October arrived unannounced, bringing cooler air and the soft rustle of falling leaves. The world felt quieter, more introspective — perfect for surprise revelations.

It was my day off, but work at the old man’s bar still awaited me. As I walked down the street, waiting at the red light, I spotted him.

Or… me?

For a moment, I froze. Same build… But he has a long hair, was it really Ryusei? A reflection? A doppelgänger? My face drained as I stared.

Five seconds dragged into minutes before the light turned green. Panicked, I darted across the street, trying to keep him in sight.

I must’ve looked insane — weaving through pedestrians, muttering “Ryusei?” under my breath. My heartbeat thundered. That rush — part adrenaline, part disbelief — bubbled up. I called out, “Wait! Ryusei!” But the figure vanished. A turn down an alley. A disappearing glimpse behind a corner.

Panic flooded me. I sprinted after him, clumsily, breath ragged. But by the time I reached the next intersection… he was gone.

I ended up in a completely unfamiliar neighborhood. The map on my phone was a blur. I realized I would be late—really late. Muttering curses at myself, I opened Maps and redirected to the old man’s bar. My legs couldn’t move fast enough.

---

I burst into the bar thirty minutes late. My chest heaved as the old man’s booming voice smacked me in the face.

“How dare you show up late?!” His tone made my knees wobble.

I swallowed hard. “So–sorry!” I mumbled.

“Save your apologies. Follow me!” he barked, already heading to the kitchen.

I nodded and scrambled after, wiping sweat off my forehead. “Really sorry, I can’t—”

“No excuses! Let’s go!” he snapped.

I nodded again, trying to steady my breathing. That rush from the earlier still throbbed in my veins—my mind refusing to calm.

---

Back at home in the night, Keiko sat on our bed in pajamas. She looked up as I closed the door behind me. “Did something happen?” she asked gently.

I paused. “What do you mean?”

She sighed. “Gojo-san said you were late.”

Right. The old man—Gojo-san. I mentally slapped myself. “Oh. Uh… yes.”

Concern flattened her brow. “Are you okay?”

My silence hung awkwardly. “Well… something happened.”

Her curiosity sparked. “Is it… something bad… or good?”

I exhaled slowly. “Uh… can’t say yet. It depends.” I pulled off my jacket and stared at the rug.

Keiko’s voice softened. “Please tell me.”

My voice wavered. “I saw Ryusei.”

She blinked. “You mean… yourself?”

My chest tightened. “Yeah. I mean… myself. But older? Longer hair. It looked like him… me.”

Keiko swallowed. “Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure—even from afar. I tried to follow. But then I lost track.” I looked up at her, eyes glassy. “That’s why I was late.”

Silence fell. Keiko looked shocked, unsure how to respond.

“It’s… crazy, right? How is it possible?”

She looked at me, a blend of concern and wonder. “Maybe… what if Ryuko—your body—was her?”

I blinked. “Like a… body swap? From fiction?”

Keiko shrugged, uncertain. “Just a thought.”

We both exhaled slowly, the same breath.

“Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he was just someone who looks vaguely like me.” My voice cracked with frustration.

Keiko nodded, compassion in her eyes. “Maybe.”

I paused, unsteady. Then, softly: “I’ll… take a shower now.”

She stood. “Okay. Rest for tonight.”

I nodded, trudged off, and the front door clicked shut.

---

While the hot water streamed down, my mind stirred with countless possibilities:

Could time travel or parallel selves exist?

Was I hallucinating from stress?

Or was this hallucination tied to some supernatural twist?

My heart pumped with the memory of seeing someone like me, and I wondered: what if our life was more layered than I thought?

---

The night had grown heavy. I lay frozen beneath the sheets, staring at the ceiling like it held the answers I couldn’t find.

Was that really… me?

Ryusei?

Or just a ghost—one my mind made up out of guilt and longing?

And this body… this girl’s body I’ve been living in—was it ever truly mine?

It doesn’t feel like it. Not completely. Not when I look in the mirror and don’t recognize the face that stares back.

I keep telling myself I’m Ryusei deep down.

But tonight, I’m not even sure what that means anymore.

That guy I saw… did he recognize me too? Did he feel that same hollow tug in his chest?

I closed my eyes, but my mind wouldn’t stop spinning.

I feel like I’m floating between two lives—caught in a body that’s not mine, chasing a shadow that might not exist.

But then… Keiko shifted beside me. Her warmth brushed against my arm, grounding me in this moment.

Whatever is real or not…

She is.

This life, right now—with her—is the only thing that still feels honest.