Chapter 8: A Plan

Junpei smirked, leaning in slightly. "In high school, you had a massive crush on a girl. What was her name?"

I blinked. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. Spill it, or I'm calling the cops on this imposter."

I rolled my eyes. "It was Kana. Kana Takahashi. You even tried to ask her out on my behalf because I chickened out."

Junpei's jaw dropped slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "Okay, okay. That's… correct. But maybe you did your research. Let's go deeper."

I groaned, leaning back against the couch. "I don't have time for—"

"Shut it! Next question," Junpei interrupted, holding up a hand like a game show host. "What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you at school festivals?"

I buried my face in my hands. "Do we really have to—"

"Answer the question, miss."

I glared at him through my fingers before muttering, "I tripped on the dance floor and spilled punch on my shirt. Then I slipped again trying to clean it up."

Junpei burst out laughing, doubling over as tears formed in his eyes. "Oh my God, I still can't believe that happened! And you kept trying to act cool afterward, even though everyone saw it!"

"Are you done yet?" I snapped, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Junpei collapsed onto the couch, clutching his stomach as he howled with laughter. "It's really you! Holy crap, I can't believe it. You're cursed with bad luck even in a different body!"

I scowled. "Are you done humiliating me?"

Junpei wiped his face again, his laughter finally dying down. He leaned back, grinning like an idiot. "Okay, fine. It's you. I'm convinced. But…"

His grin widened mischievously. "Maybe this is karma, man. You know, for all the women you played back in the day."

I glared at him. "Don't start."

"Oh, I'm starting," he said, leaning forward. "Think about it! All those girls you dated at the same time. All the hearts you broke. Maybe the gods were watching and decided, 'You know what? Let's teach this guy a lesson.'"

"I didn't play-," I muttered, crossing my arms.

Junpei raised an eyebrow. "You literally juggled two girlfriends."

"That was one time!" I protested.

Junpei shrugged, smirking. "I'm just saying. It's kind of poetic, don't you think? Ryusei, the notorious playboy, turned into a woman. You're living your own punishment."

I groaned, burying my face in a pillow. "I hate you."

"Hey, I'm just here to support you, buddy," Junpei teased, patting me on the back. "But seriously, this is the weirdest thing you've ever dragged me into. What's your plan now? Going to embrace your new life and start seducing guys instead?"

I shot him a glare that could have melted steel. "Don't even joke about that."

Junpei laughed again, standing up to grab two beers from his fridge. He handed me one before sitting back down.

Junpei was still laughing to himself as he sipped his beer, while I sat on the couch, staring at the floor. The humor of the situation had worn off for me; the weight of everything I'd lost—and the chance I might have to make it right—was starting to settle in.

I took a deep breath, setting my unopened beer on the table. "Junpei," I began, my voice soft but serious.

"Hmm?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I… I've been thinking about Keiko and Rin."

That wiped the smirk off his face. He set his beer down and crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "Oh boy. Here we go."

"I'm serious," I continued, gripping my knees. "I know I've screwed up so many times, but I want to fix things with them. I have to."

Junpei's mouth fell open in mock disbelief. "You? Fix things? With Keiko and Rin? Ryusei, are you out of your mind?"

"I know it sounds crazy—"

"Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it!" he interrupted, throwing his hands in the air. "You couldn't fix your relationship when you were still you. How in the world do you think you can fix it now, looking like… well, this?"

I flinched but kept my gaze steady. "Because I have to try. I can't just abandon them."

Junpei let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. "Ryusei, you're an idiot. You've always been an idiot. Do you even hear yourself? You're trying to fix a life that you've been wrecking for years. What makes you think you'll succeed now?"

"Because it's different this time!" I shot back, my voice trembling. "I have a second chance. Isn't that what I always prayed for? Another chance to make things right?"

Junpei stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Look, I get it. You feel guilty. You should. But guilt doesn't fix anything, Ryusei. If you go back to them now, without a real plan, you're just going to make things worse."

I clenched my fists, the frustration building in my chest. "So what are you saying? That I should just walk away? Leave them behind and start over?"

"Yes!" Junpei said, exasperated. "That's exactly what I'm saying! You've been handed a clean slate, man. Do you know how rare that is? Most people would kill for a chance like this. And here you are, ready to dive right back into the same mess you just escaped from."

"But," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I can't just abandon them."

Junpei groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You're so damn stubborn. Fine, if you're so set on this, then do it. But I'm warning you, if you screw things up again, I'm out. No more bailing you out of your messes."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I promise, Junpei. I'll do it this time. I'll fix my life."

Junpei stared at me for a long moment, then sighed again, leaning back in his chair. "You really are something, Ryusei. I don't know if it's bravery or stupidity."

I managed a weak smile. "Maybe a little of both."

He shook his head, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You know, I used to think Keiko was a weirdo. But now? She's a damn saint. She doesn't deserve someone like you."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered.

"I'm serious," he said, his tone teasing but sincere. "That woman must have the patience of a saint."

"Okay, that's enough," I said, glaring at him.

Junpei laughed, throwing a pillow at me. "I'm just saying, man. She deserves better. Hell, Rin deserves better. So if you're going to do this, you'd better get your act together. No more half-assed efforts. No more excuses. Got it?"

I caught the pillow and nodded. "Got it."

Junpei leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he gave me a long, appraising look. I could tell he was trying to stifle a laugh, but his twitching lips betrayed him.

"So," he finally said, a smirk spreading across his face, "what's it like being a woman now? You getting used to the… uh, changes?"

I shot him a glare. "It's weird, okay? And don't even think about making it weirder."

"Making it weirder? What does that even mean?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You know exactly what I mean," I snapped, pointing a finger at him. "Don't you dare get any perverted ideas about me now that I look like this."

That did it. Junpei burst out laughing, doubling over as he clutched his stomach. "Perverted ideas? About you? Oh, come on, Ryusei!"

I crossed my arms, frowning. "What's so funny about that?"

Junpei wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still chuckling. "Dude, you're not even a hot chick. I mean, sure, you've got the basic parts now, but you're like… a bargain-bin version of a woman."

"Thanks for the compliment," I said dryly, rolling my eyes.

"No, no, I'm serious!" he continued, laughing even harder. "Even if you were a supermodel-level hot body woman, I still wouldn't be interested in you. Do you know why?"

"Why?" I asked, annoyed but curious.

"Because I know what kind of disaster you are on the inside," Junpei said, pointing at me with a grin. "You could look like a goddess, and I'd still run the other way because I'd know it's you in there, Ryusei. The guy who once clogged my toilet and blamed it on a ghost."

"That was a real thing!" I protested, my face heating up.

"Oh, sure it was," he said, snickering. "Look, man, you're my best friend, and I love you—platonically, of course—but the thought of being attracted to you? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard."

"Fine, fine, I get it," I muttered, slumping back into the couch. "You don't have to roast me this hard."

Junpei smirked, leaning forward to pat me on the shoulder. "Don't worry, buddy. You're safe from my perverted thoughts. Forever."

"Good," I grumbled, though I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips.