---
The bright fluorescent lights of the departmental store buzzed faintly as Ameya stood frozen. Her heart skipped a beat as Michael's words echoed in her ears.
"A date," he had asked—so casually, yet so boldly.
Ameya blinked. "A… date?" she repeated, her voice trembling with surprise.
Michael smiled playfully. "Yeah. A movie. Just us."
From a little distance away, Jenna, still adjusting to being back in her real body, watched the scene unfold in silence. Hidden between a clothing rack, she tilted her head curiously, lips parted in surprise.
Suddenly, she felt a light touch on her shoulder.
She jumped.
"Whoa, it's just me," Rico said, amused by her startled reaction.
Jenna clutched her chest. "You scared me…"
He peered past her shoulder. "Why are you peeking at them like a spy?"
"I'm not," Jenna denied too quickly. Her eyes narrowed. Why is he here?
Rico chuckled and casually waved at the duo ahead. "Yo! Michael!"
Michael looked up. "Rico! Come on over!"
To Jenna's dismay, Rico grabbed her hand and tugged her along toward them. She barely had time to resist.
As they joined the pair, Ameya stared at them, surprised. Michael smirked. "What a surprise. You're here too?"
"I'm here for Jenna," Rico said smoothly, resting his hand on Jenna's shoulder.
Jenna's eyes widened. "Huh?!"
Ameya's expression tightened, flicking her gaze between the two. She gave Jenna a subtle but obvious eye-gesture: What is going on??
Jenna blinked, mouthing silently, I don't know!
Michael turned to Ameya with that teasing smile of his. "So… back to what I was saying. Are you coming with me for that date?"
Rico raised an eyebrow. "You're going on a date with Ameya? Since when?"
Michael grinned. "Tomorrow."
Ameya quickly interrupted, "But—Tomorrow's our practice session. So I can't… right, Jenna?"
Jenna nodded quickly. "Y-Yes! We have a session."
Michael leaned in, voice lower, smirk still present. "Nice try. I already asked your manager. You're free. Don't even think of saying no. I'll wait for you. 7:30 p.m. Movie theater."
Ameya flinched. "But—"
"See you then," he winked.
Rico gave Michael a playful nudge. "Bro, you're fast."
Michael laughed. "Not faster than you, right, Rico?"
Jenna tilted her head, confused. "Huh?"
Rico only smiled at her, then asked, "Jenna, shall we go on a double date with them?"
Jenna's jaw dropped. "What?!"
Ameya's eyes nearly popped out.
Michael clapped his hands once. "Perfect. Group date it is!"
As they were about to leave, Michael leaned close to Ameya. "I'll text you the location."
And just before Rico turned to walk away, he leaned down near Jenna's ear and whispered, "You have one more day to answer."
Jenna froze on the spot, his warm breath lingering like a secret breeze.
---
Later That Evening – In the Park
Under the soft rustling of leaves and fading orange sky, Ameya and Jenna sat on a park bench, sipping from paper cups.
"I need to ask," Ameya said, turning to Jenna. "What's really going on between you and Michael?"
Jenna tried to change the subject with a smile, "Did you notice the squirrel? It looks like it's wearing a hoodie."
"Jenna," Ameya deadpanned. "Don't dodge it."
Jenna sighed, defeated. "Okay… I like him. Since before. Since I followed him as an idol. But I don't know when he started noticing me."
Ameya softened. "You two look natural together."
Jenna glanced at her. "Thanks. But now it's my turn. Why does Rico keep saying stuff like 'two more days', 'one more day'? What is that about?"
Ameya hesitated.
"Tell me," Jenna urged. "If we're going to untangle this mess, we need honesty. I can't help if you don't open up."
"…He proposed to me," Ameya admitted quietly.
Jenna choked on her drink. "What?! Oh my god—that's why he's acting like that. He's waiting for your answer."
Ameya nodded sheepishly.
"And—" Jenna narrowed her eyes, leaning in. "Did something romantic happen between you two? Like… a kiss?"
Ameya's cheeks flamed. "It… it was unexpected…"
Jenna gasped. "So that means yes?! Ameya!! But—but—back then you were in my body! That's… kind of messed up, don't you think?"
Ameya covered her face with her hands. "I didn't mean for it to happen!"
Jenna sighed, then gave a small smile. "Okay, okay. I get it. But now you have to tell him. Everything. The truth. About the body switch, the kiss… all of it."
Ameya peeked between her fingers. "He won't believe me. It sounds too… crazy."
"You have to try," Jenna insisted. "Or it'll only get more complicated."
Ameya looked at her. "What about you? Are you telling Michael?"
Jenna took a breath. "Yes. I will. He deserves to know who he really fell for."
The park grew quiet for a moment, the air thick with unsaid emotions, flickers of love, confusion, and unfinished goodbyes swirling around them like fireflies.
They weren't just switching back their lives.
They were switching hearts.
—
To be continued...
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