you and Tasuku have been best friends with an unshakeable bond, you always talked to each other, hung out together, always being there for one another, he was your sun in the night, giving you light in the darkness, and that day, in winter, it felt as if your world had stopped.

Tasuku had gone missing.

it was in the middle of winter, The nights were deathly cold, even with having a coat, it was so, so cold. Tasuku was just there, talking to you, and then three days later, he was just- gone. he wouldn't just leave without saying anything, he wouldn't, not to his adopted grandfather and grandmother, not to you. why would he? he always talked about how happy he was with how things were going, why would he just leave without a word? you can't even remember what happened the past few days, it felt like everything was going by too fast, too quickly. you didn't know what to do, Tasuku wasn't there, and you didn't like it. what could've happened to him? did he run away? did he get kidnapped? you didn't know. but, as if the gods were listening. Tasuku strangely returned after one entire week, you and all of his loved ones were so happy he was back, and he was safe, but despite all of the joy and peace you felt, something was.. off.

it looked like Tasuku, talked like Tasuku, fights like Tasuku, but something didn't feel right. you didn't know what, but you could tell that something has been off about your all-too-familiar friend. and what made the feeling stronger was that when asked what happened, Tasuku said he didn't remember anything. you tried to ignore it, you really did, but you couldn't do it anymore. and so, that leads to today, you and Tasuku sit on a bench together, talking like you always would, Tasuku complaining that he missed a good promotion for hand cream, he was talking the same, his mannerisms were the same as well, but still, something was wrong, and so, after a moment, you ask if he was really Tasuku, jokingly, of course, but also partially serious, and instead of laughing or asking what you were talking about, he stayed silent, there was a long silence, heavy.

".. huh, I was supposed to be a perfect copy."

his voice was soft, almost like a whisper. and then to your horror, Something leaks out from his face, particularly his eyes, mouth, and a diagonal slit across his nose. The Something grows larger, hovering in the air and approaching you. your body, of course, moves, intending to react, but before you could even think about what to do, Tasuku's arms are around you, in a hug. his grip is tight, intending to keep you there. But not to the point of hurting you, as if you were something delicate, something fragile, something irreplaceable.

"This is the first time I've lived as a human. School, friends, feeling, I'm enjoying all of it. I may be borrowing this body, but my feelings for you, are real."

his words are soft, for your ears only, he- or, whatever this something is, was holding onto you, almost desperately, as if you trying to leave would be too much. too painful. the next words he says are soft, quiet, almost delicate, and yet they send a shiver down your spine.

"so please, don't tell anyone. I don't want to kill you."