Linked Paths

Arc I - Closer to You [Chapter 1: If I were You, or am I?]

Jeez! That would also come...surely, and showering, generally hygiene measures. Suddenly I feel sick to my stomach. Not only the thought that I would experience this in Kacchan’s body, but him in mine, makes me feel nauseous. He will not only see me naked, but he will also do things, must do things that I actually don’t want to imagine. While I wash my hands, I dare a look in the mirror above the sink. I look like him…but I am me on the inside.

Simply too intense everything! I swallow hard, forcing a mighty lump down my throat. I would love to lock myself in the bathroom now and not come out until this ordeal is over. But what a bad solution that would be. I don’t want to be a coward. Nevertheless, it’s tough to open the bathroom door and step out. Immediately our eyes find each other. I’m sure I look like an absolute mess right now. I notice that Kacchan also feels very uncomfortable, and rightly so. His expression is serious.

Kacchan: “We need firm rules. Have to define what one’s allowed to do, what not, what’s important to the other.”

I nod curtly, as I so often do today, “Good idea.” I take my spot on the couch again.

Although it’s late, I’m super tired, and we must go up early in the morning, we sit together and discuss important rules to follow during the body swap. Surprisingly, we almost always agree. It calms me a lot to work out these rules with Kacchan. I feel that my body is in good hands. Yes, we have our difficulties and have lived past each other in recent years, but I know I can trust him about this. He wouldn’t do anything that would displease me. He wouldn’t do anything without asking me about it beforehand. If there’s one thing I know about Kacchan, it’s that he has a high sense of responsibility.

One of the most important rules which is immediately clear is that the body of the other is sacred.

And thus, sub-rules follow from this:

(a) The body of the other person must never be intentionally harmed/injured.

(b) All injuries and other changes are to be communicated immediately to the other person.

(c) Specific wishes of the actual body owner concerning nutrition, exercise, hygiene, etc. are to be implemented.

(d) Intimate body regions may only be handled within the framework of hygiene measures and alike.

(e) All sexual acts, including masturbation, are prohibited.

Furthermore, the other’s quirk is not used without prior joint training, if the operation works at all. Generally, training is done only together, not without the other. We also agree that after-school activities should be kept to a minimum, if possible, unless both are present.

After a while, we are through so far. That’s enough rules for now. If I think of any other points, I know I can talk to him about them. We even write everything down neatly and shake hands at the end, like an official contract. I think we need this formality right now. It gives again more a feeling of security and trust. The situation still sucks, but right now I have more confidence that I can get through this relatively fine. Anyway, to be walked out without a straitjacket.

I yawn; my eyes are heavy.

Kacchan: *rises and stretches*, “Maybe we’ll be lucky and won’t have to bother with it for too long.”

I also stand up from the couch, “Maybe. Hopefully...”

Kacchan: *goes to the door and turns around again*, “See you tomorrow.”

I avoid eye contact, “Yes, see you tomorrow.”

The door slides shut and I’m alone. For the first time since the body swap just for me. The feelings then immediately overwhelm me. If I had not dared to show my despair openly before, now it burst out of me even more. All that aside, I didn’t want to expose Kacchan by breaking down and crying out in front of people in his body, voice and all. I curl up on the couch and just cry. I still have trouble believing that this is going to be my reality for the next few days, maybe weeks, maybe even longer. It’s disconcerting to cry in Kacchan’s voice, but what’s out must come out.