Emma glanced sideways, curious to see if Olivia was at all affected by the two bunnies bickering over who would get her. To her surprise, Olivia only pouted, an expression Emma didn't even think her lips were capable of.
She didn't look the least bit bothered.
Darling, stuck with Olivia, wore a pitiful face, while Honey clapped her tiny hands together and took charge of the explanation.
"If you two manage to complete the tasks assigned to you, you'll gain access to our Ultimate Return System," Honey began brightly, her little ears twitching. "That will allow you to return to your original worlds, if you still wish to. But if you find yourselves content in your new lives, you may choose to stay. The choice will be yours."
Before she could finish, both girls spoke at once.
"I'm not staying in another world."
"I prefer my own world."
Their synchronized protest made Honey's ears twitch, but she merely nodded. "That's fine. But you'll need to fulfill the missions given to you first. We'll guide you along the way."
Honey twirled excitedly in front of Emma. "I'll be with Emma Williams!"
Darling didn't look nearly as enthusiastic. She floated toward Olivia, who looked unimpressed.
"Darling will assist Olivia," Honey continued. "You'll both receive rewards as you progress, especially if you make moves toward completing your missions. The further you go, the more access you'll have to quick-time reversals to fix mistakes."
"What kind of progress?" Olivia asked, folding her arms.
"Progress means taking steps toward your goals, whether it's making the male lead fall for you or improving each other's lives," Honey explained, turning to Emma. "The same applies to you."
Emma nodded slowly. She was relieved there was room for second chances but she doubted she'd manage much in Olivia's high-society world. And as for Olivia helping her family… she wasn't sure her sharp tongue wouldn't make things worse.
Still, she tried to stay hopeful. This felt like a dream and she would cling to it until it becomes a reality. Her family cannot be left unattended.
"It's fine by me," Olivia said confidently. "I'll get it done within a week."
Honey blinked. "What, exactly?"
"Making that so-called male lead fall for me and helping this girl with her sad little life."
Emma's jaw dropped. A week? How could she do all that in one week?
Olivia wasn't done. "Tell her to hurry too. I have a feeling she'll drag me down because my…"
Her voice trailed off. For the first time, Emma saw her expression falter.
"…my world isn't easy," she finished quietly, lips pressed together.
Emma's irritation melted. Beneath that hard shell, Olivia seemed… Vulnerability. Maybe this was her way of surviving.
To ease the tension, Emma spoke softly. "Who are the male leads we're supposed to conquer?"
Just like before, a moving cloud drifted toward them. Two men appeared in the mist, devastatingly handsome, with an aura that drew the eye. One had slick black hair and piercing blue eyes; the other's silver hair was tousled, his golden irises gleaming like molten metal.
Their gazes locked straight on Emma and Olivia, as though they could see them.
Emma's heart stopped. "Brian…" she whispered, her face paling.
Olivia gritted her teeth. "Maximilian fucking Walker."
Realization hit them both, they were swapping bodies. Emma would have to face Max, and Olivia… Brian.
Olivia exhaled sharply. "If you get the chance, slap that man for me."
"What?!" Emma blurted, shocked, but Olivia only frowned at her pallor.
"Why are you so pale?"
"Nothing," Emma murmured, shaking her head.
Darling still looked gloomy, while Honey remained her usual bubbly self.
"Those two represent your love," Honey explained gently. "Your families and struggles are your life. The goal is to change both to make you happy in ways you never were."
Olivia snorted. "Sounds very convincing. Mtchew." She hissed under her breath, making Emma stifle the thanks she'd been about to give.
Darling's frown deepened. The more Olivia spoke, the more her spirit dimmed.
The cloud dissolved, and the mist began to swirl again.
"Now that you've met your male leads," Honey continued, "we can proceed. You'll have access to several features like time reversal for mistakes, and information gathering about people in your new world. We'll make things easier for you… except for the main mission. You'll have to make them fall for you on your own."
She floated closer, smiling. "We'll be within your subconscious. You can talk to us through your thoughts, even in public. When you need us physically, just close your eyes, and we'll appear. No one else will be able to see us."
Her expression softened. "You're our first hosts, so please… don't harass us. We have feelings too."
That last part was clearly for Darling's sake.
Olivia smirked. "Bunnies with feelings. Wow, that's breaking news."
Emma sighed, too drained to argue. She focused on keeping her thoughts blank so Olivia wouldn't somehow hear through them.
Darling peeked from behind her tiny hands. "Boohoo, Honey, she's scary. I'm scared, boohoo…"
Olivia groaned. "As long as you don't get on my nerves, you have nothing to worry about. So stop wailing, it's grating."
"Boohoo… thank you, host. I'll be good," Darling sniffled.
"It's Olivia Smith," Olivia corrected sharply.
"Yes, Olivia Smith," Darling echoed quickly.
Olivia turned to Emma with a smirk. "See that? If you let people walk all over you, you'll never get anywhere. They may look helpful, but they always want something in return."
Emma just shook her head.
The systems said nothing, they couldn't deny it. Completing this mission would bring them prestige in the system world, and they were determined to succeed.
They asked if the girls had any questions, but both declined, content with what they'd learned. If anything came up, they could always ask later through their systems.
---
The white expanse suddenly blurred, the clouds spinning around them. The bunnies' small forms stayed steady as Emma and Olivia's bodies began to shimmer, fading and reappearing on the same spot.
To ease their transition, the systems decided to grant them each other's memories now, safer here than on Earth, where it would cause unbearable pain.
But the instant the memories merged, everything went wrong.
Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief as images flooded her mind, Emma's life, her poverty, and… the scene of Emma in bed with Brian.
Her face twisted. "You slept with him?! You…You slut! I don't want this filthy body! Take it back! Give me my own!"
Emma staggered as Olivia's memories crashed into her. She saw how Olivia had insulted Max and his family, how much he despised her. His voice echoed clearly in her head: "I want you out of my sight."
"How am I supposed to make him fall for me now?!" she cried.
The two snapped.
Olivia cursed Emma endlessly, trying to swing at her though her hand passed through. "Give it back! I'd rather die than live in your skin!"
Emma shouted back, her patience gone. "At least I wasn't born a spoiled brat who thinks she's perfect!"
"Delusional peasant!"
"Arrogant witch!"
The chaos spiraled as both girls lunged toward each other in vain, hurling insults and fury.
Honey and Darling froze, horrified. Then, in panic, they activated the Time Reverse System.
Everything flashed white.
Moments later, calm returned. The girls blinked in confusion, unaware of what had just happened.
Darling spoke hesitantly. "W-We've adjusted the settings… The memories you need will now come gradually, at the right time."
Both girls nodded vaguely, their tempers reset. They had no idea about the storm they'd just unleashed moments ago.