Chapter 40

"Okay. So, basically, you switched bodies with Aero and you've been in his world this entire time?"

I gave a brief nod. "Yes."

"...But why?"

"I have no idea. I thought it was because of a twisted wish I made that brought me there. But then I got taken back here to my world regardless of the wish. So I'm not sure what to think."

Cameron frowned, leaning against his hand. "I...I don't get any of this." He shook his head. "But what matters is you're back home where you belong."

"...Home?" Why was I so shocked to hear that? I saw that I was back in my world, but it was almost like it didn't register until Cameron had spoken it out loud. Even after returning, the first thing I did was tease him about it instead of feeling excited. "Yeah...I guess I'm back."

"Well, you don't need to sound so happy all at once." Cameron quipped sarcastically.

"Ah, sorry you're right. I AM glad to be back. Honestly, I was worried about you freaking out."

"That's it?" Cameron took a step back. "You were worried about me?!" He leveled a finger at my chest. "What about YOU?! You were stranded in a world of danger and monsters! You very nearly died a couple of times! Why are you so nonchalant about all of this?"

"Well...to be honest, I liked being in that world. It's hard to explain."

"The hell it is! It's simple! You're Nathaniel, not Aero! This is your life where you belong! Here!" I could feel my emotions start to boil as he spoke. I knew he was right. That Aero's life wasn't mine to take, that living here was safer, and arguably smarter. But I didn't care about any of this. "What's so hard about that?" Cameron finished, anger in his tone.

"Well, maybe I don't WANT to be Nathaniel! Did you ever think of that?!"

"W-what?"

"Maybe I don't want to live this boring life. Where NOTHING I do matters. Where I do that same menial job day in and day out. Come home to barely afford rent and just sit around while my life wastes away. I want to do something important! To make a difference! Over there, in that world I actually mean something! I'm more than just Nathaniel the cafe boy. I'm someone who can save people."

My roommate gawked at me in surprise at my outburst without a word. Neither of us said anything at this moment, the atmosphere becoming tense. He abruptly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and slowly letting it out.

"I...I get it, you're stressed." He said slowly, trying to rationalize things. "You came back after having a near-death experience and just need time to readjust.

"Cameron, I-"

"I don't want to hear it." he said, raising a hand. "Just...take your time, and talk to me after you've cooled down in a day or two. I'll be in my room."

I sighed as he left, plopping down on the couch, suddenly feeling exhausted. Was I wrong? This IS my life, and in the beginning, I did want to give this life back to Aero before I took Beacon's entrance exam. But over time, things had...changed. Getting a goal I had a burning ambition for, something I hadn't felt in a while. Working on improving myself, despite the pain and sweat. Even happy to do so.

"I know I'm being selfish, but...is that so wrong?"

BRIBRI BRIBRI BRIBRI BRIBRI

A ringing noise came from my body, snapping me out of my reverie. Pulling a phone out of my pocket, it seemed an alarm had been set. 10:00 am. Bus 17 departing in half an hour. "What?" Did Aero set this? It was probably so he could travel to work since it was a little far. "Work..."

That wasn't something I wanted to think about. It'd been a month since I worked there and I had just adjusted to life in Remnant. Now I was forced to switch gears and pick up right where I left off here? What a sick joke. What was the point of bringing me to Remnant, and giving me hope for a new life, only to snatch it away after I'd gotten a taste? Still...I do need to make a living...

I begrudgingly picked myself off of the couch to go get ready. Reality was a cruel mistress, and it didn't matter if you could accept what happened. It wouldn't change that it was real. Honestly, I should be grateful Aero took care of things decently well while I was gone. At least he managed not to lose my job in that missed time. Snagging the backpack hanging off of the doorknob with my uniform in it, I headed to the bus stop.

The sight of the Count's Cafe greeted me upon arriving. A one-story building with tan walls, lots of windows, and the smell of coffee. I hadn't even entered the building yet, and I could still smell the freshly brewed drink. It was exactly as I remember it, but also felt odd at the same time returning. "C'mon Nate, don't be such a baby, you were only gone for a month."

Steeling myself, I took a deep breath, pushing open the door and stepping inside. The smell of coffee became stronger, and a few pairs of eyes landed on me as I entered.

"Hey, good to see you Nathan." A woman with bobbed brown hair greeted me with a smile. "Ready to start the day?"

"Yeah..." To be honest, I don't really remember her name. She and I don't talk much, same with the other employees, excluding my boss Maurice.

"You came at the perfect time, just made a fresh pot. Got a cup for you to help start your morning." Or at least, I don't remember us talking very much? She seemed very friendly with me for some odd reason. I looked on with mild confusion as she handed me a cup. Looking at the drink, the coffee was pitch black with absolutely no cream. Who the hell would drink this?! "Black, just like you like it." The woman gave me a friendly smile before gesturing for me to head around back into the kitchen to work.

"I guess...Aero drinks this..." Taking a tiny sip of the drink, my face scrunched up as the bitter liquid hit my tongue. Shaking my head, I gingerly set it down on the counter, putting on an apron.

The next fifteen minutes or so were spent in complete silence. Turning off the detergent and letting the water fill the sink. Setting out the washed plates to be ready to use. Turning on the bathroom lights as well as other tasks to open up the shop. All of these things done relatively quickly and easily, having done them literally hundreds of times. Moving the entrance of the shop, I could spot an elderly couple already outside waiting for us. Turning the closed sign around, I opened the door for them.

"Good morning Nathan." The older gentleman greeted with a warm smile before walking in with his wife. "I'll have the usual."

'The usual? These people know me too? Just how social WAS Aero in my body?' "Er, yes." Trying not to look too awkward, I led them to a seat by the window. "Now what was the usual again? I'm not as young as I used to be."

Fortunately, the couple laughed at my joke and played along, telling me their usual order. Taking their order to the back and handing it off, the bell on the door rung signifying another customer.

"Hello, welcome to the Count's Cafe."

"Eyyyyy~! It's Nathan."

"..."

To say work was tiring today would be an understatement. For whatever reason, my hours had doubled, going from part-time to full-time in my absence. On top of that, about two-thirds of the customers seemed to know me. Incessantly starting up conversations about themselves and their family, who I had no idea about. Smiling and pretending to know what they were talking about and not exposing myself proved mentally tiring in and of itself.

"Am I going to have to deal with this every day?" Aside from being tiring, it's also kind of disheartening. These people like the fake me even more than the real me. Even though I've come back, I've still been replaced by Aero in their minds. It's as if I've become a stranger in my own world.

"Coming back here should be a good thing, but now it's only reminding me why I wanted to leave in the first place!" Things were the same before I left, yet they had somehow also changed.

'I wonder how my team is doing. If they've even noticed something is off between the real Aero and me. The real Aero is stronger than I am. Maybe they'll like him more too.'

"Just...stop." If I continued on with this kind of thinking, I'd drive myself mad.

Not wanting to go home, I found myself back at my favorite store, Fast Stop. The familiar store always being my go-to place when I needed a pick me up. But part of me was scared to enter, scared to find things had changed.

The automatic doors opened, as soon as I stepped towards the door, and the sight of a semi-cluttered store appeared before me. The same middle-aged woman with black hair and glasses turned to look at me from her chair at the register. Her eyes widening as soon as she saw me and waving. "There you are! I was starting to think you'd moved away or something."

I couldn't help but subconsciously smile at the fact Aero never came here. "At least this didn't change when I was gone..."