Haru had been careful, but some things couldn't be avoided.
After school, as he walked home in his original body, Riku and his group cornered him behind the gym. The usual taunts came first. "Thought you could hide today?" Riku sneered.
Haru's hands clenched. He could switch—but something inside him hesitated. This wasn't just about escaping humiliation anymore; it was about control.
Riku lunged. Haru closed his eyes and shifted. In an instant, his new body replaced the old one. Muscles tensed, eyes sharp. He moved like water—fast, precise. Riku's fist barely grazed him before Haru sidestepped and countered, not with cruelty, but with measured force.
The bullies froze. Haru's presence alone was enough to make them rethink. Riku snarled but backed down, muttering threats that sounded hollow.
Walking home, Haru realized something crucial: power without discipline is dangerous, but the right control can change everything. Mina's earlier words echoed in his mind. Allies, strategy, timing—this wasn't just about fighting. Survival demanded understanding the rules of both worlds he now lived in.
That night, staring at his reflection, Haru promised himself one thing: he wouldn't be weak anymore—but he had to learn fast.