Vol. 8.5 Special Edition: One Day, When I Woke Up...

Upon waking up in the morning, Amane realized he was no longer himself. He noticed something was amiss as soon as he opened his eyes—right in front of him was his own familiar black hair.

Of course, even a laid-back student like Amane wouldn't skip looking in the mirror as part of his daily routine. He had been taking better care of himself lately, often checking his appearance and paying more attention to his hair, as he'd been making more of an effort to maintain it than before.

And now, that very hair was right in front of his eyes.

Something wasn't quite right, and Amane could tell immediately. His hair wasn't just obscuring his vision—it was as if his whole head had moved in front of his eyes. Confusion overwhelmed him.

"Wait, what's hap…huh?"

Then came another overwhelming feeling that something was out of place, this time even stronger. The voice that escaped from his lips was spun in an unusually cute tone. Being in his second year in high school, his voice had long since changed, meaning his natural tone was deep and low. Despite this, a high-pitched voice as clear and soft as a bell rang out.

Overwhelmed by the unexpectedly cute, yet eerily familiar voice, Amane instinctively felt his throat with his hand. The neck he touched was surprisingly slender. He then instinctively looked down to peek at his hands, only to let out a garbled sound that barely formed words. Gone were his usual rugged fingers and palm, replaced by delicate and unblemished hands. Beyond his view of his palm was his normal black hair, as was the face he saw in the mirror every day.

It was at that very moment that he realized exactly what was in front of him.

His blood ran cold.

…That's…me?

No matter how he looked at it, in front of him was the face he'd gotten used to seeing in the mirror up until yesterday. If his memory served him right, Mahiru had come over to stay the night because she had trouble falling asleep, haunted by dreams of the past. He agreed, which led to them to sleep together. Up until that point, there hadn't been anything out of the ordinary.

Amane leaned in, still confused, to get a closer look at his peacefully sleeping self just inches away. As he did, strands of flaxen hair smoothly flowed over his shoulders, and that's when it finally dawned on his groggy mind. A quick glance at his body confirmed it: there were soft bumps and curves in places that were all but impossible on his own body. And adorning this curvaceous body was a frilly, adorable negligee—the very same one Amane had complimented as adorable the night before.

He started to piece it together, even if his mind was rejecting the absurdity of the situation. Still, common sense said it was impossible. They weren't living in a fantasy world; the idea that his consciousness could transfer into someone else's body was beyond belief.

"…Nnn."

As he sat up, clutching his head, he noticed signs of waking from the body beside him—the body that was his own until moments ago.

Right now, Amane was in Mahiru's body. So, who was in his body now?

The answer came immediately.

"…Amane-kun?" A voice, coarser than usual having just woken up, spilled out. Yet, it was tinged with a hint of youthfulness as it reached his ears.

Hearing a way of addressing himself that he would never use, Amane felt as though his vision began to blur into darkness for a moment. For an instant, he entertained the thought, but truly, he could never have imagined that they had actually switched bodies. The idea that something ripped right out of a fantasy story could occur was mind-boggling.

A drowsy gaze with unfocused, blurry eyes caught his attention. Mahiru's black pupils flickered open and close, not yet fully awake.

"…Uh, Mahiru-san?" Amane called out.

"…Yes? …Hm?" Clearly surprised, the voice that responded echoed in a pitch just as high as Amane's.

Then, while still appearing somewhat dazed, Mahiru cleared her throat several times in an attempt to settle her morning voice. Slowly, she began opening her eyes wide and clear. The moment her jet-black eyes caught sight of Amane—who was presumably in her body—she abruptly sat up with a thud.

With enough momentum to call it a jump, Mahiru sat up, looking completely and utterly confused. She grasped Amane's shoulders, comparing him with herself. Her eyes darted around in bewilderment.

Amane gave an awkward smile and gently rested his hand on Mahiru's arm. "Yeah, sorry, I get it. I understand how you feel, but please just calm down, okay?"

Amane found himself in the bizarre situation of trying to console Mahiru while using her own voice, something he had mixed feelings about doing.

Nevertheless, if he gave in to panic and confusion as well, it would only worsen the situation. Ensuring to keep his composure, he gave her a reassuring smile, and Mahiru's grip on his shoulders loosened.

"Um, well, I'm—"

"Don't worry, I already know. You're Mahiru, right?"

Smiling at Mahiru while in her body might seem likely to cause further confusion, but he knew that he needed to act unperturbed in order to calm the situation. Therefore, he made every effort to soothe her with as much tranquility and calmness as he could muster.

Mahiru, faced with her own figure, finally realized that it was Amane that was currently habiting her body, although her eyes still moved about in a frenzy. Then, upon looking down at the body she was in and recognizing it as Amane's, she let out a cry as if she'd just come to a startling realization.

Her voice was tinged with so much sorrow that it was almost begging for sympathy, causing Amane to also break out into a frown. Wanting to cry was a feeling that they both shared. Amane shook his head to dispel the heavy anxiety weighing on him and gripped Mahiru's hand, who was still lost in confusion.

"Wh-What's happening? You're Amane-kun, right!?" Mahiru shrieked. "It's beyond me. When I woke up, I was already like this, and I started freaking out too when I first realized what was going on. I was sleeping next to myself somehow, and my body had become yours."

It was a situation so absurd that, for Amane and Mahiru, it was not just a bolt from the blue but a full-blown cataclysm. Mahiru's agitation was completely and utterly understandable. Perhaps it was odd that Amane was even able to process the situation so straightforwardly.

The fact that they had swapped bodies seemed to settle in Mahiru's mind, and her eyes began to water slightly. Though she didn't cry, the surface of her eyes trembled as if she might shed tears at any moment, and the sight of his own face on the verge of crying caused him a pang in his stomach.

"Wh-What should we do?" sputtered Mahiru.

"I'd like to know the answer to that myself," Amane returned. "…Like, actually. I mean, we only slept together like normal last night."

"Th-That was supposed to be the case, yes."

If they had to point out something that was out of the ordinary, it was just that Mahiru had come over after waking up in the middle of the night due to nightmares. However, this had already happened once before, and if sharing a bed could cause people to swap bodies, there would already be reports from married couples all around the world.

No matter how one looked at it, the situation felt like something straight out of a dream.

"Even if we tried to do it ourselves, swapping bodies just isn't realistically possible," Amane emphasized.

"While I do think that's true…t-to think we'd end up in such an absurd situation…"

"Just relax. Let's first calm ourselves down and think about identifying the cause and planning what to do next."

"…You seem rather calm."

"When I see someone panicking more than me, it actually makes me feel calmer…especially when I'm seeing my own face panicking, it sort of—grounds me."

Perhaps because Mahiru was displaying enough emotions for the both of them—panic, confusion, anxiety—he found himself eerily calm. A significant part of that was also due to seeing his own face, which he'd never use to make such expressions, in front of him.

"…Excuse me for panicking so much…"

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to blame you. It's only natural to panic in a situation like this. If I were alone, I would've been panicking like crazy. I'm only able to stay calm because I'm seeing how panicked you are."

With a gentle pat, Amane stroked Mahiru's head as he usually would. The need to raise his arm a bit higher than usual and the feel of her short black hair served as a painful reminder that he was not in his own body.

To remain a dependable figure in Mahiru's life, he feigned calmness, even if he wasn't completely unfazed. In turn, Mahiru regained her composure, her black eyes finally focusing squarely on Amane. Noticing this, Amane smiled at her, to which she ever so subtly averted her gaze.

"Have you calmed down?" Amane asked. "…Yes."

Mahiru's cool and soothing voice was a relief to him in times like these.

Simply hearing it naturally restored his composure. Perhaps it was an example of what's called 1/f (pink) noise, but he couldn't say for certain. Still, it was clear that the tone in which she spoke had a calming effect strong enough to settle distress.

Speaking gently to soothe her, Amane waited for the right moment when Mahiru's heart had settled before continuing. "So, all that we've gathered so far is that we've swapped bodies. I can't think of any reason why this would happen either. I'm stumped."

"I don't think we'll manage to find out the cause even if we try…" lamented Mahiru.

"But we'd have an easier time if we did know. I've never even heard of body-switching outside of fiction."

"Y-You have a point, but still…"

In the sixteen plus years he had lived in this world, Amane had never heard of such a case where individuals swapped bodies. If such people existed, it wouldn't at all be strange for them to be on the news. Any reasonable person would probably send the individuals to a hospital for examination. And if it turned out to be true, it would certainly be a hot topic.

From a scientific standpoint, body-switching was an unimaginable occurrence—at least, according to the common sense that Amane had cultivated so far. However, it had actually happened to them. It was for that very reason that Amane was so utterly confused "We don't know the reason or cause for why this is happening, so let's not dwell on it much for now," he suggested. "The more pressing issue is what we should do going forward."

"Going forward…?" Mahiru parroted.

"Today's Saturday, and neither of us have any plans. We also have tomorrow off, so we at least have some leeway there. If we can switch back during this time, we can continue our lives as if nothing happened. But what if we can't switch back?"

The sound of swallowing saliva could be heard.

"We'd have to live pretending to be each other," Amane continued. "That's something I'd really prefer not to endure."

Before he could even consider whether he liked it or not, substituting for someone else, especially a girl, was completely out of the question.

Amane couldn't possibly maintain the meticulous skincare this body required, nor keep up with the unique intricacies of girl friendships. Mahiru, on her part, was quite uncomfortable around boys, so it proved hard to imagine her enduring the casual physical contact common in male social circles. The disparity in their behavior would be evident to those around them.

Mahiru seemed to be imagining this possibility herself. Her face turned pale, which only highlighted the recklessness of trying to navigate each other's lives.

"In any case, it's better if we get used to handling each other's bodies while searching for a way to get back to normal. If we don't return in a few days, we should go to the hospital, even if they suspect it's a neurological or psychological issue."

"…Okay."

Thinking about the future filled Amane and Mahiru with a sense of gloom that could only be expressed through sighs. Nonetheless, the reality that they had switched bodies was an incontrovertible fact between them.

They both dropped their shoulders dejectedly as they looked at the bodies they had switched into. Upon reexamining his current body, Amane found Mahiru's body to be quite slender and soft. While he felt uncomfortable and somewhat rude looking at a woman's chest, he couldn't help but marvel at how, as a woman, it obscured the view towards one's feet.

If someone said that Mahiru had a more curvaceous figure than most, that would be putting it mildly. With how often she covered her legs and how mindful she always appeared to be, Amane found himself inadvertently staring down at those regions.

Mahiru, noticing where Amane's gaze was directed, stared back at him pointedly. She stared at him with roughly twenty percent of the glare Amane would usually direct at Itsuki after one of his usual jokes. Normally, Amane wouldn't think much of the stare, but he immediately sensed that she was suspicious of something.

"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to look in that way, really! I apologize!" Amane exclaimed in a panic.

"You don't need to apologize that much. I know that you were just double checking that it was a woman's body."

She didn't seem angry, but the slight exasperation mixed with her acceptance made Amane's cheeks twitch. "L-Let me just say this though. I haven't tried to do anything indecent. I swear, I can say that much."

"I know that. If you had, you wouldn't be able to look me in the eye. I don't believe that you would do anything weird."

"That's quite the way to show trust in someone. But no, I wouldn't do anything like that."

While he'd be lying if he claimed to have no interest in his lover's body, Amane's sense of guilt outweighed said interest. His conscience wouldn't allow him to mess around with a body that wasn't his own, so he was careful to avoid any careless actions.

"Right? That's why I'm not particularly worried. That said, I am curious about your body, Amane-kun."

"Huh?" Surprised, Amane accidentally let out a silly voice.

His mouth hung open in astonishment. He hadn't expected Mahiru to say that she was interested in his body.

Mahiru, seemingly oblivious to his now racing heart, placed her hand over her heart. "After all, it's my first time living in a man's body. I'm naturally curious about how different our physical abilities might be. I do work out myself, so I'm by no means weak, but I know I can't compare to the strength of a man."

"Ah, that's what you meant…" Relief washed over Amane in the next moment, only to be replaced by a feeling of shame and an urge to punch himself due to where his thoughts had initially wandered. Knowing that he was currently inhabiting Mahiru's body, not his own, he instead clenched his cheek to endure it.

When the utterly innocent Mahiru—with a curious expression—asked, "What else could it mean?" Amane nearly made a bizarre face in an effort to maintain composure. He managed to blandly reply, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Although Mahiru appeared puzzled at first, she blushed after piecing together their previous conversation, blinking away. "…I wouldn't do anything like that, dummy."

Mahiru, having now accurately deduced Amane's thoughts, opted to pinch his cheeks lightly. There was no pain whatsoever, suggesting that she was still figuring out how to handle moving a man's body. All Amane could do was utter a slightly deflated, "Sorry," in response.

After letting Mahiru do as she pleased for a while, they decided it would be odd to spend the entire time on the bed. Thus, they agreed to take a break and begin preparing breakfast, but then…

"First, let's get changed, shall w—?" Mahiru began to suggest, before stopping herself in her tracks. "…"

"…Do you think we can?" returned Amane.

Of course, a problem arose. Because they, a boy and a girl, switched bodies with each other, issues such as changing clothes and the like naturally came into play. No matter how romantically involved they were, the prospect of seeing Mahiru's body—given their innocent relationship—was not only difficult but posed an immense sense of guilt. Similarly, Mahiru would likely prefer not to have her body seen so suddenly.

"Personally, I don't mind as long as you don't look below," Mahiru declared. "Don't ask for the impossible. You don't think you'll be seen, Mahiru?" "…So, are you saying it's more likely that you'll give in to your curiosity, sneak a peek, then feel guilty and avoid eye contact?" "Stop it with the eerily accurate predictions."

From what he could tell, it seemed that Mahiru didn't particularly mind being seen. What seemed to interest her more was how Amane would act and handle the situation. While this could be a sign that she was becoming mentally more at ease, which was generally a good thing, it was hardly a comfortable position to be in for the one being teased.

"…You could pick out some clothes that I can change into with my eyes closed. Or maybe you could help me change, Mahiru."

"That would be the safest option. I bought a dress today when I went shopping, so if you raise your arms with your eyes closed, I can help you into it."

"That'd be great."

When Amane chose the most straightforward option, Mahiru nodded right after, knowing fully that he would. "C'mon, don't tease me." Despite Amane's soft counter to her actions, Mahiru gave her first smile of the day.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

After getting dressed with Mahiru's help and completing his morning skincare routine under her guidance, Amane took a moment to relax, savoring the breakfast she had made.

Although Amane had some experience in the kitchen, watching Mahiru cook so skillfully in his body made him wonder if he could also prepare food as efficiently as her in her body. That said, it was worth noting that while her cooking skills were impressive, her unfamiliar height posed some challenges, resulting in her handling some tasks awkwardly and even a moment where Mahiru bumped her head against the range hood. She didn't appear to be in pain, but the shock of the impact was surprising.

After finishing the cleanup, Mahiru returned to the living room and, seeing Amane seated on the sofa, she stared intently at him and then shrugged her shoulders. "So it really is true… I'm in your body, huh?"

"Seems like it, yeah…" Amane responded. "You look quite drained already."

"I'm just trying to be careful, Mahiru. Especially since it's your body."

Amane wouldn't mind if his own body was treated roughly, but the body he was currently inhabiting was Mahiru's—not his own. Her skin was flawless, her body slender yet toned in a feminine way. The thought that his usual actions might harm her body made him act with great caution. Mahiru had always taken great care in maintaining her physique, so he felt an immense responsibility not to move around carelessly, which naturally led to a build-up of tension and fatigue. The mere consciousness of being in a girl's body was mentally draining, so it would be more accurate to say that he was experiencing both physical and mental exhaustion.

"I can't be careless with your body. If something were to happen to you because of me, I don't think I could forgive myself."

"I don't believe that you would get injured just by going about daily life." "Says the girl who just bumped her head on the range hood earlier." "Uuu… I–I'm sorry."

Amane hadn't meant to scold her, but Mahiru seemed to take it that way and shrunk back. He quickly shook his head to reassure her. "No no, it's fine. Looks like just a minor bump. It didn't hurt, did it?"

"N-No, it didn't hurt, but…it's embarrassing."

"Don't worry, don't worry," Amane put her mind at ease. "…Regardless, it's still true that we have to be careful. We aren't used to these bodies yet."

"You're right…" When Amane explained that they both had many things to be cautious about, Mahiru agreed while nodding her head. Then, she narrowed her eyes as though something had just struck her.

Amane's original body naturally had an intense gaze, but Mahiru made it look particularly menacing. Seeing this, Amane himself resolved to be more mindful of his gaze once he returned to his own body, noticing how significantly it affected how he looked.

Not knowing why Mahiru had been staring at him, Amane looked at her with a fair amount of caution. Mahiru sighed softly and patted her thighs gently.

"Amane-kun, keep your legs closed. It's unladylike."

"Sorry." It seemed that, although unconsciously, Amane had spread his legs slightly apart. Normally, he wouldn't think much of it, but he was in Mahiru's body, and if her skirt was short, someone could easily see her underwear from the front.

Girls have it tough, huh. Even the small gestures matter, Amane thought after consciously closing the gap between his thighs. Seeing this, Mahiru smiled and nodded in approval.

"Much better. While there's nobody else here, it's a good thing that you're wearing a long dress today. With a regular girl's school uniform, you can actually see through the tights, so you have to stay vigilant."

"Very true."

"However, since you generally don't have such careless habits, perhaps you could manage to fool people with just a bit of focus?"

"Let's just hope I won't have the opportunity to 'fool' anyone…"

Given that it would involve interacting with others, both Amane and Mahiru wanted to return to their original bodies as soon as possible during their days off, but it was uncertain whether things would go that smoothly. After all, as they couldn't even fathom the reason they had switched places to begin with, they were both at a loss for what to do.

"All things considered, I really wonder what on earth this is all about," Amane muttered with a sigh.

Beside him, Mahiru also let out a large breath and then lightly pressed her forehead. "Our situation is so bizarre that, assuming that we aren't living in a dream, it's beyond explanation," she said. "It's not realistic in the slightest. If we went to a doctor, they would likely suspect both of us to be suffering from some sort of brain disease."

"Switching bodies just isn't something you'd think is possible," Amane added. "It's something straight out of fiction." He knew that body swapping was a classic trope in such stories as he enjoyed various forms of entertainment, but nobody would actually expect it to happen in reality.

"This raises questions about where our personalities are anchored. If not the brain, then perhaps the soul? However, since memories are stored in the brain, if a soul was to inhabit another body, would only the soul move? Or, assuming that the personality is linked to the soul, would their memories and personality move with it? To find out the answer to that, wouldn't we first need to prove the existence of the soul?"

"It's tough to say," Amane replied. "All we can say for sure is that we both recognize that we are individuals that originally inhabited different bodies.

Though, we can't ignore the slim possibility that we've just been made to think that way."

Memories were fickle. Everyday mistakes in memory were a common occurrence, so it was entirely possible that some sort of mental or physical anomaly could lead to the fabrication or alteration of memories. Additionally, despite the probability being exceedingly low, there was still a chance that both of them had been implanted with false memories, simply leading them to believe that they used to be in each others' bodies. However, this train of thought was a very unsettling one to entertain.

Mahiru shook her head. "Let's not dwell on it too deeply. I don't want to believe that our past memories together were all just fabricated. Everything that has occurred between you and me, Amane-kun, has definitely happened." "…I agree." Our experiences and very existence being completely fake is

something I just can't bear to believe.

Shaking his head to clear his disturbing thoughts, Amane looked up at Mahiru. She offered a troubled smile before softly taking his hand. The feeling of her larger palm enveloping his miraculously eased the tension in his body.

Being in Mahiru's shoes made Amane realize that the physical difference between them was greater than he'd thought, and although not intimidating, his presence was certainly assertive. He wasn't at all scared, however, and this might either stem from it originally being his body or from their mutual understanding of each others' inner selves. At the very least, it brought with it an unexpected sense of security, which left him feeling a profound and indescribable emotion.

Is this how Mahiru always feels?

Lost in the warmth and the gentle pressure of her grip, Amane was brought back to reality when he noticed Mahiru gazing intently at him.

"…What's the matter?" Amane asked, curious about her stare.

"Oh, I was just thinking about how I really do look cute to other people." "You'd definitely sound like you're blowing your own trumpet if anyone else heard you say that. Not that I'm denying it, mind you."

Hearing such a flabbergasting statement from Mahiru caught him off guard for a moment, but knowing there was no mistake in what she said and that she also had the confidence to back it up, Amane couldn't help but let a faint smile show on his cheeks. Grounded in both a subjective and objective assessment of her appearance, Mahiru's confidence was top-notch. Her self-praise didn't come off as arrogant because she stated it as a mere matter of fact without a hint of boasting. There was also the fact that Amane was aware of how much effort she had invested in herself to reach that point.

"I'm fully aware of my good looks, and I haven't neglected any efforts to maintain that," Mahiru remarked. "However, I was just thinking about how this must be the way I appear from your perspective, Amane-kun."

"Well, you are cute. That's just a fact. So, what do you think you look like from my perspective?"

"…From this angle, I look so small and delicate. You're quite well-built, Amane-kun, and from your height, it feels as if I could snap easily."

"Yep, I get exactly what you mean. I'm always a bit anxious about not hurting you whenever I touch you."

Mahiru had a small build, which naturally resulted in a significant difference in body size when compared to Amane. If he tried to grab her wrist, his hand could cover it completely. She was so delicate that he could snugly envelop her entire body whenever they embraced. Amane was often concerned about applying too much pressure, fearing that a mistake in his strength could easily cause her harm due to her slender frame. However, she wasn't so thin that she was unhealthy—quite the opposite. Still, her slender limbs did make him somewhat concerned.

"I know how careful you are. You're always so gentle when you touch me," Mahiru explained. "…You really are a cautious person, aren't you,

Amane-kun?" When Mahiru softly grasped Amane's wrist, her fingers easily restrained him. There was no pain involved—she touched him with utmost caution. Yet, it didn't look like she planned to break her wary approach. "With my current strength, I suppose I could snap my body if I'm not careful."

"Yeah, please don't test that. It'd hurt, and you'd probably still feel it even if we swapped back."

"I'm just kidding, of course. But I do understand how you feel, Amane-kun.

From your perspective, I must look quite fragile."

"Not exactly, but you're so delicate that you make me want to protect you. I mean, I know that you probably don't just want to be protected all the time, but as a guy, it's my instinct to want to be there to protect you…although that's not to say that we aren't equals. We are, but that's a separate matter. Anyway, I hope that made sense."

"Hehe, I understand."

Struggling to convey the intricacies of the male heart to a girl, Amane waved his hands about in a flustered manner. Mahiru laughed and gently let go of the wrist she had been holding. Seeing her giggle so freely, in a way that seemed utterly uncharacteristic for the body that used to be his own, Amane froze in place for a moment. After her laughter subsided, Mahiru lowered her face to the same height as his and tilted her head, looking into his eyes.

"Amane-kun, there's something I'd like to try. Is that okay?" Mahiru asked suddenly.

"Hm? Sure, what is it?"

The moment he agreed, Mahiru wrapped her arms right around his back, and her face, which looked younger than usual, buried itself in his chest. While it was tough to call it his chest, Amane couldn't hide his bewilderment as Mahiru nuzzled her face in the mounds adorning his torso.

"…So, what did you want to do?" he asked tentatively.

"Well, I thought I'd try experiencing something you enjoy doing."

*cough*

Given how bluntly she claimed it was something he enjoyed doing, it should be no surprise that Amane began to cough.

"You like them soft, don't you?" Mahiru then asked.

"…Pretty sure most guys do, if you ask me," Amane returned. He wasn't sure whether it held true for all men, but generally, most men tended to prefer them on the soft side. Especially if the conversation was about their girlfriend.

While she hit the nail on the head, he lacked the experience to declare that preference of his confidently, and it shouldn't be something that Mahiru could be so sure about either. Yet, for some reason, she seemed to assert it with full confidence. The only time Amane mentioned burying his face in Mahiru's chest was in a past conversation, and even then, it was initiated by Mahiru herself, not him.

"True, that might be the case. But don't you prefer them that way too?" Mahiru asked again.

"What makes you think that I do!?"

"Huh? Um, well, when you're sleeping or, like yesterday, still half asleep after we nap together, you tend to rest your head on me like that quite often. So I thought it must be because you liked them soft."

"…Tell me you're joking." Despite his strained attempt to deny it, the lack of conviction due to his own uncertainty when half asleep made his reply sound weak.

"It's true. I let you move as you please while thinking how cute it is that you're being so affectionate with me."

"Just push me away from you next time."

"Hmm…you have a strong sense of self-control, so I know that you wouldn't usually do something of that nature. That's why it makes me glad when you relax yourself and act so affectionately while half asleep."

"Normally I wouldn't. I'll be more careful next time." They both welcomed the gesture deep down, so while it might be fine on the face of it, doing it while fully conscious was another story. The embarrassment would be too overwhelming to do it voluntarily. Besides, recklessly seeking such affection was something Amane found himself incapable of.

"Oh, why? I don't particularly mind," Mahiru added. "You should, for your own sake."

"If I really didn't like it, then I would get angry." "There you go saying stuff like that again…"

"Hehe. I love it when you fawn over me, Amane-kun."

"What are you going to do if it turns into more than just fawning?" "What will you do, Amane-kun?"

"You big dummy." She already knows—she's just testing my reaction.

Amane replied with that suspicion in mind as Mahiru brought her body even closer to plop her head in his chest. From within their embrace, a muffed laugh could be heard emanating from his chest.

"…Hmm, still, I can understand how you feel, Amane-kun. Warm, soft, and fluffy things are liked by many, regardless of their age or gender. The warmth and feel of another person's body can be very comforting indeed."

"…Right."

He used to wonder what it felt like to touch your own chest, but it seemed that it simply felt like touching something soft. It might be similar to the pleasant feeling of squeezing a squishy toy or slime.

As the one being embraced, Amane felt a mixture of bewilderment and a slight quickening of his heart from Mahiru's affectionate gesture. Sensing even that heartbeat of his, Mahiru lifted her face and laughed. "Your heart is racing."

"Yours races the same way whenever I do it, just to make that clear." "Hehe, that goes without saying," Mahiru returned. "…Being by your side makes my heart race as much as it is reassuring. If you touch me like that, of course my heart will begin to beat faster and faster."

With a mischievous smile, Mahiru lifted her face from his chest without showing any sign of reluctance or regret.

Yet, she didn't move away. Instead, she nestled her cheek against his shoulder, rubbing it lightly in an affectionate gesture. This action was oddly endearing, and the fact that I found my own body's reaction to be cute, led to a complex mix of feelings within me—a secret that he kept to himself.

It wasn't all that strange for his heart to flutter, given that he found Mahiru's inner self and the way she was more endearing than her appearance. However, seeing his own body act in such a way made it difficult for him to accept those feelings easily.

"…I'm just curious, but objectively, what do you think about your body seeing it now, Amane-kun?" Perhaps trying to alleviate the anxiety in the air, Mahiru leaned in before asking in a hushed voice.

"…Seeing myself from your point of view makes me look pretty intimidating. It must be because you're so short."

"Hmph. I'm just below average in height, that's all."

"Don't sulk… But this is throwing me off a little. It makes me wonder whether that's really my body."

"Throwing you off?"

"Yeah…well, uh, I know it's my body, but the expressions from it look gentler than what I'm used to seeing, maybe because you're the one inside it now. It just doesn't feel like it's me."

Despite it being his own body, the discomfort Amane felt around Mahiru was probably due not only to the gestures, but most importantly, to the vastly different expressions it was making.

Amane was aware that his gaze wasn't particularly friendly, but he couldn't sense any harshness in his gaze from Mahiru, who was currently by his side. On the contrary, he seemed gentle enough to be described as mild-mannered, and he appeared to be a young man with a calm demeanor.

His body seemed as if it wasn't his own. He even found himself marveling at how he could produce such a gentle expression.

I wonder, do the expressions people make change not due to any differences between bodies, but what's inside of them instead? As Amane mulled it over, he found himself unexpectedly on the receiving end of a particularly exasperated look from Mahiru.

"…Amane-kun. By chance, are you not aware of it yourself?" "Of what?"

"That you tend to smile quite often when it's just the two of us. The look in your eyes is very gentle, and it's clear that you care deeply for me." While explaining and laughing amusingly, Mahiru stroked Amane's cheek, causing him to turn away, slightly embarrassed. Though his trembling lips were surely a giveaway, he still did not wish to be seen head-on. "…I don't look that gentle, I can say that."

"You do. So much so, in fact, that it would be unthinkable to see from the person you once were when we first met. Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror?"

Being teased in his own voice was subtly irritating, so with a pout, Amane pinched Mahiru's cheek as a form of protest. However, Mahiru maintained an expression of complete composure.

"Trying to hide your embarrassment, I see?" Mahiru teased. "Don't you do that a lot yourself?" Amane shot back. "Let's just say that we're both the same, then."

Faced with an irrefutable smile, Amane ceased his objections and, while chatting with Mahiru calmly for a while, played with her cheeks. The sensation he felt was entirely different from the original softness of Mahiru's body—that is, the body he currently inhabited. It was a firm touch, not only in the cheeks but also across the body he was now touching.

He knew that he had put in the effort, but it was only from an outside perspective that the fruits of his labor could truly be noticed. Welling up within him now was a profound sense of accomplishment and emotion.

Mahiru's obsidian eyes narrowed as she realized the hand that had been playfully pinching her cheek was now slowly trailing down her body. "Is something the matter?"

"…Well, I was just thinking that, yeah…my effort really paid off." His words were soft, and as he spoke, he traced the contours of his original body, feeling the notable bumps of his muscles. Mahiru smiled and her eyes closed part way as if she felt a tickle. "I see," she then murmured a whisper.

"You're referring to your workouts, aren't you? It's true. You have a very firm body now, Amane-kun."

"This is a precious chance for me to see how I look from your perspective." "Hehe. Now you understand that I'm not lying when I say I find you dependable, right?"

"I knew you weren't trying to flattery me, but to actually see results like this…it makes me happy."

He had acknowledged his own efforts and remained confident in his progress, but being able to verify his hard work objectively confirmed his improvements more accurately. Whether it was bashfulness or something else, a ticklish sense of joy quietly bubbled up within him.

Though Amane knew better than to get carried away, his cheeks naturally broke out into a smile, and he covered his cheeks with his hands. After keenly watching him, Mahiru placed her hand on his head and, for no apparent reason, began to stroke it gently.

Mahiru's eyes focused intently on his face, as one would admire a child, though her expression remained calm. Her hand continued its gentle exploration without any sign of stopping.

"Why are you patting me?"

"Oh, I just had this sudden urge… How strange. Despite knowing it's my own body, I still find it cute somehow."

"You're just praising yourself for being cute, aren't you?"

"I wasn't trying to… Well, no matter. You're cute. Very cute." Although her words might sound like mild praise, there was no hint of mockery in the tone of her voice—just a pure, affectionate adoration. Her gesture was extremely gentle and respectful. As a result, he was placed in quite the embarrassing situation, one in which he could neither push her away nor refuse her patting his head.

However, he didn't feel unpleasant, so he let her do as she pleased.

Mahiru, upon seeing Amane like this, broke out into a happy smile. She indulged him by gently stroking his hair with her palm in a comforting manner. He was immersed in a tranquility so gentle and harmonious that it was almost like drifting into a doze, making him momentarily forget even the abnormality of their current situation. However, the sound of a visitor's arrival echoing through the room pulled me back from that warmth into reality.

Since there were neither any visitors nor deliveries scheduled for today, Amane furrowed his brows in wonder at who it could be. Escaping from Mahiru's gentle, yet firm hold, he went to check the intercom. What appeared on the monitor were the two individuals he was most familiar with from school after Mahiru.

"…Itsuki and Chitose are here," Amane said. "Oh? Did you have any plans with them today?"

"None that I know of, nope. But they know that I'd just be relaxing at home all day, so chances are they invited themselves over."

Under normal circumstances, while Amane would chide them for coming over so suddenly, he'd inevitably let them in with a resigned sigh while saying, "Guess it can't be helped, eh?" However, the situation was different this time.

Amane and Mahiru were currently in an unimaginable situation where they switched bodies—a scenario any person boasting both a sane mind and common sense would immediately dismiss outright and deem impossible. No matter how close they were as friends, the probability that they would simply laugh it off as a joke was overwhelmingly high. In fact, being misunderstood that way could, in some ways, still be a preferable outcome. Sharing their situation could lead them to be labeled as weirdos or having a few screws loose. Worse yet, it could trigger them to cut off their friendship entirely.

It seemed Mahiru was also aware of this possibility. At some point, she had come to his side, her eyes cast down anxiously.

"…What's our call? We can pretend to not be home if you'd like." At present, it was still possible to avoid confronting the issue.

They still had time before they had to return to school, and since Itsuki and Chitose were trying to visit unannounced, Amane could pretend that they weren't at home when they happened to pay a visit. It was possible that Amane and Mahiru would return back to normal in the span of a day or two. There was no need to deliberately make a choice with unknown consequences.

What should we do? With that train of thought, Amane looked up at Mahiru. She bit her lip, then spoke, her eyes on the two figures displayed on the monitor.

"…We should greet them," Mahiru decided. "Are you sure?"

"There's the possibility that we won't return back to normal soon. In that case, it would be wise to find people that can help us. Though, um, as for whether or not they will believe us, I can't say for sure."

While Amane grasped Mahiru's reasoning, he looked into her eyes.

Is it really going to be alright…? Noticing the resolve in her gaze, he dared not voice the question out loud.

He had never doubted their character, but even so, the inherently cautious Amane sought to avoid risks. If Mahiru believed in them, then Amane believed he should believe in them too. In fact, he regretted not being able to trust them right away.

Amane looked Mahiru in the eyes. "…Who knows if they'll believe us, but they'd never go around telling people that we're crazy if they don't. Let's place our trust in them."

"Okay." They shared a mutual nod of agreement before picking up the intercom to stop persistent ringing.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Uh, is this some kind of April Fools joke?"

After inviting the two unexpected visitors into his home and explaining the situation in great detail, the words that spilled from Itsuki's mouth were of utter disbelief.

Amane himself would have likely said the same had their positions been reversed. That was just how fantastical, outlandish, and unscientific their story was.

Utter confusion was written all over Chitose's face as she stared at him blankly. She looked as though she had something to say, but couldn't quite find the right words. To be met with skeptical looks after hearing a story like that was completely expected, so Amane wouldn't let that dishearten him.

When Amane looked Itsuki directly in the eyes, he noticed Itsuki flinch in response. Given the current situation, this might have been expected since, from Itsuki's perspective, it was Mahiru he saw staring at him head on.

"April Fools was ages ago," Amane retorted. "Besides, we wouldn't tell such a bad lie if it wasn't true. There's no way you would believe us."

"Yeah, you're right, but it's just so…absurd, you know?" Itsuki replied. "Totally. We acknowledge that as well." While Amane was ready to admit to

the absurdity of the situation, from his and Mahiru's perspective, it was their unmistakable reality. He couldn't take back what he'd said. If Itsuki and Chitose didn't believe them, then that was that. It was possible that this exchange could lead to them cutting ties.

Even if it meant undertaking that risk, Amane and Mahiru had decided to share the details with them. If they still didn't believe them after Amane and Mahiru had explained everything, then they were also prepared to accept that outcome should it arise.

"…We don't have any indisputable way of proving that we swapped bodies. Nor do we expect anyone to believe us based on our word alone. All I can do is insist that we aren't lying."

"I ask the same," Mahiru chimed in. "I'm not able to provide any concrete evidence, so all I am able to do is ask you to believe us…"

"Hmm… Out of the top three people I know that are terrible liars, two of them are you guys. I can't imagine you two trying to make up such a silly lie, and I do wanna believe your story. I just need a bit more convincing, if you will…" Although hesitant, Chitose leaned towards trusting them fairly quickly—and it was apparent that their constant honestly thus far was the key factor.

On the other hand, Itsuki didn't seem to believe them. More accurately, a look of utter confusion clouded his expression as he tried to process the inconceivable situation.

Chitose's final line about needing 'convincing' took Mahiru by surprise.

Worried, she turned to glance at Chitose. "…I see. Well, this might not prove it completely, but please lend me your ear, Chitose-san."

"Hm? Sure."

Mahiru beckoned Chitose over, leading her to the corner of the room as though she had some kind of trick up her sleeve. Chitose looked puzzled at first, but her expression gradually changed as she watched Mahiru distance herself from Amane and Itsuki before bending down slightly to whisper something in Chitose's ear. The look on her face changed swiftly from disbelief to conviction. That said, Chitose's suspicion seemed to now linger for another reason entirely.

"Aahh— …Aaahhh… I really wouldn't expect Mahirun to tell Amane about something like this, so I'll believe you. Wait, you being serious right now?" Chitose asked, bewildered.

"Serious," Mahiru responded.

"Pfft, it's kinda hilarious hearing you say that with Amane's face and voice." Seemingly convinced that it was Mahiru on the inside, Chitose, after giggling for a while, added, "It's okay, Ikkun. They're being dead serious—don't you worry." She laughed amusingly and waved her hand as she came back.

Seeing Itsuki make an expression that said I knew it, Amane countered by asking "…Should I whisper some of your secrets, too?"

Amane indeed knew things about Itsuki that Mahiru couldn't possibly be aware of. This included matters they discussed as men, hidden locations of certain items, and vulnerabilities Itsuki shared only with Amane, all of which Itsuki preferred to keep secret. Even while sharing some of these details could serve as proof for Itsuki, Amane was still reluctant to do so for the sake of Itsuki's honor and mental well-being. There was, however, always the option of relaying the details back to him in a way only he could hear.

Although Amane didn't particularly want to share anything of that nature, he still made the offer. In response, Itsuki shook his head nonchalantly. "Nahhh, it's fine. Chi's already convinced that you two switched, and I wasn't super skeptical to begin with. More importantly…"

"Yeah?"

"…With how you look and sound right now, I don't want you whispering in my ear."

Right now, Amane was in Mahiru's body. His appearance, his voice—everything—belonged to Mahiru, and while taste varied from man to man, these features could be considered appealing to many.

Even though Itsuki had his beloved girlfriend, Chitose, he was also just like your average man. There might still be moments where his heart might skip a beat. Naturally, knowing that it's Amane on the inside would quickly and entirely quell any such feelings.

"True that," Amane agreed. "I could tell Chitose instead if you want." "Wouldn't that just expose all my secrets!?"

"Say what? Are you hiding things from me, Ikkun!?"

"I'm not!" Itsuki turned to Amane with a pleading look that told him Don't you dare say anything. Amane solemnly nodded, much to Itsuki's relief. Then, Itsuki met Chitose's gaze, her face a stark reflection of her disappointment.

Amane, relieved that Chitose and Itsuki believed them, heaved a heavy sigh without thinking.

Hearing the sound, Itsuki broke out into a grin. "Honestly, you're acting exactly how Amane would, so that's why I didn't doubt you that much even at the start."

"Then you should have just believed us from the beginning…though I guess that would be an impossible ask," Amane acknowledged.

"Being quick to believe something this unusual without doubting it at all would be less a measure of friendship and more something else, if you ask me."

"And just asking, but was Chitose's judgment what finally convinced you?" "Not quite. Hmm…I'm not trying to say that you act crude, but there's a big difference between how you and Shiina-san act. Stuff like your postures, the way you turn to look at things, how much emphasis you place on your appearances—they're all different. Also, you say my name in the exact same way Amane does, but the biggest thing I noticed was that there's absolutely no hesitation when you say my name or look at me."

As looks would have it, Itsuki had indeed been paying close attention after all. He may look frivolous and carefree at first glance, but in truth, he was the type of person who carefully observed those around him. He marched to the beat of his own drum while keeping an eye on what was happening in his surroundings. He must have been closely observing Amane and Mahiru from the very start.

Itsuki gave Amane a relaxed smile after seeing Amane's relief. Itsuki knew that Amane was relieved for a different reason than before, this time because they were helped greatly by Itsuki's keen insight.

"Well, if you really were Shiina-san, you wouldn't do something that dangerous with your legs if I was around, would you?"

"Amane-kun."

"I'm terribly sorry. I'll be careful." Amane had no choice but to apologize profusely after being told the proper way to sit. Seeing this exchange, Itsuki and Chitose burst out laughing and watched Amane shrink back, the experience having seemingly driven home the fact that they had, in fact, switched bodies.

After fixing his posture once again thanks to Mahiru's guidance, Itsuki took another good look at Amane. His gaze seemed to hold a hint of admiration, to which Amane, squinting slightly, returned the look.

"…I dunno man, this just feels kinda…" Itsuki began. "What?"

"Like, something about this feels incredibly out of place."

"You don't say…" If there was anyone in this world that wouldn't feel something out of place after learning that two of their friends had swapped bodies, then Amane would love to meet such a person. "Something feeling out of place to you is fine by me. If anything, if nothing felt wrong, it would mean that I was acting all refined and graceful like Mahiru."

"Ha ha, like that'd happen."

"Shove it." Amane was already well aware that he didn't act refined, and responded sharply.

Mahiru, on the other hand, maintained a relaxed attitude—her demeanor didn't exert that same feeling of unease as Amane's.

"Hmm, problem. I want to hug Mahirun but knowing it's Amane inside is putting me off. But then if I hug Amane's body instead, it's a bit…"

"Just don't hug us then."

While Amane's appearance might be that of Mahiru—a woman—his mind remained a man on the inside. He would grow anxious if a woman, especially his friend's girlfriend, clung to him so easily. Anxiety would prevail, not excitement. Additionally, his own girlfriend was right beside him, which would only intensify said anxiety further.

"C'moon. It's okay if it's with Mahirun."

"Yeah, normally. You can hug her all you want after we go back to normal." "Yay!"

"That would still be slightly troubling for me, though!?" Mahiru was visibly flustered knowing that she would be the object of Chitose's enthusiastic show of affection once she returned to normal. Yet, seeing Chitose's innocent delight, Mahiru wasn't actually averse to the idea. She was simply bewildered.

Those two really are super close, Amane thought, taking a sip of the juice that Mahiru had given him earlier. However, for some strange reason, Chitose and Itsuki both turned to look his way. Amane narrowed his eyes and cast a suspicious look, but the two of them acted as if nothing was amiss.

"What is it with you two?"

"Well…yeah…you know…" stammered Itsuki.

"You sound like you've got something stuck in your teeth."

"I sort of get what you're trying to say, Ikkun," Chitose chimed in. "As expected, Chi! You know what's up."

"Seriously, what is it?" Amane was at a loss. For some reason, Chitose and Itsuki both seemed to be on the same page about something related to him. As the person in question, Amane was completely clueless and could only force a frown. Mahiru didn't appear to catch on to what the two of them were referring to either, looking at them with a quizzical gaze.

"Weeell, you look like Shiina-san right now, don't you?"

"Yeah. What about it?" That statement itself didn't bother Amane in the slightest, since it meant that they believed that he and Mahiru switched bodies. What he was bothered by, however, was what they were thinking. Given that he looked like Mahiru on the outside, they likely had some thoughts or concerns in mind.

Hurry up and spit it out then, Amane silently urged them on using his gaze.

Itsuki's smirk widened even more. "If I had to explain it, it's like Shiina-san looks different from her usual image as a pure and graceful beauty. She looks icy but also less wary, like an aloof yet nonchalant beauty, which I think is really good in its own right."

"Don't give me any weird looks," Amane warned. "I'll crush you." "Crush what!?"

"Your eyes, obviously! What are you trying to make me do in Mahiru's body?!"

"No, I don't think crushing his eyes is a good idea with Mahirun's body, y'know?"

"A-Aha ha…" Mahiru seemed to realize where the punishment was aimed at, and drew back slightly with a forced smile. Mahiru had once said in the past that she would land a blow on a certain critical area in the event that someone tried to pull something, but having her body used for such attacks while she wasn't in control would surely bother her. Alternatively, there was also the possibility that she was troubled after imagining it, as she was currently living in Amane's body.

Regardless, Amane knew it wasn't a topic that Mahiru particularly enjoyed, so he wanted to usher the conversation along. "Give me a break." Amane gave Itsuki a glare to shut him up as he sunk himself into the sofa.

Next to him, Mahiru furrowed her eyebrows ever so slightly while still maintaining her soft expression.

"And then on the other hand, there's Shiina-san. She looks very…non-Amane-like."

"She's like a very gentle version of Amane. His usual gruffness is nowhere to be seen," Chitose turned to Amane. "You should just smile like that all the time."

"So you're basically saying that I'm normally gruff. I guess I…can't really argue with that, actually."

"See? You even know it yourself."

"I mean, you can't really expect me to be as friendly as Mahiru or Itsuki…"

While it was irrefutable that Amane no longer acted distant or erected barriers between himself and others, he was fully aware that he was far from the friendliest person out there. If asked whether he was affable, he would give an honest no in response. In essence, he wouldn't push others away, but neither would he actively accept them. Amane's passive stance remained even now.

Thus, while many people's perception of him being unfriendly has softened, he'd still admit to not being the most approachable or congenial person.

With all that in mind, Amane could only nod his head and agree with her statement. It wasn't an aspect of himself that he was trying to deny.

"If only you softened your expression and let your eyes show, you would look like a warm and gentle young man. I bet you'd be pretty popular if you always looked this way."

"Popularity or whatnot aside, Mahiru might get jealous if that happened, so it's best not to say things like that."

"I–I wouldn't get jealous over something like this." "You wouldn't, huh?"

"…Would it be okay if I did?"

"You're free to feel however you like, Mahiru. It's better for you to express your emotions freely so long as it doesn't hurt you. I'll try my best not to give you any reason to be jealous, though." Amane's goal was to try to not make her jealous in the first place, but there could be situations where he might end up doing so unintentionally.

While Mahiru may have a strong desire to monopolize him, she wasn't the type of person to use that as an excuse to act in an aggressive manner. Rather, she would instead try to endure and bottle up her feelings. Amane hadn't the slightest intention of being unfaithful, but he wished for her to communicate to him honestly should she become jealous due to something he failed to anticipate. He was willing to try his best to dispel any frustrations or anxiety Mahiru may have, hoping to stay by her side and support her.

Feeling jealous isn't a bad thing in and of itself—even I have my own thoughts about how popular Mahiru is. Having some kind of worry is natural, Amane reasoned. He glanced at Mahiru to see her lower her brows in a bashful manner. She smiled shyly, as though slightly embarrassed.

"Yep, seeing this makes it all too obvious that you've swapped bodies," Itsuki commented.

"That should go without saying." Switching bodies alone wouldn't be enough to also affect their personalities. Given that Itsuki believed that Amane and Mahiru were acting just like their usual selves, then the switching of their bodies aside, everything else must appear just fine to those around them.

"Seriously though, what are you going to do about it?" "About what?"

"Your switch. What if you guys don't turn back to normal?"

"Don't say something so scary. We don't even know what caused this to begin with, so don't make it even worse." Had they known the cause, they wouldn't be in such a bind. Understanding the reason could also prove crucial in finding a way for them to switch back.

"So you two were like this when you woke up?"

"Exactly. We slept together last night, and before we knew it, this happened."

"Oh~?"

"Quit grinning like that. We didn't do anything strange." "You didn't, huh?"

Chitose's reply was both understanding and teasing, and Amane couldn't help but frown at her tone.

She definitely has some stupid delusions about what happened now, Amane thought. Well, there's no point in clearing it up. Desperately trying to correct her would just have the opposite effect. Knowing this, he simply glared at her without a word.

Then, Amane mulled over what would happen in the event that they never returned to their original bodies. As for him, he would most likely face many struggles while trying to live life as Mahiru—especially considering the sheer level of effort she had maintained for herself. However, Amane wouldn't give up, nor would he leave Mahiru's side.

"Even if we don't turn back, I want to be with you, Mahiru. Burdening you with the responsibility of living my life is something I would feel terribly sorry for, but um…if you don't mind, Mahiru, I want you to stay by my side." Amane looked at her straight in the eyes, speaking out to her in earnest.

Amane never considered leaving her—not even for a moment. But if they failed to rectify their current predicament and Mahiru didn't enjoy seeing her original body, then taking some time apart was an option to be considered.

After processing his words and blinking several times, Mahiru offered him a sheepish smile. "Don't say that… The only one who should apologize is me.

I'm the one who has left you with such a burdensome life to carry on your shoulders. But, I want to be with you too, Amane-kun."

"…I see."

The two of them smiled at one another, relieved from the bottom of their hearts upon confirming that their feelings for each other would remain unchanged.

Witness to their exchange, Itsuki let out a sharp whistle at Amane and Mahiru. "Hey, you two, try not to flirt so hard while we're still here."

"We were just trying to re-coordinate our plans for the future, seeing as a certain someone mentioned a scary possibility."

"If that doesn't count as flirting, then what would…well, whatever." "Hmm, I was just wondering, but didn't you guys switch while you were sleeping together?" Chitose, who had been silent up until that point, finally spoke. "Then, how about trying the same thing again? Who knows what bizarre reason caused you to switch, but maybe doing it again might let you switch back?"

It was an extremely simple, even obvious suggestion, but it was also one that offered them a glimmer of hope.

After the swap, Amane and Mahiru couldn't just head back to sleep.

Confused, they brainstormed ideas and tried to investigate each other's bodies, hoping to find a way back. Sleeping together was an easy thing to test, and neither of them were against sleeping together again. Since it carried the possibility of reverting them back to their original bodies, it seemed like an option worth trying.

"We can place our bets on this small glimmer of hope, but…" Amane tapered away.

"Don't worry! If you still aren't back to normal by tomorrow, Ikkun and I will do our best to cover for you one way or another, okay?" Chitose assured.

"Please hope that things will go well for us."

"Sure, man," Itsuki answered. "All my hope will go your way. If you haven't switched back tomorrow, let's hold another strategy meeting."

Whether the situation could be resolved or not, Itsuki seemed ready to see it through to the end. Without showing any sign of reluctance, he spoke casually and stood up. "I won't lie, some things are just out of our hands. I think the best thing to do right now is take it easy and try to understand each other better. It'd be bad if any discrepancies or inconsistencies appeared later, so share your worries and concerns while you can."

Amane softly replied, "I understand," to Chitose and Itsuki, who quickly showed their intention to head home. He stood up to see them off.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

After seeing them off, Amane led Mahiru by the hand into the bedroom. It might have been more appropriate to do this at night, but they decided to try sleeping together again as a preliminary test.

It was still bright outside, good enough to be called daytime, but they were already starting to get a little drowsy. All the commotion since the morning had tired them out, and they were both exhausted enough to cuddle up and sleep together if they so wanted. Just like last night, they lied down on the bed together. With both of them wearing strained smiles, they brought their faces closer.

Mahiru looked into his eyes and murmured quietly, "It would be wonderful if we could switch back…" her voice lacking spirit. Her attempt to act calm was simply a façade—beneath it, she still harbored fear about their situation not changing.

"Are you scared about…what's to come?" Amane asked, although slightly hesitant.

"I…am, yes. Honestly, it's scary…but as long as I'm with you, Amane-kun, I'll be okay." Mahiru's initially stiff and awkward smile was quickly replaced with one filled with warm trust. Despite her fear, Mahiru's trust in Amane remained unchanged.

That same sentiment held true for Amane. Believing that he could endure as long as he was by Mahiru's side, he gently placed his hand over hers, intertwining their fingers. Mahiru lightly squeezed back, helping to alleviate the swirling anxiety within him.

Soothed by their shared warmth, Mahiru's black eyes slowly yet surely began surrendering to slumber.

"…It has only been for a brief moment, but…" "Yeah?"

Right before her eyes closed completely, Mahiru squeezed out a soft murmur. "I'm glad that I can experience being in your shoes, Amane-kun. Remembering the dream that I had last night made me think that, even if only slightly, it is a valuable experience." She whispered in a voice so incredibly quiet, yet laden with slight envy.

Amane accepted Mahiru's not quite serious, yet still faint and modest wish with a smile. He gently stroked Mahiru's face with his free hand, her black eyes looking like they might fall shut at any moment.

"…But, deep down, I…want to be by your side, as my usual self…Amane-kun…"

"Yeah, I know." Amane closed the distance even more and gently whispered, "Don't worry," in her ear. A wave of relief washed over her, bringing with it the comfort she needed to drift off into sleep. Amane noticed that her eyelids had closed completely, revealing the surprisingly long eyelashes resting over her eyes. He sighed softly, confirming that his breathing had calmed and tension in his face had vanished.

It was clear that past events had cast a looming shadow over Mahiru's heart.

She must have been periodically tormented by memories of such a time, considering that they appeared even in her nightmares. Last night, Mahiru wore an expression that was filled with anxiety. Amane couldn't bear to leave her on her own during such a delicate moment, which was why he agreed to let her stay the night.

It's true that I've thought about wanting to be in Mahiru's shoes before.

Although Mahiru usually appears like she has everything under control, there are moments when she is suddenly reminded of the past and shows signs of suffering. Amane desperately wished that he could take her place and bear those painful memories and experiences for her.

Was it because of our wishes that we ended up swapping bodies?

Amane gazed at Mahiru's tranquil sleeping face as she dozed off before him.

Then, he drew a deep breath.

…Even so, I can't see Mahiru happily giving her burdens to someone else.

No matter how hard one struggles, some things just can't ever be undone.

Mahiru had come to accept her past and didn't try to act as though it had never happened. She understood that doing so would mean denying a part of herself. For that reason, the anxieties she bottled up inside her would occasionally resurface, resulting in torment.

For Mahiru, it would be far better if we stayed together, living happily while sharing the burden together.

"…Please, let us turn back to normal. I hope that then, I can properly share Mahiru's worries."

Should Amane have to walk through life while living in Mahiru's body, he'd have no choice but to accept that as reality… However, if possible, he wished to return to his original body so that he could be there to support her. He wanted to teach her how to live without feeling intimidated about being herself, and without being tormented by worry and anxiety.

Amane gently pressed his forehead against Mahiru's as he pondered such thoughts. Soon after, he too closed his eyes, and as a torrent of drowsiness claimed him, he surrendered to the slumber.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

A bright light awakened Amane from his sleep, gently piercing through his eyelids.

I don't know why, but my head feels awfully heavy… Amane thought with his mind still in a morning haze. While they desperately tried to resist, Amane finally opened his eyes to find a beautiful river of flaxen hue flowing before him.

"Zzz, zzz." Mahiru let out adorable, quiet breaths as she slept, her long eyelashes trembling occasionally—the sight was one of pure and utter innocence.

Without thinking, Amane let go of the hand he'd been golding and raised his own in front of him. He was met with one of his familiar, rugged hands, which very clearly belonged to him.

I'm ba…wait, was it all a dream?

Upon closer inspection, both he and Mahiru were still in the pajamas they had worn the night before. For their little test nap, Amane and Mahiru had worn their house clothes to bed, so if that had been reality, then the clothes they were wearing should have remained the same. Out of the corner of his eye, Amane glimpsed at the window. Judging by the time and the light spilling in from outside, it appeared to be a regular old morning.

After finally confirming all the details, Amane felt truly relieved.

Thank god. It was just a dream.

It was an eerily realistic dream—one that replicated even all of his regular senses. Amane was worried about the possibility of having to continue living as Mahiru, but now that he learned it was simply a dream, then that was a weight off his shoulders.

Thinking back, Amane hadn't felt the need to use the restroom nor did he feel any sort of physical pain during the time that they switched bodies. That's why now, in hindsight, it was logical for it to just be a dream. From the start, they were all too quick to accept that the swapping of two bodies had genuinely occurred—Itsuki and Chitose believing their story too readily was especially odd. Normally, one would be more skeptical and worry first about the possibility of a mental illness.

The idea of swapping bodies was, after all, a preposterous one. In modern Japan, where science, technology, and medical knowledge have advanced by leaps and bounds, no one in their right mind would immediately believe such a tale.

The way things had panned out was so far-fetched and convenient that Amane was further convinced that the swap was simply a dream. Both so incredibly realistic and unrealistic at the same time, Amane was left with a profound feeling to digest as he reflected on the dream.

"Phew." As Amane heaved a sigh of relief, he noticed that Mahiru, who had been sleeping beside him, was now slowly opening her eyes. Lying by Amane's side was indeed Mahiru—and not himself. Although she still had sleepy eyes, her consciousness seemed to rouse quickly once she caught sight of Amane. Her usually large eyes widened so much that they seemed to be overflowing. Her gaze was filled with surprise, so perhaps she had forgotten that she had slept next to him last night.

They remained in silence for a while, their gazes focused on each other.

Then, at the exact same time, they slowly began to speak. "So it was a dream, huh."

"I see. So it was a dream."

They both looked at one another and, unable to stay quiet any longer, simultaneously uttered the same line before breaking out into laughter.

"Huh?"