Chapter 8: The Main Character (2)

Haruki cleaned himself up first by taking a shower and brushing his teeth. He put on his school uniform with a lazy expression on his face.

"Why can’t I stay longer in the TWBTAT world...?"

Haruki left his house and walked toward school. Along the way, he met Takeru, and the two greeted each other.

"Yo, Takeru, idiot."

"Don’t call me an idiot, you bastard!"

The two of them walked together, and Takeru noticed that Haruki looked sleepy.

"Did you stay up late last night, Haruki?"

"Wait... you rarely stay up late... Do you have a girlfriend?!"

"Haruki, you bastard... Why are you so lucky?!"

"I don’t have a girlfriend, idiot! I’m just sleepy because... I was reading a novel."

"A novel again... What’s so great about reading words? You should read manga instead."

"They’re my world... and that’s why I enjoy them."

Takeru couldn’t think of a response to Haruki’s words, so he simply smiled.

Eventually, they arrived at school and entered their classroom. The room was filled with laughter and chatter, while some students were busy doing their homework.

Haruki sat in his seat and took out his phone to check the latest Chapter of the TWBTAT novel.

As usual, the latest Chapter showed a situation that Haruki had experienced himself.

Haruki suddenly remembered that an earlier Chapter had stated that Vila was supposed to die. However, when he opened the old Chapter again and reread it, he wasn’t surprised to find that the Chapter had been changed.

"Seriously... am I the only one who can read the latest Chapters of this novel?"

The teacher entered the classroom, and the lesson began.Haruki put his phone away and started studying.

He spent an hour studying until the first bell rang, signaling the start of break time.Haruki took a piece of bread out of its plastic wrapper and ate it while opening his phone to read the novel.

Takeru, who had been talking with some of their classmates, glanced toward Haruki. He walked over to Haruki’s desk and invited him to go karaoke with the others.

"Even if you ask me a thousand times, I’m still not going, Takeru. I have something to do."

"What are you even doing? Reading a novel? Pfft... You’re so boring, Haruki."

Takeru immediately walked away and disappeared from Haruki’s sight.

"My only enjoyment is in novels..."

Haruki whispered those words to himself.

After that, classes continued as usual until it was finally time to go home.

Haruki walked home alone at a relaxed pace until he arrived at his completely silent house.

He did his homework while listening to music.After spending several hours working on his assignments, Haruki watched television in the living room.

One of the channels was broadcasting a program about happy families, showing pictures of families spending time together.

"A family, huh... What does it feel like to have a father and mother?"

"And also... what do they look like?"

Haruki didn’t remember where his parents had gone, and he had never even seen their faces.

There were no pictures of his parents.

No sweet memories.Nothing.

But Haruki didn’t think about his family too much.He continued watching the program until seven in the evening.

Haruki went to take a shower and cooked something for himself to eat. After finishing his meal, he played video games for a while until it was finally time to sleep.

After finishing everything he had to do, Haruki decided to go to sleep and return to that world.

He closed his eyes.

Slowly...

His consciousness faded away.And he fell into a deep, unconscious sleep.When the time finally came for Haruki to enter the other world, a notification suddenly appeared.

[WELCOME BACK, HARUKI]

[YOU WILL NOW BE RETURNED TO THAT WORLD]

....

[YOU WILL REMAIN IN THE TWBTAT WORLD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO A CERTAIN REASON DETERMINED BY THE SYSTEM]

[ENJOY YOUR STAY]

Haruki knew nothing about the notification.

He entered the world of TWBTAT once again.

Haruki opened his eyes and realized that he had returned to the TWBTAT world.However, something was different.His room had been replaced by a dormitory room.

"Im back, huh?"

Philip, who had been facing the other way, immediately turned toward Haruki.

"What did you say, Haruki?"

"Nothing."

"Hmm... You’re a strange one."

The two remained silent for a moment until Haruki finally asked Philip a question.

"What do you think about the Arcane Kingdom?"

Philip fell silent for a moment as he thought about his answer.Haruki already knew the truth.

Philip actually hated the Arcane King, and he had already made up his mind to kill him.

"It’s nothing special..."

That was Philip’s answer.

"I see..."

Haruki nodded.

"Why are you asking that, Haruki?" Philip asked."

Haruki shook his head.

"Just curious."

After that, Haruki decided to go outside for some fresh air.

He had just reached for the door when a knife suddenly flew past him from behind.

Fortunately, Haruki managed to dodge it.

"I feel like... you didn’t ask that question without a reason, did you?"

Haruki froze for a moment.

He slowly turned around and faced Philip.

Then, he changed his expression into a cheerful smile.

"What do you mean, Philip~?"

"We’re roommates now, right? Isn’t it normal for me to ask what you think?"

"Oh... I see. Then, I’m sorry."

Haruki opened the door, stepped outside, and closed it behind him.

He leaned against the door for a moment.

"Thank goodness..."

Haruki left the dormitory and began walking around, trying to clear his mind.

"What if I just tell Philip...?"

"Tell me what?"

Haruki froze.

He slowly turned around.Philip was standing right behind him.After that Haruki was able to swallow his saliva and was unable to say anything.

"Can you tell me...Haruki?"