Why Did I Write So Many Tropes?!

"Don't be so polite," I shook my head at his formality. "You're still my senior."

"Well, you're a bit of a celebrity now," Alex laughs, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "You know, it's pretty rare for a ranking challenge to become such a big thing. It was for good reason too; that freshman, Leo, was really something."

He continued with a blinding grin. "You were really good too! Are you really at the bottom of Class A? That's unbelievable."

Although I couldn't see her, I could feel Lucia frown slightly. I didn't take offense to Alex's words though; it was a compliment more than anything, anyways.

"Yeah. The rest of the class is full of geniuses-- I'm surprised I haven't been booted out yet."

"I'm in the senior year's Class A, but I don't think we were nearly as good as you guys three years ago," Alex self-deprecatingly chuckled. "You should be more proud. You must have worked hard."

"...thanks." I turned my head away, a little embarrassed at the praise.

Alex coughed, before continuing smoothly. "Anyways, are you interested in joining the Wilderness Research Club?"

"Yeah," Lucia nodded. "How do we sign up?"

"Just let me scan your ID." He showed us a card scanner that was hanging around his neck. "Since you guys are from Class A, the application part is mostly a formality-- we know that your academics and performance are solid."

After scanning our student IDs, he gave us a thumbs up. "We meet once every two weeks. See you guys next week on Sunday!"

***

"Welcome to the first meeting of the Wilderness Research Club this year!" Alex grinned. A few of the seniors and juniors cheered.

We were seated inside Mr. Mulligan's classroom. He was the environmental studies teacher and the sponsor of the club.

"So let's get straight into the main thing. To remind the new freshmen, the Research Club focuses on hands-on activities in the wilderness. We collaborate with the Academy and other federal and regional authorities to gather data on wilderness zones. This is important for a lot of things, like civil planning, scientific exploration, and Gate clearing."

No wonder why this club is so big, I mused as I looked around the classroom. There were many people from classes outside Class A from the freshman year, but also some people I recognized. 

My teammates from the Artificial Gate Massacre, Lucas and Saffron, waved at me from across the room.

What a coincidence. My stomach churned uncomfortably. Almost… too coincidental. Something is going to happen here.

"One of the main things we have to plan is where we're going for our next trip," Alex explained. He proceeded to turn on the projector which displayed a slideshow of images. As he spoke, he showed pictures of the places he described. "Our choice of locations for our next wilderness expedition are Blue Crescent Mountain, Sky Lake, and…"

My eyes locked onto the silvery expanse of water bordered by a thick, dark forest.

The rest of Alex's words went in one ear and out the other. Concerned, Lucia tilted her head to look me in the eyes and mouthed "are you okay?"

I didn't respond, already reaching into my bag to flip through the familiar copy of System Overload that followed me around.

When I found the page, I could only numbly stare at the words on the page:

"Leo heaved as he watched the blade of emerald light cleave straight through Gauss' torso.

He closed his eyes as the rain poured down on them. He will die next.

'At least there's next time,' he murmured to himself.

Seconds later, his corpse fell into the lake as well, joining Gauss in turning the water crimson."

Sky Lake.

What impeccable naming sense, I self-deprecatingly thought.

That wasn't the part I was focused on though.

Sky Lake was where the Swordsmanship Club would go for extra special training during fall break.

That was where Gauss and Leo were assassinated by the Grass Blade Assassin.

This was a pivotal moment.

If we end up going there, I could intervene and prevent Leo from using his hidden card.

That could be crucial to surviving the apocalyptic scenario later on.

But isn't this too coincidental?

I was shaken out of my thoughts as the shock that clouded my senses began fading. I could hear Alex talking again, as he said, "Who thinks we should go to Sky Lake?"

The hairs on my arms and neck stood up as I realized that a majority of the class raised their hands.

This… is too coincidental. I'm pretty sure I didn't mention that any other clubs were doing anything in the area.

I have to confirm it. Maybe the Swordsmanship Club was affected by the butterfly effect and won't even be going to the same place.

Right?

Lucia grabbed my arm and shook me lightly. I was startled, turning to look at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked with concern flickering in her eyes.

"N-Nothing," I lied. Poorly, judging by her disbelieving expression.

"Nothing," she repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah," I breathed out as I closed the copy of System Overload and slipped it back into my bag. "Just had a sense of deja vu. That's all."

"I know you better than that," she tsked. "If something is bothering you, you can tell me."

"Sorry. It's… complicated." 

How could I explain to her that I was the author of this universe?

Would causality even allow me to explain to her?

She hadn't been able to read the copy of System Overload. Maybe if I tried to explain, my text would just get garbled up.

Even neglecting that I was an entity formerly from beyond the fourth wall, how would I explain that there was a possibility that a huge series of coincidences was happening around me?

Everything seemed to make no sense.

Why do I keep getting dragged into the main plot?

"If you're ever comfortable with explaining it, I'm always available." Lucia scrunched her brow, but gave me a reassuring pat on the back.

I barely felt it, too lost in my thoughts.

Everything seemed to play out exactly how I wanted it. So why was I getting the feeling that I was losing control of everything?