Kenichi walked on the sidewalk. The streets were filled with cars and pedestrians. He passed by many buildings. Grabbing his chin in contemplation, he thought of the nightmare from last night.
He remembered the chill he felt when he saw Kyoya with that devious smile, and the squeezing pain of his hands tightening around his throat.
Kenichi could feel his heart pounding. His dream felt so real.
But what made him feel a paralyzing fear was the words:
"You're not me."
So far, Kenichi has been trying to be just like Kyoya to maintain his relationship with Amemiya.
If he failed, what would happen? She'd likely break up with him, but he's still Kyoya Futami; he'd still have his status and could probably get with any other girl he wanted.
But Risa Amemiya was the one he wanted, so he had to become like Kyoya.
However, the Kyoya she likes treats her like trash, so wouldn't that mean he'd have to treat her the same?
Kenichi shook his head.
'I don't need to think about that right now.'
It was easier to postpone that thought and focus on something far more important.
After a while of walking, Kenichi stood in front of his old two-story house. He could finally answer the question: Is Kyoya dead?
He noticed the car wasn't in the driveway.
'Dad shouldn't be working today.'
He stared up at the window; there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary.
Finally, he arrived at the door, pushing the doorbell.
He stood, waiting for a moment. But no one came to answer the door.
He tried again, but still no answer.
'Seems like no one's home.'
If Kyoya's dead, then he would have been taken to the hospital.
'Everyone's probably over there.'
His head spun to the left and the right. The streets were empty, and the neighbors were gone.
'Good, sneaking in shouldn't be a problem.'
There was a key hidden underneath some rubble on the front porch. His mother had left it there in case Kenichi one day lost his keys and couldn't enter the door.
Picking it up, he slid it into the doorknob and twisted. The door opened, and Kenichi walked through.
Taking off his shoes, he gazed at his home. It was well furnished and clean, unlike Kyoya's apartment.
Walking up the stairs, he went straight to his room. When he entered, he noticed the rope he used to hang himself was sprawled on the floor right next to an action figure.
Kenichi picked the action figure up and placed it next to his other action figures.
Looking at the scene, it was obvious that his family had found his body. Kenichi bit his lip, thinking about the face his mother must've made when she discovered it.
'I'm a terrible son. Because of me, they must be going through a lot right now.'
Kenichi exited the room and returned to the entrance. Before leaving the house. There was one last thing he wanted to see.
He went to the living room. It had a large sofa and a table where he used to eat with his family. At the back was a window leading to the backyard, where he would play with his big sister.
He saw his family's pictures on the console table. Seeing himself and his family smiling made him feel a sting in his heart.
Kenichi had always wanted to be Kyoya Futami, and by some miracle, it happened, but as a result, he's lost his family and his home.
Kenichi finally had enough. He went to the entrance, put on his shoes, and walked out the door.
He returned the key to its place and left. Walking along the sidewalk, a voice caught him off guard.
"Hey!"
He turned to the side and saw his neighbor Tanaka-san, who was a burly old man.
'Crap!'
He was so caught up in the moment that he failed to check to make sure that no one was watching.
Kenichi remembered how Tanaka-san used to smile and greet him every day, but now he glared at him.
Tanaka-san opened his mouth.
"Why were you in the Sato family house? Are you a thief?"
Kenichi forced a smile.
"No, I'm just a family friend. I just came to check on my buddy Kenichi."
"Is that so.... What's your name?"
"..."
There was no way he could answer with Kyoya Futami. If Tanaka-san called his family and told them that a guy called Kyoya Futami had entered their home, they'd freak out.
The old man started to grow impatient.
"Answer me, boy."
"Akira... My name is Akira Tanabe."
"Then, I'll be giving the family a call to make sure. And if I find out you're lying, I'm calling the cops."
Kenichi began to feel frustrated. He felt the urge to punch the man in the face for daring to threaten him. However, he also knew that this wasn't him. He felt this way because he was in Kyoya's body.
He gave the old man a firm look.
"Do as you please."
Then, he strutted away.
Now that he thought about it, Akira had been to Kenichi's house a few times, and Tanaka-san had greeted him before. But Akira had never once given the old man his name.
'I should've used Kiwi's name instead.'
He's never been to Kenichi's place, so it would've been perfect.
'What's done is done.'
After some time, Kenichi arrived at a plaza with many stores and restaurants. The place was crowded; there was no way Amemiya would find him. Fortunately, he had arrived thirty minutes early. Had he arrived on time, he'd probably waste time searching for her.
'I should send her a picture of where I'm at.'
After thirty minutes, Amemiya arrived.
The first thing Kenichi noticed was her nicely done makeup, especially her red lipstick. She wore a blouse tucked into a skirt and heels.
"I never expected you to come early. Did you wait long?" Amemiya asked.
"Not at all."
She stared closely with a smile, then paused.
"You look sad. Is that nightmare from earlier still bothering you?"
"No, I just watched a sad movie while waiting."
"About what?"
"Some guy who lost his family."
"I never took you for someone who'd get emotional over a movie. It's kinda cute."
That compliment would've made the old Kenichi excited, but now he felt annoyed.
However, seeing Amemiya's joy, Kenichi remembered that although he may have lost his family, at least he still had something. Now he had to make sure he didn't mess it up.