As the rice cooked, Nova opened the refrigerator and picked a tangerine juice, then walked to the living room and turned on the television. A live football match was being broadcast and since she wasn't a fan of this sport, she picked the remote from the couch and switched the channel to a news channel. The news about public protest against the proposed legislative change restricting workers from striking was being aired. Different protesters were being interviewed, and each angrily expressed similar opinions on the matter.
Standing in front of the television, Nova thought that such a proposal was sound especially because it prioritised essential services. Her stomach grumbled, a sound like pebbles shifting in a can, so she took a swig from the bottle. However, it didn't seem like a mere tangy liquid was going to satisfy her hunger. She tossed the remote back on the couch and returned to the kitchen. The rice had already cooked, thus she removed the pot from the heat and placed the rice into a bowl.
She picked an egg from a woven basket, and as she was about to crack it, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Purr-ella's Mama?"
Nova left the kitchen and walked to the front door. Anyone who was ringing the bell was doing a futile job. That is, she wasn't planning to open the door. They were going to wait in the heat until they gave up. She peered through the keyhole, but there was no one in front of the door. The entrance gate was closed, and the street was deserted.
"Huh?"
Certainly, she wasn't hearing things. She took a step back, but before she could turn around, she heard a light tap.
"Bird?"
Nova slowly opened the door, and as she peered around the jamb on the right, her eyes widened slightly before her face immediately twisted. While glaring, she took a step forward, and slightly leaned ahead.
"It's cool. I'm not running."
With that, Nova's lips slightly parted as she stopped.
"Are you here to give my body back?"
Unfolding their hands, they looked around the vicinity, then faced Nova.
"Can we go inside?"
This was convenient for Nova. She opened the door wide and allowed them in, then locked the door and followed them.
"Your name?"
"I don't have one."
Even though Nova thought there was no reason to keep her name from them, she also thought she had no reason to give them. At any rate, rather than taking a seat in the living room, this person was proceeding to the kitchen. Nova rushed and grabbed their nape, pulling them back.
"Something smells good."
"Stop acting casually. I want my body."
"Let's make a deal."
Nova raised an eyebrow. First, her body gets stolen, and now, the thief is asking for a deal. She clenched her fist and raised it, however, she stopped midway. She wanted to use violence against him, but since he was in her body, she resisted the urge.
"Here's the deal, I return your body, and you let me stay here."
'Huh?!'
Nova frowned, but after staring into the void for about seven seconds without blinking, her expression returned to normal.
"Only that?"
The body thief nodded his head, then looked deeply into Nova's eyes, and spread his arms.
"What?"
"You'll get back into your body if we hug."
Was he blatantly acting stupid?
Nova thought drawing a magic circle was a prerequisite, like in graphic novels. Even though she didn't want to use violence, she reconsidered using it in the event that it turns out she was being played with. She moved close to him and opened her arms, before wrapping them around him. As she did that, she wondered whether she was actually crazy.
The body thief gently wrapped one arm around her back and the other around her waist. A wave of unexpected warmth spread through Nova, making her skin tingle. Up until now, she hadn't realised her chest was this full. After three seconds, her head began whirling, so she held him tightly. Her vision darkened, then, in an instant, it returned. It was like she had been spacing out. Her eyes flicked to her familiar hands and legs, then to the body thief before her, who was staring at her with a tilted head.