H_Si

Renji Aoyama is the kind of person everyone likes but no one remembers. He has talent but lacks consistency, jumping between hobbies, ambitions, and routines, always quitting before he can master anything. Surrounded by friends who excel in their own fields, Renji believes he could be great—if only he had discipline. If only he had focus.

Then he watches a movie about a blind girl whose split personality could "see." The idea grips him. If the mind can create something beyond its limits, what’s stopping him from doing the same? He dives into research, experimenting with methods to bring out a "perfect" version of himself. But nothing happens.

Or so he thinks.

One day, he hears a voice—his voice, but sharper, more confident, more refined. At first, it feels like an older brother guiding him. The new personality, who he names Shin, helps him in ways he never imagined—acing tests, handling social situations, and fixing the flaws Renji always hated about himself.

But as the days pass, Renji begins to question: Who is really in control? And if Shin is everything Renji should have been… then what does that make him?

As his sense of self starts to unravel, Renji will discover that Shin’s existence isn’t as simple as he thought. Because this "new" personality?

He may have been there all along.

The Other me

Renji felt like he was balancing on a knife's edge.

Since the moment his grandmother whispered, You already forgot once, his thoughts had been spiraling.

The past—the real past—was just beyond his reach. A shadow in his mind, teasing him, daring him to step closer.

But before he could, something dragged him back to the present.

His younger brother stood in the hallway, arms crossed, eyes sharp with suspicion.

"Careful," Shin whispered. "He's not as blind as the others."

A Brother Who Doesn't Believe You

Riku leaned against the doorframe, blocking the way.

"You've been acting weird for weeks," he said. "First, you start getting better at everything overnight. Then you suddenly decide to visit our old school. And now—" His eyes flickered toward the torn photograph still clenched in Renji's hand.

Renji fought the urge to hide it behind his back.

Riku's expression darkened. "What the hell is going on?"

Renji knew he needed to say something.

But before he could, Riku grabbed his wrist.

Not because of the grip—Riku wasn't stronger than him.

But because of what happened next.

Riku's grip tightened slightly. "…You were about to hit me just now, weren't you?"

He hadn't even realized—his fist had clenched automatically.

Riku let go and took a small step back. His expression unreadable. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

Renji swallowed. "You're imagining things."

For the first time in their lives, Renji realized something terrifying.

His younger brother was afraid of him.

Renji wasn't sure if he wasn't afraid of himself too.

The Family Starts Watching

His mother chatted as usual, filling the silence. His father barely spoke, eyes flickering between Renji and Riku. His uncle sipped his tea, his burned hands resting on the table.

The way his grandmother's eyes avoided him.

The way his father's usual laid-back nature felt heavier.

Like the entire room had started to notice something was wrong.

Even his one-year-old cousin, usually loud and playful, was quiet.

Renji forced himself to eat. To act normal.

But every movement felt mechanical.

Every word out of his mouth felt like a lie.

A Friend Who Knows Too Much

After dinner, Renji's phone buzzed.

> Shun: Yo, man. Where the hell have you been?

Renji sighed. He had been avoiding people.

> Shun: Bullshit. I know you. Something's up.

He could tell Shun anything. But he couldn't tell him this.

> Shun: Takashi thinks something's off too. He says you've been different.

Renji's grip on his phone tightened.

His best friend and his childhood friend—both of them were starting to see the cracks.

How long until someone tried to stop him?

Shin's laughter echoed in his mind.

"They can't stop you. Not anymore."

A Truth He Wasn't Ready to Face

Renji inhaled sharply. "I need to know."

His fingers curled into the sheets. "What happened after the dance?"

"Not yet?" he whispered. "So there is something?"

Because deep down, he already knew that was true.

Chapter 10: The Lies I Keep Telling