EMI had always been confident, but her life changed drastically when she arrived as a freshman at university. From the very first moment, she quickly became the center of attention. She hadn't sought it out—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 of the soccer team—energetic and optimistic, always finding excuses to invite EMI to games or to study together.
2. Riku: An artist with a melancholic spirit who secretly drew EMI during class. Shy, but his eyes always followed her, trying to capture her essence in his sketchbook.
3. Kento: The genius from the science club, always explaining complex theories that EMI sometimes didn't understand. He showed his admiration by creating small inventions exclusively to make her life easier.
4. Haruki: The typical "bad boy," with a carefree air and sarcastic replies, but secretly protective of EMI against campus troubles.
5. Souta: An amateur singer from the music club who composed songs inspired by EMI, though he pretended they were "just practice."
Even though she was surrounded by all of them, EMI began to feel suffocated. They didn't see the real her, but an idealized version of their dreams. No matter how hard she tried to connect sincerely, there always seemed to be a barrier she couldn't break.
"Why doesn't anyone just want to be my friend?" she often wondered while walking the university hallways, trying to find a quiet corner where she could be alone.
---
One afternoon, EMI escaped the pressure of the group and went to the back of one of the university buildings. It was a quiet place where almost no one passed by. To her surprise, she found a boy sitting on the grass, leaning against the wall, reading a book.
His hair was messy and his clothes, simple. A pair of headphones covered his ears, completely isolating him. There was something about him that caught her attention—perhaps his tranquility, or the fact that he didn't seem to mind being alone.
Curious, she approached and spoke:
"Hi. What are you reading?"
He didn't respond. EMI felt embarrassed and confused—was he ignoring her? Then she realized he was wearing headphones. She gently tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
He looked up, a little surprised, and took off one headphone.
"Do you need something?" he asked neutrally, but not impolitely.
Nervous for the first time in a long while, EMI pointed at the book.
"I was just... curious. What's it about?"
He looked at the book and then at her.
"It's a novel about a guy who receives a special gift from an Aztec god and has to face others with powers from different gods."
EMI nodded, though the plot sounded a bit strange to her. What really interested her wasn't the book—it was him.
"Do you always come here alone?"
He set the book aside and answered honestly:
"Yes. I don't like drawing attention. I prefer being alone."
Those words surprised EMI. She had found someone who made no effort to impress her—someone at peace with himself. For the first time since arriving at university, she felt she could talk to someone without expectations.
"Can I stay here for a while?" she asked, unsure.
He nodded without saying anything else, and they sat together in silence. Even though they didn't talk much, EMI felt she had finally found someone with whom she could be herself.
---
After that first encounter, EMI began to change. She gradually stopped spending time with the boys who always surrounded her. When they asked why, she made excuses:
"I have things to do. Maybe later."
The truth was that she preferred that corner behind the building—where Alex always sat. At first they didn't talk much, but she felt at peace 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 wasn't awkward—it was comforting.
One day, after EMI confessed her dilemma with the guys to Alex, he closed his book and looked at her with a teasing smile.
"Seems 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. Around 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 let out a soft chuckle.
"You have a reverse harem, you know? You're like the protagonist of an anime. I think from now on I'll call you that: 'Protagonist.' Which makes me the side character."
EMI sighed at the nickname, but inside she was happy. It was the first time someone had labeled her with something so meaningful. To her, it meant Alex truly saw her as a real friend.
---
One day, while EMI was leafing through the novel Alex had lent her, she mustered the courage to ask him something that had been on her mind:
"Alex... do you like someone?"
Without looking up from the book, he replied calmly:
"Yes."
EMI felt a nervous flutter and tried to hide it as she asked:
"Who is it?"
He looked up, with a melancholic expression, 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 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 up and took his hand.
"Let's go!"
"What are you doing?" Alex protested, confused.
"You can't stay here with that face," said EMI, pulling him along.
They ran through the university as EMI took him to places he didn't even know existed. From that day on, EMI started dragging Alex on her "adventures," though he always protested first.
At one point, EMI decided to introduce Alex to the guys who always surrounded her. Although they initially felt jealous of the attention he paid to EMI, they relaxed upon realizing that he and EMI were just friends.
"Relax, I'm just an extra in this anime. I have no interest in EMI," he told them.
The way Alex and EMI interacted—joking and relaxed—made it clear they were just friends. In fact, Alex's perpetually tired attitude when EMI roped him into her plans became well-known.
---
One day, while EMI was in class with some of her friends, something unexpected happened. A bright portal opened in the middle of the classroom, absorbing everything around it.
"What is this?!" EMI shouted, trying to resist.
One by one, the students began to be pulled in. When EMI felt it was inevitable, she saw Alex in the hallway.
"Alex!" she screamed.
Alex stopped, sighed deeply, and murmured to himself:
"This is too cliché... Typical protagonist move. Went from rom-com star to isekai heroine."
Just when he thought he might get back to his quiet life, a hand emerged from the portal and grabbed his shirt.
"You have to come!" said EMI, smiling despite the chaos. "This will be more fun if we're together!"
Alex closed his eyes, resigned, as he was pulled toward the portal.
"This is ridiculous..."
And so the real adventure began for both of them.