Kōji’s ankle pulsed, molten and raw, halfway down the corridor. Each step on the slick floor threatened disaster as he weaved through the crowd, but he pressed on, refusing to slow.

  Even if for a few hours, controlling another body reminded him of the simpler days. Of the true intensity of the pain.

  Reaching the gate took him three times longer than usual, vision swimming and breath ragged. As he rounded the corner to the sidewalk, a voice sliced through the haze behind him.

  “Took your sweet time.”

  He froze in place.

  His neck protested to turn.

  Hisa leaned against the brick wall, along with Rem. Hisa crossed her arms and, eyes closed, stepped forward. Her eyes flickered open as she scanned his neck and face.

  “Eight.”

  “Really?”

  She sighed. “Sorry if I was too nosy, okay? It’s just… the chance doesn’t come often, if ever, and you know that very well.”

  A shaky laugh let him finally catch his breath.

  “Rem pinched your ear?”

  “Hey, I would’ve apologized anyway,” Hisa scowled.

  Rem tucked her phone in her bag and approached with her perpetual smile.

  “We’d still love to hear the details.”

  “How did it go?” asked Hisa. “If you wanna tell us.”

  His shoulders tightened. He glanced away, scrambling for an excuse, knowing hesitation would only deepen their suspicion.

  “She… asked me out, and I rejected her.”

  His heart hammered in his chest—whether from jogging or from lying, he couldn’t tell.

  Their prolonged silence made him look back at them. He had never seen them so stunned—their jaws barely dropped.

  “Seriously? But she just transferred,” Hisa said. “When did you even meet?”

  His eyes deviated again.

  “Remember that I ran back home to get my ID? I might’ve crashed into her.”

  Excuses tumbled through his mind, but he bit them back before he dug himself deeper.

  “Now it all makes sense,” Hisa whispered to herself. “You’ve been acting all weird because you didn’t know how to reject her smoothly.”

  “Y-Yeah.”

  Rem replied, “You could’ve asked for our advice.”

  “You have experience with that stuff?”

  “Mostly Hisa.”

  He could easily imagine both of them in that exact scenario.

  “You just told them no, didn’t you?” he asked.

  Hisa held her hips. “The more direct you are, the fewer misunderstandings.”

  He chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”

  She smirked. “Why’d you reject her, anyway? You must’ve been pretty hyped about getting asked out by a hottie. Still not at Rem’s or my level, but maybe a seven.”

  Setting aside the whole body-swapping ordeal, his mind replayed waking up next to her. Maybe regaining his own body had scrambled his sensations, but his stomach twisted in a way he had never felt before. Distressing yet comforting.

  “Having second thoughts?” Rem smiled.

  “No, no. I just… turned her down because we didn’t know each other at all.”

  “And?” Hisa questioned. “You could’ve gotten to know her while going out and bragged about it. Had things not worked out, you would’ve just broken up. Happens all the time.”

  “Maybe, but I wouldn’t have been comfortable with that.”

  Had he made a mistake by running away? Was being attracted to someone’s appearance enough to justify approaching them? Did he even like her? She had no reason to feel the same.

  “We understand.”

  Hisa and Rem smiled at him.

  His thoughts kept swirling, but he managed a smile in return.

  “We should get going before it gets—”

  “Not so fast, Mr. Eager.”

  He braked at Hisa’s call.

  She crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

  “We’re gonna take a taxi.”

  “Taxi? We’ve walked to the town hundreds of times. It’s not even five minutes—”

  “Kōji.”

  His blood boiled, but why? Both of their gentle expressions showed concern.

  He hated how his mind betrayed him, always leaping ahead without permission.

  “Thanks,” he smiled, “and sorry.”

  They traded glances and joined the swarm of students waiting for the taxi. They could have walked to town in that time, but he just listened to Hisa’s and Rem’s familiar banter, nodding along in silence.

  He got into the front seat of the taxi while Hisa and Rem climbed into the back. They gave the driver his home address, and he accelerated away.

  The woods slipped by, distant and muted behind the tinted glass. Even with the window down, he doubted the breeze could match the freshness of walking beneath the trees.

  He caught his reflection in the glass. It used to look familiar, but after seeing himself through someone else’s eyes, he couldn’t ignore the roundness he’d always overlooked.

  When did it change that drastically?

  He appeased the itching in his arms until the scratching burned.

  Buildings replaced the trees a minute later. Other students laughed with their friends as they ran, pushed one another, or simply walked together. Perhaps the only saving grace of taking a taxi was avoiding the packed train.

  They left the tiny town between two mountains and entered the city outskirts. Even during rush hour, it only took half an hour to reach his house.

  Hisa paid the driver from the back seat, and the three of them climbed out.

  He hadn’t finished putting his shoulder bag on when he noticed a red sedan parked in front of the house.

  “Looks like you have guests,” smiled Rem.

  “I don’t know whose car it is.”

  Hisa said, “We don’t mind hearing about it later.”

  He eyed her until she turned around.

  “Anyways. See you at school tomorrow.”

  Rem walked with her and waved back before disappearing behind the building next to his house.

  Their houses were more than ten minutes away, yet they didn’t complain.

  As if it couldn’t have been more obvious.

  About to scratch his arm, something pushed his leg and bent his knee.

  “Kōji!”

  His little sister was hugging it.

  He maintained his balance by putting more weight on his injured foot, stabbing blazing needles into his ankle.

  “Yu, please be careful,” he groaned, gently moving her aside.

  She giggled. “Sowwy.”

  She seized the bottom of his blazer and pulled him through the small front porch toward the door.

  “Quick, Sis is here!”

  “Makoto?”

  She kept pulling him even after they stepped inside.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Wait, your shoes!” he said, stopping her at the entryway.

  “Ah!”

  She took them off in a dash and barely gave him enough time to do the same before pulling him again by his arm.

  They entered the living room.

  “Mako… to…”

  His joy plummeted mid-sentence.

  The three people sitting at the table chuckled, while Ryota’s laugh pierced through the others.

  Ryota stood up and approached Kōji, petting his head and making a mess of his hair.

  “It’s great to see you too, Kōkō,” Ryota grinned.

  Kōji jumped back to take off his bag and set it on the floor.

  “I mean, why are you both here? I haven’t seen the car outside before.”

  “To give lo-pop!” Yu replied, licking a lollipop.

  “Really?!” He turned toward his older sister, who sat at the small table in the middle of the room. “What did you bring me?”

  She smiled. “And who might you be?”

  “That’s not fair. Why’d you bring Yu something and not me?”

  “Aren’t you too old to expect gifts from your big sis?”

  He opened his mouth to retaliate, but their mom intervened.

  “Guys, no fighting at the table.”

  “Yes, Mom,” they both replied.

  Makoto pouted through her smirk. “Is your dear big sister not welcome in her former home anymore?”

  “Now you’re playing victim.”

  She grinned and messed with his hair when he sat on the cushion at the table.

  “Ryota and I finally managed to get a car. It has been a lifesaver for many things.”

  “Like bringing us tons of groceries,” their mom smiled, sitting at the other side of the table. “Seriously, it was very kind of you.”

  “No problem at all,” Ryota replied as he sat down beside Makoto. “And it’s not the only reason why we’re here.”

  “Aw, do you two miss us that much?”

  “Of course,” Makoto answered. “Kōji, especially.”

  He replied, “Messing with me, you mean.”

  “That too.” She shouted, “Dad, can you come for a minute?”

  Without a word, their dad walked through the curtain separating the living room from the kitchen, holding a plate of four cups.

  “The stove is off, so you can take as much of my time as you want, but don’t complain if it gets cold.”

  Their dad set the four cups before each person, and only then did his wife make room for him to sit.

  “What do you need from your old man and woman?”

  Their mom slapped his shoulder loud enough to startle the distracted Yu on the floor, though even that wasn’t enough to stop her from drawing.

  Their dad chuckled amid a groan.

  Makoto glanced at everyone with a soft yet steady smile, her eyes lingering on her boyfriend’s.

  The silence stretched a little too long, prompting Kōji to drink from his tea to avoid the awkwardness.

  She said, “Now that everyone’s here, I can finally tell you the news.”

  Kōji’s brows furrowed.

  She took her arm out from beneath the table and moved it above.

  A golden ring wrapped her finger.

  “We got engaged!”

  Kōji choked on his tea, projectile-spitting to the side.

  “You what?!”

  Ryota burst out laughing. “Told you he was gonna react like that.”

  “Sorry for having faith in my little bro’s pretending skills,” Makoto replied.

  “Never mind that,” their mom said. She walked around the table and knelt to embrace her daughter. “Congratulations. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.”

  “Thanks.”

  They tightened their hug.

  Not long after, their mom added, “I’m finally going to have grandchildren.”

  “Okay, you’re skipping several steps.”

  Their mom chuckled and held her daughter’s shoulders. “Am I?”

  Makoto shook her head in disbelief.

  As her mom hugged Ryota, she smirked back at Kōji.

  “Where’s my little bro’s hug?”

  Even though a sigh escaped his mouth, he couldn’t help but smile.

  As Kōji stood up, their dad said, “Congratulations, Makoto.”

  Kōji had to do a double-take to confirm that tea dripped down their dad’s face.

  “Oh my god!” He grabbed a napkin from the center of the table and dried the tea off his dad’s face. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t notice!”

  Their dad grabbed the napkin and continued on his own.

  “It’s okay, I was waiting to see how long you’d take to notice. Go congratulate your sister.”

  Being closer to her, he shuffled on his knees and hugged her.

  “I’m happy for you,” he said. “Truly.”

  “Thank you.”

  Of course, no sweet moment lasted between the siblings as Makoto tickled his side.

  “Stop!” The laughter soon asphyxiated him. “You know… I hate that!”

  “That’s why I’m doing it.”

  Back at her spot, their mom smiled under a scowl, “Guys…”

  Makoto stopped.

  “Sorry,” the siblings replied.

  Still recovering his breath, Kōji said, “I hate you.”

  He turned away from his evil sister’s grin to return to his spot, but Ryota stopped him.

  “And where’s my hug?”

  The silent smiles toward Ryota extended a little too long, bringing a laugh out of him.

  “Don’t sweat it, I know you’re happy for us.”

  Meanwhile, their dad approached Makoto to hug and congratulate her. As usual, Yu copied her dad’s actions, unaware of their meaning.

  “Happy!” she burst.

  Amid the family’s giggles, Kōji said, “Thanks for taking care of her, Ryota.”

  The smiles switched into dropped jaws directed at his burning face. Yet somehow, he managed to lift the corners of his lips.

  “Make sure to keep her happy.”

  “Dude, you look like you wanna murder me,” Ryota replied. “You really are Mako’s brother.”

  Makoto smiled at Ryota. “And what does that mean?”

  “Exactly this.”

  Their dad laughed. “Tonight’s hearty dinner will fix any murderous intent.” He walked toward the kitchen. “It’s a tad early, but I’ll serve it now.”

  “Do you need help, Honey?” their mom asked.

  “You just got back, so you rest. Besides, Little Yu will help tons. Right, Yu?”

  She sprinted through the curtain. “Yes, yes!”

  “Just be careful.”

  As soon as their dad followed her, their mom sighed.

  “Rest now, more work later.” She smiled at Kōji. “Good thing Kōji offered to clean it.”

  “When did I…?!” Knowing there was no way out of his mom’s orders, he merely said, “Yes, Mom,” and took a sip of his tea.

  The room remained silent while their dad’s screams for his daughter to be careful resonated in the background.

  Kōji said, “I’ll go help.”

  Ryota stood up first. “Nah, I’ll go. You take care of your ankle.”

  “Thank you,” their mom said as Ryota walked toward the kitchen.

  His chest tightened.

  When was he going to stop making other people worry?

  “I can’t believe you’re still so protective of me,” Makoto said. “No one’s gonna like you if you keep that attitude. And you won’t like anyone either.”

  A gasp froze the scorching heat.

  His pointless complaints to Suzuka haunted his mind, followed by flashes of their short swapping odyssey.

  A close-up of her expressionless face lingered before his eyes, promptly switching into a gentle smile.

  The same comforting yet distressing sensation from before squeezed his stomach again.

  “Yeah…,” escaped his mouth.

  Makoto projectile-spat her tea in the direction of her dad’s spot, though he wasn’t there.

  “You like someone?!”

  “What? I… don’t.”

  “You hesitated!” She grasped his shoulders. “Kōji, who’s the poor soul?”

  “Makoto, don’t be rude,” their mom said. She smiled back. “Kōji, do you like someone?”

  “I don’t, seriously.”

  “If you say so,” Makoto replied. “You seem happier, that’s what matters, but this isn’t over.”

  He sighed.

  Someone pulled the curtain aside to allow Yu to walk through, carrying her tiny, served plate. Ryota and their dad followed a second later. Ryota took another trip to bring everything to the table.

  As much as Kōji loved food, he barely tasted dinner, his mind tangled in his older sister’s banter.

  Not even scrubbing the kitchen and washing dishes—chores he despised—could pull him out of his thoughts.

  He took advantage of being alone in his shared room with his little sister to change clothes and have a moment of peace. He lay on his futon on the floor and stared at the light brown ceiling.

  On its own, his hand reached for the rubber band for rehabilitation exercises. He wrapped one side around the sole of his foot and pulled the opposite side, raising his leg as he did so.

  Pain stabbed his ankle, growing sharper with every ounce of strength he used. Still, he pulled harder, refusing to let go.

  He refused to let pain derail him from chasing his dream.

  From doing what he had devoted all his life to.

  Until his ankle suddenly bent.

  He swallowed the scream and stopped himself from hurling the rubber band. Instead, he squeezed it until his hand ached, covering his eyes with his arm.

  The door opened.

  “Let’s play!” Yu said.

  Taking a deep breath, he brought a smile to his face and sat up.

  “Sure. Or do you want me to teach you more letters of the alphabet?”

  “Yes, letters fun!”

  Time with his little sister always calmed the storm inside him, much like Suzuka’s blunt honesty had.

  If only that peace could last.