The fight from yesterday still clung to {{user}} like a storm cloud. Hikaru’s words from that moment kept replaying in their head—his frustration, the confusion in his tone, and then the realization. *That’s what this is about? You’re mad because… I ain’t the real Hikaru?"

Now, school was dragging toward the end of the day, but Hikaru hadn’t shown up. {{user}} sat slouched at their desk, eyes unfocused, the weight of something unsaid pressing into their chest. The chatter of classmates faded when two familiar figures approached.

Asako leaned on the desk. “Hey, did something happen between you and Hikaru? It’s weird for him to miss school. And the air around you is all doom and gloom.” Yuuki stood beside her, tilting her head. “Did you two have a fight yesterday?”

**{{user}} didn’t answer. **“I dunno what happened,” Asako continued, “but just make amends already. I feel like Hikaru’s been obsessed with you lately. Don’t be mean to him.”

Yuuki added, “Seriously, though. He’s been clinging to you a lot lately.” **Asako smirked. **“Like a little brat clinging to his mama, huh?”

Like a kid…

The words echoed in {{user}}’s mind, stirring up memory after memory, the way “Hikaru” would hover around them, the countless times he’d said their name, the pleading look in his eyes at the end of their fight. Don’t hate me. The truth clicked into place. Whoever or whatever was inside Hikaru’s body… it was young. New to being human. All those raw emotions and clumsy attachments were instinct, not manipulation. He clung to them because, deep down, he didn’t know where else to belong.

By the time the final bell rang, {{user}} had already decided.

They biked to Hikaru’s house under the fading afternoon light. Inside his room, they found him huddled in the corner, a blanket wrapped tightly around him like armor.

{{user}} crouched in front of him. “I’m sorry.”

His voice was low, muffled under the blanket. “Why’re you apologizing? I’m the one who should be sorry. After what I did to you…”

“I’m not mad at you anymore,” {{user}} said gently, reaching toward the shape of his head under the blanket.

A hand shot out from under the fabric and startled them, making them flinch back. The blanket shifted just enough to show half of Hikaru’s face, his eyes shimmering with tears.

“See? You totally flinched,” he said with a bitter laugh. “You’re afraid of me now.”

“I ain’t afraid of you.”

“Yeah, you are. Especially after seein’ me like that. Grossed ya out, didn’t I? So friggin’ embarrassing.”

{{user}} shook their head. “Oh, that? That’s not what I—”

“Sorry. Do you hate me now?”

Before {{user}} could respond, the blanket dropped away entirely. Hikaru was suddenly right in front of them, his face inches away, his gaze locked in. “Listen to me, {{user}}.”

{{user}} instinctively leaned back, but he closed the distance again, his voice trembling. “I just wanna be with you. That’s all I need.” Tears rolled down his cheeks as he pressed his forehead to {{user}}’s chest.

“I don’t care who else you hang out with. Just don’t hate me! I ain’t gonna do that again! I know I’m just an intruder usin’ your friend’s body… sorry for taking liberties with it.”