‘Give it back… give it back…’
What was that?
‘Give it back… give it back…’
Is she hearing things?
‘That body is mine… mine!’
Hmm. Perhaps she is.
It made sense really. Being Level 99 enhanced her hearing in a way lower leveled people would never understand. While having such hearing is useful when battling monsters, she couldn’t say the same when she could hear every shout and whisper from far, far, away.
When it first happened, Yumiella was very, very, irritated with it. In her first life, she was rather sensitive to noise, and would often cover her ears desperately in hopes of making the world less overwhelming.
Unfortunately that trait seemed to carry onto her second life as well.
This made her super enhanced hearing more of a burden for her instead of benefit at some point. And when she reached it, all she could think of was getting a pair of ear plugs.
Back in her old life, whenever she heard something that made her wish she was born deaf instead, she’d remind herself to get a pair of ear plugs to save herself the pain.
After several times of forgetting, she finally got them.
Yumiella initially thought ear plugs would block out every single sound, but to her pleasant surprise there were also many that simply reduced the volume you normally heard instead.
It may have been costly, but honestly worth it as it saved her a lot of mental distress.
So a few years ago, she got them in this world too.
It wasn’t easy though.
Yumiella would’ve continued to reminisce on how she got her current pair, but the voice would not tolerate being ignored any longer.
‘Quit ignoring me! You know that body isn’t yours.'
For the first time in many years, Yumiella froze.
Genuine fear crept into her when she wasn’t looking, and now she’d pay the price.
Checking her surroundings to ensure nobody else in the cafeteria had heard the same thing as well, she answered.
“Who… are you?”
‘Yumiella Dolkness! The rightful heir to Count Dolkness you imposter!’
‘Oh dear.’ Yumiella thought to herself upon receiving that answer. ‘It seems that the original owner of this body has suddenly returned.’
‘Returned? More like came back to take what’s rightfully mine!’
‘You can hear me?’
‘Of course I can. Wither from your mouth or head, I’ll always hear you.’
‘That’s horrible.’
‘I know! Do you really think I’ve enjoyed hearing your every word and thought so far? You even dedicated a painfully long amount of time thinking about your precious ‘earplugs’ before I had to remind you I’m still here.’
‘Ah, my apologies then. I didn’t mean to ignore you. What seems to be the problem?’
‘The problem? Is that not painfully obvious already? You stole my body! And I want it back.’
‘Of course. It would’ve been silly of me to think of anything else.’
‘Naturally. So you better surrender your control and give it back to me. Now.’
‘My deepest apologies, but I’m afraid I shall be unable to do that Miss Yumiella.’
‘And why’s that you imposter?’
‘One, I am unsure how. Two, I am unsure what would happen if I were to do such a thing. Would I die again? Or would I just disappear? There are too many risks for my well being really. And three, I need to make sure Yumiella Dolkness doesn’t turn evil and become the Hidden Boss.’
‘…The third one is confusing.’
‘Once again I apologize. I would’ve tried to omit the fact, however due to your ability to read my thoughts I figured it would be better to come out clean.’
‘And that’s because?’
‘It looks like it’s time for me to become a tutorial character.’
…
After much explanation, and many more questions Yumiella (the gamer one) lay on her bed in preparation to sleep.
‘Answering all of other Yumiella’s questions took forever.’ She thought to herself. ‘I’m more than sure I missed taking several notes in class.’
‘Hey, I’m still here you know.’
‘I’m aware, however that won’t change the fact that I will continue to think like this in the future.’
‘I hate that you’re right. Human nature sucks.’
‘It certainly can sometimes.’
After the day of talking with the original Yumiella, she learned that this Yumiella was the version of her who was shunned and bullied before she became a villainess. Apparently, she had been levelling up one day, and failed to avoid a lethal attack from a monster.
Needless to say, she died a lonely, and painful death in the woods.
When she woke up, it was to the realization she wasn’t in control of her body any longer.
It was the first day of school and she could only watch as this stranger pulled all the strings as she sat helplessly in the deep depths of her very own mind.
One day, she got so fed up with it she decided to scream with everything she got in order to try get Gamer Yumiella’s attention. It may have taken her forever, but it eventually worked.
So now the two of them were sharing a body, uncertain of what to do in their predicament.
‘I still can’t believe your Level 99.’
‘I’d say me too, but with how often I trained I can’t say I’m surprised.’
‘You said you’ve been training since you were five years old right? Goodness, if only I did the same. Then maybe I would’ve been respected and not die due to my own carelessness.’
‘You know they don’t Yumiella. They only fear me. Well, except the prince and his friends of course.’
‘Yet for some reason I still find that option much better than being bullied.’
‘Being bullied is never nice, and for people who have never been able to stand up for themselves, I’m sure they’d find having so much power over others favourable.’
‘Is this a not so subtle jab at my character?’
‘No. I'm sorry if I offended you.’
‘Jeez I was just joking. You can be so serious sometimes.’
‘My apologies. I have a tendency to not being able to distinguish when one is making a joke.’
‘It’s alright. I don’t blame you.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.’
‘I’ve always wanted to be understood and accepted my whole life. Perhaps that’s why I gave it to you so easily. We are very similar after all.’
‘Because we’re both outcasts in this society?’
‘Exactly! Thank goodness you assumed the correct thing.’
‘Were you intending to scold me if I got it wrong?’
‘…maybe.’
‘Hmm. That is to be expected.’
Gamer Yumiella (they really needed to figure out better names) closed her eyes in contentment. Today was very unexpected, but she was glad it happened anyways. Now she had finally had someone who was initially very hostile towards her, but after only several hours could consider a friend.
That was if Original Yumiella wanted to anyways.
‘Of course we’re friends.’ Original Yumiella assured from the back of her mind.
‘We are?’
‘Indeed. Unless you don’t want to be..?’
‘No, no, I’d love to, actually. Forgive me for doubting your offer.’
‘No problem.’ Somehow, Gamer Yumiella had the strong feeling that Original Yumiella was smiling. ‘After all, what are friends for?’
