Jana forced herself to stop smiling. She brusquely laid the tray on the table. Some of her bland soup splashed on Hyacinth's long sleeves. Jana peered on her reaction. The woman's eyes twitched but she pouted to Austin with a pleading gaze in lieu. "My God! The line was so long I almost cramped my legs while waiting." Jana exaggerated wiping her non-existent sweat. "Hey, Austin. I'm so sorry but this pork chop… I put a lot of peppers on it." "What?" Hyacinth knowingly shook her head disapprovingly. "You know Austin doesn't like that in his food! It's spicy! Are you really his friend? Myriad, come on!" Austin's brow creased. "No! I like my pork chops with peppers especially in winter. Please stop saying those things to Myriad. She know me, okay?" Jana feigned disappointment. "What are you talking about, Hyacinth? I was sorry because I didn't bought his favorite drink with this dish." "Oh…" Hyacinth's face reddened in shame. Jana enjoyed her flustered appearance. "Then I…
She was played. Jana didn't even notice it. While she was busy feeling happy over Hyacinth's petty act, she didn't see how the protagonist deflected her from her original plan. Stop Natasha, Melody and Sarah from being expelled. Jana now knew who's the co-player inside this instance. It's the protagonist herself. Jana stood and padded her way out of the club room they rented. "I'm sorry. I have to go elsewhere. Do your bath now, Austin. For pete's sake, you stink!" "I stink?" Austin grumbled, "You're looking at me like I'm a walking pizza earlier!" She pretended as if she couldn't hear him. In fact, she had long lost her sense of shame. Embarrassment won't let her live long and survive here. She would rather act frivolous than die doing nothing. Hyacinth manage to astound her in just one move. It's not too much to assume that the woman already knew her role. Hyacinth will dimiss her soon. She can't let her have her own way. Jana can't do anything during night time. Bu
"I didn't know what you'd like to eat so... I picked these." Hyacinth smiled so sweetly. Jana was sickened to the stomach just by seeing her lame actions. "I'm sorry but... I recalled you chose this salad the first time we ate together. See? I remembered!" 'No, you didn't. You didn't remember anything.' Jana couldn't open her mouth and say she couldn't eat a plate with all greens and no meat. This is plain torture to her palate. Hyacinth's overly dramatic voice has attracted other students' attention. If Jana refused to eat this, Hyacinth may act all sad and even voice out her disappointment in her shrill voice. Then, in the end, she will be rumoured as a snub. So Jana, swallowing her pride and the task to eat grass for dinner, chose to nod graciously. "You got it right. Thank you. The drink is fine too." Hyacinth didn't hide her smirk. Jana lowered her head and pretended to not see anything. She mustered a lot of courage to take a piece of leaf and put it directly in her mouth
"MS. DENISE! Look here!" Jana exerted a lot of effort to lengthen her neck and call relentlessly. "Teacher! Look at me!" Denise finally stopped. She didn't look friendly as she knocked her forehead. "What is it? You keep calling me. I'm done with the lesson. Did I miss something and you want to report me to the headmaster?" Jana closed her mouth. She stared at her evenly before enunciating, "I am a player in this game. Just like you. Now can we talk properly?" Denise' eyes bulged two times its original size. Her gasp almost swallowed Jana whole. "You... you!" "Me? Me!" she squealed, "I"m the reason why you died on the last level!" Jana saw her mouth formed into a smile. Yet before she could let it out, Jana's words made her stop. "Stupid!" She gathered her notes before unceremoniously bashing Jana's head with it. "Stupid! You could've find another way to overcome the situation without actually killing me! I have the unfortunate role of being the villain's lackey throughout th
'HYACINTH should be expelled.' That's the only simple yet practical thing to do in order to defeat the protagonist. But how to make that possible? That's quite a problem to behold. Denise agreed to be her lackey. Jana was in an awkward position everytime that Denise follows her around and denying it whenever someone is asking. It was quite hard to dispel the questions of her classmate. She, herself, can't see why does Denise needs to follow her everywhere. "Most of the villains get killed all of a sudden. That leads to the reason why I lose without even trying! Now that I know who you are and the role that you play, I need to protect you at all cost!" "Ah…" Jana tilted her head to the right and blinked furiously. "Do you even know my name?" "Myriad White! A student of mine." Denise answered with confidence. "How about we take a break? My mind couldn't keep up with the lessons. It's too hard." "So you know that you have to teach? You will get ourselves blown because of what
"WHEN are you going to use it?" Spencer's mouth opened wide to accept the large piece of cake that Jana was feeding him. He was busy prodding the computer for CCTV footages. As to when did he manage to get the hard drive, Jana needn't ask him about it. The way he smiled when he wiggled the flash drive in front of her speaks volume of his misdeeds. "Although I'm not fully convinced that she's really into something that may harm me, getting her expelled will not do anything to me. You're my friend so... I'll be supportive this time." Because Hyacinth didn't use Spencer's obscene pictures with Tasha, it made him convinced that maybe Hyacinth was only there in the wrong timing. Jana couldn't help but be amazed with the protagonists' innocent halo. Even if the evidence was clear, the non-player characters ultimately thought of them as someone who could never do anything bad. "Continue to follow her movements for a week and we'll see if you won't change your mind." Jana lowered the paper
JANA ROLLED out of bed with a frown. Her head aches. "Vivien, do you have something that can help me alleviate this pain?" "Host, it's good that you remembered me." The mechanical voice sighed. Jana was amused to know this human-like feature of this Ai. "The last mission got me an upgrade. You can now adjust your body constitution depending on your own will too!" Jana bit her lips with expectation. "Is this my 'cheat', then?" "Slim chance, host. That's very unlikely. Player Denise can also change her constitution but it also has to remain within the world's logic. Hence, it will be hard explaining the strange condition of your body." She hissed. "Yeah, now that I think about it— your upgrade has its pros and cons." "Nothing's free in the world, host. One cannot enjoy something without limitation. If not, then our lives should be endless." "Who says everyone enjoys living?" Jana yawned. "There will always be a person who thinks otherwise." Vivien breathed out again. Jana c
The papers laid listless in front of Jana. After biting her lower lips 'til it has gotten a red hue, she unwillingly submitted to disappointment. Still, she could not accept that her efforts went to waste. "Vivien, are there any safe hidden inside this room?" "The system has scanned the place as we arrived, host. There's no such thing." 'How can that be? The director sure has to keep something valuable inside his office!' "With the school's practices, it's not a surprise to know that the director hides all of his important belongings inside his personal chamber. After all, this small office barely has something that looks significant to his person." Jana considered Vivien's words. She agreed silently. With the careful set-up of Hyacinth's plan, her backer should be someone with a cautious personality. That's right. Even inside this small but lavish office, it seems like the man never liked to stay here if it doesn't require work. He barely has any personal belongings inside.
Ezekiel and Jana went shopping the whole morning. Because they were both college students both short in money, they opted to go visit thrift stores and dollar shops. They found a lot of useful things and a few miscellaneous items that Jana bought specifically for Vivien."I created Vivien for myself. I lost her halfway when my souls scattered. I'm glad that she went with you. She followed my memories and hold on to you, you're the most familiar thing to both of us inside the game." Ezekiel took a sip in his iced coffee while they walked in the park. His black jacket reeked of his head throb perfume. Every lungful of Jana makes her head full of his scent. "At first I thought she'd go for Jazz but then Jazz already had a system of her own so... it's kind of... complicated.""She never stopped looking for you, you know. She's a loyal older sister.""Yeah, I guess. We never really got to be closer before. After knowing about the things she did in order to find me... I feel happy. I was ne
It was a silent morning of February when our midterm exams began. I finished my paper and turned it in within 30 minutes of the test. My favorite part was the critical essay writing because the topic used was my report in the first month of the school-year, hence the subject is my forte. However, it was a minor subject. So passing it would mean I don't have to take it again. That's my main motivation the whole time I was taking it.I jogged to the cafeteria to get myself an early lunch. The crowded hall gets a bit humid and annoying during the break time, so I have to deal with my food at the earliest time to avoid unnecessary arguments with my schoolmates.Someone beat me on my favored seat when I got there.The spot with the nicest seat would be the window by the last corner of the room. It has a wide view of the cafeteria as well as the beautiful gardens outside the glass wall.It was a junior of mine who beat me to it. A fourth year highschool student with the dumbest polka dot ha
'Meow.' Vivien hates her current situation. She can't speak! And her owner has been grumpy for the last two days. What seems to be the problem of the great Ezekiel?Well, apparently, he can't find her former host. Miss Jana 'hoest' Tesoro. Vivien is naturally sad about this— not. 'Hmp!'Her last host was indeed a very good one at exaggerating her mistakes and berating her about her lack of support! But to be fair, Vivien does miss Jana.They've passed several worlds and lived several lifetimes together. It is impossible not to get attached."What do you think about it, Ezekiel?" Spencer paced the room two times. When the man he questioned did not answer, he turned his face to Ezekiel's side. "Kiel? Hello?""What do you exactly hate about her? The one who jailed you inside the game is her uncle. You should stop associating them together. You have to take into consideration the fact that the game consumed her when she forced her way into the simulation just to save you.""That's what ir
"What do you suggest, Roshan?" The emperor is old. He had an expression that shows how tired he is even if this is his first private meeting this very day. He's not that enthusiastic about Jana and Roshan's relationship. He sees colors for what they really are. Pixena is hailed the winner even when the match has not yet started. What's wrong with giving Jana the third rank? Roshan has defended her to this point. Their relationship is obvious. He would always favor Pixena over any other girl in the empire. Bias works this way. Still, he can't dictate Roshan's wishes. If he saw Ms. Jana as a worthy woman... then he could only give his blessings."This month." Ezekiel gave Jana a small smile. He wrapped his hands around her delicate fingers, massaging it lightly. "I want the wedding to be this month."Jana can't believe it!This man tricked her thoroughly!With warm tears in her eyes, she nudged him lightly by the shoulders. That's why he said Jana should enjoy this world— because it was
"Lady Pixena, do you have any words for the players of this cooking event?" The emcee was more than elated to finally interview the prime minister's daughter. The woman was even more gorgeous up close!"Well, I chose to be blunt. Haha! If Lady Jana wins in this event, I will willingly shave my eyebrows."It was the hardest blow. Even Jana who was seen to be smiling up until three seconds ago is now frowning hard with a hurt expression on her face. Pixena didn't even flinch. She laughed right at the audience's face.'I thought I had to sabotage her dish to make Roshan lose his interest for her but lo and behold! She did it herself!' Pixena inhaled and assumed her timid expression."Wo-Wow!" The man got more than he expected. He only wanted to throw shade at Lady Jana for entertainment purposes but now Lady Pixena pulled a wide blown start of a real cat fight!Jana's parents took offense at what Pixena said. Even if Jana's dish does look bad. It doesn't warrant her insult just like tha
Denise hasn't shown her presence. It was official, she finally got out of the game. Ezekiel told her that and it finally settled the little bit of conscience in her mind.Morning came and the cook-off session started. Pixena —unsurprisingly, joined the challenge and ordered tons of vegetables and spices for her own use. The emperor was too biased because she allowed Pixena to do this when in fact, he had strictly implied that no one should use resources aside from what the organizers had prepared."Ladies and gents, you will be given an hour each to complete your dishes!"'Might as well give me an eternity and it will still taste the same— morbid shit.' Jana stood above the platform readied for her. The audiences scattered around to look at the two meter distance. Every contestant have either a concerned or nervous expression. Only Pixena was confident, smiling brightly and scattering kisses everywhere.Ezekiel stood at the center of the stage. He is one of the panelist chosen to judg
On that morning, Jana tried to see if she can make use of her antagonistic halo and be good about something in just one night. She heard something about 'beginner's luck' and so she hopes to see if the same good fortune applies to her.Well, it was proven not.She started early in the morning, doing her job earnestly and receiving cuts from the knife and burns from the pan itself. Up until now she can't see herself improving. Ezekiel was hopefully supplying her with good words. Too good words but the man won't personally taste the dishes that she prepared. She can take the hint so his promising words became empty not long after she exposed his dual face and black heart.Jana doesn't know which one to make tomorrow. 'God! The event will start tomorrow and I'm still not prepared!' Which dish is she going to make?She need not ask to know that Pixena will be there too. The life of the villain wraps around the protagonist. So if her name is on the participating list, then it means Pixena
"Pixena!" The exquisite saloon had its windows widely opened. It's understandable why they only cater to beautiful women— it would be a shame lowering the curtains down when the most fantastic view is inside. "Oh, wow! Girl, you look splendid!""Do I?" Pixena wasn't pleased. She cut her hair shorter than she would have liked. That's all because Roshan said that girl... Well, 'Jana' needs to cut her hair short. Could there be any other meaning why Roshan wanted the woman to cut her hair that way? No! It must be because Roshan himself likes girls with shoulder-width hair and nothing else.It's bad for eavesdropping on other people's conversation but she can't help it! Pixena liked Roshan for so long and these past three months... Jana has been following him like a loyal dog. She had dug about the woman's background— nothing shady. In fact, Jana has quite the modest background and the skill to boost it up too.At the age of ten, she was able to refine materials for her dad to use in thei
… a month ago …The people of the Durham empire looked all wealthy and secure in life. She saw the rural parts of the empire— still, even the farmers themselves have gold pendants in their necklace to show some sophistication. A mark that they came from a prosperous country, and that their ruler is generous enough to let them grow.Jana's family this time is a wealthy craftsman. Her father makes watches, customized jewelry and even compasses. He was even once commissioned by the royals themselves to make a gold-rimmed eye-glasses.Needless to say, her family has a reputation to uphold. And yes, their family knows how to live well too.Jana wore her velvet green nightgown and jewelries on her head. From afar, she's a sculpture of perfect glam. Up close, her skin looks radiant— not even a scar anywhere.A result of a good upbringing from a wealthy family.Her kitten heels clacked on the tiles while she walked gracefully on the corridor, Jana's eyes like an eagle hunting her prey.Her ta