What is life?
A simple question, yet deceptively deep.
This…
This is a question many have pondered, and yet very few seem to find an answer.
For some, life is just a cycle of habits. Following routines. You see them online, in offices, in the fields, or even on the street while heading home.
Even now, I see them.
People trapped in the endless grind of existence, their eyes empty, almost lifeless.
And it feels… strange to me.
Are there not countless things we could enjoy in life?
Video games, novels, music, sports, anime, manga…
In this digital age, why do so many look like mere shadows of themselves?
'Or are they just tired?' I wonder.
At the end of the day, I am no philosopher. No deep thinker. Just a high-schooler who loves diving into online novels.
"Hey! Are you even listening?"
The voice pulled me out of my thoughts. A familiar voice I had been hearing for a while.
"Shut it. Your voice is annoying."
"Tsk. Must be in the genes then."
A sharp, teasing voice.
She wasn't always like this. But at fourteen, Aria's once-innocent demeanor turned sarcastic, biting, confident.
I rolled my eyes, unbothered. "Seriously, can't you find something better to do than bother me?"
"Bothering is my specialty, dear brother," she replied with a smirk, leaning on me in the crowded bus. Balancing was already tough; with her leaning on me, it became even harder.
'Should I just let her fall?' I thought briefly but dismissed the idea immediately. Imagining the aftermath was enough to reconsider.
"Why are you even here? Don't you have friends?" I muttered, returning my attention to my phone.
I had already downloaded dozens of chapters, perfect for passing the time.
Standing and reading is annoying at first, but eventually, you adapt.
"Oh, don't worry about my social life. It's thriving, unlike someone else's." She emphasized the 'someone' with a teasing glance.
"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that." I muttered.
Her eyes glanced at my screen, subtly peeking. Long bus rides sharpen that kind of awareness. People love glimpsing into private lives—especially older people. It's… unnerving.
"Men and their silly harem fantasies," she clicked her tongue, judging.
It made sense… sort of. She wouldn't say that if she weren't an Otome fan herself.
"Coming from someone obsessed with reverse-harem stories? You're no different." I shrugged.
People can fantasize about whatever they enjoy. No one has the right to judge. That's my opinion. Those who do often need the lesson themselves.
Recently, I saw activists online trying to cancel a story over a character's age, mislabeling it. Ironically, they were into much worse content themselves.
But that's just an observation.
It perfectly describes her personality.
"Reverse-harem novels are much more developed. At least the characters have depth, unlike the shallow harems you read." She said it proudly.
People like her… always justifying themselves. And it's exhausting. Most of the time, these justifications are weak. Ask for examples, and the cracks appear.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Show me."
She started answering, but two people stood suddenly, forcing us to adjust in the crowded bus without regard for the elderly.
Comfort is rare in a full bus, especially on a long ride. Standing for hours hurts—not your feet, but your back.
Even now, I could feel sharp gazes from the older passengers.
'Hey, lady. Stop staring. You're riding free.'
For some reason, the government lets seniors travel without paying. They have the whole day, yet they choose rush hours.
I thought, they deserve to stand if they cannot manage their time better.
Anyway, enough rambling—attention span can only take so much.
Finally, we sat. Aria pulled out her phone and opened a fantasy romance novel. "Here, read this. It's called 'Shattered Innocence'. You'll get it."
'Wow… dramatic title…' I thought. Often, these titles disappoint.
The story introduced a young noblewoman named Liana, sweet and naive.
'A classic heroine,' I thought.
Naive, good-hearted, and elegant.
"A cruel fate awaits you."
The title hinted heavily at what was coming, but the prologue was skillfully written. The writer set up Liana's character and her family dynamics, including her fiancé, the kingdom's prince.
Reading, I could feel Aria's gaze, waiting for my reaction.
On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, Liana's world shattered—betrayed by her sister and her unfaithful fiancé. Stripped of dignity, cast out. The scene was vivid, filled with raw emotion.
"See? Told you it's good." Aria's tone was triumphant.
"Yeah… yeah," I murmured, absorbed in the story.
The reason wasn't that the story was flawless—many plot points were rushed. But I needed to finish what I started.
Yes, I am stubborn. Call it a flaw if you want.
Returning to the story: Liana faced many challenges. Each character, friend or foe, added depth.
Of course, academy life played a role; reverse-harem details require it.
Academy life can feel clichéd, but here, it was detailed, showing Liana's growth and complex relationships, including her sister and former fiancé.
Supernatural elements were present too, though sometimes felt slightly tacked on.
Eventually, I reached the end of published chapters.
Please wait for more chapters to be released.
You may support the author if you wish.
In just one hour, I finished fifty chapters—my specialty and my curse.
"She really grows on you, huh?" Aria broke the silence.
"I guess," I muttered. "Character development is impressive."
"Don't lie. Tell me honestly." She insisted.
I considered. "Do you really want my opinion?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you." I decided to be honest. "First, the writing is shallow. Some characters are well-developed, but many aren't. Motivations are missing. Male characters act only on impulse, which doesn't fit their status or expected ruthlessness."
She listened thoughtfully.
"Take the prince—meant to be strategic, yet driven by whims. Academy life is detailed but cliché-heavy. Supernatural events exist, but feel like add-ons."
She sighed. "Maybe you're too harsh? It's fantasy romance—it's meant to exaggerate."
"I get that. But exaggeration doesn't excuse illogical character behavior." I argued.
As she spoke, my world suddenly spun. Her voice faded, my vision blurred, colors and shapes twisting around me.
After what felt like ages, the pain subsided. I opened my eyes.
I was somewhere… unfamiliar.