This morning was supposed to be an ordinary day.
At least, that's what I thought.
I'd been up since early morning and had even showered earlier than usual.
Everything was going smoothly.
Until I stood in front of my closet and realized there was one problem.
I didn't have anything suitable to wear.
I let out a long sigh.
"Why are rich people's clothes so hard to choose from?"
I pulled out one outfit.
Too formal.
Another one.
Too simple.
A third.
Too flashy.
I glanced at the clock.
There was still enough time.
At least...
I thought so.
Twenty minutes later, I was still standing in front of my closet.
"This one?"
I looked at my reflection.
No.
"This one?"
Not this one either.
I finally sighed.
If I showed up at the school event in ordinary clothes, people might not pay any attention to me.
But I didn't want that.
Not because I wanted to attract attention.
I just wanted to show up as the person I was now.
I picked up my phone and opened a few clothing stores not far from home.
A few minutes later, I was already in the car.
"It'll only take a minute."
I muttered to myself.
"I'll buy an outfit, go home, change, and leave."
Very simple.
Very easy.
At least in theory.
"Ms., this one is nice."
I looked at the outfit the store employee handed me.
"This one?"
"It looks great, Ms."
I nodded.
In the end, I chose an elegant outfit that was still appropriate for a school event.
Not too over-the-top.
Not too casual.
I also bought a few simple accessories.
When I was done, I got back into the car.
It was only after the car started moving that I looked at the clock.
My eyes went wide.
"Oh, no."
It was much later than I'd expected.
I grabbed my phone.
There were several missed calls.
From Raka.
From Alma.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"I'm screwed."
Meanwhile, at home...
Raka stood in front of the door, glancing at his watch.
"It's almost time."
Alma paced beside him.
"Mom isn't coming down yet?"
"Not yet."
"Call her again."
"I already did."
"And?"
"She didn't answer."
Alma sighed.
"What if Mom isn't coming after all?"
Raka didn't answer.
But his expression was beginning to show concern.
They had already told the school that their guardian would be attending.
And now the person who was supposed to come hadn't even shown up.
"If Mom doesn't come..."
Alma bit her lip.
"What are we going to do?"
Raka stared at the front door.
"I don't know."
I finally got home.
I hurried to my room.
As soon as I opened the door, I grabbed the clothes I'd just bought.
Fifteen minutes.
I only had fifteen minutes.
"Why did I waste time shopping for clothes?"
I changed as quickly as I could.
I styled my hair, which I'd previously left down, a little more neatly.
A touch of makeup.
Simple earrings.
A watch.
A small purse.
I looked at my reflection.
For a few seconds, I stood there silently.
The woman in front of the mirror was indeed Xana.
But the aura she gave off was different now.
There was no longer the look of a woman constantly waiting for her husband's acknowledgment.
There was no resigned expression.
All that remained was a woman who knew what she wanted.
I picked up my purse.
"All right."
I nodded at my reflection.
"If the protagonist in a story is always showing up late..."
I smiled faintly.
"...then this shouldn't be a problem."
I left the room at once.
Raka and Alma, who had been waiting, immediately turned when they heard footsteps.
"Sorry I'm late."
They both fell silent.
Alma didn't even answer right away.
Raka simply stared at me too.
I furrowed my brow.
"What?"
There was no answer.
"We're leaving, right?"
Alma was still silent.
Then her eyes traveled from the top of my head all the way down to my feet.
"You..."
"Hmm?"
"You're different."
I smiled.
"Good or bad?"
Alma didn't answer right away.
"Good."
I nodded in satisfaction.
"Then let's go."
Raka still looked a little confused.
"We're almost late."
"I know."
"Then why are you so calm?"
"Because I'm ready."
Raka sighed.
"Forget it."
I walked past them.
On the way to the car, I happened to see several servants working in the house turn to look at me.
One of them even whispered to her friend.
"Who is that?"
"No idea."
"The new model?"
I almost laughed.
At least my new look had worked.
The trip to school was fairly quiet.
I sat with Raka and Alma.
There was no conversation for several minutes.
I stared out the window.
The city looked much busier than usual.
Maybe it was because a lot of parents were headed to the school this morning too.
"What are you two going to present?"
I broke the silence.
Alma answered immediately.
"I'm playing the violin."
I nodded.
"Have I ever seen you play?"
Alma shook her head.
"No."
"That's too bad."
Alma looked at me.
"Do you want to see me play?"
"Of course."
For a moment, Alma's face brightened a little.
Then Raka spoke up too.
"I'm not performing."
"Then what are you doing?"
"I'm presenting something I made."
"What did you make?"
Raka was silent for a moment.
"Something I made myself."
I nodded.
"That's great."
Raka looked slightly surprised.
"Great?"
"Yeah."
"You haven't even seen it."
"That's why I said it's great—you made it yourself."
Raka fell silent.
Then he turned to look out the window again.
I didn't know what he was thinking.
But at least...
Our conversation today had lasted a little longer than usual.
Not long afterward, the car entered the school grounds.
I immediately saw the crowds.
Students walked around carrying all kinds of projects.
Several parents stood around the courtyard. There were food stalls.
A small stage.
An information board.
And all kinds of decorations that made the school feel much livelier than usual.
As soon as I got out of the car, several people glanced in my direction.
I pretended not to notice.
Alma walked beside me.
Raka was a little ahead of us.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
I asked quietly.
Alma held back a smile.
"Maybe because you're pretty."
I looked at her.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
Raka, who had heard our conversation, simply shook his head.
"You two..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
The three of us walked into the school grounds.
I didn't know what was going to happen today.
I also didn't know whether the events I remembered from the novel would really happen.
But one thing was certain.
Today, I would be by Raka and Alma's side.
And for the first time since I came to this world...
I didn't feel like a stranger who was merely tagging along through life.
I followed them inside.
Not knowing that a few hours later, one incident would make me question the entire story I'd remembered all this time.