I woke up smiling.
That alone was suspicious.
The ceiling looked the same. The room felt the same. Quiet. Still. Empty.
But something was different.
"…Right," I muttered, sitting up and running a hand through my hair. "I have a girlfriend now."
Saying it out loud made it feel real.
I grabbed my phone and called her.
She picked up almost immediately.
"Good morning," said Setsuko.
"You answered fast," said Yutaka.
"I was waiting," said Setsuko, then paused. "…Don't misunderstand."
I smirked. "Of course not. That would imply you like me."
"I don't," she said quickly. "You're just… tolerable."
"Your standards are low."
"Your ego is high."
I stretched, rolling my shoulders. "Yesterday went well."
"…You screamed fifteen times," said Setsuko.
"Romance requires effort."
"You caused a public disturbance."
"And fixed your existence."
"…Tch."
I could hear the faint smile in her voice.
"I'm heading to the shower," said Yutaka. "Wait for me downstairs."
"Take too long and I'll leave," said Setsuko.
"Lies."
"…Just hurry."
The call ended.
I stood up, walked into the bathroom, turned the water on, and let it run.
Steam filled the room slowly.
I stared at my reflection.
"…Girlfriend, huh."
The word still felt strange.
But not bad.
Not bad at all.
I stepped into the shower, water hitting my skin, washing off sleep, tension, and whatever hesitation I had left.
"I met a girl who didn't exist," I muttered. "And now she's mine."
A pause.
"…That sounds insane."
I smiled anyway.
"Feels good."
I finished quickly, dried off, got dressed, and headed downstairs.
She was already there.
Standing by the entrance.
Holding a bag.
I noticed it immediately.
"You're early," said Yutaka.
"You're late," said Setsuko.
"What's in the bag?" I asked.
"…Food," she said, looking away slightly. "I made it."
I stepped closer, peeking inside.
It smelled good.
Really good.
I smiled. "I can't wait to eat something made by your delicious hands."
She hissed. "If you keep talking like that, you'll be eating alone in your locker."
"That's a tragedy," I said.
"Hmph."
She turned and started walking.
I followed.
We walked side by side, our pace naturally syncing. The morning air was cool, the streets slowly filling with students. We talked, joked, bumped shoulders occasionally—small things, normal things.
Things she didn't have five months ago.
"So," said Yutaka, "now that you exist again, what's the plan?"
"Survive you," said Setsuko.
"That's difficult. I'm persistent."
"I noticed."
She glanced at me. "…Thanks."
"For what?"
"…Yesterday."
I shrugged. "Don't mention it."
We turned a corner.
Then—
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Heavy.
They blocked the road.
Three guys.
Delinquents.
Bad posture, worse intentions.
Setsuko stiffened slightly beside me.
I didn't.
"Hey," one of them said, stepping forward. "Where you two going?"
"School," said Yutaka.
"Not anymore," he said, eyes shifting to Setsuko. "Damn… she's cute."
Setsuko stepped back slightly.
"Leave," she said firmly.
"Ohhh, she talks," another laughed. "Feisty too."
"Not interested," she said.
They moved closer.
One reached out.
That was enough.
I stepped in.
Fast.
My fist connected with his jaw before he could react.
A sharp crack.
He hit the ground instantly.
Teeth scattered.
Silence.
The other two froze.
I grabbed the fallen one by his collar, lifted him slightly, then dropped him.
Then I looked at the rest.
Deadpan.
Cold.
"Look at my girlfriend like that again," said Yutaka, "and I'll break all your skulls."
No shouting.
No emotion.
Just fact.
They hesitated.
Then grabbed their leader and ran.
Setsuko stared at me.
"…That was excessive," said Setsuko.
"He reached," said Yutaka.
She crossed her arms. "…You earned my feeding rights."
"I was getting fed anyway," I said.
She grabbed my ear and twisted.
"Oh? Confident, are we?"
"Ow—yes, I am."
She let go, then walked ahead, pretending to be annoyed.
I caught up.
"I love you," said Yutaka. "And I'll only love you. Don't forget that."
She stopped for a second.
"…Oh geez, Yutaka."
We kept walking.
"So," I said, "going back to showbiz?"
She looked forward. "…Yeah."
"Good."
"…That's it?"
"What? You want a speech?"
"…No."
"You're good at it," I said. "Don't waste it."
She smiled slightly. "…Thanks."
We reached the school gate.
"See you later," said Setsuko.
"Try not to disappear again," I said.
"I'll try not to kill you," she replied.
Fair.
We split.
I walked to the sink near the entrance and washed my hands. Blood swirled down the drain, faint pink fading into nothing.
Then I headed upstairs.
Step.
Step.
Step—
Crash.
Someone bumped into me.
Books fell.
Papers scattered.
"…S-sorry!" she panicked.
A girl.
Short.
Shy.
Eyes wide, hands shaking as she scrambled to pick everything up.
"I wasn't looking—I'm really sorry—"
"It's fine," said Yutaka.
She avoided eye contact, grabbed her things, and ran.
I watched her go.
"…Weirdo," I muttered.
I took two steps forward.
Then—
Bump.
Again.
Same person.
Same face.
Different presence.
She stood straight.
Confident.
Sharp eyes.
"…Watch where you're going," she said.
I blinked.
"…Didn't I just see you?" said Yutaka.
She frowned. "Huh? I've never met you before."
She walked past me.
I turned.
"…Hey."
She stopped.
I tilted my head. "Flat chest. At this rate, you're never growing anything."
Silence.
Then—
"HUUUUH?!" she snapped, turning instantly. "You wanna piss me off, you pervert?!"
There it is.
"I know you," she continued, pointing. "Noguchi Yutaka. The pervert. The molester."
"…That's a strong title," I said.
"Shut up!" she snapped. "Your face annoys me!"
"Your chest looks like the Ganges River," I replied.
She froze.
Then exploded.
"You—!"
She rushed me, fists swinging.
I dodged one.
Blocked another.
She went for a slap—
A hand caught her wrist.
Setsuko.
"You shouldn't slap people like that," said Setsuko calmly. "It's rude."
The girl froze.
"…Sakata… Setsuko?"
Whispers started forming around us.
Students gathering.
Watching.
Setsuko nodded.
"…Warn your boyfriend," the girl said, glaring at me. "He's disgusting. He'll regret it."
I walked over, wrapped an arm around Setsuko, pulling her slightly closer.
She didn't resist.
"…Sorry about that," said Yutaka, bowing slightly.
Then—
She grabbed my ears.
Hard.
"Move," said Setsuko.
"OW—yes, ma'am."
She dragged me toward the classroom.
The crowd parted.
Whispers followed.
And behind us—
That girl stood still.
Watching.
Two versions.
Same face.
Different existence.
"…Yeah," I muttered.
"Another one."
Another Damn Paradox