CH 103

“…Owen.”

When Natalie came into the room, she was acting differently than usual.

What’s going on?

I thought she was going to say in a cheerful voice, “Congratulations, Owen!”

“You …always exceed my expectations, don’t you?”

“Do you think so?”

“It’s like the first day we met, I didn’t expect to fly out of nowhere, and now this …thing, it’s so awesome, I don’t even know what to say.”

“Well, that’s it. I hope you’ll congratulate me anyway?”

“Yes, you did well, sorry… congratulations.”

“Thank you, I won as promised.”

I’m glad I won because before the match I was acting cool with Natalie saying I’ll take care of the rest.

“…yeah, I’m surprised…”

“You’re not too happy about it, are you?”

“It’s not. …It’s not. …Part of me is happy that Owen won, it’s just …”

“Just?”

Natalie wrinkled her brow.

“I was … scared. What was that thing you showed me in the middle of the game? Owen is Owen, right?”

I’m sure that’s when I was taken over by Owen.

What should I tell her …?

To tell her that I’m not really Owen?

To tell her I’m a different person who has memories of a previous life and is borrowing Owen’s body…?

No, no.

I’m Owen.

I do remember myself as Sasaki.

But I’m Owen Pepper now.

“What are you talking about, I’m me, no one else.”

“Really, you’re not going anywhere, are you …?”

“It’s a given.”

When I experienced the memories of my previous life and said goodbye to my family I decided…

I’m going to try to live my life to the fullest as Owen.

Even if I had another personality in this body, I’m still Owen now.

“Then what is this Owen you showed earlier?”

I wasn’t sure how I was going to answer Natalie’s question.

Should I tell her the truth?

But I’m afraid that if I tell her the truth, she’ll leave me … that’s what I’m afraid of.

But…

“You remember that … I had a bad reputation, right?”

“Yeah, there’s been a terrible rumor going around.”

“That was a … real thing.”

I’ll talk about it as I get my head around it.

“It’s true …? But you haven’t been like that since the first time I met you.”

“I have a dual personality.”

Sasaki and the former Owen.

Two different personalities in one body.

“The selfish Owen of old and the me who Natalie knows … are both Owen.”

“So … is …”

I don’t know what to say to her. …Natalie has that look on her face.

It’s not like Thor, where his personality changes during battle.

Because I’m changing my very personality.

“Are you scared?”

The other me is just an angry, raging person.

It’s more like a beast than a person.

With a personality like that, I deserve to be feared.

Natalie opened her mouth.

“I’m scared…”

I clenched my fists tightly.

I knew you’d say that.

But when you actually hear those words, it’s… hard to believe.

“Right?”

I laughed, “haha”.

I’m shocked, but I don’t have a choice.

I’m the one who’s carrying the beast.

“No wonder I’m …also scared of this kind of me…”

“I’m afraid Owen will be gone, and the thought of you not being you… makes me…”

Natalie casted her eyes down.

Her body seemed to tremble.

I was… relieved to see her like that.

“Nah …that’s not what I meant.”

I thought for sure she was afraid of my existence.

“It’s not about that, I need Owen!”

Natalie was surprised when she suddenly said something that sounded like a confession of love.

I’m gonna be clucking my mouth off.

“Oh, um, …yeah.”

I’m a little embarrassed.

“…Well, you know, …as a friend…”

Natalie said as her face flushed red.

“Yeah, that’s right…, yeah, I knew that.”

“It’s…, so don’t go away, okay?”

Natalie said, looking up at me.

You’re so cute, dude.

“It’s okay Natalie, I’m not going away, I promise.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yes.”

I imagined the look on Natalie’s face after I’m gone.

I can see the look of despair on her face.

I’m going to be taken over by the Owen in me …I can’t be that irresponsible.

“…promise me that Owen will always be Owen.”

I don’t want to leave the people I love again.

So.

“I promise.”

I responded, looking Natalie squarely in the eye.

“Yeah, …”

Natalie smiled for the first time since she came to the infirmary.

I didn’t want to ruin this smile, I thought.