After what felt like a fever dream dipped in sewage, Shane slowly opened his eyes. Or tried to.
Pain—sharp, rhythmic, and centered near his chest—pulsed with every breath. His limbs felt like he'd run through his entire training regime a hundred times over. And when he tried to call out, his throat cracked dry—no voice came out.
Just as he was about to give up, a voice echoed—not in his ears, but directly inside his head.
???: "So someone finally decided to wake up, huh."
It sounded young but salty. As if Shane had inconvenienced him personally.
Shane (thinking): 'What... the hell?'
???: "You can talk using your thoughts, you know. I kinda live in your consciousness. It's cramped, by the way."
Shane froze.
"Live in your consciousness"?
The consciousness—the one part of a human that held their will, mind, and soul. An intrusion there wasn't just dangerous—it was existentially terrifying.
He panicked.
Hard.
But after a while… the panic gave way to tired indifference. A numb sort of despair.
Shane: '...Even if I die now, nothing much would change. So let's see what this is about.'
???: "Dude, that's way too depressing. But I get it. Your life's been absolute crap."
Shane: 'WHO ARE YOU? Why are you in my head?! How do you know what I've been through?!'
???: "Yeesh, calm down. I'm Kengo Itsuki. You guys say the last name last, so just call me Itsuki. I can hear your thoughts because I've been living here—in your head—since you were born. Technically even before that, but who's counting?"
Shane: 'I'm counting. What the actual hell is going on?! How did you get in my consciousness?!'
Itsuki's voice dropped its sarcasm. For the first time, he sounded… serious.
Itsuki: "I was supposed to reincarnate into your body. But your soul? It was too weak. You were supposed to die at birth."
Shane: '...Then why didn't I?'
Itsuki: "Because your mom used her soul to fuel yours. Just enough to keep you alive. But it stopped me from entering properly. She sealed me in here instead. That's also why her health declined over time."
Silence.
Shane sat frozen, mentally and physically. Like reality had just kicked him down a staircase.
He killed his mother.
Not directly. Not intentionally.
But because of him—she died.
She gave him life, and it cost her own.
And now, he was hated, mocked, and worthless in the eyes of the world for it.
He clenched his fists under the sheets. His breathing grew ragged.
Maybe it would've been better if—
Itsuki: "Nope. Don't even finish that thought. You need to see something."
Without warning, a memory projection bloomed in Shane's mind.
He saw a woman—gentle eyes, long hair like moonlight, smiling softly.
She held a baby—him.
Her touch was delicate, like he was the most precious thing in the world. Shane could feel the warmth. Not just the temperature, but something more.
Love.
She looked up—her face framed in morning light—and said:
Delilah: "Son… I don't know if you'll remember this. Or if the soul inside you ever shows it to you. But in case I can't be there to watch you grow…"
"I love you."
"I love you more than anything. Even if I was given another chance by the gods, I would still save you. So don't you dare waste your life."
"And if you do… I'll give you a proper scolding when you get to heaven."
She laughed.
That small laugh cracked something in Shane's chest.
She was so beautiful. Her features… his features. Oval face. White hair.
She was his mother.
He tried to reach her—to talk, to call her—
But the memory began to fade.
He screamed inside, trying to hold on.
Shane: 'Wait! No! Please—let me talk to her—just once!'
Itsuki: "It's just a memory, Shane. I can replay it. But it won't hit the same. You know that."
Shane stopped.
Breathing slow.
Heartbeat heavy.
And then… quiet acceptance. He let the memory go.
He laid back down inside his own mind, now aware of its second occupant.
Shane: "…So you really are living here, huh."
Itsuki: "Yup. Rent-free. It's been boring as hell."
Shane: "...Can you control me?"
That was the real fear. Was he just a shell?
Itsuki: "No. I told you—your mom sealed me. I can't override your will, touch your body, or hijack your soul."
Shane let out a long, silent exhale.
That one fear—the biggest one—was gone.
Shane: "But then how can you talk to me now?"
Itsuki: "Ah, that's because—"