Go by yourself

In fact, you thought you'd try sending a message to school instead, and you'll stay home today. But you still don't want to risk sending something like that. If you send a fake message and it does something weird, the person watching you might get suspicious. You sighed before deciding to leave the house and wait for the bus, even if you don't really want to go.

"Hey, Lasse!" You found Tim waving his hand at the bus stop. You waved back before walking towards him.

"Hey, you woke up early today. Usually, I have to call you in front of the house. Didn't you sleep well today, dude?" he said.

“No, in fact, there is no one in my house. And it will be a long time before they come back."

"Oh, so today we're going to play a game at your house? Yesterday you came to my house. Do we take turns today, or are we going to play games all day?"

"N...No, I'm not feeling well today." You rejected him. You feel like being alone for a while.

Not long after, Kaya, your classmate, and Tim's new neighbor arrive at the bus stop, with Tim waving greetings before the two of you. You take the time to think about what Paul told you.

Who among your friends might not be who you think they are...perhaps Kaya?

As for Tim...you don't think it's him. He's very naive, and maybe not very smart...but you can't judge because the remote has the ability to transfer memories.

What if Tim was replaced by someone from that department? You shake your head, shake off the confusion in your head, and take a sigh of relief. Let's go to school and find more clues.

Or maybe try to use the remote with the people around to clear the confusion from your mind first...?

........

A bus comes to pick you and your two friends up for school. There are many students inside. You walk past them and try to glance at them with the corner of your eye. Almost everyone is focused on their smartphones as you walk through the school's threshold.

You and your friends head to your own lockers to collect your belongings. Tim notices that something is bothering you, so he walks up to you and pats you on the shoulder lightly, making you slightly startled.

"What's wrong, dude? You look so dejected today. Plus, you don't talk much today. Are you thinking too much? Or are you still sick?" Tim speaks up with concern.

You turn to look at Tim and try to look around to see if anyone has noticed your unease, but no, besides Tim, there's Maya in the locker next door. She glances at you for a moment before focusing her attention on her locker. As for the people around them, they are interested in their own phones.

You sigh and take Tim's hand off your shoulder.

"It's okay, man. I was just joking earlier. I thought today I'd scare you until your underwear slips down your leg, or maybe I plan to beat you in an online game," you say and laugh, with Tim making a gesture to punch you on the shoulder lightly.

"Haha, funny, dude. I've just never seen you take such a serious stance before. Like I said, you were completely silent after getting on the bus, like you've been sucked into your thoughts. I'm worried about you, man. What can I say.. you can vent it out so that you can...it may not be of much help, but I can help you listen...maybe...?"

You look at your friend who is worried about you. You know you want to tell him about the magic tool like the remote that turns people into skinsuits. But you remember what Paul told you. You won't tell anyone, and you don't feel like dragging your best friend Tim into this.

"No, I'm really fine. I was just thinking about what game I want to play. I saved a few, and I haven't decided which one to play. There's only one genre I've never tried, but I always get free giveaways," you tell him, knowing that he's your friend anyway, but you're not ready to tell him what really happened.

"Oh, is that so..? Man, I only have a few games that I haven't played lately. The original game is still unfinished, and new games have come in to add to the collection again. Right now, I'm only into playing FPS games. For example, I've been playing COD for so long that I've stopped counting the hours I've played. What kind of game are you going to play, dude?"

"Investigative, plot-driven, and puzzle-solving games. Not really my type. But those are the only games left to play. No, I've played them for a while, maybe I'll end up liking them. Who knows, right?"

"Oh, so today you want to turn yourself into a sassy man, hmm," Tim teases you. You gently push his shoulder, and you both laugh softly.

"Well, I think I should pick someone from my class. Maybe I'll start with the nearest one, like..."

You mumble before turning around to look at the people in the corridors.