Ayame — no, Arisa — stepped onto the academy grounds, nearly blinded by the sunlight gleaming off the white marble paths and gold-trimmed windows. She recognized it instantly: the East Garden, where episode 3 of the anime introduced all three princes at once. It was a turning point for Lilianne.

But this time, Arisa was here too.

She walked slowly past the rose archway and into the lush garden, heart pounding. A long table stood beneath a cherry blossom tree in bloom, where three impossibly beautiful boys sat sipping tea and exchanging sharp words.

There they were.

Prince Leonhart — the red-haired crown prince with a sharp gaze and softer heart. His swordsmanship was famous, but his secret poetry collection even more so.

Prince Emil — silver-haired, delicate-looking but cold as ice. A strategic genius with no time for "commoner drama" — or so he claimed.

Prince Kael — dark-haired, golden-eyed rogue of the royal family, always late to class and always at the heroine’s side in just the right moment.

Ayame almost stumbled.

She was inside her favorite anime. Breathing the same air as the characters she’d cried over. Watching them laugh and argue like they were real.

Because now… they were.

“Ah,” said Prince Leonhart, glancing her way. “The book girl.”

She froze.

“Arisa Whitrow, correct?” Emil added without looking up. “You’re in Class B, Literature Track.”

He knew her name?

“That’s right,” Arisa said automatically. Her voice trembled. “I… I was told to attend garden breakfast today.”

Kael raised a brow. “You? That’s a first.”

Leonhart leaned back with interest. “New assignment, perhaps?”

A shadow passed behind the trees.

A familiar giggle floated through the blossoms.

"Hiiii~! Sorry I’m late!”

There she was.

Lilianne Everhart — pink curls bouncing, sunshine in a dress. The anime’s beloved heroine, full of clumsiness and charm. Everyone turned to her.

The story, as always, pivoted toward her.

Arisa stood in the background… again.

Until Lilianne accidentally tripped on a root and—

SMACK!

Fell flat onto Arisa, knocking both of them into the grass.

Gasps. Silence.

Lilianne sat up groaning. “Owww… I—oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

She looked up, wide-eyed at Arisa.

And for the first time, Arisa saw it:

That wasn’t acting.

That was real fear in Lilianne’s eyes.