Chapter 23: EMI Just Wants a Friend
EMI had always been confident, but her life changed drastically when she transferred to university as a freshman. From the moment she arrived, she quickly became the center of attention. She hadn't sought it—it just happened. Her kindness, beauty, and genuine charisma made everyone want to get close to her.
Within a few months, EMI was surrounded by a group of classmates with distinct personalities, each developing a special interest in her:
1. Takeshi: The star athlete on the soccer team—energetic and optimistic, always finding excuses to invite EMI to matches or to study together.
2. Riku: A melancholy-spirited artist who secretly drew EMI during class. Shy, but his eyes always followed her, trying to capture her essence in his sketchbook.
3. Kento: The science club genius, always explaining complex theories that EMI sometimes didn't understand. He showed his admiration by building little inventions exclusively to make her life easier.
4. Haruki: The classic "bad boy," with a carefree air and sarcastic replies, but secretly protective of EMI from around-campus trouble.
5. Souta: An amateur singer from the music club who composed songs inspired by EMI, although he pretended they were "just practice."
Although surrounded by them all, EMI began to feel suffocated. They didn't see the real her, but the idealized version in their dreams. No matter how much she tried to connect sincerely, there always seemed to be a barrier she couldn't break.
—"Why does nobody just want to be my friend?" she often asked herself as she walked through the university corridors, trying to find a quiet corner where she could be alone.
One afternoon, EMI escaped the pressure of the group and walked behind one of the university buildings. It was a peaceful spot where hardly anyone passed. To her surprise, she found a boy sitting on the grass, leaning against the wall, reading a book.
His hair was tousled, and his clothes simple. A pair of headphones covered his ears, isolating him completely. There was something about him that drew her attention—perhaps his tranquility, or the fact he didn't seem bothered being alone.
Curious, she approached and spoke:
—"Hi. What are you reading?"
He didn't answer. EMI felt embarrassed and confused—was he ignoring her? Then she realized he had headphones on. She gently tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
He looked up, a bit surprised, and removed one headphone.
—"Do you need something?" he asked neutrally but not unkindly.
Nervous for the first time in a while, EMI pointed to his book.
—"I was just... curious. What is it about?"
He looked at the book, then at her.
—"It's a novel about a young man who receives a special gift from an Aztec god and has to face others with powers from other gods."
EMI nodded, though the plot sounded a bit strange. What really interested her wasn't the book—it was him.
—"Do you always come here alone?"
He set the book aside and honestly replied:
—"Yeah. I don't like to stand out. I prefer being alone."
Those words surprised EMI. She'd found someone who made no effort to impress her—someone at peace with themselves. For the first time since arriving at university, she felt she might talk with someone without expectations.
—"Can I stay here for a while?" she asked, uncertain.
He nodded without another word, and they sat quietly together. Though they didn't talk much, EMI felt she'd finally found someone she could just be herself around.
---
After that initial meeting, EMI began to change. She slowly stopped spending time with the boys who had always surrounded her. When they asked why, she made up excuses:
—"I've got something to do. Maybe later."
The truth was, she preferred that corner behind the building—where Alex always sat. At first they didn't speak much, but she felt at peace sitting beside him. Over time, Alex lent her the novel he was reading, and she immersed herself in its story while he read something else. The silence between them was not awkward—it was comforting.
An Unexpected Nickname
One day, after EMI confided in Alex about her dilemma with the boys, he closed his book and looked at her with a teasing grin.
—"Sounds like you're the luckiest person in the world. You're not the smartest or the prettiest in school, but you're in the best position. Surrounding you are the most popular guys, and yet here you are—with a nobody like me."
EMI frowned and pouted.
—"It's not as easy as it seems!"
Alex chuckled softly.
—"You have a reverse harem, you know? You're like an anime protagonist. I think from now on I'll call you just that: 'Protagonist.' Which makes me the side character."
EMI sighed at the nickname, but inside, she was happy. It was the first time someone called her by a label with so much meaning. To her, it meant Alex really saw her as a true friend.
A Bitter Revelation
One day, while EMI was flipping through the novel Alex had lent her, she mustered the courage to ask something that had been on her mind:
—"Alex... do you like someone?"
Without lifting his eyes from the book, he calmly answered:
—"Yes."
EMI felt a flutter of nerves and tried to hide it as she asked:
—"Who is it?"
He looked up, a melancholy expression on his face, and said:
—"Don't worry. It's not you."
Although she felt relief, she also sensed the bitter sadness in his tone.
—"I don't want to talk about her anymore. She's no longer a part of this world."
EMI understood instantly. Alex had lost someone important. The thought tightened a knot in her stomach. To distract him, she suddenly stood and took his hand.
—"Come on!"
—"What are you doing?" Alex protested, confused.
—"You can't stay here with that face on," EMI said, pulling him.
They ran through the university as EMI led him to places he didn't even know existed. From that day on, EMI started dragging Alex along on her "adventures," though he always protested first.
Meeting the "Harem"
At one point, EMI decided to introduce Alex to the guys who always surrounded her. Though initially jealous of his attention toward EMI, they settled once they realized that he and EMI were just friends.
—"Relax, I'm just an extra in this anime. No interest in EMI," he told them.
The way Alex and EMI interacted—joking and relaxed—clearly sent the message that they were just friends. In fact, Alex's perpetually tired attitude as EMI roped him into plans became well-known.
The Portal
One day, while EMI was in class with some of her friends, something unexpected happened. A glowing portal opened in the middle of the classroom, sucking in everything around it.
—"What is this?!" EMI shouted, trying to resist.
One by one, students began getting pulled in. When EMI felt it was inevitable, she caught sight of Alex in the hallway.
—"Alex!" she yelled.
Alex halted, sighed deeply, and murmured to himself:
—"This is way too cliché... Typical protagonist move. She went from rom-com star to isekai heroine."
Just as he thought he could return to his quiet life, a hand reached out from the portal and grabbed his shirt.
—"You've got to come!" EMI said, smiling despite the chaos. "This will be more fun if we're together!"
Alex closed his eyes, resigned, as he was pulled into the portal.
—"This is ridiculous..."
And so began the real adventure for both of them.