Mahito woke up with a sharp gasp.
The ceiling above him was familiar—too familiar.
He sat up suddenly, his heart pounding, and looked down at himself.
Thin arms. Weak legs. His original body.
For a few seconds, his mind went blank.
"I'm… back?" he whispered.
Confusion and frustration crashed into him at once. He clenched his fists, anger bubbling inside his chest.
*Why am I back in this body?*
*Why did I even go into Aman's body in the first place?*
*And how do I return?*
His thoughts were interrupted by his mother's voice from outside the room.
"Mahito! You're not going to school today, right? And don't cause any trouble again."
Mahito froze.
*Trouble?*
*What did I do yesterday?*
He stepped out of his room, forcing a weak smile.
"I… I'm not feeling well," he said quietly. "I think I have a fever."
His mother studied his face for a moment, then sighed.
"Fine. Stay home. But rest properly."
She walked away.
Mahito exhaled slowly. Relief mixed with fear.
*Everyone was already angry at me…*
*What if something worse happens now?*
Unable to sit still, he decided to go outside for a walk.
The streets were quiet.
As Mahito walked, a strange feeling crept over him. Someone was behind him.
His steps slowed.
So did the footsteps behind him.
Mahito stopped and turned around sharply.
"Who's there?" he asked.
A man stepped out from behind a wall.
Mahito's eyes widened.
It was the same man.
The man who had given him medicine that day—when his head had been hurting badly. The man who had looked at him with strange concern.
"You…" Mahito said. "Why are you following me?"
The man sighed.
"I was waiting for you to notice," he replied calmly. "I'm Aman's father."
Mahito stiffened.
"Aman's… father?"
The man nodded.
"My name is Robb. I'm working on a project… a body-exchange experiment."
Silence hung between them.
Mahito's hands trembled.
"So… it was you," he said slowly. "You did all of this?"
"Yes," Robb admitted. "I did."
Mahito's voice sharpened.
"Then why are you following me now?"
"I wanted to confirm whether the experiment was successful," Robb replied. "And… to apologize."
Mahito stared at him.
"You experimented on me without my permission," he said bitterly.
"I know," Robb said quietly. "And I'm sorry."
Mahito looked away, anger burning in his chest.
"You should've thought before doing it."
Robb hesitated, then said something that made Mahito freeze.
"I can cure your leg."
Mahito turned back instantly.
"What… did you say?"
"I can fix it," Robb repeated. "Your leg will be completely normal."
Hope flickered in Mahito's eyes—for the first time in years.
"…What do I have to do?" he asked.
Robb took a breath.
"We have many projects running in Aman's school," he said. "I need you to keep an eye on them. That's all."
Mahito stayed silent.
Robb continued, "I'll pay you. And I'll cover all your school fees. You won't have to worry about money."
Images flashed through Mahito's mind—his parents fighting, unpaid bills, his mother's exhausted face.
Finally, he nodded.
"Alright," he said.
Robb handed him a card and a phone.
"Call me if anything happens," he said, then turned and walked away.
On his way back home, Mahito stopped near a small shop.
Three boys stood there.
His body stiffened.
They were the same ones who had beaten him before.
But now, they looked terrified.
One of them stepped forward nervously.
"Y-you're not going to beat us again… right?" he said. "Please… forgive us."
Mahito watched them silently.
*Aman beat them badly when he was in my body,* he thought.
*If he could do that… why can't I?*
For the first time, fear was not the only thing he felt.
Confidence was growing.
"I won't touch you," Mahito said calmly.
The boys bowed quickly and ran away.
Mahito looked down at his hands.
I need to become strong.
That night, he decided to start with home workouts.
As evening fell…
In a dark room, where only a thin ray of sunlight entered through the window, Robb stood silently—a faint, dangerous smile forming on his face.
At the same time…
On an open ground, surrounded by his gang, Bugun smiled coldly, his eyes burning with ambition.
Two paths.
Two shadows.
Moving toward the same collision.