Kazuya moved quietly through the village, guided by Reina's memories to the few people who would help without question.
After he ran around for a while, he had gathered two days' worth of food and water, a map, and a small tent.
Everything went into one of Reina's worn backpacks.
He was ready to leave, ready to start searching for his original body, when Aiko's face crossed his mind.
Leaving without a word felt like destroying the bond between Reina and Aiko.
He wandered down the peaceful streets, the familiar path leading him straight to Aiko's home.
Knock. Knock.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal Aiko's familiar, warm smile. Kazuya felt an unexpected flutter in his stomach, and found himself smiling back.
"Reina! You were acting really strange last time I saw you."
A small, nervous laugh escaped him.
"I was just… overwhelmed, that's all."
"Overwhelmed? With what? If you need my help, you know you can tell me."
She placed her hands gently on his shoulders, eyes full of sincerity.
"We're friends, don't forget that."
Her words hit harder than he expected. Kazuya had never been especially close to anyone in his own life, and through Reina's heart, Aiko was someone deeply cherished.
For the first time since waking in another's body, Kazuya felt a sense of joy.
He gave her a tight and sincere hug
"Thank you, Aiko. I mean it… thank you so much."
Tears threatened to spill, but he brushed them away.
Pulling back, he took a breath.
"Aiko… I'm going to be away for a while."
"Away? Like… traveling? That's not like you."
"I just have things I need to take care of."
"How... How long will you be gone?"
He lowered his gaze.
"…I don't know." Then met her eyes again. "But I will come back, so don't worry about me."
Aiko hesitated, something in her expression shifting. Though she saw Reina standing before her, she felt an unfamiliar spirit beneath the familiar face.
"O-okay… I'll trust you."
Kazuya smiled and left, heading toward the village gate. He was nearly out when a voice called,
"Reina!"
Turning, he saw Daichi Moriyama, a middle-aged man with an air of unshakable resolve. Someone insignificant to Kazuya's own life, yet deeply respected by Reina.
"Moriyama, what is it?"
"Nothing, just wondering where you're headed, you hardly ever leave the village."
"I've got things to do."
"What, looking for a boyfriend?"
Kazuya's face remained blank, but Reina's instinctive embarrassment jolted through him. His cheeks warmed despite himself.
Seriously? This girl reacts to a joke like that? He thought, looking away.
"A-anyway, unless you need something, I'm going."
"Stay safe out there."
Kazuya paused, realizing that beneath the man's poor sense of humor lay the protective nature that had earned Reina's respect.
"I will." he said, and left the village behind.
The plains stretched endlessly ahead. On the map, he marked Reina's village and the distant scar of the battlefield.
This time, it was his own knowledge guiding him, not someone else's memories.
He walked without stopping. As night fell, his legs trembled, his food remained untouched, whether from rationing or stubbornness, he didn't know.
Eventually, his knees buckled.
The world around him was a patchwork of darkness and sparse trees.
"Guess this is as far as I go today."
His tent went up clumsily, barely enough to shelter him from the night wind. Exhaustion dragged him into sleep.
I still have plenty of food and water, I could probably last three days at this pace.
Birdsong woke him.
But when his eyes opened, he was no longer in a flimsy tent, he was inside a solid house, sunlight spilling across sturdy walls.
Confusion surged.
He stood and froze. His body felt different. It was taller and broader. He looked down, muscles stretched the shirt across his chest, with a single breath, he felt as if the buttons might snap.
"No… not again."
He searched for a mirror, but none was to be found this time. He burst outside, searching for anything reflective.
A glimmer caught his eye, a shallow puddle. Its surface rippling faintly under the morning breeze. Desperation seized him as he sprinted toward it, his boots splashing mud at the edges as he dropped to his knees, palms pressing into the cold, damp earth. Leaning over, he stared into the trembling reflection.
The face that stared back wasn't his.