Stuck In Another Reality? Darn.

Chapter 18.

Your eyes slowly opened and you blinked, never being so relieved to see the sky. Not to mention, if you were in a simulator, you probably would've been pulled when you were about to die, right?

You chose to believe the optimistic part of yourself, shoving the negative part away. Though the negative side was tinged with experience, but from what? You didn't know. But you didn't want to think as you were suddenly crushed in a hug.

You wheezed for breath and struggled weakly as the two that were hugging you were peeled off. "Venti, Aether, please. He just woke up." Diluc's voice sounded as your eyes focused on the scene around you.

The group that you had tried to leave were now surrounding you. At the sight, you felt crushed with guilt, causing your eyes to tear up.

"S-sorry." You croaked out, your eyes glazed over. You tried to adjust yourself from the sideways position you were in and slighty succeeded, managing to get yourself on your back.

"Hey, hey! You shouldn't move too much." Venti's concerned voice cut in. You were feeling a bit woozy, and as you looked at him, you were smacked with the reminders to both Rantaro and Kokichi.

You reached to pull up your scarf so you could cover your face, but it was a soppy and floppy mess. Your lip wobbled and you immediately turned away from Venti.

Your eyes landed on the fiery red hair of Diluc and you gasped, scrambling away. Your mind subconsciously made you look at your legs, and for just long enough, you could see them covered in red.

And a hole in your foot.

Both of the aforementioned were hurt and confused, not knowing what was going on in your head.

But you couldn't pay attention to that as you vigorously rubbed your eyes, seeing your clothes only slightly darker in color and your foot intact.

It felt so real. You couldn't help but look down, only to see the image again. You trembled and gagged, trying to drag yourself away.

"[Name]? What's wrong?" Aether asked, moving to help you. A few tears you were holding back slipped out and you shook your head. Who would want to know that you just pictured yourself covered in blood and with a hole in your foot?

Aether sighed, but he knew you weren't going to answer so soon. Obviously, as you were throwing up to the side.

What could you even say? You were extremely afraid of saying anything.

You finished and breathed, looking at Kaeya with the best puppy eyes you could muster. He rolled his eyes but grinned, giving you an ice cube. You immediately popped it into your mouth and started to swish it around, getting rid of the bad taste.

"[Name]...can you tell us why you went to the bridge so late?" Jean asked.

"I wanted to go back to the tavern!" You blurted out, of course after you had finished off the cube. "I just tripped while trying to get up." You then proceeded to admit sheepishly, wringing your fingers through your damp hair and cringing at it.

"That didn't answer the question, [Name]." Kaeya spoke gently. You slightly flinched, you were hoping to divert the conversation.

You decided to fib, even though it left an ache in your chest. "I just wanted to have a look at the stars..." Trailing off, you took off the scarf and started to wring it dry, not wanting to talk.

Then a flash of green hair appeared in front of you. You flinched and looked away from him while Venti sat in front of you, gazing at you.

"Are you lying?" He asked directly. Your hold on the scarf tightened for a second before relaxing, giving away to anyone who was paying attention that you were lying.