Facing Yourself

I stood outside Ryota's office, letting the cold night air envelop my body. After hearing all the information he had to say, I didn't know what to feel. Anger, confusion, and despair mixed together, making my chest feel tight.

I looked up at the dark sky, staring at the stars that were barely visible due to the city's pollution. "Damn it, why do I have to be trapped in this body?" I muttered to myself.

This body... Shinichiro Ito... carried too much burden and hatred. His past was a nightmare that could not be erased. His reputation was ruined, his name became a subject of ridicule, and his life became an enemy of society.

I clenched my fists, holding back the anger that was beginning to burn. I, Kenji Takahashi, was the perfect man. I built my life with hard work-becoming a respected, honored, and loved heir. But now all of that was gone, just erased.

A feeling of unfairness came over me. I tried to catch my breath, tried to calm myself down. But the more I thought, the more disgusted I felt with this reality.

"All my efforts are gone and I'm stuck here," I muttered under my breath.

"Bastard" I said as I smacked my hand.

However, underneath the anger, I knew I couldn't keep blaming the situation. If I wanted to get out of this mess, I had to accept reality and face what lay ahead.

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. With heavy steps, I walked back inside Ryota's office.

As I opened the door, Ryota looked at me with a thoughtful expression. He seemed to know that I was at my lowest point.

When I walked back into the office, Ryota was already sitting in his chair with his arms folded on the desk. He looked at me, his expression a little softer than before.

"You look like shit," he said, sliding a cup of coffee towards me.

I took the cup without saying much, letting the warmth of the coffee touch my cold palms. "Yeah, I know," I replied briefly before sipping the coffee slowly. It was bitter, but somehow helped calm my mind a little.

Ryota leaned back in his chair, looking at me with a curious gaze. "So, let me try to understand this. You said you're not Shinichiro Ito, right?"

I nodded, staring at the coffee cup in my hand.

"And you transmigrated into this body, which happens to be the body of an abuser?" he continued, his voice sounding like he was half-joking.

I nodded again, this time with a slight smile on my face. "That sounds like a bad scenario that only happens in movies, doesn't it?"

Ryota chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, it's definitely like a movie. But unfortunately for you, this is reality."

I took another sip of coffee, trying to get rid of the bitter taste that was more than just the taste of coffee. "All my hard work... it's all just gone. My life used to be perfect, and now I'm stuck in this body. I don't even know what to do."

Ryota looked at me attentively, as if trying to find answers on my face. "Losing a perfect life and being trapped in the body of an abuser... well, I can't imagine how bad it is," he said, his tone of voice more serious now.

I let out a long breath, staring blankly at the table. "Actually, I can't imagine either."

Ryota smiled a little, as if trying to cheer me up. "If you really aren't Shinichiro, then this bad lottery is definitely not in your favor."

I chuckled, though it wasn't entirely sincere. "Yes, the worst lottery in history."

Ryota laughed along, the atmosphere in the room melting a little. But I knew, behind his laughter, he was still trying to understand my situation.

After a while, he changed his sitting position, leaning forward with his hands on the table. "Then, I want to know one thing. Who exactly are you?" he asked in a serious tone.

Ryota looked at me sharply, as if trying to read my mind. "Who are you, then?" he asked, his tone more serious than before.

I let out a long breath, trying to formulate words. I knew this would be hard to accept, but I also couldn't keep hiding who I really was.

"My name is... Kenji Takahashi," I finally said, my voice sounding steady even though inside I was still unsure.

Ryota tilted his head, raising an eyebrow with a confused expression. "Kenji Takahashi? You're joking, right?"

I shook my head slowly. "No, I'm serious. I am Kenji Takahashi. The heir to the Takahashi company, the man people always refer to as 'PERFECT'. That's me. Or, rather, it was me before I was trapped in this body."

Ryota was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing. He slapped the table a few times, his head almost touching the wooden surface from laughing too hard.

"Hahahaha "Ryota laughed loudly. "Seriously! You, Kenji Takahashi? The heir to Takahashi Corporation? The guy who often appears in business magazines with that big, annoying smile?" he said between laughs. "Do I look like an idiot?"

I just sat quietly, letting him vent his laughter. When he finally stopped, I said in a serious tone, "I know this is hard to believe, but I'm not joking. I'm really Kenji Takahashi. I don't know how I got stuck in this body, but it's the truth."

Ryota looked at me again, this time with a mixed expression of confusion and disbelief. "So, you want me to believe that the perfect guy who had everything is now trapped in the body of an... abuser?"

"Yes," I replied firmly. "And that's the reality I have to face now."

She ran a hand over her face, trying to digest what I had just heard. "This really is the craziest story I've ever heard," she said finally, more to herself.

I smiled slightly, even though I knew she still doubted me. "If you think it's crazy, try to imagine what it would be like to be in my shoes."

Ryota looked at me again, then let out a long breath. "Fine, let's say I believe it. But if you really are Kenji Takahashi, then you have a lot to explain."

I nodded slowly, looking down at the empty coffee cup in my hand. "I know, and I'm willing to explain everything. But I also need your help to get out of this mess."

Ryota smiled a little, though there was doubt in his eyes. "Then let's see how far I can help you, Kenji Takahashi."