Chapter 2: A Stranger in My Thoughts

Renji didn't believe in ghosts. Or hallucinations. Or anything that couldn't be logically explained.

But as he sat in class the next morning, half-listening to the lecture, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"You shouldn't give up so easily, you know."

That voice from last night—his voice, yet not quite.

Maybe it had been a dream. His mind playing tricks on him. That was the logical explanation.

And yet.

His fingers tapped against his desk in a rhythm he didn't recognize. He only noticed when Haruto, seated beside him, gave him a side glance.

"Restless?" Haruto asked.

Renji stopped tapping. "No."

Haruto frowned but didn't press further.

The lesson continued, but Renji's focus drifted.

His body felt… off.

Not sick. Not tired. Just different.

The way he sat, the way he adjusted his grip on his pen—it was subtle, but something about it wasn't his.

Like wearing a shirt that looked like his own but felt slightly wrong.

He glanced down at his notebook.

The handwriting on today's notes was cleaner than usual. Straighter. As if he'd written them with more control than he typically had.

His stomach twisted slightly.

Had he… written these?

Of course he had. He was overthinking again.

He shut his notebook and exhaled.

---

A Conversation He Didn't Have

Lunch break came. Renji sat under the shade of a tree, away from the crowded cafeteria. He preferred it here—quiet, detached.

Shun arrived first, dropping down onto the grass beside him. "Oi, where were you this morning?"

Renji frowned. "What do you mean? I was in class."

Shun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know. But we talked, remember? Near the shoe lockers?"

Renji stared at him. "No, we didn't."

Shun scoffed. "Dude, you literally told me off for being late again. You even bet me 500 yen that I'd be late tomorrow too."

Renji didn't react immediately. He forced a small laugh. "Sounds like something I'd say."

But he didn't remember saying it.

Before he could dwell on it, Haruto and Kazuya arrived. As usual, they barely acknowledged each other. Kazuya greeted Renji with a nod before chugging from his sports bottle. Haruto sat on the other side, already opening a book.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Shun asked, leaning forward slightly.

Renji almost snapped, I'm fine, but hesitated.

Because he wasn't sure.

Something was off.

And then, a new thought entered his mind—one that felt foreign.

"Why lie? Just tell him you don't remember."

Renji stiffened. That wasn't just a stray thought. It was a voice. His voice.

Shin.

No. No, I made him up. He doesn't exist.

"You're overthinking again," the voice said smoothly. "Focus. Just act normal."

Renji forced himself to relax. He smiled at Shun. "Just didn't sleep much. That's all."

Shun didn't look convinced, but he dropped it.

But Renji knew the truth.

Something was very, very wrong.

---

A Perfect Move He Never Made

After school, Renji found himself at the chess club. He wasn't a full-time member, but he joined occasionally when he felt like it. Chess had always fascinated him—the strategy, the ability to think five steps ahead.

But he was never the best. He could be if he put in the effort, but that was the problem—he never did.

Today, though, something was different.

His opponent, a senior named Daiki, was one of the top players in the club. Renji had played him before and lost every time.

The game began as usual.

Then, without thinking, Renji moved his knight in a way that forced Daiki into a difficult position.

Daiki frowned. "That's new."

Renji barely registered the comment.

His hands moved on instinct.

Every move was perfect. Precise.

By the time Daiki realized what was happening, it was too late.

"Checkmate," Renji murmured.

Silence.

The other members who had been watching murmured among themselves.

Daiki stared at the board. "Damn. When did you get this good?"

Renji had no answer.

Because he didn't know.

He didn't remember thinking through those moves.

It was like his body had played the game without him.

"Told you," the voice whispered. "You just needed some guidance."

Renji stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over his chair. "I need to go."

He ignored the confused stares as he walked out of the clubroom, heart pounding.

---

The Face in the Mirror

Renji locked himself in the bathroom. He turned on the sink, splashing cold water on his face.

Breathe. Calm down.

He looked up at the mirror.

His reflection stared back.

For a second, he saw nothing wrong.

Then—

A flicker.

So fast it barely registered.

His reflection's eyes were sharper. Just for a split second. More alive.

More like the version of himself he had imagined.

Then it was gone.

Renji stumbled back, gripping the sink.

No. No, no, no. He was overthinking. That's all this was. Just a trick of the mind.

But deep down, he knew.

This wasn't just his imagination.

Shin wasn't an idea anymore.

He was real.

And he was waking up.

---

End of Chapter 2