Chapter 2: The Day My Shadow Looked Back
Kaito sat frozen. !?
The shadow stood up slowly from his gaming chair, stretched its arms, and cracked its knuckles—just like Kaito used to do before playing.
Kaito's voice trembled.
> "W-What are you...?"
No answer. The shadow just stared at him with an expressionless face. It was him—but it wasn't.
Then, casually, it pointed at the controller.
> "You... want to play?"
It nodded.
Kaito reached out hesitantly. As soon as he touched the controller, he felt a cold sensation run up his arm.
The shadow sat down again, merging into the floor beneath his feet.
Gone.
He looked behind him. His shadow had returned. But now it moved just slightly out of sync.
> "I'm definitely not dreaming..."
---
At school the next day, Kaito walked in nervously.
His mind raced with what happened the night before. He hadn't told Akari. She wouldn't believe him.
As expected, the bullies were waiting.
> "No cigarettes again?" Riku sneered.
Kaito didn't answer.
> "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
A punch flew toward his face.
It connected. His cheek stung.
But the next punch... never landed.
Kaito didn't move. Yet somehow, Daichi missed. The fist sailed past him like he wasn't even there.
Everyone paused.
> "What the hell...?"
Kaito blinked.
His shadow had dodged.
In the corner of his eye, he saw it move. Just slightly. Like a second self reacting on instinct.
He stepped back. The bullies lunged again.
But this time, his body ducked.
Spun.
Slipped past them without even thinking.
It wasn't him. It was the shadow.
The bullies stared, confused.
Kaito turned and ran, heart pounding.
He didn't stop until he reached the back of the school. Alone.
> "What was that...?"
The shadow stretched beside him like a mirror. It pointed to a leaf nearby.
Kaito picked it up.
It shifted its shape in the ground—becoming a dagger, a blade, a spear.
His eyes widened.
> "You... can fight. You can protect me."
The shadow nodded.
And then it reached out, pulling its arm from the floor, and drew in the sunlight around it—shifting, morphing, glowing faintly.
[Skill: Shadow Sync Initiated]
A line of glowing text appeared in Kaito's vision like a game HUD.
[Shadow has absorbed: 'Basic Combat - Level 1']
[Source: Previous game experience and first dodge success]
Kaito smiled for the first time in weeks.
> "Then... let's keep going. Together."
The shadow mimicked his smile.
And for the first time...
Kaito didn't feel alone.