The surges peaked like a tsunami crashing against rock—one wave after another, pounding her consciousness to pieces.

Miyamizu Mitsuha felt like a small boat hurled into a raging sea. All she could do was cling to Rei Ao—the only pillar within reach—rising and falling in that dizzying storm of sensation.

Then, just as her awareness was flung to its highest point, a strange sense of separation struck hard. It wasn't a physical conclusion; it was more like her soul being yanked out of a warm, familiar harbor.

Everything before her—Rei Ao's deep eyes right at hand, the ornate ceiling above, the sultry haze in the air—blurred and receded like a fading canvas, and was swallowed by endless darkness.

"Uh…!"

Mitsuha's eyes flew open as she jerked upright in bed.

Her breathing was ragged, her heart hammering as if she'd just sprinted a hundred meters. A fine, heated sheen still clung to her skin, along with that blush-inducing, tingling afterglow.

But… something was off.

Darkness everywhere, silent as a tomb. This wasn't the luxurious room with the towering windows and glittering night view. The air held a faint, pleasant fragrance—the scent of someone freshly bathed—yet it was unfamiliar. She'd never used a body wash that smelled like this. The mattress beneath her was very soft—also unfamiliar.

"Rei Ao…?"

She called out without thinking, her voice husky and lost in the dark.

…

No answer.

Was it… over? Had Rei Ao already left?

Mitsuha was baffled. Had the intensity made her black out? Did Rei Ao bring her… here? But where was "here"?

She looked around in confusion. As her eyes adjusted, she could just make out the outline of a room. The layout and furnishings were utterly unfamiliar—definitely not her room at the shrine.

And…

She raised a hand to her chest on reflex. Her palm met a heavy, full weight.

Huh?

Her confusion deepened. She peered down, but in the darkness could only make out shapes. Had they always been this full, this substantial? The solid weight felt nothing like her own slimmer build.

A powerful unease swept over her. She felt her way off the bed, bare feet meeting a cool, smooth floor, and groped along the wall by instinct.

Click.

Warm yellow light flooded the room, pushing back the dark and revealing a space completely unfamiliar to her.

It was a sleek, minimalist apartment bedroom: spotless and orderly, with a crisp, urban feel. A laptop and some documents sat on the desk; a rack held several well-made coats and dresses.

"This isn't my home at all!"

Her heartbeat quickened. Panicking, she looked down at herself—long, even, pale legs; a high-quality off-shoulder silk nightdress; and at its neckline, a breathtaking curve that made her eyes go wide.

"T-this isn't my body!"

She lifted her hand. Slender fingers. Nails neatly rounded—painted, even—with a pretty pale-pink shimmer.

A manicure?!

"I've never even had my nails done!"

Panic coiled around her heart like icy vines. She stumbled out of the bedroom, found the bathroom by instinct, shoved the door open, and hit the light.

Under the harsh glare, the mirror showed her exactly as she was now—

A completely unfamiliar face. A clearly adult woman's face.

Mid-twenties, exquisitely featured, with a gentle, captivating air. Light-blue eyes blown wide with fear. A proud nose; lips slightly parted, richly colored. Long, black, silken hair spilled over smooth shoulders.

A striking, magnetic city beauty.

But… not Miyamizu Mitsuha.

The stranger in the mirror stared back in the same panic, mirroring her every move. Mitsuha raised a hand; the woman raised hers. Mitsuha pinched her cheek; the woman did too.

"Ah—!"

A short, terrified scream finally broke free. She staggered back and slammed into the cold tile; the chill shot through her body.

How could this be happening?!

How had she become someone she didn't know at all? And where was this?

The shock and helplessness were so intense she went cold, her teeth starting to chatter. Through the chaos, one image surfaced first—the man who had held her with both gentleness and fierceness.

Right. Rei Ao!

He would know what was going on.

Clutching at that lifeline, she ignored how uncanny everything felt, pulled up the contract chat group, and sent him a message.

Miyamizu Mitsuha: "@Rei Ao—Rei Ao, I-I think something strange just happened to me?"

After sending it, she gripped her phone tight, like a prisoner awaiting judgment, heart about to leap from her chest. Her greatest fear was that all of this was fake—chat included. If so, she had no idea who to rely on.

Almost at once, his reply popped up—so fast it startled her.

Rei Ao: "I already know. Wait there. I'll come to you when I'm finished."

His tone was steady, as if he'd anticipated everything. That calm bled into her panic, giving her a small anchor.

Miyamizu Mitsuha: "O-okay! Got it!"

She fired back and let out a slight breath—but the storm inside her was far from calm.