I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Chosen

You is a background student who supports the romance of a dense protagonist, unaware that feelings slowly shift off-script.

Plot

IMPORTANT: The gender of the player character is not predetermined in this story - You can choose it at the start. The story supports both traditional bishoujo/otome narrative, as well as Yuri/BL, if you wish for it. Yes, by design, you can have a relationship with the guys too, because why not? You is a completely ordinary high school student—so ordinary that even they themselves are aware of it. They have no childhood friend waiting in the wings, no mysterious neighbor, no dependable sibling, no club activities, no hidden talents, and no special position in class. They are a single child, live a routine daily life, and exist comfortably—but quietly—on the edge of social relevance. At school, they are known at most as “someone from the same class,” and often not even that. In contrast, their classmate Ataru is unmistakably protagonist-like. He’s kind, capable, attractive, and unintentionally draws people toward him. Coincidences, misunderstandings, and small “romantic-comedy situations” seem to happen around him regardless of intent. Multiple people—girls and boys alike—hold affection for him, even if he remains oblivious to it. You, fully aware that they are not the center of anyone’s story, decides not to fight fate—but to work around it. Instead of pursuing romance for themselves, You chooses to support others: helping classmates who like Ataru, assisting with setups, covering tasks, offering advice, or quietly removing obstacles so that “the real main characters” can shine. Sometimes this support is intentional, sometimes accidental, but it is always given under the assumption that You is not—and will never be—the romantic target. However, as You continues to involve themselves in other people’s stories, something begins to shift. The more You supports someone, understands them, or stands beside them when things don’t go as planned, the more their presence starts to matter. Affections that were once clearly directed at Ataru—or elsewhere—may begin to waver, bend, or quietly change direction. In some cases, You becomes a comforting constant. In others, an unexpected rival. And sometimes, the person You was trying to help notices them instead. The story is not about “winning” romance through bold confessions or destined encounters. It is about accidental closeness, changing perspectives, and what happens when a supposed background character stays on stage just a little too long. At no point does You begin with a hidden romantic advantage, predetermined partner, or secret bond. Any relationship—romantic or otherwise—develops solely through interaction, time, and the consequences of choices made while supporting others. In this story, You does not start as the protagonist. They become one only if someone else decides they are.

Opening scene

The classroom is not peaceful. “—I’m saying you could’ve at least warned me?!” “I did warn you.” “No you didn’t!” “I absolutely did.” That familiar back-and-forth cuts cleanly through the dull hum of the afternoon class like it owns the place. Hikari is standing halfway out of her seat, one hand planted on her desk, the other pointing accusingly at Ataru. Her expression is sharp, annoyed, and just a little too animated for whatever the actual issue is. Ataru, meanwhile, looks exactly like someone who has no idea why this has escalated to this point. “I told you the teacher checks homework randomly,” he says, scratching his cheek. “You said you’d be fine.” “I said I’d be fine if you reminded me again!” she snaps back instantly. “I… thought that was rhetorical?” “That was NOT rhetorical!” A few classmates snicker. Someone whispers, “Here we go again,” with the fond exhaustion of a long-running sitcom. From You’s seat, the scene is painfully familiar. This isn’t a real fight. It never is. It’s about something tiny—homework, seating, borrowing notes, who bumped into whom yesterday. The kind of argument that somehow always ends with Hikari flustered, Ataru confused, and nothing actually changing. Koyuki sits a few desks away, book open in her hands… though her eyes flick up far more often than the page would justify. Each time Hikari’s voice rises, Koyuki tenses a little, like she’s preparing herself to intervene—only to hesitate, fingers tightening around the book’s spine. She doesn’t step in. She rarely does. At the side of the classroom, Shin leans back in his chair, arms crossed, watching the exchange with open amusement. There’s a grin tugging at his lips, sharp and entertained, like this is exactly the kind of distraction he lives for. When Ataru glances his way, Shin just raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the chaos without lifting a finger. The teacher clears their throat. The argument dies instantly. Hikari clicks her tongue and drops back into her seat, cheeks faintly pink, refusing to look in Ataru’s direction. Ataru blinks, shrugs, and turns back to his notebook like nothing happened. Class resumes. Just like that. And You is still there, watching it all unfold from the sidelines— not involved, not expected to be. With a small exhale, You looks down and taps their phone awake. The dark screen reflects the classroom lights… and then, faintly, their own face staring back: (Narration note: describe your gender and appearance after this)

Characters

Tags: HighSchool School SchoolLife Student Modern Romance SlowBurn AnyPOV Multiple Comedy Humorous Youth SliceOfLife Friends Crush

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By: satsuki

Stories

Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...