This is what I'm thinking about for now
I'm convinced MC isn't in the novel at all and that the time regression is what actually happened. Because ML pretty much gave himself away with rhe few things he said during the story like 'I'm 24, I don't sleep with minors, I wasn't fully developed back than' refering to the moment they are having sex in the latest chapter which means he's definitely grown up who went back and is fully aware of that. And MC woke up way younger and smaller/less muscular (which is also classic bottom looksol). Because if it was novel world that would mean ML was somehow pulled in too, and also few other characters like MLs friends and that silver haired creep. Plus ML and silver guy are acting like they know MC and know what is happening but won't disclose. And ML's friends keep saying that they recognise MC from somewhere/he looks so much like someone. So the romance from MC side looks a bit weird because he doesn't remember the past but probably has reactions according to what he was supposed to live up until than. Or it's not time regression but definitely something others know abot but he doesn't.
I am sorry but why am I not able make sense of anything like what the heck is going on, everything feels like a fever dream. Is there just no plot whatsoever or am I the one missing the plot.