The air inside the dining room was unbearably tense. We sat at the table in complete silence, the only sound being the faint ticking of the clock. Keiko was beside me, while Rin sat across, staring at me with narrowed eyes. None of us knew how to begin.
I gulped down some water, hoping it would ease the dryness in my throat. Say something. Anything. But before I could, Keiko suddenly spoke—straight to the point, as always.
"Rin, so Ryuko is your dad."
"What?!"
Both Rin and I leaped from our seats, equally shocked. I was so startled that I choked on my water, coughing violently as I fought to breathe.
"Oh my god, what are you doing?!" Rin cried out, looking at me in horror as I struggled.
Keiko, unfazed by my near-death experience, simply patted my back. "Breathe, you idiot."
After a few painful coughs, I finally recovered, gasping for air. I shot Keiko a look, still wide-eyed. "That was how you wanted to break the news?!"
Keiko tilted her head, unimpressed. "Why not? It’s the truth."
"Without any buildup?!" I wiped my mouth, still stunned.
"What’s the point of buildup? The important part is already out," Keiko said matter-of-factly.
I groaned. "I don’t even know how to argue with you..."
Rin, who had been quiet for a moment, suddenly slammed her hands on the table. "Wait, hold on, mom! Are you for real?! How do you even know it’s him?! What if she's lying?! What if she's deceiving you?!" Her voice was rising with frustration.
Keiko remained calm. "She told me herself."
"That’s it?!" Rin was losing it. "Just because she said so?! You believe her?!"
Rin turned her sharp gaze at me. "Are you deceiving my mom?! Or maybe... threatening her?! Who the hell are you?!"
I met her eyes with all the honesty I had. "Rin, I am not lying. I am Ryusei."
Her hands clenched into fists. "That’s impossible."
"I know how insane it sounds," I admitted. "But it’s true. That day, after we fought... I collapsed in a snowstorm. When I woke up, I was in this body."
Rin stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "No. I don’t believe any of this."
I felt my chest tighten. "Rin, please... I know I hurt you and your mom. I know I made mistakes. But I swear, I’ll do anything to make things right." I bowed my head deeply. "Just give me a chance."
She didn’t respond. Her face was unreadable—anger, confusion, sadness all mixed together.
Keiko, still watching silently, finally spoke. "Take your time, Rin. You don’t have to push yourself now."
Rin let out a frustrated sigh, running her fingers through her hair. "I don’t know. This whole situation is too much. And now you're a girl? Moreover you look like a girl my age? How am I supposed to accept this?"
With that, she turned away, retreating to her room. The door clicked shut, leaving me and Keiko alone.
I exhaled heavily, my shoulders slumping. "That could have gone better..."
Keiko crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "She’s right, you know. This is weird."
I turned to her, expecting anger—but instead, she just sighed deeply.
"It’s hard for me too," she admitted, staring at me. "My husband now looks like a girl 15 years younger than me..."
I shuddered. "I’d be freaked out too if you suddenly turned into a younger guy."
Keiko smirked. "See? Now you get it."
We fell into silence for a while, the weight of everything finally settling in.
Keiko glanced at me again. "Don’t tell anyone from work about this."
I nodded immediately. "Of course. I wouldn’t dare."
She sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "Let’s sleep. It’s late."
I hesitated. "W-wait, Keiko."
She stopped, turning back to me. "What?"
I swallowed my nerves, looking at her with all the sincerity I could muster. "Thank you... for believing me. For giving me another chance."
She looked at me for a long moment. Then, finally, she said, "Don’t think I’ve completely accepted and forgive you yet. You have your responsibility, especially to Rin."
I nodded. "I will. I promise."
Keiko turned to leave. Then, she stopped.
"...Well? What are you doing?" she asked, looking over her shoulder.
I blinked. "Huh?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Aren’t you coming? Or do you not want to sleep?"
My face turned red. "Wait—you mean—together?!"
Keiko looked unamused. "Where else would you sleep?"
My heart pounded violently. "I-I just thought maybe I should—uh—sleep somewhere else—"
Keiko let out a tired sigh. "You really are the same idiot as before..."
I gulped. It had been so long since I last shared a bed with her. Even though I was still Ryusei... my body was different now. And that made everything feel so much more nerve-wracking.
Keiko didn’t wait for me. She just walked to our—her—our?—room.
After a moment of hesitation, I finally followed.
As I stepped into the room, nostalgia hit me hard. Everything was the same. The scent of the pillows, the way the blankets were slightly messy... It felt like home.
I stood awkwardly near the door. "Uh... where should I sleep?"
Keiko raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously asking?"
"...On the floor?" I offered weakly.
She gave me a deadpan look. "Just do what you want."
I nervously climbed into bed, lying stiff as a board. Keiko slipped in beside me, turning off the light.
Silence.
I could feel her warmth beside me. My heartbeat was erratic.
"Keiko..." I whispered.
She didn’t reply.
Instead, after a few seconds, she suddenly shifted closer, resting her head against my shoulder.
My breath caught.
I swallowed thickly. "Keiko..."
"...Shut up and sleep," she muttered.
I couldn’t help but smile. Despite everything, despite the craziness of the situation... this moment felt real.