Hojou Kyousuke stood expressionlessly in front of the bulletin board displaying the exam results. Around him, Kisaki Tetta and the other students stared at him in disbelief.
"Uh, Hojou... did you forget to write your na on the test?" Hanagaki Takemichi asked hesitantly.
Though Kyousuke's scores weren't zeros, Takemichi could think of no other explanation for what he was seeing.
"Thanks for your concern, but no. Just a little... accident happened," Kyousuke replied calmly before walking away, the crowd instinctively parting to make way for him.
Only after he left did the once-silent students rush forward, whispering among themselves.
"No way! Hojou scored this low? He nearly aced the entrance exam!" one student exclaid.
"Could it be..." another student started, only to be cut off.
"Shut up! Do you have a death wish?" his friend quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Besides, even if you were cheating, could you really score that high?" another chid in.
"Yeah, but still... why?" The students all stared at his na in the middle-to-lower section of the rankings, the sa question echoing in their minds.
———————————————————————
By the ti he reached the rooftop, Kisaki had already gone to buy lunch.
Now that Kyousuke was earning a bit from his kendo coaching job, he could afford to eat well again.
Absentmindedly, he pulled out his copy of Love trono, intending to read, but as he flipped it open, he noticed unfamiliar handwriting scattered across the pages.
So pages had dried water stains—circles where drops had fallen and evaporated.
After several exchanges, Kyousuke had beco familiar with Mitsuha's handwriting—delicate, ticulous, and undeniably feminine.
The notes she left were filled with emotional reactions about how touching the novel was, how pitiful yet strong the heroine seed.
A quick guess told him those dried spots were her tears.
Sighing, he closed the book. Now that it had been altered, he wasn't in the mood to continue reading. He'd just buy a new copy later.
Still no sign of Kisaki. No surprise there—Kyousuke had decided to treat himself to sothing better than pre-packed als, which ant a wait for fresh preparation.
He massaged his temples, closing his eyes. In the darkness, the glaringly bad scores seed seared onto his retinas.
He had braced himself for this the mont he realized the exam was coming, but a small part of him had still hoped—'Maybe I won't switch bodies that day.'
Mitsuha had crushed that hope.
Just like how a cat always lands on its feet, fate made sure the worst-case scenario happened.
Whatever. He'd just take back the top spot on the next test.
His horoom teacher had already called him in that morning before the scores were even posted.
Surprisingly, there was no scolding just a concern.
The teacher asked if he was feeling unwell or going through any difficulties and assured him that, no matter the problem, the school would support him.
Kyousuke thanked him for the concern and simply promised, "I'll be first next ti."
His serious tone had startled the teacher, who quickly reassured him, "No pressure! We all believe in you."
Despite his abysmal performance, the teacher clearly understood the kind of student he was.
No one could fake their daily academic ability. Even if soone doubted him, no one could believe that his entrance exam scores were fraudulent.
'Miyamizu Mitsuha...'
How many more tis would this happen? Over in Itomori, soone had already discovered the body-switching.
And on his side, after this test, Kisaki was bound to suspect sothing—no matter how absurd the truth was.
———————————————————————
"Hojou, food's here," Kisaki announced, carrying a wooden lunch box as he walked onto the rooftop.
"Thank you, Kisaki." Kyousuke took the box, opened it, and laid out the dishes—his favorite special beef set al from that restaurant.
"Hojou, what's really going on?" Kisaki asked, his own al long finished while waiting for Hojou's order to be prepared.
"What do you an?" Kyousuke paused, his chopsticks mid-air, the smile he had from seeing the al faltering slightly.
"Yesterday, you were completely off. You didn't seem to know how to solve the test questions at all."
"Haha, you must be imagining things, Kisaki. Maybe you're mixing dreams with reality?" Kyousuke dismissed him casually.
"As much as I dream about stealing first place from you, I know what I saw. You were trying hard but still couldn't solve the problems."
"And it's not just yesterday. There've been other tis when you've been acting strange. Sotis, you talk with an unfamiliar accent."
"Your movents are more... feminine. And when people call your na, you often don't respond—like it's not even your na."
Kisaki adjusted his glasses, his expression growing more certain with each sentence.
"So? What's your conclusion?" Kyousuke asked, stuffing a large bite of beef into his mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing.
He couldn't keep this subordinate around. Unlike Yukino Yukari, Kisaki was not one of them. If Mitsuha took over his body again, she might slip up.
As he absentmindedly placed a hand on the lunchbox lid, he considered his options.
Did he have the ability to make Kisaki conveniently forget certain things with a single strike?
"Hojou, you have dissociative identity disorder! Your other personality is a girl who sucks at studying and loves to eat!" Kisaki declared, his eyes wide with shock.
Kyousuke exhaled quietly. 'Thank god.'
Kisaki, the wannabe delinquent, hadn't let him down.
Relaxing, he pulled his hand away from the lunchbox lid and returned to his al. There was no point in listening anymore. Kisaki was just a fool.
"Boss, we need to see a doctor. Split personalities can be treated if caught early!" Kisaki insisted, his heart aching at the sight of his leader desperately shoveling food into his mouth.
'Is this why he eats so much? To cope with his suffering?'
"Nah, it's fine. Think about it—if my other self goes to work while I relax, I get paid and I don't have to lift a finger. Isn't that the ultimate win-win?" Kyousuke smirked, casually reinforcing the misunderstanding to cover for Mitsuha.
"But..." Kisaki hesitated.
'What if more personalities show up? What if they force the real Hojou to work while they slack off?' This was dangerous!
Without a word, Kyousuke pulled out his dical check-up report and handed it over.
"What's this?"
"A full health exam, including a psychological evaluation."
"And?"
"Everything's normal."
"Everything's... normal?" Kisaki repeated in disbelief.
"Exactly."
"Boss!"
'Even the hospital couldn't detect it?' Kisaki was shaken.
'Damn, even if she sucks at studying, Hojou's other personality is just as elite in every other way!'
"Don't worry. One day, she might just disappear. Until then, cover for her if she sses up," Kyousuke said casually.
"Understood." Kisaki nodded grimly.
As Kyousuke drifted into his afternoon nap, Kisaki's mind spun.
If this was truly part of his leader, he couldn't be careless. He had to guide her properly—starting with teaching her how to ride a motorcycle.
No wonder there were days when Hojou took the train instead.
If this keeps up, Kyousuke's main personality will be pushed to the edge!
After school, Kyousuke headed to the Garden of Words for a al and explained to Okudera Miki why he hadn't been coming by as often lately.
"Why?" she asked.
"Just been busy," he replied.
Finishing his al quickly, Kyousuke then rushed to Shirayuri Academy.
According to Sakura, it had been a while since she last took a leave of absence, so her excuse note had been "reset."
"Kyousuke!"
Still a short distance from the school gate, Kyousuke slowed his bike, just in ti to see a white figure dashing toward him in excitent.
"Be careful! Don't just run across the road like that!"
He quickly put down the kickstand and spread his arms, catching the girl who launched herself at him without the slightest hesitation.
"Hehe, but you always catch , don't you?"
Sakura hugged him tightly for a good half-minute, as if trying to ease the longing she had felt. Then she let go, spun in place, and struck a playful pose.
"Tada! What do you think of my outfit tonight?"
Kyousuke took a closer look.
Sakura had her long brown hair tied in a ponytail.
She wore a green knit vest that exposed her slender arms, paired with White-colored cargo pants.
"You looked like a chanic's apprentice."
And since that was the first thing that crossed his mind, he didn't hesitate to say it out loud.
"Hehehe, I thought so!" Sakura giggled.
"I saw this look online. Since we're going to a motorcycle gathering tonight, I figured this chanic-style outfit would feel familiar to both you and that person called Celty."
"You idiot. I'd find you familiar no matter what you wear."
Kyousuke grabbed the helt from the backseat latch, gently placed it on Sakura's head, and carefully adjusted the straps for her.
"As for Celty, I don't know why you're so interested in her, but she's easy to get along with."
"Co on, let's go already! I can't wait!" Sakura clung tightly to Kyousuke's waist. Since he hadn't pulled down the wind visor, she could clearly catch the scent of him.
She wasn't sure if it was from his laundry detergent or sothing else, but whatever it was, it made her feel safe.
"Hold on tight."
Feeling Sakura's arms tighten around his waist and hearing her response, Kyousuke started the motorcycle and headed toward the eting place.
For so reason, ever since he told Sakura about Celty's unique existence, she had been unusually fascinated—constantly asking to et and befriend Celty.
On the Tokyo tropolitan Expressway loop, Higashi's crew and Celty were already waiting.
"Ahhh! That must be it!"
Spotting the cluster of headlights in the distance, Sakura excitedly pointed ahead.
It was impossible to miss—the presence of Celty's bright yellow, cat-eared helt stood out like a beacon, glowing under the headlights.
"Yeah, hold on tighter. This isn't safe." Kyousuke tensed.
"It's not like we're going that fast."
Despite her nonchalant words, Sakura obediently tightened her grip. She knew that while Kyousuke was indulgent with almost all her requests, there were two things he never compromised on—food and safety.
"Good girl."
He wanted to pat her head, but safety ca first.
After parking his bike and exchanging greetings with his crew, Kyousuke turned to Celty.
"Long ti no see, Celty."
"Long ti no see, Hojou."
Celty's speech had beco fluent enough that her voice sounded as if it were coming directly from her head—only without the usual muffled effect of a helt.
"Haha, you two sound like that sushi guy—what was his na?—that always greets people like they're long-lost friends!" Sakura suddenly laughed.
"You an... Simon?"
Having spent years in Ikebukuro, Celty was no stranger to the towering, ever-friendly African sushi chef who greeted everyone with the sa enthusiastic
"Long ti no see!"
"Yeah, that's him! Hojou and I t him when we went to Ikebukuro. He was hilarious! And his sushi was amazing!"
With her natural charm, Sakura seamlessly struck up a conversation with Celty, her warmth catching even Celty off guard.
"This one here is my childhood friend, Yamauchi Sakura," Kyousuke introduced. "She's been dying to et you. And this is Celty—my friend and the fastest rider in Ikebukuro."
With the introductions out of the way, Kyousuke turned to his subordinates, who had been shalessly eavesdropping on the conversation.
"What are you all standing around for? Waiting to race ?"
The group imdiately burst into laughter and scattered, understanding the hint.
"We're not going with them?" Celty asked curiously.
"Actually... there's sothing..."
For once, the usually decisive Kyousuke seed hesitant.
"I'll say it, Kyousuke." Sakura stepped forward, seeing his reluctance.
"No, I got it." Kyousuke exhaled. "Sakura is curious about... your unique trait. She wants to see it."
He raised a hand and made a vague gesture around his head.
That was why he sent his subordinates away.
"Hah! You made it sound so serious—I thought she wanted to ride my bike or sothing," Celty chuckled.
"Can I, Celty-nee?" Sakura clasped her hands behind her back, looking at Celty with wide, hopeful eyes—her voice even sweeter than before.
"Of course, I don't mind."
Celty didn't really understand why this girl was so fascinated with sothing so eerie, but since Kyousuke had vouched for her, she didn't feel offended.
"Just don't get scared."
With that, Celty slowly removed her helt.
A pale neck was revealed, and above it—dark mist swirled and flickered.
"Whoa—!"
Sakura's eyes widened in amazent. She covered her mouth with both hands, unable to suppress her astonishnt.
She had heard Kyousuke's stories and had believed him without question. But seeing Celty in person...
It was sothing else entirely.
At that mont, a small but fundantal shift occurred in the way Sakura understood the world.
"That's enough, right?" Celty asked, feeling a bit self-conscious under Sakura's intense gaze.
Her keen senses told her that the girl wasn't shocked by her supernatural nature—she was awed by the very concept of her existence.
"Thank you so much. That was incredibly rude of ," Sakura bowed in gratitude.
"It's fine," Celty waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright, let's go for a ride."
Seeing that the two had now ford a rather morable first impression of each other, Kyousuke mounted his motorcycle.
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