TUK!TUK!TUK!
In the quiet hum of the office, the rhythmic sound of keyboard typing filled the room. Fluorescent lights cast a soft white glow on two employees who sat side by side—one a man with slightly messy black hair and calm eyes, the other a woman with neatly tied hair and sharp features. They looked to be in their mid-twenties, surrounded by cubicles now empty, the rest of the staff having gone home long ago.
"Hey,"
The woman said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice was tired but teasing.
"Want to call it a day? Let's grab something to eat on the way."
The man, without lifting his gaze from the screen, replied,
"Five more minutes. I'm almost done."
She gave a quiet nod and returned to her own work. The tap of keys resumed, blending once again with the white noise of the room.
TUK!TUK!TUK!
After a short while, he stretched his arms above his head and let out a sigh.
"Alright. Let's go. Let's grab some food and head home."
"Finally."
She pushed her chair back and stood, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt.
"I thought you were going to work all night again."
"You could've left, you know."
"And leave my poor junior to burn the midnight oil alone? I'm not like the other seniors."
"Yeah, yeah. You're special."
She lightly punched his arm.
"Damn right, I am."
They bickered playfully as they walked down the dimly lit hallway. The office was silent, almost eerie without the usual daytime buzz. Only their laughter and footsteps echoed.
They entered the elevator, the doors closing with a mechanical whoosh.
TING!TONG!
The ground floor. The cool night breeze greeted them as the glass doors slid open. The streetlights glowed in the late evening mist, casting soft yellow halos over the sidewalks. The buzz of distant traffic and the chatter of pedestrians filled the air.
They strolled casually.
"Hey, did you check out the novel I sent you last night?"
She asked, glancing sideways.
"What novel?"
She gasped theatrically.
"Don't tell me you didn't even open the link!"
He shrugged.
"I was too tired. I'll check it today. It's Sunday tomorrow. What's it about, anyway?"
"Let's talk about it over food. That place looks open."
They entered a cozy family restaurant. Warm lighting bathed the wooden interior in a golden hue. The soft clinking of utensils and low chatter created a relaxed atmosphere. They found a booth by the window, the glass slightly fogged from the temperature difference outside.
A waitress took their order and left with a polite smile.
"So,"
He said, leaning back slightly,
"what's the premise?"
"It's a female-oriented fantasy novel. The protagonist is a hero—well, a heroine—and she defeats the demon lord with her party. Pretty standard setup. But what makes it popular are the male leads."
He raised an eyebrow.
"The guys?"
"Yup. The story might follow the usual tropes, but each of the male leads has a deep backstory, complex emotions, and distinct personalities. And let's be honest—they're hot."
He chuckled.
"I see. So it's the eye candy and tragic past combo."
"Exactly. Here, let me show you my favorite."
She pulled out her phone and scrolled enthusiastically.
Outside, light traffic rolled by. Raindrops began tapping against the window.
"Here he is! Isn't he adorable? He looks so delicate and fragile—I just want to protect him."
He leaned in. The character did look unusually soft-featured, with long eyelashes and sad eyes.
"You sure this one's a guy?"
"He was mistaken for a girl a lot when he was younger. Honestly, he still could be. But he's been through a lot. Grew up in an orphanage in a remote village. One day, bandits attacked. They slaughtered most of the villagers, kidnapped the women and children."
She paused, her voice lowering.
"He was taken to the bandits' hideout... abused, then sold to slavers. A mage eventually rescued him, recognizing his magical potential, and took him as an apprentice.
Now he's enrolled in the royal academy. That's where the main story starts."
The man gave a thoughtful nod.
"That's heavy."
She smiled, though her eyes were still clouded.
"That's why I love him. He's a survivor."
"How many male leads are there again?"
"Fifteen so far. But the author hinted there'll be twenty-two by the end."
He choked on his drink.
"Twenty-two?! Is she planning to marry all of them?"
"Apparently, yes. She's too kind to reject any of their confessions."
He raised an eyebrow.
"So... she's a people-pleaser to the extreme?"
"More like she genuinely cherishes everyone who supported her."
"Still sounds exhausting. I wouldn't share my partner with anyone."
"You sound so old-fashioned. You know relationships aren't always that simple anymore."
"Maybe not. But loyalty should be."
Their food arrived, interrupting the tension. They ate quietly for a moment, the comforting aroma of grilled meat and spices filling the air.
After they finished, the man stood and stretched.
"Let's go. It's getting late."
The rain had eased into a drizzle, the streets slick with water. Reflections of neon signs shimmered on the pavement.
"Hey,"
She said, stopping at a corner,
"My apartment's nearby. You go ahead. Thanks for dinner."
He gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. Her figure slowly disappeared into the shadows of the side street.
He hailed a cab. The vehicle pulled up, headlights casting beams through the mist.
He got in, gave his address, and sank into the seat. Outside the window, the city lights stretched upward, mirrored in the glass.
His face showed no emotion. Just a quiet stillness.
The cab slowed to a stop.
"We're here,"
The driver said.
He paid, walked into his apartment building, and took the elevator to the ninth floor.
The room was dim and spotless. The smell of air freshener lingered faintly in the air.
He changed into his nightwear, took a quick shower, then sat at his computer desk. He opened the website link his senior had sent.
The novel's page was filled with glowing reviews—mostly about the male leads. Comments like-
***
"my dream man,"
"so tragic and beautiful,"
"I'd die for him."
***
Not much on the plot.
A few reviews from male readers mentioned the cliché tropes, the overuse of emotional drama, and the protagonist's over-accommodating nature.
He skimmed the summary. Then closed the tab.
TING.
A message.
"Did you get home safe?"
He smiled faintly and replied:
"Yeah. About to sleep. You?"
She answered:
"Safe and sound. Night!"
He replied the same, silenced his phone, drew the curtains, and turned off the lights.
The soft hum of the city faded.
He closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
***
✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢
✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶
✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧
⊱ Eternal_Void _⊰
✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢
***
TIKTIKTIK!TIKTIKTIK!TIKTIKTIK!
The alarm blared.
He groaned and forced himself out of bed. Another Monday.
Sunday was like any other.He spent it while reading novels or mangas. Especially,
Novel his senior recommended. He didn't want to read it .So he just read the character summary for smoother conversation with his senior. The novels redeeming point in the male leads any way.Not the story or protagonist.
Shower. Clothes. Leftovers for breakfast.
He arrived at work. Everything was routine.
Lunch with his senior. She scolded him for not packing food. He apologized, knowing better now.
Evening came. They ate out again, this time at a small ramen shop tucked into an alley.
But unlike the previous night, the sky was darker. The wind felt colder.
As they parted, he walked her to her apartment.
Then hailed a cab.
BOOOOOOM!
A clap of thunder split the sky.
Rain. Heavy, blinding rain.
The cab pushed through the storm. Until—
TUSHH!
SREECHH!
CRASH!
A tire burst. The cab skidded. Slammed into a pole.
The engine burst into flames.
The rain couldn't put it out.
The driver was unconscious. The man was awake—but frozen.
The fire crept closer.
And darkness followed.
—To Be Continued