Main/Chapter 1/Stage 1-1

## Story

All my plans have completely fallen apart this evening.

All of my hopes have vanished, and I don't even have a place to return to anymore.

After a long round of bus ride, I finally arrive at a corner store near the place I used to call *home*.

I buy a few cans of beer from the store and sit at one of the tables outside.

Then I take out the note on the table and think to myself as I stare at it.

-To my future bride. If you have to go out today, wait until after 7 PM. Please. I don't want you to get hurt.

**MC\_Model**

(I shouldn't have gone. I should have listened to the note.)

**MC\_Model**

(Maybe things would have been different if I had listened...)

I should trust myself!!!|(Am I really going to be okay?)

**MC\_Model**

You know what?! I am the only one I should trust in this crazy, cruel world!

I sit up in my chair and pull out my phone.

**MC\_Model**

You know what? I should take some selfies! Today, I deserve to celebrate *me* a little.

**MC\_Model**

Life always looks better in photos anyway.

\*Snap!\*

**MC\_Model**

Wow, I look fabulous if I say so myself!

\*Snap!\* \*Snap!\*

**MC\_Model**

Well, MC\_Model, at least you have your looks❤︎

I cheer up a bit after posting my pictures to the popular social media app, Wannabe.

But, then-

**MC\_Model**

Wait a minute... Who is that guy in my photo?

I turn around, ready to give him a death stare...

But there's no one there.

**MC\_Model**

Hey... he's actually pretty cute.

**MC\_Model**

(I should delete it, but it's such a good photo of me!)

I hesitate, torn between deleting it or keeping it.

**sal\_\_\_Iy**

That beer looks good, but you look better!

**rainyday**

Wow, you're so pretty! You're my role model❤︎

**MC\_Model**

I'm... a role model?

**MC\_Model**

..........

Like magic, my mood starts to lift, and I decide to leave the photo on my Wannabe feed.

A few minutes later...

**blette\_won**

Hey! Did you see the latest announcement on Wannabe?!

**MC\_Model**

Announcement? What's she talking about?

**MC\_Model**

Wannabe... Challenge? What's this for?

**MC\_Model**

"The top 3 contestants will receive a big cash prize..."

**MC\_Model**

"The 1st place winner will be crowned [Muse One]"

**MC\_Model**

"and receive the opportunity to launch their own fashion brand!"

**MC\_Model**

Wow... That sounds amazing! Maybe I should enter.

I click on my Wannabe profile to check my follower count.

11,000 followers

**MC\_Model**

It's not good enough. There are so many Wannabe stars with a ton of followers.

**MC\_Model**

\*Sigh\*.... I probably shouldn't waste my time.

Feeling a little bitter, I chug down my drink.

Just then...

**Biho**

...Wannabe Challenge, huh?

**Biho**

What's that?

Without turning around, I laugh.

**MC\_Model**

Don't you know what a challenge is? It's a competition.

**Biho**

I know what that is.

**Biho**

But, do you think it's worth entering?

**MC\_Model**

Sure.

**MC\_Model**

That is... if you can win.

Hold on... Something feels off.

Something about this guy is giving me the creeps.

**MC\_Model**

E-excuse me, who are you, and why—...?

I slowly turn my eyes to the side from this strange feeling.

**Biho**

Then, win it.

**MC\_Model**

Huh...? You're the guy in my photo! Who are you?! Are you some kind of stalker?!

**Biho**

Me? No, no. I'm not a stalker.

**Biho**

I'm just a goblin.

**MC\_Model**

Okay... If you're drunk, please move along and go home, mister.

**Biho**

Hmmm...

The stranger scratches his head in confusion and looks

**Biho**

......Here, watch.

As soon as his words drop, strange green lights surround us.

What a strange day...

**MC\_Model**

W-what's happening...? Am I drunk already? Or am I dreaming?!

**MC\_Model**

I must be losing my mind...!

The strange lights reappear before my eyes then disappear again.

**MC\_Model**

This can't be real... Are you really-

**MC\_Model**

...a goblin?

Today is D-Day.

The day which no one remembers—

...My birthday.

My life has always been full of unexplainable events, so not much surprises me anymore.

...However, today turns out to be the strangest day of all.