Revolting Woman

Ryo stepped out of the sleek, black luxury car that had become his transport since inheriting this life. The house he now called home was surrounded by a high, imposing fence, with security cameras at every corner, watching his every move. Being in the most populated city Tokyo it was a miracle that he managed to claim so much land, but at the same time, it showed how wealthy and influential Ryo and his business was.

The guards, standing at attention, gave him a nod of respect as he walked up the stone path leading to the front door. It was the kind of security detail that spoke volumes about the man he was supposed to be—powerful, important, and always in need of protection.

But as Ryo approached the door, his mind was elsewhere. He was still grappling with the strange, twisted reality of his situation. He was Ryo, and yet, somehow, he wasn't. The diary he had read earlier that day echoed in his thoughts, filling him with a mix of fear and confusion. What had truly happened to him? Who was he now? What is the purpose of having this body?

Suddenly, the front door swung open, breaking him out of his thoughts. Akemi stood there, her face lighting up as she saw him. Before he could react, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

She acted like a newly wedded wife, but Ryo found it revolting that she would do something like that, considering she did exact same with his previous self, before betraying him in the cold blood.

"Ryo, you're home!" Akemi exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth. "How was your day?"

Ryo's body stiffened at her touch, his heart racing in a way that made him uneasy. He didn't know how to respond, didn't know how to play the role of this man she believed him to be. On the outside, he remained calm, his expression unreadable. But inside, he was a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of what to feel.

As he struggled to find words, something caught his eye. Over Akemi's shoulder, he noticed Anzu peeking out from behind a door further inside the house. The young girl's eyes were narrowed in suspicion, her gaze locked onto him. When he offered her a small, tentative smile, she responded by frowning deeply before slamming the door shut.

"Anzu…" Ryo murmured, his smile fading.

'So she cam here...well, not willingly'

Ryo thought, as he played a huge part in doing so.

Akemi, oblivious to the silent exchange, pulled back slightly to look at him. "I was worried about you," she said softly, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what he might be feeling. "You seemed so distant this morning."

Ryo nodded absently, trying to distance himself from her concern. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "Just a lot on my mind. I think I need to rest."

He stepped past her, entering the lavishly furnished living room that looked very modern compared to most. The house was as luxurious as it was cold, filled with expensive decor that did little to make it feel like a home rather a hotel. Ryo made his way to the large sofa in the center of the room and sank into it, hoping for a moment of peace.

But Akemi wasn't done with him. She followed him closely, sitting down beside him on the sofa, her expression one of both concern and curiosity. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "You seem… different, but I can't put my fingers on what is different."

Ryo looked at her, noticing the slight blush on her cheeks. She was leaning in close, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable. He tried to focus, to remember who she was to him in his previous life—or rather, who she was to the man whose life he had taken over.

He cleared his throat, deciding to address the one thing that had been gnawing at him since he left the office. "The funeral," he began cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper. "How did it go?"

Akemi's expression shifted, a cold smile spreading across her face. "Oh, that," she said dismissively, waving a hand as if brushing away a trivial matter. "You don't need to worry about it. With the contacts we have, there won't be any problems. Anzu will stay with us."

She leaned back, her eyes narrowing as she continued, "Besides, Kamiya's family is pathetic. They tried to make a scene, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. They're all just vultures, trying to cling to whatever scraps they can get. Honestly, I'm glad he's gone. It's about time they learned their place. I was sick with them trying to act like they are better than us with their measely business."

Ryo felt a surge of anger rising within him, his hands clenching into fists as she spoke. He wanted to shout at her, to tell her how vile and heartless she sounded. But he forced himself to smile, masking his fury behind a calm facade. "It's good that things went smoothly," he said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his voice steady.

Akemi seemed pleased with his response, but there was something else in her eyes—something calculating. She lingered beside him, as if waiting for the right moment to ask something. Ryo could sense it, the way she hesitated, the way she looked at him with expectation. Finally, she spoke.

"Ryo," she began slowly, her voice almost sweet, "I was thinking… maybe you could help me out with something."

Ryo raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "What is it?"

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I could use a little extra money… Just for a few things I've been wanting to get. Nothing too big, of course. We don't want to waste too much money no matter how much we have."

Ryo felt a bitter laugh bubbling up inside him. So this was what she wanted—money. It was always about money. It was same for her no matter what man she was with. He slowly started to understand what her priorities are.

He forced another smile, one that felt like it might crack his face. "Of course," he replied smoothly. "Do whatever you want."

Akemi's face lit up with gratitude, but Ryo could hardly stand to look at her. He needed to get away, to escape this suffocating environment. He stood up abruptly, making his way toward the door that led deeper into the house, where he could breathe.

"I need to take care of something," he said over his shoulder, trying to sound casual. "I'll be back soon."

Akemi watched him go, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Take your time," she called after him, clearly pleased with herself. She didn't even bother with him anymore, instead she went straight to her mobile, as if she wanted to text her friends.

Ryo closed the door behind him, the smile vanishing from his face the moment he was out of her sight. His steps quickened as he made his way to the nearest bathroom, his stomach churning with a mixture of disgust and rage. As soon as he reached the toilet, he fell to his knees, retching violently. The bile that rose in his throat was a evidence of the revulsion he felt—toward Akemi, toward this life, and most of all, toward himself.

When he was done, he slumped against the cold tile floor, breathing heavily. He slowly pulled himself up, his legs shaking, and stumbled to the sink. The mirror above it reflected a face that was handsome, flawless even, but utterly alien to him.

Ryo raised a trembling hand, touching the reflection as if trying to convince himself that it was real. "Who am I?" he whispered, his voice hollow. "Am I Ryo… or Kamiya? I don't even know anymore."

The question hung in the air, unanswered and unanswerable. Ryo stared at the face in the mirror, feeling more lost than ever. This was his life now—a life that didn't belong to him, a body that felt like a prison, and a world where he didn't know who he was supposed to be.

And the worst part was, he had no idea how to escape it.