My Life Was Already Messed Up, So What If I’m a Girl Now?! Chapter 166: Best Bros, Worst Problems

"What? Are you serious?" Junpei shouted, loud enough that half the café turned their heads.

I quickly waved my hands. "Hey! Keep it down, man. You’re not supposed to make sound like a lunatic in public."

Junpei leaned back in his chair, eyes wide, lips twitching like he was about to burst out laughing. "You’re telling —" he pointed his spoon at , still dripping with lted ice cream, "—that you saw your old self walking around. Just casually existing. Like so kind of… Ryusei 1.0 strolling down the street."

I rubbed my temple. "Yes. Exactly. And he knew things about . About and Keiko. That’s the part that really freaked out."

Junpei whistled, shaking his head slowly. "Man, when I said your life was dramatic, I didn’t expect soap opera dramatic. Like—switching bodies? Evil twins? Next thing you know, you’ll tell Keiko’s secretly an alien princess."

I gave him a flat look. "Would you please take this seriously?"

He smirked, leaning forward. "Oh, I am taking it seriously. Seriously hilarious."

I sighed and sipped my coffee, letting the bitterness ground . "It wasn’t funny at the ti. Seeing… him, hearing him. I thought I was imagining things before, but now…" I trailed off, my stomach tightening again just rembering it.

Junpei’s smirk faded into a frown. "And he knew stuff about you and Keiko?"

"Yes. Like he’d been watching. Or maybe… like he was but not . I don’t know. It gave this really uneasy feeling. Especially because I don’t even know who this girl is." I gestured vaguely at myself.

Junpei sighed heavily and crossed his arms. "True… that’s creepy as hell."

"Do you know his na?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Didn’t get it. I was too shocked to think straight."

Junpei groaned. "So how are you gonna investigate him then?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "That’s why I ca to you. I need your help."

Junpei leaned back, staring at like I’d just told him to solve world hunger. "Do I look like I have a sixth sense? Dude, I’m just a dad and a husband now. My biggest adventure is changing diapers and catching the last train ho."

I leaned forward, practically begging. "I know, but please. Help ."

He tilted his head, mock serious. "And how exactly? Should I call Ghostbusters? Or maybe an exorcist?"

I groaned. "Co on, Junpei, I’m not joking. It might be dangerous. Creepy even. Imagine if people could switch bodies just like that."

Junpei raised a brow. "Like that, huh? So… imagine if my daughter switched bodies with you—"

I quickly held up both hands. "No, no, no. Don’t go there. That’s exactly why I said this is dangerous."

He cringed so hard his whole face scrunched. "Yeah, no thanks. I don’t want to imagine you living in my kid’s body. Gross."

"Exactly!" I jabbed my finger at him. "That’s why I need to figure this out before sothing worse happens. And honestly… I had this awful feeling he was interested in Keiko."

Junpei’s joking face dropped into seriousness. He let out a long sigh. "Okay. Yeah, that’s bad. Really bad. You’re right, this might be dangerous."

After a mont of silence, he tapped his chin. "Alright. I’ll talk to my friend. You know, the guy who helped get you that fake ID. He might dig up sothing. But rember—it’s never free."

"I know," I said imdiately. "Thanks, Junpei."

He pointed at with his spoon again, this ti with a bit of lted ice cream flying off and landing on my shirt.

I looked down. "…Seriously?"

Junpei snorted. "That’s what you get for dragging into this ss. But anyway, what’s your plan?"

I shrugged. "I don’t really have one. Tomorrow’s my last day off before starting the new job. I was thinking of going back to that street. Maybe I’ll bump into him again and get so answers."

Junpei stared at like I had two heads. "So your big plan is… just hang around hoping your evil twin shows up again? Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Sherlock Hols would be proud."

I leaned back with a groan. "You got a better idea?"

He sighed. "Nope. Which ans you’re stuck with the dumb plan. Just—if you do see him again, get sothing concrete. A na, an address, sothing. Otherwise, I’m just paying my informant to chase shadows."

"Right," I nodded.

Junpei smirked again. "Man, your life never fails to entertain. Your karma must be through the roof."

"Please," I muttered, sinking into my chair, "don’t make more depressed than I already am."

He chuckled. "By the way, what did Keiko think about seeing all that?"

I perked up a little. "She was shocked, of course. But… she never doubted . She always believed I was the real one."

Junpei’s grin softened into a smile. "That’s great. She’s amazing, huh?"

I nodded, feeling warmth in my chest. "Yeah. She really is."

Junpei slapped the table lightly. "You’re a lucky ass, you know that?"

I nodded again. "Yeah… though she’s the unlucky one, stuck with ."

Junpei imdiately leaned forward, eyes wide with mock seriousness. "True."

I squinted at him. "Wow. Not even gonna deny it?"

He gave that blank ‘what?’ look, then shrugged. "Am I wrong?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but his phone started buzzing. He checked it, then instantly softened, smiling like a lovesick teenager.

"Hey, baby," he answered. "Yeah, I’ll buy it on the way ho. Love you too." He hung up and looked at , unbothered. "Sorry, my wife needs ."

I cringed so hard I almost folded into myself. "Ugh, you’re disgusting."

He chuckled. "What, jealous?"

"Not at all. Just… ew."

He laughed again, standing up and grabbing his coat. "Anyway, keep updated if sothing happens tomorrow. And I’ll let you know if my guy finds anything."

I nodded, standing too. "Thanks, man."

We walked out of the café together, and as we parted ways, Junpei called after with a grin, "Don’t let your other self steal Keiko before we figure this out!"

I groaned so loudly people turned their heads again. Perfect. Now I looked like the crazy one all over again.