I Was Reincarnated Into A World Where I Was The Side Character

After being called by Yuka, we walked back to our class together. As soon as we stepped inside, I noticed everyone's eyes on me, filled with envy.

"Uh, Hiro, what's going on?" I whispered.

"Well, they've seen it," Hiro replied with a knowing smirk.

I returned to my seat, surprised to find the desk next to mine empty. The bell rang, signaling the start of our first lesson as third-year students. Our teacher entered, beginning with an overview of the changes in the curriculum for our final year. But then, she paused and called someone waiting outside.

'It can't be...' I thought, a sinking feeling growing in my chest.

Alicia walked into the classroom, standing at the front with a confident yet gentle smile. The teacher asked her to introduce herself.

"Good morning, everyone. My name is Alicia Lunar Rose. Nice to meet you all. I'm from Canada, and I hope we can all be friends," Alicia said, glancing at me briefly and smiling.

The class erupted into excited whispers, astonished that someone from outside Japan was now part of our class. They buzzed with curiosity, thrilled by the novelty of an international student.

"Right, Alicia. Your seat will be next to that unfazed boy," the teacher announced, gesturing toward me.

Unfazed boy, huh?

"Alright, teacher," Alicia replied, gracefully making her way to the desk beside mine. She set her bag down and took her seat, a calm yet composed presence settling beside me.

Is this really fate bringing us together again?

The teacher resumed her lecture, but I couldn't focus. My thoughts were spinning, caught between the past and the present. Suddenly, I felt a light touch on my arm. I turned to see Alicia leaning closer.

"I'm looking forward to working with you again, Himeya," she whispered, her voice soft yet clear.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Me too."

As the lesson continued, I stole glances at Alicia, memories of our time together before she left for Canada flooding back. Her presence was both familiar and surreal, a reminder of a chapter I thought had closed but was now reopening.

During lunch, the classroom was abuzz with chatter about Alicia. My friends surrounded me, bombarding me with questions.

"Himeya, you know her?" one asked eagerly.

"Yeah, we were childhood friends," I admitted, trying to keep my voice casual.

"No way! How come you never mentioned her?" another chimed in, eyes wide with curiosity.

"I didn't think it was relevant," I shrugged, glancing at Alicia, who was now engaged in conversation with some of the girls.

Alicia caught my eye and smiled, the same warm smile that had once been a constant in my life. The sight made my chest tighten with a mixture of nostalgia and something else I couldn't quite place.

After classes, as we were packing up, Alicia approached me. "Hey, Himeya, do you mind showing me around the school? I'm still getting used to the layout."

"Of course," I replied, grateful for the chance to spend more time with her.

We walked through the hallways, revisiting old memories while creating new ones. She asked about my life since she'd been gone, and I filled her in on the highlights, omitting the parts that still felt too personal to share.

"So, how does it feel to be back?" I asked as we reached the rooftop, a favorite spot of mine.

"It's... surreal," she admitted, leaning against the railing. "I didn't expect things to feel so familiar yet so different. But seeing you again, it feels like I'm home."

Her words stirred something within me, a blend of happiness and confusion. I had so many questions, so many things I wanted to say, but I didn't know where to begin.

"Alicia," I started, "why did you come back?"

She looked at me, her eyes soft but serious. "I realized there were things I left unfinished, people I left behind. And... I missed you, Himeya."

Her admission took my breath away. The girl who had been a distant memory was now here, standing in front of me, her presence reigniting emotions I had long buried.

"I missed you too," I confessed, the weight of my words settling between us.

For a moment, we stood in silence, the wind carrying the echoes of our shared past. It felt as though the world had shrunk, leaving only the two of us in this moment, rediscovering what had once been lost.

But then, I snapped back into reality as I realized, "Touka…" I said softly, the weight of her name pulling me back to the present.

Alicia's expression shifted, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Touka?" she asked gently. "Who's Touka?"

"She's…" I hesitated, doubt creeping into my mind. Should I tell Alicia the truth? After a brief pause, I made my decision. "Touka is my girlfriend," I said, my voice steady, though a part of me felt uneasy.

Alicia's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she said nothing. The wind played with a few strands of her hair as she absorbed my words. Finally, she gave a small nod, her expression neutral but thoughtful.

"I see," she said softly. "You've moved on…"

Her words hung in the air, carrying a mix of understanding and something unspoken. I felt the need to clarify, to bridge the gap between our past and present.

"Alicia, it's not that I've forgotten about us," I began, searching for the right words. "You were an important part of my life, and you still are. But Touka… she's been there for me when I needed someone. I never expected this to happen, but it did."

Alicia looked down for a moment, then back at me, her gaze steady but kind. "I understand, Himeya. Life moves on, and so do people. I'm just glad to see you happy."

Her words, though simple, carried a weight of acceptance that eased the tension in my chest. I nodded, grateful for her understanding.

"Thank you, Alicia," I said sincerely.

A soft smile touched her lips. "We'll always have our memories, Himeya. And maybe… we can make new ones, as friends."

"I'd like that," I replied, a sense of relief washing over me.

"I like to meet her, one day. I think we'll make a good friend." Alicia said.

I chuckled as I said, "I'm sure you both will."

As the wind continued to whisper around us, the moment felt lighter, the past acknowledged but not bound by it. We were standing on the line of a new chapter, one where our paths could intertwine in a different way.

I didn't feel like I was a reincarnated person anymore, it's like I'm Himeya… Shin Himeya.

Just then, the door to the rooftop opened, and Kei stepped out, her usual composed demeanor softened by a warm smile. She walked toward us, her gaze shifting between Alicia and me.

"Nii-san," Kei greeted, her voice calm but filled with warmth. "I've been looking for you."

Her eyes met Alicia's, and her smile widened. "Alicia?"

"Kei!" Alicia's face lit up as she rushed toward her, and the two embraced tightly, their reunion filled with joy and familiarity.

"It's been so long," Kei said, her voice softer than usual, a trace of emotion in her tone. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again."

"I missed you," Alicia replied, pulling back just enough to look at Kei's face. "It's so good to see you."

"You too," Kei responded, her smile lingering. "I can't believe you're back."

"I'm here," Alicia said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. "And I'm not going anywhere this time."

Kei nodded, her gaze warm. "Good. Things haven't been the same without you."

The warmth of their reunion was palpable, a reminder of the bonds that time and distance couldn't break. As I stood there, watching them, I felt a sense of peace. The past might have shaped us, but the present offered new beginnings.