Minh's original plan

"So, where are we going?" I asked Minh while he was driving.

"Only a bit longer and you'll see." He simply replied with a quiet chuckle.

A few minutes later, we found ourselves at a red light right in front of the main college campus of the city. I visited the campus once while I was still in high-school, since I dreamed of getting a degree there, but that was before my father kicked me out. I couldn't help but feel some regret observing the empty campus, wondering how my life would have been had I studied there like I so wished. I remembered the brief time I spent as Carmen and Rowana, and how much fun I had being a college student. And that day teaching and studying as Sarah was still vividly engraved in my mind, too. It had been one of the best days of my life, no doubt about that.

"What's wrong, Ed?" Minh asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"N-nothing. I was just... trying to imagine where I'd be had I been able to study there, back then." I answered honestly.

Minh leaned closer, his soft voice whispering in my ear. "You know, if you so desperately wish to become a college student, it can easily be done. I could help you find the perfect life to slip into~"

"Huh?"

"A college campus is the perfect playground for a skinwalker~" Minh declared, grinning. "So many lives to experience, all sharing some similarities and yet all so unique at the same time. Thousands of potential skins to don are at your disposal, be it students, professors, or even other staff members~"

"I-I know... The three skins I wore were college students." I more shyly replied.

It caught Minh's interest. "Oh~?"

The light turned green and Minh resumed his driving, but he was visibly eager to listen to what I had to say.

"A Mexican girl studying literature and theatre, her roommate who was a psychology student.... And my ex-girlfriend, a PhD student and French professor." I confessed, my cheeks reddening even more.

Minh was clearly amused hearing that, smirking at me. "See~? You got a taste of three very different lives and fields of study already~ Anyway, we can discuss your future lives in more detail later, we're almost there."

Soon after, Minh parked in front of a tall residential building. I followed him inside, and we crossed paths with a tan and slightly chubby young woman with pink strands of hair who was about to leave.

"Oh, hello cutie~" Minh said, quickly coming closer and giving her a hug. "How are you, Melissa?"

"I-I'm fine, Yumi, thanks." She replied, smiling. "You are with Irene today?"

Minh lowered his voice as he gestured at me to approach. "Not exactly~ We will make the official announcement during a meeting next Friday, but meet Edward, Aga's first human child as Patricia. He became a skinwalker and moved back here recently."

Melissa seemed surprised, but then bowed at me. "O-oh, I see. N-nice to meet you, Edward. I'm Melissa."

"Nice to meet you too, Melissa." I replied, smiling at her.

"We'll talk later, alright, Melissa?" Minh said, giving her a quick kiss and making her blush deeply. "See ya~"

"S-see you." She timidly replied before leaving the building.

As Minh and I got into the elevator, he spoke, explaining what happened. "Melissa is a member of the coven. A human who willingly came to serve us after I introduced us to her. She's also the one I mentioned when I said I punished Yumi for hurting someone I cared about."

This surprised me. "She joined willingly? You didn't do anything to her?"

"With my abilities? No, I don't use them on innocent girls like her. She just needed a place to belong, and I knew that place would be our coven. She's been thriving ever since she joined us, finally finding some purpose in life, and confidants she could be herself with. You'll get to know her and the other humans working with us better soon, don't worry."

The door to the elevator opened and Minh walked to an apartment at the far end of the corridor. He knocked, unlocked the door, and walked in, with me following him.

I stopped when I saw the person living here, and he was clearly as stunned as I was.

"L-Liam?" I muttered.

In front of me was Irene's disowned son, Liam. He did change a lot since Irene last saw him, having grown his hair and pierced his ears, but his face was the same. Liam had been living with his father after Irene's bigoted act leading to the divorce, but her ex-husband passed away a month ago in a car accident.

"M-Mother?" He asked. "M-Minh, you really did it?"

"Did it...?" I repeated, confused.

Minh chuckled. "I did, yes. Your mother will be so much nicer from now on~ Although, there was a slight change of plan this morning."

"A... change of plan?" Liam tilted his head.

Minh pulled me closer, his arm around my waist and a proud grin on his cute Japanese face. "Please meet my little step-brother, Edward, who recently became a skinwalker himself. He came back in town this morning, and needed a skin to use for a short while, so I offered him Irene's."

Liam was even more stunned after hearing that. "She's... being worn?"

"Yep, but don't worry, Ed is a nice guy. I'm sure you'll get along juuust fine~"

"Minh... Can you tell me what's going on?" I asked while freeing myself from his arm.

Minh approached Liam and caressed his cheek with a finger, making him blush. "I told Liam about what I was two weeks ago. We've been good friends for a while, and he was in a pretty dire situation since the passing of his father, so I offered him a deal. He's someone I will introduce to the coven soon, willingly serving us. And in exchange, all his needs and wants will be fulfilled."

Something clicked in my mind as he said that. "Was one of these wants taking **** on his mother?"

Minh laughed. "You got it fast, but hey, you had a similar goal, after all, so it's not surprising~ Once you leave her skin, I'll order Irene to take good care of him, and act like the mother she forgot she was."

"I see."

I didn't expect Minh to go that far to help a human. Ever since I first met him this morning, my opinion on him had changed a lot. From a pervy and sadistic skinwalker with terrifying powers to a more nuanced being, showing compassion and kindness as well.

"In the meantime, you can do it in her stead, Edward, and get to know your son better~ Now, excuse me, I'll be right back." He said and walked deeper into the flat, probably to the bathroom.

It was really awkward to be in such situation, alone with the son of the woman I borrowed the skin of. I wasn't sure what to say. Thankfully, Liam came closer and spoke first.

"N-nice to meet you, Edward. I'm, uhh, Liam." He said, scratching his head. "But you probably know that already if I understand how you skinwalkers function properly."

I let out an amused sigh, relaxing a bit. "Yeah, I have all of Irene's memories. I know perfectly well who you are. Although, you're quite different from how she last remembered you."

"I changed a lot since she abandoned me. My father allowed me to express myself freely, unlike her." He replied, looking down.

A moment of silence followed, until I tried to break the ice. "So, hmm... Are you studying at college with Yumi?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm a Sociology student."

"Oh, interesting. Are you enjoying it?" I asked, sitting on the couch and crossing my legs.

"It's complex, but fascinating." He simply replied before appearing more awkward. "I'm aware you're not really her, but it's... strange to see my mother act so nicely again, you know? I... I still remember the hatred in her eyes and voice when she discovered I liked men..."

"I'm sorry you had to experience something like that. But I'm not one to judge someone based on their sexuality or gender identity. My sister is a lesbian and I love her deeply. And me..." I started, observing my borrowed body, my slender feminine hands, and my nylon-covered thighs. "What even am I nowadays? Two months ago, I'd have still been able to consider myself as a straight, cisgender man, but now... I don't even know anymore..."

"You are what you want to be, it's as simple as that." Minh said with a giggle as he came back, having heard our conversation. "No need to think about it so hard."

"I suppose you're right. I am still getting used to my new nature."

"I told you, give it time and just go with the flow. I can assure you that you will discover a few new things about yourself now that you are a skinwalker and can... experiment a lot more freely~" He said with a teasing grin. "But anyway, I should drive you to your temporary home now. Want to tag along, Liam?"

Liam shook his head. "N-not today, thanks. I need to pack my stuff."

"Me and Ed will give you a hand tomorrow after college."

"Pack? You're moving?" I asked.

"He'll return live with his now nicer mother soon, yes. He no longer needs to stay here."

It was true that Irene had a free bedroom she used as a guest room. Liam would be able to move in fairly easily.

"I see. I'll clean the room for you when I'm home, then." I said, smiling at Liam.

"Thank you, Edward, and Minh. I... I truly didn't expect you to go that far for me."

Minh laughed, caressing Liam's face again. "Oh, don't fret over it, pumpkin~ See ya tomorrow~"

"S-See you." Liam replied shyly.

"Bye."

On that, Minh and I left the apartment and walked back to his car. It was surprising to meet Irene's son like this, but it wasn't unpleasant. This morning, I was stunned, but after everything I've witnessed today, I was getting quite curious to learn more about this coven Mother lead. I wondered how the other skinwalkers who were part of it were like.

Maybe it won't be so bad, after all... I thought as I sat in the car next to Minh.