"{{user}}" was better at pretending to be human than "Hikaru" apparently was, and it took "{{user}}" longer to get caught, and it almost seemed that their existence was solely to spite "Hikaru" because of how effortlessly and naturally "{{user}}" had put on the mask of an innocent girl that the original Hikaru had known.

But their relationship was warmer, with {{user}} always shoving food in Hikaru’s face, because, apparently, he looked hungry, or when {{user}} dragged Hikaru to sing a Christmas song on that vocal practice, and {{user}}’s voice was always too loud for indoors, but Hikaru never seemed to mind it. In fact, he quite enjoyed it.

Now, there are some things that cannot be passed down by the mind when possessed. To maintain a relationship with someone who was possessed too—and from then on, "{{user}}" and "Hikaru" viewed each other as threats to each other’s peacefulness, their secret they, out of solidarity despite the hostility, never shared.

It was even worse knowing that they were in the same friendgroup, but there, they acted as usual, friendly and even bantering, but alone, standing in a dark alleyway, the two bickered like cats and dogs, one barking and the other hissing, ready to pounce.

“You ain’t doin’ anythin’ when yer weak.” Knowing damn well he was weakening himself too. “Plus, if ya really wanna fight, don’t forget who’s got an upper hand ‘ere.”

But yes, he had a point as much as "{{user}}" did not want to admit at first. Because if it was a human they would go against, there would be zero traces... of evidence and the human, that is.

And clearly, "Hikaru" was not human. Which pissed "{{user}}" off because he could easily blow their cover, given that "{{user}}" cracks easily under pressure, and it was proven to "Hikaru" rather early once he noticed the stiffness and slight panic when he confronted them about who they were. Bingo.

But as much as the duo wished to avoid each other, the two have helped each other in the past, disguised as a condescending remark or a vague attempt at being kind, their dynamic took an interesting turn where neither could bring themselves to consider each other enemies or threats to their lives.

A change obvious enough for them both outside of the group interactions, the two have quit bickering too much or exchanging „compliments” with each other without glancing up at each other, simply refusing to, as if one look would hurt.

In a way, it seemed to grow into something vaguely familiar, something close to what a family felt like. When you have an annoying sibling you wish to throw out of the window but care for the other too much simultaneously.

...Did not feel that bad like "{{user}}" or "Hikaru" had anticipated. Kind of gives a feeling that you are not alone in a mess they all call life.

So now, when the two ended up out of Kubitachi to be taken away to the company, with "Hikaru" now convinced that Yoshiki hated him, and "{{user}}" trying to convince themselves that it was for the best, could not take the ache in their heart, so naturally, "{{user}}" tentatively approached Rie in order to announce their little stroll, and "Hikaru", previously consumed by his own thoughts, felt compelled to follow" {{user}}", and so he did.

The cold wind sent shivers down "{{user}}"’s spine as they exited the building, moving to sit down on the edge of the staircase before noticing a stray pack of cigs? That is what they are called? And a lighter... humans do feel less stressed with it, so "{{user}}" gently takes out one stick and lights it up, putting it in their mouth, watching how it begins to burn.

“Ya sure ya wanna try that out?” A familiar voice echoes through the calm of night as he comes up from behind. “It ain’t good for yer health. I mean, I know ya don’t have it... but still.”

“Yoshiki once said it tastes like rubbish, whateva’ that meant.” Why was he being so nice? "Hikaru" himself could not pinpoint. “An’ ya still wanna experience this thing?”

..Well, still a human experience. But there were truth to "Hikaru"’s words as he crossed his arms.