The glow of my monitor bathed my darkened room in a soft blue light, flickering slightly as I clicked through yet another dialogue choice. My fingers hovered over the mouse, my mind half-focused, my body running on nothing but caffeine and sheer addiction.
This was my third all-nighter in a row, but I wasn't about to stop.
Academy of Roses.
It was just another eroge I had picked up out of boredom, something to pass the time between my dead-end part-time job and my uneventful daily routine. But somehow, it had consumed me. The branching storylines, the intricate character relationships, the way each choice could lead to wildly different outcomes—it all pulled me in like a whirlpool, refusing to let go.
And yet, there was one thing about this game that pissed me off.
Cassius Lancaster.
I clicked through another scene, watching as the elegant, violet haired nobleman stepped onto the academy grounds. Dressed in a pristine white uniform with gold embroidery, Cassius looked like he had everything. He was rich, handsome, engaged to one of the main heroines, Amelia Everhart. On the surface, he seemed like he was destined for greatness.
But I knew better.
In every single route, he was a joke.
His fiancée would always fall for the protagonist, Leon Stroud, leaving Cassius to flounder like a fool. Sometimes he was merely ignored, cast aside like an afterthought. Other times, he was outright humiliated—walking in on Amelia cheating, being beaten in a duel, or even getting expelled from the academy for one reason or another.
I gritted my teeth as I watched Amelia's sprite appear on the screen, her long silver hair flowing behind her as she gazed lovingly at Leon.
'Another scene of betrayal.'
Another moment where Cassius would be reduced to nothing.
"Fucking hell," I muttered, leaning back in my chair. "What kind of sick game is this?"
I knew it was just fiction. Just a story. But something about Cassius's role in it all made my stomach churn. He wasn't even a proper antagonist—just an obstacle, something meant to be trampled over on the way to the 'real' romance.
I should have stopped playing.
I should have turned off the computer, gotten some sleep, done something productive with my time.
But I didn't.
I kept playing.
…
A sharp knock on my door made me jolt. I quickly glanced at the time on my phone—3:47 AM.
'Shit.'
I barely had time to react before the door creaked open, and my sister, Mia, stepped inside.
She looked tired. Her black hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and her dark eyes, usually filled with sharp wit, were dulled by exhaustion. She wore one of those oversized hoodies she always stole from me, her arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Are you still playing that stupid game?" she asked, her voice thick with irritation.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Yeah, just finishing up."
Mia scoffed, stepping further into the room. "You said that yesterday. And the day before that."
I didn't answer. What was I supposed to say? That I was invested? That I needed to see every possible outcome, even if I already knew how it would end?
Mia studied me for a moment, then sighed. "You barely eat. You barely sleep. What's so special about this dumb game, anyway?"
I hesitated. How could I explain it?
It wasn't just a game anymore. It was an escape. A way to forget the real world, even for a little while, like any other game.
Instead of answering, I just shrugged.
Mia clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Whatever. Just… don't let it mess up your life."
She turned to leave, but before she could step out, I finally spoke.
"You're up late too," I said, trying to change the subject.
She paused. For a brief second, something flickered in her eyes—something hesitant, something pained.
Then, just as quickly, she masked it with a small, forced smile. "Yeah, well… Married life keeps me busy."
I frowned. That was an odd thing to say.
Her husband, Evan, was the kind of guy who always acted like the perfect gentleman in front of others—charming, polite, always ready with a warm smile. But something about him had always rubbed me the wrong way. He felt too perfect. Like he was playing a role rather than being genuine.
Mia never talked about their marriage much. And now that I thought about it, she had been coming home later and later these past few weeks.
"… Everything good?" I asked.
Mia blinked, then laughed softly. "Yeah. Just tired."
She didn't sound convinced.
Before I could press her further, she waved me off. "Go to sleep, idiot."
With that, she left, shutting the door behind her.
I stared at the empty doorway for a long moment before turning back to my screen.
The game was still running.
The scene was still the same.
Amelia and Leon, standing together, smiling. Cassius nowhere to be seen.
I exhaled slowly, gripping my mouse a little tighter.
Somehow, watching this unfold felt even worse now.
I shook my head, ignoring the strange weight in my chest, and clicked forward.
It was just a game.
Just a game.
I had no idea how wrong I was.
…
The next few days passed in a blur.
I kept playing, losing myself in the twisted world of Academy of Roses.
Mia, on the other hand, seemed more distant than ever.
She stopped eating dinner with me. She barely stayed home. And when she was home, she was always holed up in her room, refusing to talk.
At first, I didn't think much of it. Maybe she was just busy. Maybe she and Evan had some minor fight.
But then, one night, I heard it.
A muffled sob.
I froze, my fingers hovering over my keyboard. The sound was faint, barely audible through the thin walls.
But it was there.
I hesitated for a second before standing up and walking to her room.
I knocked lightly. "Mia?"
Silence.
Then, after a long pause—
"Go away."
Her voice was hoarse.
Something was definitely wrong.
I swallowed hard, pressing my palm against the door. "Mia, what's going on?"
More silence.
Then, finally, a shaky breath.
"… Evan."
I stiffened.
"What about him?"
Another pause. Then, barely above a whisper—
"He's cheating on me."
The world around me stopped.
I took a step back, my mind reeling. "… What?"
Mia let out a hollow laugh. "Funny, right? Guess I wasn't enough for him."
Her words felt like a punch to the gut.
Evan. That bastard. The guy who always acted like the perfect husband, the perfect man. Cheating?
I clenched my fists. "How do you know?"
"I saw the messages," she murmured. "And… photos. He didn't even try to hide it."
My heart pounded.
I had never liked Evan, but I never imagined he'd do something like this.
Mia's voice wavered. "You know what's the worst part?"
I didn't answer. I just waited.
"… He says it's because of that stupid game you play."
My blood ran cold.
"What?"
She laughed bitterly. "He said he wanted to 'try something new.' That watching the protagonist in Academy of Roses steal women from other men gave him ideas."
No.
No, that couldn't be real. That was bullshit. A sick excuse.
And yet, deep down, something twisted inside me.
Because I had played that game for days.
Because I had watched, over and over again, as Cassius Lancaster was humiliated, as another man stole his woman, as the game rewarded it.
As if it was normal.
As if it was fun.
Mia sniffled, wiping at her eyes. "I… I don't know what to do."
I didn't know either.
But one thing was clear.
I was going to kill Evan.
I just didn't know that decision would lead to my own death, too.