My second chance in a strange reverse world!

"Done!" Ada smiled pleasantly as she removed my phone from her computer, having entirely forgotten that she had accused me of stealing the phone just moments before.

Don't get me wrong: I admired the fact that, despite her shyness, she attempted to approach me. That would have held more weight if she hadn't been happily singing along as she simply punched codes into her computer and complained about how corporations now make phones too easy to hack. After she said, “Only the government is fun to hack,” I realized that maybe she was more dangerous than I thought.

She was some kind of programming genius...or hacker...I have no idea how to tell her and calling her a nerd sounds insulting. You never say nerd to a nerd, it's common sense.

"Thank you!" I said finally, taking the cell phone she offered me with a smile.

When I picked up the phone, I accidentally brushed her palm, but it was enough to make her blush almost as deep as her hair. "Oh, uh, y-you're w-welcome."

I did her a favor and pretended I hadn't noticed her embarrassment, since at least that would give her some comfort, —or at least I'd like them to in my case— and instead stared at the now unlocked screen, where I couldn't help but smile sheepishly at the wallpaper of a shirtless woman with a hideous face and a flat chest.

"Huh..."

I'm not sure why I didn't expect it. It seemed natural that I'd have something embarrassing as my wallpaper. However, I was relieved that it was a picture of this woman rather than a picture of me, since it saved me a lot of shame.

I turned to gaze at Ada, who appeared to have recovered. She glanced sideways at my phone and seemed to catch my embarrassment. "Ah, don't worry, everyone has a crush, mine; it's you." She said, but suddenly her eyes widened. "I mean! not in a weird way, I just like your eyes! and your body! ah but, not in that way, rather, yes in that way, but-"

I gave out an involuntary laugh, which I quickly suppressed by covering my mouth with my palm. "I'm sorry." I tried to explain myself when I noticed her deep flush and duck her head. "I'm not making fun of you." I elaborated. "I just thought it was cute, don't worry about it."

"Cute? Me?" Ada raised her head quickly, her green eyes looking doubtful and somewhat sad. "Are you kidding?"

I shook my head. "No, I told the truth."

Ada eyed me suspiciously. "Don't you...don't you find it disgusting, someone like me saying those things to you?" She probed slightly.

"Not at all, I'm flattered." I nodded. I didn't tell her that I thought she was pretty too because she'd probably say stop making jokes or something. This flattery was enough.

I knew I was correct since she averted her look to the other side of the room; her ears, showing through her layered reddish hair, were flushed, and I couldn't help but wonder if that's how I'd respond if someone cute in my world called me cute or something.

We'll never find out.

(***)

I averted my sight to my unlocked phone as I waited for the feverish Ada to regain her senses. I observed the woman's figure with rather complicated eyes. Her asymmetrical face and flat chest didn't make her particularly lovely, but if the me of this world had her as wallpaper, she should be renowned or at the very least well-known.

I put that aside and concentrated on checking my phone, looking for vital information, possible partners and so on.

I pulled down the notification bar and immediately almost gagged at the number of notifications that were there; 99+! How can someone have so many notifications?

I started to check and most of them were messages, some others were notifications from... Metube? This was also reversed? and others were from an application I didn't recognize.

CallaMeMaybe sent you a gift.

MrsBeast uploaded a new video.

New message from Kevin.

I opened Kevin's message from... Slowgram? Know what, I won't bother with name parodies anymore.

When I tapped on the notification, a pink-toned camera icon appeared, followed by a rather familiar social network. I didn't want to like anything, but a photo shared by a verified user caught my eye. When I saw the upload, I was struck by the two fox ears on her head and that she was quite hideous. However, since I was following her, it had to be meaningful in some way.

I visited her profile. The account was called Ophelia D'Argento, and when I realized how many people were following her, I had to rub my eyes to be sure I wasn't dreaming. She had 900 million followers.

I couldn't comprehend why each photo had about thirty million likes. No, it was obvious I could, but it was still foreign to me. She was basically the opposite of beauty standards. Although that may be a slight exaggeration. Her silver eyes, hair —or fur?— and enticing hips were all quite attractive. But otherwise, she was the complete opposite.

For a while, I was completely absorbed. I was scrolling through her profile until one of her photos caught my eye.

The photo featured her and another girl with the same hair and ears as her —she was much prettier than her, I must add,— but what really drew my attention was the massive, massive castle immediately behind them. It was the size of a building! I was about to continue gazing at the photo when I received another notification of a message from Kevin.

I checked the conversation with reluctance.

[Kevin_1: Where r u?

Kevin_1: R u ok?

Kevin_1: We’re at the nurse’s office.

Kevin_1: Alex???

Kevin_1: Plz share ur location if u need help.

Kevin_1: I’m gonna call 911 or smth].

Huh... that was a bit excessive. Furthermore, Peyton was texting me, but because Kevin's message was more recent, I quickly responded, [I’m good, chill, I’m just sorting out some stuff.] I hoped that was enough to assuage his fears.

I tapped back and returned to the Slowgram feed. The inbox of this application also had a 99+. I raised an eyebrow at that and started to check, there were too many to see, so I entered one at random.

[Julia: What a Nice.Ass. Where Do.You live?

Julia: You.Sell any +18 content???

Julia: I want.To fuck you

Julia: Please answer slut

Julia sent a photo].

I opened the photo out of curiosity, but I quickly regretted it as I was met by a disgusting snapshot of a vagina all over my screen. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy vaginas, but this is not one of them. The woman was quite unattractive, and she appeared to have little personal hygiene. I closed the app with a frown, and when I glanced to my right, Ada was staring at me awkwardly.

She rubbed her arm awkwardly. "That's harassment, you should report that account or something" She glowered. "Oh! But if you want, I can dox her and show everyone she's a pervert."

I laughed. "No need." I held up my phone and showed her the woman's profile. And to my not surprise she was a mother of four. "Look, I already blocked her."

"It's okay." Ada nodded with satisfaction. Before she realized anything, she quickly added. "We're not all like her by the way."

"Yes, I know." I gave her a slight smile. "Thanks for caring about me at least."

Ada blushed, but didn't avert her gaze this time and looked me straight in the eye. "D-don't thank me. I-it's normal for a woman to protect a man."

The class change bell rang as I was about to respond, so instead I got up from my seat. "I have to go."

Ada sent me a doubtful look, but when it looked like she was about to say something she shook her head. "S-See you later."

I gave her a slight glance. "Are you always here?"

"Ah... not usually, I only come in the afternoons."

"Yes?" I hummed in consideration. "So, do you mind if I come too?"

She visibly brightened. "No! please come! I'll wait for you tomorrow!"

I gave her an amused look. "Tomorrow is Saturday."

She didn't even flinch at her mistake. "Monday then!"