Discovering Tina Koya

“Vicky? Are you awake?"

I groggily opened my eyes, hearing someone knock on the door and speak.

Vicky? I thought, still half asleep. "What the fuck?” When I got out of bed, I felt the long hair brushing my face, and the weight on my chest, taking me aback.

"Vicky? Is there something wrong?" The male voice asked through the door.

I glanced down, only seeing the naked figure of a girl. "It wasn't a dream, then…" I muttered as the events from yesterday flashed through my mind.

I tried to regain my composure, I couldn’t act suspicious right now. Tori’s memories told me the voice belonged to her dad. "I'm okay, dad, I'll join you in a bit."

Better play the part, for now. I don't want to make her father sad by learning that a stranger is possessing his daughter.

I went towards the wardrobe and searched for the school uniform. In the wardrobe, I found a clean school uniform alongside a few tattered ones. Tori loved to wear torn uniforms, for some reason. I was trying to act like her, so I **** myself to wear one despite my huge ****. I quickly put it on and tied my hair like Tori would before looking in the mirror and sighing.

"Ah, it's so weird... And all of that just to keep her image of a tough girl. She could achieve the same thing with spikey bracelets or other accessories. Let's meet her dad, now..."

I grabbed her school bag and went to the living room. Due to the size of the flat, it also served as the kitchen.

I walked in, seeing Tori's father sitting at the table with two plates served. It smelled really good. "Hey dad."

Tori’s dad smiled warmly at me. "Good morning, Vicky. I just finished preparing breakfast."

He was a tall and bulky man, with grey hair. He was working as a mechanic, and it showed. Even through the shirt he was wearing, I could see how fit he was. He was also very kind to Tori, trying his best to pamper her despite his limited wealth.

"Thanks.” I sat in front of him, and started eating.

It was some biscuits and gravy, something Tori's father never made before. I got used to making my own breakfast, so it was strange having someone else taking care of it.

"I tried something different, what do you think?" Tori’s dad asked.

I took a bite and enjoyed the taste. I missed having someone preparing breakfast for me with care. Ever since my mother died, the only times I got the chance to eat breakfast like this were when I was sleeping over at Sophie and Jane's house.

"It's really good."

Tori's dad smiled. "The woman I met yesterday taught me that recipe. She's a pretty good cook."

I chuckled. "I see. I take it went well?"

Judging from his face, I already assumed it did even before he spoke. "Yes. She seems like a really interesting woman. If it goes well next time too, I'll introduce you."

"Okay.” I finished eating and got up, ready to go. "Alright. I'm leaving, now."

"It's a bit early, isn't it?"

I quickly looked into her memories in search of an excuse. "I have to see V for a school project. Have a good day, dad."

I waved him goodbye and left the flat. Even if I had Tori's memories, Tina Koya was still an unfamiliar place to me, so I preferred to be there early to get my bearings and explore the place. Vanessa, Tori's best friend, would probably arrive a bit later, giving me the time to do what I wanted.

When I approached, I observed the school. It felt both foreign and familiar. Familiar because of Tori's memories, and foreign because of my own. Having two sets of memories was so trippy.

This is Tina Koya, huh? I wonder what it's like to be a student here?

From Tori's memories, it seemed fairly similar to my own school, but teachers and students are all different. I was in a different school, a school where I, as Ben, knew no one.

Not being with Sophie and Andrea will be weird. Although, I'll try to see Sophie after school.

I had to admit that I was a bit excited to experience how it's like to be in this school, and especially as someone so different from how I used to be. Tori and I didn't have a lot of things in common apart from our shared interest in physical activities and knowing the pain of losing a parent we loved.

As I was lost in thought, I saw Yui, the student council president, walking towards the school with a sad expression. She would usually be nagging Tori about the dress code and other rules that Tori would often break, but she just ignored me, looking down the entire time.

Why is she like that?

I read Tori's memories, to see if she knew. One of Yui’s close friends, another student here named John, was apparently in a coma since last weekend, having been found **** in his room.

Poor girl, I would probably be in the same state if Sophie or Jane were in a coma. Even if Tori doesn't like her, I should try to leave her alone for now.

It wasn't like Tori would pick a fight with her in that situation either. She was a delinquent, but she still had some respect for these kinds of things. I went inside, searching for my first class. I apparently had physics, with a teacher called Ms. Clark. Tori had a lot of respect for her, even if she didn't want to admit it to anyone.

I sat at Tori's place, looking at her memories related to Tina Koya. She spent almost all of her time hanging out with Vanessa, her best friend. She was also on friendly terms with two guys, Eric and Brad, but that was about it. She was constantly fighting with the popular girls, especially Sayaka and Rita, and was considered to be the main school delinquent. It didn't help that Tori had a very short temper.

Hmm, just thinking about Sayaka and Rita is making me angry. Tori really dislike them.

The only popular girls Tori didn't hate were Flavia and Maria. Tori liked Flavia because she didn't care about popularity. She was honest, kind, and was also a good sportswoman, which Tori respected. As for Maria, it was because of how chill she was with most things, despite Maria being an annoying snooper most of the time. She was also Eric's current girlfriend.

"Tori? I didn't expect to see you now." Ms. Clark entered and seemed surprised to see me. Her comment broke me out of my thoughts.

"O-oh, good morning, Ms Clark." I awkwardly replied, not noticing her until now.

Ms. Clark came closer, looking a bit worried. "Is there something wrong?" She probably noticed how pensive I was." If something is troubling you, I'd be happy to lend an ear. That's what we teachers are here for." She smiled warmly at me, a smile that made people want to trust her.

She was known for always trying to help students as best as she could; it was why Tori respected her. While most teachers only saw Tori as an ignorant delinquent not worth the effort, Ms. Clark did her best to teach her.

I shook my head, trying to make a reassuring smile. "Thanks, but I'm fine."

"Okay. My offer still stands if you change your mind."

"I'm just thinking about stuff. Nothing to worry about."

"If you say so."

We heard the door open and turned to see who it was. Katrina and Kyoko entered the room, looking about as devastated as Yui was. They also seemed to be really close to John, so it wasn't surprising. They would usually talk about nerd stuff before class starts, but here, they went to their seats, not saying anything. I felt sorry for them.

After that, Ms. Clark went to check on the other students, leaving me alone. But Tori's best friend, Vanessa, arrived shortly after. She was a pretty redhead spotting a side ponytail most of the time. She enjoyed most of what Tori liked and was also fairly rebellious, so they quickly became good friends."

"Sup?"

"Hey." I simply replied, trying to act like Tori.

Vanessa smirked at me, noticing the notebook on the desk. "Trying to become a model student? It's the first time you are so early."

I shrugged, coming up with an excuse. "I woke up early and didn't have anything better to do."

"Still angry about yesterday?" She asked.

Yesterday...

Tori and Vanessa were drinking beer near the park, alongside Eric, Maria, and a few other people, when a policewoman came to check their IDs. They all ran away and managed to escape, but Tori was pissed.

Tori's emotions made me feel angry, and I clenched my fists. "Cops are a pain in the ass."

"Fuck 'em."

I snickered at her comment. "If one of them was a hot guy, I'm sure you would."

She lightly jabbed my shoulder, chuckling. "Fuck you too." Their dynamic was a far cry from the one I had with Sophie, but it was surprisingly enjoyable to play her role. I felt the same closeness with Vanessa Tori did.

The bell rang, marking the beginning of my first day of school as Victoria Vega. Vanessa went to her seat and Ms. Clark started the lesson. Tori was struggling with physics and chemistry, but those were subjects I quite liked and was really good at, so the class was a breeze. Ms. Clark was a nice, albeit strict teacher, and her class was fun. She asked questions, made sure students understood, and even made some jokes from time to time. It reminded me of my aunt, before she became a drunkard. She used to teach me physics and chemistry as well, back when my mom was still alive… The dream I had during my nap last evening before I left to the forest didn't help with the regrets I was feeling.

I let out a depressed sigh. If only I could return to that time...

Once done with physics, I walked to my next class. The next class was supposed to be Japanese with Ms. Davis, but as her son was in the hospital, she was allowed to get some days off. Instead, we just did some boring exercises. It at least let me the time to fully process everything I lived, as I observed the students around me. There was Zoey, the small hyperactive girl who had a strange crush on the school's pervert. Phila, the strong-headed twin sister of a shy girl called Mina. Gabriel, a weeb fan of anime who loved Japanese mainly because of that...

It's so weird, I feel strangely familiar with all these people even though it's my first time seeing them… Even Tori's father and best friend didn't see anything wrong, I acted exactly like she would. I glanced again at my borrowed body. This power... is both incredible and frightening. I could fully replace someone, should I want to, and no one would ever find about it...

It was tempting, for a brief moment. I could escape the life I was living and find a better one to settle in. But I would feel too guilty after some time, even if I were to steal the life of someone despicable.

I need to find a way to get back to normal...