violet eyes sweep the crowd with open disdain before landing on Akari. Her expression shifts to something between interest and amusement. She walks over, heels clicking deliberately. The bodyguard follows three steps behind.

"You there! Pink hair girl." She points like summoning a servant. "What class are you in?"

"Um. 1-A?"

Elise checks her gem-encrusted phone, scrolling with one perfectly manicured nail.

"How convenient~ We're classmates." She smiles, sweet and calculating. "I'm Elise Beaumont. You look... interesting. Not completely boring like everyone else here, anyway."

"Thanks? I think?"

"Don't thank me yet. That wasn't a compliment." Her gaze shifts to you, assessing. "And who's this? Your bodyguard? How cute~."

The bodyguard's eyes narrow slightly at the word 'bodyguard.'

Elise waves her hand dismissively and turns back to Akari.

"Anyway, you're going to show me around because everyone else here looks insufferably dull and I'm already bored." She doesn't ask, just links her arm through Akari's. "Come on. I don't have all day and standing around is tedious."

The bodyguard moves to follow. Students scatter.

Akari shoots you a desperate look as she's dragged along.

"This is fine! Totally normal first day! Not at all like being kidnapped!"

Elise laughs, delighted.

"Oh, I definitely like you. You're hilarious when you panic." She glances back at her bodyguard without slowing down. "Kat, stop glaring at everyone. You're scaring the peasants."

Kat doesn't stop glaring.

Elise's nails tap against Akari's sleeve possessively as she pulls her toward the building.

The opening ceremony ends with applause that echoes too long in the auditorium.

You file out with the rest of the first-years, still processing the fact that you're inside a visual novel you barely remember. The courtyard is chaos—students checking class assignments, reuniting with friends, taking photos under sakura trees.

Akari finds you in the crowd, pink hair bouncing as she practically tackles you.

"We're in the same class! 1-A!" Her grin is wide but her eye twitches. "Thank god. I was literally having stress-induced heart palpitations thinking I'd have to navigate this alone."

She's pulling you toward the classroom building when someone steps directly into her path.

"Well, well." The voice is smooth, theatrical. "What do we have here?"

Teal hair in a wolf cut. Sharp yellow eyes that gleam with amusement. The girl wears the male uniform like she was born in it, tie perfectly knotted, jacket tailored. She's surrounded by girl students who hover nearby, watching her every move.

Sora Nakamura. The academy prince. The Pervert Prince Route.

Akari stops so fast you nearly run into her.

"Um." She clutches her bag. "Hi?"

Sora's smile sharpens. She takes a step closer, then another, until Akari has to tilt her head back slightly.

"A first-year?" Sora reaches out and catches one of Akari's hairpins between her fingers, examining it. "How adorable. Pink suits you."

Akari's face goes through several colors before settling on red.

"I—thanks? I guess? Can I have that back—"

"What's your name?" Sora's still holding the hairpin, voice dropping lower.

"A-Akari. A-Amaori. Akari Amaori." The words tumble out too fast. "And I really need that back because my hair's going to fall in my face and—"

Sora slides the hairpin back into place with movements so smooth they look practiced. Her fingers brush Akari's temple.

"There. Perfect." She leans back, examining her work. "I'm Sora Nakamura, second-year. Consider me your unofficial welcome committee."

Someone in the group behind her shifts restlessly. Another makes a small sound.

Akari blinks rapidly.

"Okay? Sure? Thanks?" She's still bright red. "That's really nice but we should probably get to class—"

Sora's yellow eyes shift to you, smile turning curious.

"And who's this, Akari-chan? Your friend?" She takes a step in your direction. "Don't tell me you're the jealous type. That would be disappointing."

The admirers murmur among themselves but Sora doesn't look back. Her attention stays fixed on you and Akari with that same theatrical amusement, like she's already written the script and is waiting to see if you'll follow it.