Became an Observer in Love Company

The observation perspective begins.

Adjusting to the optimal viewpoint for observation.

…

There was no way not to realize that this world was the world from a novel.

It wasn’t like that from the beginning, after all. Initially, I wasn’t even born here.

Yeah, that’s it. A possessor.

The time of possession seems to be about 2 or 3 years ago. During that time, I’ve been able to learn the common sense of this world and things like magic.

It was like the system window kept popping up to give me adaptation training, making it not difficult to adjust.

Thanks to that, I wasn’t unfamiliar with the system window.

This was the world of the novel I used to enjoy reading.

The genre was romantic comedy, the title being “Love is Like Magic.”

As you can guess from the title, it wasn’t a particularly popular novel.

At least, it was fortunate that the genre wasn’t dark fantasy. Otherwise, my body might not have made it.

Although, this world wasn’t entirely devoid of fantasy elements.

It’s a world where magic blends naturally. It’s not the kind of miracle that causes grand upheavals.

At most, it’s boiling water in a kettle or telekinetically moving light objects nearby. While it makes life more convenient, it doesn’t bring about dramatic changes.

I quietly turned my head and looked around.

The variety of hair colors told me that this wasn’t a normal world. I hadn’t expected to feel this from the very beginning of the enrollment ceremony.

Well, I’m in no position to criticise either. With my ash-colored hair, who am I to judge?

‘How did I end up in a world like this?’

There is one thing that comes to mind.

“You want to write a novel with me as a possessor.”

“Why me?”

“Just thought it would be fun. What if you were thrown into a romantic comedy you enjoyed reading?”

“He won’t likely alter the original story and will just stay quiet, right?”

“Like a first-person observer?”

“Yeah, something like a simple observer.”

Just thinking that this situation stemmed solely from that one conversation seems unlikely. But isn’t the current situation equally implausible?

Now reflecting, I don’t recall the name, voice, or even the face of the person I had that conversation with.

All I have left are those text-like fragments of dialogue with someone — whose gender I don’t even know.

No matter how much I think about it, that conversation is the only reason I can think of for my possession.

At first, I was irritated, but realizing it was futile, I’ve now come to terms with it to a certain extent.

They said I’d return to my original world once all the episodes are over.

[Viewpoint adjustment complete.]

My head turned on its own toward a particular scene.

A girl with pale blonde hair, tied up high in a single ponytail, caught my attention. Her naturally flowing side bangs gave her a pure presence.

Lee Jian, the childhood friend of the protagonist in the original story, though she’s the losing heroine.

Her large, vivid pink eyes were looking at something.

Sure enough, who she was looking at was the original story’s protagonist.

Yoon Jihoo, a man with auburn hair and a lean build.

The academy in the original story is a place where students learn magic-related arts known as spellcasting.

Lee Jian was gazing at Yoon Jihoo, but Yoon Jihoo wasn’t looking back at her. Instead, he was gazing elsewhere.

Following his gaze, there was a figure who was clearly not ordinary.

Park Nayul, a senior from the year above and the main heroine in the original story.

Long black hair, crimson eyes, with a neat and elegant aura.

Contrary to her seemingly cold exterior, her gaze was unexpectedly warm.

That contrasting harmony made her even more extraordinary.

I could hear murmurs around me. They weren’t unpleasant; rather, they carried the excitement of fans encountering their idols.

After all, she’s extremely popular.

With an overwhelming talent, she never lost first place in various contests, and coupled with her stunning looks and kind personality, it would be harder for her not to be popular.

She was even described as the “Muse of the Academy” in the original story.

The auditorium lights dimmed softly.

As a serene silence fell, a figure standing at the center of the stage gradually came into view.

She was wearing a black leotard.

Her long limbs, neatly tied black hair, and graceful movements immediately captivated everyone’s attention.

The incoming students held their breaths.

As Park Nayul took her first step, a faint light spread across the stage where her feet touched.

Every time she extended her fingers, traces of magic lingered in the air.

Translucent silhouettes danced like she was performing an elaborate ballet, following her every movement.

In her wake, residual images lingered, rippling outward.

This wasn’t just a dance; it was a narrative.

Every time she extended her arms, golden melodies flowed along her path, and each turn created soft ripples beneath her feet.

Even a mere gesture seemed to expand space, giving the illusion that she was dancing within a much larger world.

“Wow…”

An exclamation of admiration cut through the quiet auditorium.

The freshmen were lost for words as they watched the spectacle. Her movements, rather than fierce passion, were simple and elegant. Yet the restrained emotion within filled the entire stage.

Park Nayul paused after her final spin.

The fragments of light that had settled to the floor gradually disappeared.

Silence. Then thunderous applause.

“Insane…”

“This is no joke.”

“Is this just the entrance ceremony performance?”

The freshmen buzzed with excitement, whispers breaking out everywhere.

Some were overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the dance, while others couldn’t forget the moment where magic and art merged seamlessly.

This stage perfectly defined the word “talent.”

In that moment, I was certain. Park Nayul was undoubtedly the brightest star here.

It seemed she wasn’t just the main heroine for no reason.

I observed the different gazes directed at each other.

Lee Jian, glancing timidly at Yoon Jihoo, Yoon Jihoo looking up to Park Nayul with a gaze of longing, and Park Nayul, who still had no awareness of the other two.

Since the story had just begun, they had no significant connection yet.

The enrollment ceremony ended smoothly, without any accidents. Nothing like an ambush could possibly happen here.

“Oops, sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

A student who bumped shoulders with me apologized and moved on.

It’s happened five times already, in just the short distance moving from the gym to the classrooms.

Perhaps as part of being an “observer,” my presence has become vague.

It’s not just this.

Once, I rang the bell on the bus, but the driver overlooked me and passed the stop. Other times, I stood at the stop and the bus zoomed past.

Maybe this is necessary for closer observation.

[Observer perspective active. Optimal viewpoint adjustment complete.]

Once again, my gaze automatically locked onto something. Turning my head, sure enough, the main characters were there.

“Yahoo!”

At the sound of a small firecracker popping, Lee Jian clung to Yoon Jihoo’s shoulder.

Yoon Jihoo slightly turned his head and stood calmly, as though this was a familiar routine.

Though it might have been uncomfortable for Lee Jian, being shorter, Yoon Jihoo bent his knees slightly to adjust his height.

“Didn’t Nayul-sunbae just look so cool?”

Yoon Jihoo nodded.

“It was impressive even though I kinda expected it. Seeing her in person made her seem even greater.”

“This spell one way and then pow, magic swirls all around, and then she turns and there’s this big burst of light!”

Lee Jian enthusiastically gesticulated with both hands as she explained.

“Why does your vocabulary resemble that of an elementary schooler?”

“Well, I’m in high school now! You’ve got it wrong!”

“Sigh, let’s stop this.”

Lee Jian gave Yoon Jihoo a light shove with her elbow.

“What’s with that creepy smile on your face?”

“You seem entranced.”

The moment Yoon Jihoo heard this, he became visibly flustered, trying to quickly cover Lee Jian’s mouth.

“Hey!”

“Mmph! Gah!”

Yoon Jihoo panicked and removed his hand.

“Ewww! Saliva!”

“Oh, nearly chocked to death on that. Since it’s sacred water, you should treasure it well.”

Lee Jian boldly pushed out her chest as she spoke.

Yoon Jihoo wiped the saliva off her uniform while saying,

“Take your stuff back.”

“That person is too high a tree for you to climb.”

“I know.”

“Still, I’ll cheer for you. Fighting!”

Having shouted out her encouragement with a tightly clenched fist, Lee Jian barrelled into me with a body slam.

‘This is the sixth time.’

That was all I could think.

“Ahh, sorry!”

Lee Jian quickly stepped back and apologized. Unmoved, I adjusted my glasses.

“It’s fine.”

I thought that would be the end of it, but she stared at me in disbelief as if I was something strange.

“Uh…”

“What?”

“You were there…”

“…”

“What do you mean?”

“Ever since before, something felt off. You weren’t originally standing there.”

Lee Jian flailed her arms as she tried earnestly to explain the situation.

“You just sort of appeared. Like one moment you weren’t there, and then suddenly, poof, you appeared.”

“I’m naturally inconspicuous, that’s why.”

“Ah, got it. Sorry anyway.”

“It’s fine, I said.”

Lee Jian wandered off, bickering with Yoon Jihoo once more.

At that time, I didn’t know.

I couldn’t have imagined I’d end up being involved with Lee Jian.

*

“Kim Dohyun?! Kim Dohyun?! Not here? Is this absence on the first day?”

“I’m here.”

I stood up to respond.

“Oh, there you are. You should answer.”

“I’m sorry.”

Honestly, it’s frustrating. I was continuously trying to answer.

As I was about to sit down, my eyes met with Lee Jian’s.

She was looking at me strangely, tilting her head as if something was off.

…

At that moment, I didn’t yet realize that I would become entangled with Lee Jian.

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