Chapter 185: I like you, the other you, but basically you... (Bonus Chapter)

Sumika Fujimiya shared everything that had happened to her not long ago with her best friend and close confidante.

Sawae: "What?! A car accident?! Sumika, are you hurt? Do you need me to go to the hospital to see you?!"

Seeing how genuinely worried her friend was, Sumika smiled warmly.

Sumika Fujimiya: "Don't worry, thanks to Rei Ao, I didn't even get a scratch."

Sawae: "That's a relief."

Sawae: "Rei Ao… that's the underclassman you said saved you and even sent you home, right?"

Sumika Fujimiya: "Mm. He's younger than me, but he looks so mature and reliable… and he's also young and handsome."

Sawae: "Ohhh?"

Sawae: "Sounds like you're pretty impressed with this underclassman. Could it be… that you've taken a liking to him? Are you into younger guys?"

Sumika Fujimiya's face instantly turned red.

Sumika Fujimiya: "W-What are you even saying?! Where did that come from, you weird big sister?!"

Sawae: "Hehehe."

Sawae: "I think you should go for it if you like him. Honestly, that childhood friend of yours, Takafumi? He's a total blockhead. There's no way he's a good match for you."

Sumika Fujimiya: "…You really think so?"

Sawae: "Of course!"

Sawae: "And besides, the fact that you're even telling me all this means you already have some feelings for him, right? Hehehe."

"Ugh…"

Sumika felt a little dazed.

It was as if Sawae had completely seen through her.

"Younger guys, huh…"

Staring at the washing machine as it spun, Sumika wasn't sure what she was thinking anymore.

...

Meanwhile…

Rei Ao and Rio Futaba arrived at a café.

As soon as they sat down, a tired-sounding voice greeted them.

"What would you two like to drink?"

"Gabriel?"

"Huh?"

Hearing her name, Gabriel turned her head.

"Rei Ao?!"

She was stunned—what was he doing at her part-time job?!

Rei Ao smirked as he glanced over her waitress uniform, teasing:

"Looks like you've finally decided to be productive, huh? Working part-time again?"

"..."

Gabriel twitched at his words.

She hadn't suddenly become diligent—she was just broke and too scared to ask Rei Ao for money again.

But of all people, why did he have to show up here?!

Now, the temptation to ask for money was creeping back.

'No! I have to hold on! Perseverance is victory!'

Gabriel mentally hyped herself up.

She could not afford to fall into the debt trap of Rei Ao's "loans."

She had heard of shady online loans in this world.

And even worse—"naked loans"—where people ended up ruined for life.

To Gabriel, borrowing money from Rei Ao was almost the same thing.

The last time, she had only borrowed a little, and she had to pay him back with a deep, paralyzing kiss that left her whole body numb.

Who knew what he would ask for next?!

Seeing Gabriel stiffly silent, Rei Ao didn't push further.

He simply ordered the café's signature coffee and turned to Rio Futaba.

"What about you? What kind of coffee do you want?"

"Same as you."

"Alright, two signature coffees, then."

"Got it. Two signature coffees—coming right up~"

Gabriel quickly walked away, desperate to escape the situation.

A few minutes later, she returned and placed the drinks on the table.

She left immediately after.

With the drinks served, Rei Ao finally got to the main topic.

"Regarding your questions—I'll answer them."

"But before that, I need to tell you something first."

Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses.

"What is it?"

Her mind was already racing, considering all possible explanations.

But what Rei Ao said next was completely beyond her expectations.

"I've met the other you."

"!!!"

Rio Futaba's eyes widened in shock—before quickly returning to normal.

She took a moment of silence, then lifted her coffee cup and took a small sip.

Finally, she spoke.

"So… you know she exists?"

Rei Ao calmly nodded.

"That's right. Remember the day we saw each other in the lab?"

"...Yeah."

Rio Futaba had already realized why Rei Ao looked familiar to her.

That day at noon, she had briefly glanced at him through the lab door.

"Not long after that, I saw another version of you at the staircase."

"So… she had already appeared back then?"

Rio Futaba was stunned.

She hadn't expected that the other her had been around for that long.

And she only noticed much later.

This realization unnerved her.

What if the other her had done something without her knowing?

"Do you… know what she was doing back then?"

Rei Ao nodded.

"I do."

"After talking to her for a bit, I got a better understanding of your situation. You should actually be thanking me."

"…Thank you?"

Rio Futaba raised an eyebrow.

"That's right."

Rei Ao then explained what had happened that day—especially what the other Rio Futaba had been planning to do to attract attention.

"..."

Rio Futaba fell silent, her grip on her coffee cup tightening.

Hearing that the other her had planned to post pictures online, Rio Futaba tensed up, gripping her coffee cup tightly.

If those photos ended up online, they would be seen and judged.

If her classmates at school found out… She couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen.

Thankfully, Rei Ao noticed how anxious she was and reassured her.

"Relax. I already stopped her back then and corrected her way of thinking."

"Thank goodness…"

Hearing that, Rio Futaba finally felt relieved.

She sincerely thanked him.

"Thank you for stopping her."

However, her expression soon turned serious.

"So… who exactly are you? And what do you actually know?"

"Rei Ao, a student from Class 3-3."

After introducing himself, Rei Ao met her gaze, speaking with a hint of mystery.

"What I need to tell you next is this—she is you. She exists because of you."

"Me?"

"That's right. You're familiar with the concept of a second personality, aren't you?"

"Are you saying… she's my second personality?"

Rio Futaba understood what a second personality meant.

But…

"Why would a second personality become an entirely independent person? That's not scientific."

Rei Ao shook his finger.

"Not scientific? Heh."

He chuckled, teasing:

"Isn't quantum mechanics also 'science'?"

"..."

Rio Futaba had no rebuttal.

If quantum mechanics was involved, then this situation wasn't too surprising.

"Of course, from my perspective, this is a condition called Adolescence Syndrome—"

"A disorder that is also an incomplete form of superpower."

"I've met other people who have experienced it before."

"A disorder and a superpower…"

Rio Futaba pondered for a moment before asking:

"What causes this condition?"

"It stems from the worries and struggles of adolescence."

Rei Ao smiled knowingly.

"You should be aware of your own issues, right?"

"..."

Rio Futaba fell silent.

She wasn't sure if she didn't know the answer—or if she didn't want to admit it.

Rei Ao held up two fingers.

"She is the personality you subconsciously desire to have."

"Everything you lack—she has."

"She's outgoing, independent, and seeks attention."

"Which means you, deep down, are introverted, solitary… yet longing for change."

"That… is the nature of your Adolescence Syndrome."

"..."

Rio Futaba stared at Rei Ao, studying him carefully.

How did he understand her so well?

Then, Rei Ao continued.

"And the reason I found you is simple."

"The other you asked me to help you."

He told her everything—there was no need to hide it.

But this only gave rise to more questions.

"Why?"

"Isn't she trying to replace me?"

"And what exactly is your relationship with her?"

Right now, Rio Futaba desperately wanted to know—

'What had the other her told him? What had she done with him?'

"There's no need for so many 'whys.'"

Rei Ao shook his head with a smile.

"Do you not understand yourself?"

Rio Futaba froze for a moment.

Understand… herself?

"She is you. No matter how different you seem, your fundamental nature remains the same."

Rei Ao explained patiently.

"She never wanted to replace you—she just wanted to experience life for a while."

He shrugged.

"Of course, you can expose her if you want. That's up to you."

"..."

Hearing this, Rio Futaba calmed down.

She wasn't planning on exposing her.

She was naturally timid, simple, and didn't want things to become complicated.

"So, you're choosing to give her a chance."

Rei Ao rested his chin on his hands, smiling.

"Then let's move on to the next topic."

"Right now, you have nowhere to go."

"She asked me to help you."

"I can't do much, but I can at least offer you a place to stay."

"Whether you accept it or not—it's up to you."

"..."

Rio Futaba didn't respond immediately.

Instead, she asked another question.

"What exactly is your relationship with her?"

"Why are you helping me?"

They weren't even that close.

So why?

"Oh? So that's what you're really curious about."

Rei Ao sighed, then answered frankly:

"I'm basically pursuing her."

"That's why I'm looking out for her."

"...Huh?"

Rio Futaba was stunned.

Pursuing… her?

The other her?!

As if worried she hadn't heard correctly, Rei Ao clarified:

"You didn't mishear."

"I've already told Rio Futaba that I'm interested in her."

"!!!"

Rio Futaba's body stiffened.

Why… does he have to say my name for that?!

Before she could fully process it, a voice interrupted.

Gabriel walked over.

She glanced at Rio Futaba, then looked at Rei Ao.

"Mm. Come with me for a second. I need to talk to you."

Saying that, she turned and walked away—without waiting for a response.

Since Rei Ao had already explained everything, he simply gave Rio Futaba an apologetic look and stood up to follow Gabriel.

Watching Rei Ao leave, Rio Futaba didn't know what to think.

~~~

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