Hojou Kyousuke stood expressionlessly in front of the bulletin board displaying the exam results. Around him, Kisaki Tetta and the other students stared at him in disbelief.
"Uh, Hojou... did you forget to write your name on the test?" Hanagaki Takemichi asked hesitantly.
Though Kyousuke's scores weren't zeros, Takemichi could think of no other explanation for what he was seeing.
"Thanks for your concern, but no. Just a little... accident happened," Kyousuke replied calmly before walking away, the crowd instinctively parting to make way for him.
Only after he left did the once-silent students rush forward, whispering among themselves.
"No way! Hojou scored this low? He nearly aced the entrance exam!" one student exclaimed.
"Could it be..." another student started, only to be cut off.
"Shut up! Do you have a death wish?" his friend quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Besides, even if you were cheating, could you really score that high?" another chimed in.
"Yeah, but still... why?" The students all stared at his name in the middle-to-lower section of the rankings, the same question echoing in their minds.
———————————————————————
By the time he reached the rooftop, Kisaki had already gone to buy lunch.
Now that Kyousuke was earning a bit from his kendo coaching job, he could afford to eat well again.
Absentmindedly, he pulled out his copy of Love Metronome, intending to read, but as he flipped it open, he noticed unfamiliar handwriting scattered across the pages.
Some pages had dried water stains—circles where drops had fallen and evaporated.
After several exchanges, Kyousuke had become familiar with Mitsuha's handwriting—delicate, meticulous, and undeniably feminine.
The notes she left were filled with emotional reactions about how touching the novel was, how pitiful yet strong the heroine seemed.
A quick guess told him those dried spots were her tears.
Sighing, he closed the book. Now that it had been altered, he wasn't in the mood to continue reading. He'd just buy a new copy later.
Still no sign of Kisaki. No surprise there—Kyousuke had decided to treat himself to something better than pre-packed meals, which meant a wait for fresh preparation.
He massaged his temples, closing his eyes. In the darkness, the glaringly bad scores seemed seared onto his retinas.
He had braced himself for this the moment he realized the exam was coming, but a small part of him had still hoped—'Maybe I won't switch bodies that day.'
Mitsuha had crushed that hope.
Just like how a cat always lands on its feet, fate made sure the worst-case scenario happened.
Whatever. He'd just take back the top spot on the next test.
His homeroom teacher had already called him in that morning before the scores were even posted.
Surprisingly, there was no scolding just a concern.
The teacher asked if he was feeling unwell or going through any difficulties and assured him that, no matter the problem, the school would support him.
Kyousuke thanked him for the concern and simply promised, "I'll be first next time."
His serious tone had startled the teacher, who quickly reassured him, "No pressure! We all believe in you."
Despite his abysmal performance, the teacher clearly understood the kind of student he was.
No one could fake their daily academic ability. Even if someone doubted him, no one could believe that his entrance exam scores were fraudulent.
'Miyamizu Mitsuha...'
How many more times would this happen? Over in Itomori, someone had already discovered the body-switching.
And on his side, after this test, Kisaki was bound to suspect something—no matter how absurd the truth was.
———————————————————————
"Hojou, food's here," Kisaki announced, carrying a wooden lunch box as he walked onto the rooftop.
"Thank you, Kisaki." Kyousuke took the box, opened it, and laid out the dishes—his favorite special beef set meal from that restaurant.
"Hojou, what's really going on?" Kisaki asked, his own meal long finished while waiting for Hojou's order to be prepared.
"What do you mean?" Kyousuke paused, his chopsticks mid-air, the smile he had from seeing the meal faltering slightly.
"Yesterday, you were completely off. You didn't seem to know how to solve the test questions at all."
"Haha, you must be imagining things, Kisaki. Maybe you're mixing dreams with reality?" Kyousuke dismissed him casually.
"As much as I dream about stealing first place from you, I know what I saw. You were trying hard but still couldn't solve the problems."
"And it's not just yesterday. There've been other times when you've been acting strange. Sometimes, you talk with an unfamiliar accent."
"Your movements are more... feminine. And when people call your name, you often don't respond—like it's not even your name."
Kisaki adjusted his glasses, his expression growing more certain with each sentence.
"So? What's your conclusion?" Kyousuke asked, stuffing a large bite of beef into his mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing.
He couldn't keep this subordinate around. Unlike Yukino Yukari, Kisaki was not one of them. If Mitsuha took over his body again, she might slip up.
As he absentmindedly placed a hand on the lunchbox lid, he considered his options.
Did he have the ability to make Kisaki conveniently forget certain things with a single strike?
"Hojou, you have dissociative identity disorder! Your other personality is a girl who sucks at studying and loves to eat!" Kisaki declared, his eyes wide with shock.
Kyousuke exhaled quietly. 'Thank god.'
Kisaki, the wannabe delinquent, hadn't let him down.
Relaxing, he pulled his hand away from the lunchbox lid and returned to his meal. There was no point in listening anymore. Kisaki was just a fool.
"Boss, we need to see a doctor. Split personalities can be treated if caught early!" Kisaki insisted, his heart aching at the sight of his leader desperately shoveling food into his mouth.
'Is this why he eats so much? To cope with his suffering?'
"Nah, it's fine. Think about it—if my other self goes to work while I relax, I get paid and I don't have to lift a finger. Isn't that the ultimate win-win?" Kyousuke smirked, casually reinforcing the misunderstanding to cover for Mitsuha.
"But..." Kisaki hesitated.
'What if more personalities show up? What if they force the real Hojou to work while they slack off?' This was dangerous!
Without a word, Kyousuke pulled out his medical check-up report and handed it over.
"What's this?"
"A full health exam, including a psychological evaluation."
"And?"
"Everything's normal."
"Everything's... normal?" Kisaki repeated in disbelief.
"Exactly."
"Boss!"
'Even the hospital couldn't detect it?' Kisaki was shaken.
'Damn, even if she sucks at studying, Hojou's other personality is just as elite in every other way!'
"Don't worry. One day, she might just disappear. Until then, cover for her if she messes up," Kyousuke said casually.
"Understood." Kisaki nodded grimly.
As Kyousuke drifted into his afternoon nap, Kisaki's mind spun.
If this was truly part of his leader, he couldn't be careless. He had to guide her properly—starting with teaching her how to ride a motorcycle.
No wonder there were days when Hojou took the train instead.
If this keeps up, Kyousuke's main personality will be pushed to the edge!
After school, Kyousuke headed to the Garden of Words for a meal and explained to Okudera Miki why he hadn't been coming by as often lately.
"Why?" she asked.
"Just been busy," he replied.
Finishing his meal quickly, Kyousuke then rushed to Shirayuri Academy.
According to Sakura, it had been a while since she last took a leave of absence, so her excuse note had been "reset."
"Kyousuke!"
Still a short distance from the school gate, Kyousuke slowed his bike, just in time to see a white figure dashing toward him in excitement.
"Be careful! Don't just run across the road like that!"
He quickly put down the kickstand and spread his arms, catching the girl who launched herself at him without the slightest hesitation.
"Hehe, but you always catch me, don't you?"
Sakura hugged him tightly for a good half-minute, as if trying to ease the longing she had felt. Then she let go, spun in place, and struck a playful pose.
"Tada! What do you think of my outfit tonight?"
Kyousuke took a closer look.
Sakura had her long brown hair tied in a ponytail.
She wore a green knit vest that exposed her slender arms, paired with White-colored cargo pants.
"You looked like a mechanic's apprentice."
And since that was the first thing that crossed his mind, he didn't hesitate to say it out loud.
"Hehehe, I thought so!" Sakura giggled.
"I saw this look online. Since we're going to a motorcycle gathering tonight, I figured this mechanic-style outfit would feel familiar to both you and that person called Celty."
"You idiot. I'd find you familiar no matter what you wear."
Kyousuke grabbed the helmet from the backseat latch, gently placed it on Sakura's head, and carefully adjusted the straps for her.
"As for Celty, I don't know why you're so interested in her, but she's easy to get along with."
"Come on, let's go already! I can't wait!" Sakura clung tightly to Kyousuke's waist. Since he hadn't pulled down the wind visor, she could clearly catch the scent of him.
She wasn't sure if it was from his laundry detergent or something else, but whatever it was, it made her feel safe.
"Hold on tight."
Feeling Sakura's arms tighten around his waist and hearing her response, Kyousuke started the motorcycle and headed toward the meeting place.
For some reason, ever since he told Sakura about Celty's unique existence, she had been unusually fascinated—constantly asking to meet and befriend Celty.
On the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway loop, Higashi's crew and Celty were already waiting.
"Ahhh! That must be it!"
Spotting the cluster of headlights in the distance, Sakura excitedly pointed ahead.
It was impossible to miss—the presence of Celty's bright yellow, cat-eared helmet stood out like a beacon, glowing under the headlights.
"Yeah, hold on tighter. This isn't safe." Kyousuke tensed.
"It's not like we're going that fast."
Despite her nonchalant words, Sakura obediently tightened her grip. She knew that while Kyousuke was indulgent with almost all her requests, there were two things he never compromised on—food and safety.
"Good girl."
He wanted to pat her head, but safety came first.
After parking his bike and exchanging greetings with his crew, Kyousuke turned to Celty.
"Long time no see, Celty."
"Long time no see, Hojou."
Celty's speech had become fluent enough that her voice sounded as if it were coming directly from her head—only without the usual muffled effect of a helmet.
"Haha, you two sound like that sushi guy—what was his name?—that always greets people like they're long-lost friends!" Sakura suddenly laughed.
"You mean… Simon?"
Having spent years in Ikebukuro, Celty was no stranger to the towering, ever-friendly African sushi chef who greeted everyone with the same enthusiastic
"Long time no see!"
"Yeah, that's him! Hojou and I met him when we went to Ikebukuro. He was hilarious! And his sushi was amazing!"
With her natural charm, Sakura seamlessly struck up a conversation with Celty, her warmth catching even Celty off guard.
"This one here is my childhood friend, Yamauchi Sakura," Kyousuke introduced. "She's been dying to meet you. And this is Celty—my friend and the fastest rider in Ikebukuro."
With the introductions out of the way, Kyousuke turned to his subordinates, who had been shamelessly eavesdropping on the conversation.
"What are you all standing around for? Waiting to race me?"
The group immediately burst into laughter and scattered, understanding the hint.
"We're not going with them?" Celty asked curiously.
"Actually… there's something…"
For once, the usually decisive Kyousuke seemed hesitant.
"I'll say it, Kyousuke." Sakura stepped forward, seeing his reluctance.
"No, I got it." Kyousuke exhaled. "Sakura is curious about… your unique trait. She wants to see it."
He raised a hand and made a vague gesture around his head.
That was why he sent his subordinates away.
"Hah! You made it sound so serious—I thought she wanted to ride my bike or something," Celty chuckled.
"Can I, Celty-nee?" Sakura clasped her hands behind her back, looking at Celty with wide, hopeful eyes—her voice even sweeter than before.
"Of course, I don't mind."
Celty didn't really understand why this girl was so fascinated with something so eerie, but since Kyousuke had vouched for her, she didn't feel offended.
"Just don't get scared."
With that, Celty slowly removed her helmet.
A pale neck was revealed, and above it—dark mist swirled and flickered.
"Whoa—!"
Sakura's eyes widened in amazement. She covered her mouth with both hands, unable to suppress her astonishment.
She had heard Kyousuke's stories and had believed him without question. But seeing Celty in person…
It was something else entirely.
At that moment, a small but fundamental shift occurred in the way Sakura understood the world.
"That's enough, right?" Celty asked, feeling a bit self-conscious under Sakura's intense gaze.
Her keen senses told her that the girl wasn't shocked by her supernatural nature—she was awed by the very concept of her existence.
"Thank you so much. That was incredibly rude of me," Sakura bowed in gratitude.
"It's fine," Celty waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright, let's go for a ride."
Seeing that the two had now formed a rather memorable first impression of each other, Kyousuke mounted his motorcycle.