Episode 2 – The Soul That Does Not Belong
Arae Mizumi's smile slowly faded.
Her eyes, sharp and glowing with something unnatural, were fixed on Uzumi's face.
"You're not her," she said quietly.
"The soul inside this body… isn't Uzumi Izue's."
Uzumi's heart skipped.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
Arae leaned forward.
"My family can see souls. We can feel when something doesn't belong. And you… you feel completely different."
Uzumi swallowed.
"Then tell me," Arae said softly, dangerously,
"who are you?"
Uzumi hesitated.
Her mind filled with memories of another world… another life.
"I'm not from this world," she finally said.
"I was someone else. On Earth."
Arae's eyes narrowed.
"So you really are a stranger in this body."
Uzumi nodded.
"I don't know how I came here. I just… woke up in Uzumi's body."
Arae stared at her for a long moment.
Then Uzumi spoke again, her voice quieter.
"I didn't have a family in my world either."
Arae paused.
"My parents died in an accident right after I was born," Uzumi continued.
"I survived. But my aunt and uncle raised me… and they didn't really care about me."
Her hands slowly clenched.
"That's why I don't talk much.
That's why I stay away from people."
She looked down.
"Books, technology, studying… they never leave you.
They don't betray you."
Arae smiled faintly.
"So that's why your mind is so strong… and your heart so closed."
Uzumi looked back at her.
"I didn't choose to be alone.
The world made me that way."
Arae exhaled softly.
"I won't tell anyone your secret," she said.
"But in exchange… when I need you, you will help me."
Uzumi nodded.
"I will."
Arae stood up.
"Good. Because this world isn't safe for humans."
Uzumi's eyes widened.
"Demons in this world don't just kill humans," Arae said calmly.
"They either eat them… or turn them into servants."
Uzumi felt a chill run through her.
The next morning, the two of them walked toward school together.
Uzumi looked at Arae.
"I don't understand this world yet."
Arae tapped the glowing watch on Uzumi's wrist.
"I'll send you everything — past lectures, basic technology, all of it. You'll start from zero."
Uzumi nodded.
"I'll learn."
Arae smiled to herself.
"And while you do… my plan will move forward."