As I slowly got up out of bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gripping me. My movements felt strangely light, and my mind was still grappling with the events of the previous night. Was it all just a vivid nightmare, or something more?

Stumbling into the bathroom, I gazed into the mirror, and my breath caught in my throat. My once jet-black hair had turned completely white, and my eyes, usually a deep brown, now shimmered with an unsettling shade of purple. I stared at my reflection, a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and disbelief washing over me. "What in the world is happening to me?" I muttered, my voice trembling.

I tried to convince myself that it was a trick of the light or a bizarre coincidence, but as I examined myself further, I noticed other changes. I stood taller, and my body had gained a more muscular build. I couldn't help but strike a few poses, a mixture of amazement, self-admiration, and bewilderment coursing through me. Who knew a morning could bring such unexpected transformations?

Despite my newfound appearance, I felt a gnawing unease deep within me. How could this have happened? What did it mean? I longed for answers, but there were none to be had.

Shaking off my astonishment, I made my way to the living room, hoping the daylight streaming in through the window would dispel my concerns. Tentatively, I reached out to touch the sunlit rays, half-expecting my hand to sizzle or evaporate upon contact. To my immense relief, nothing happened. I let out a nervous chuckle, grateful that I wasn't about to burst into flames. "Guess I'm not a vampire," I muttered, relieved that my irrational fears had been unfounded.

But even as I tried to laugh it off, the gravity of my situation weighed on me. I couldn't continue to ignore the unexplained metamorphosis.

With a deep breath, I turned on the TV, seeking a distraction from my changing appearance. The sound of the news filled the room, and I listened half-heartedly while attempting to cook myself some breakfast.

The sizzle of the pan mixed with the news anchor's voice as they reported on numerous missing persons and unexplained deaths. The victims, as I dreaded to hear, were all found drained of blood. The authorities were grappling with the mysterious situation, and an officer was being interviewed about the ongoing investigation.

As I took my first bite of the breakfast I had prepared, a bitter taste of disappointment washed over me. The food seemed flavorless, like consuming mere cardboard. I winced at the sensation, feeling a sharp pang in my stomach with each swallow. "What's happening to my taste buds?" I exclaimed in frustration, as if the breakfast had personally let me down.

My outburst caught the attention of Mrs. Johnson, my kind neighbor from the adjacent apartment. She knocked on the thin wall, her voice filled with concern. "Shun, is everything alright in there?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled by the barrier between us.

Startled by the unexpected interruption, I quickly composed myself and replied, "Oh, it's nothing, Mrs. Johnson. Just... uh, saw a cockroach. Sorry for the noise."

Mrs. Johnson chuckled softly, her voice carrying through the wall. "Well, you take care of that roach, Shun. Don't let it ruin your morning." With that, she retreated to the comfort of her own apartment, leaving me to wrestle with my peculiar circumstances.

Sighing in frustration, I couldn't ignore the growing hunger gnawing at my stomach. I decided to experiment with different foods in my kitchen, hoping to find something that would satisfy my cravings. However, each attempt ended in disappointment and discomfort. The taste was bland, and every bite felt heavy in my stomach, causing me pain.

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Frustration and hunger mounting, I couldn't help but let my voice echo through the empty apartment, questioning the strange turn my life had taken.

As I pouted over my wasted breakfast, my phone buzzed with a text message, breaking the silence in the room. It was Takashi, responding to my previous message. I eagerly unlocked my phone and read his reply, hoping for some clarity.

"Yuki? Who's that?" Takashi's message read, filled with confusion.

My brows furrowed as I typed back, my fingers trembling slightly. "The girl who sits across from me at work. We've been sharing glances for the past six months."

Takashi's next response only deepened my confusion and concern. "Shun, there's no Yuki who works across from you. The only person sitting there is Nancy, the sweet elderly woman who always offers you homemade cookies. Are you sure you're alright? Did you hit your head hard when you fell down in the alley?"

My heart pounded in my chest as I read Takashi's message over and over again. It couldn't be true. Yuki had been there every day, a constant presence in my work routine. How could she suddenly be nonexistent?

Before I could gather my thoughts, another text from Takashi appeared on my screen, asking if I wanted to grab a drink later tonight. I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "Sure, why not? Maybe going crazy is the next step in my transformation," I replied, a tinge of sarcasm lacing my words.

With a sigh, I agreed to meet Takashi, hoping that spending time with my best friend would provide some much-needed clarity amidst the mounting confusion in my life. Little did I know that the answers I sought were far from simple, and the path ahead was shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.

— — —

[later in the night]

I walked into the bustling bar, scanning the room for any sign of Takashi. It didn't take long for my eyes to land on him, sitting alone at a booth. With a sense of relief, I made my way over and slid into the seat across from him.

Takashi looked up at me, a puzzled expression on his face. "Um, excuse me, but I think you may have the wrong seat," he said politely, trying to hide his confusion.

I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Takashi, it's me, Shun! Don't tell me you don't recognize your own best friend," I replied, a playful smirk on my face.

Takashi burst into laughter, finally realizing who I was. "Shun! What happened to you? Your hair is white, you've grown taller, and you actually have muscles now!" he exclaimed, pointing out the changes in my appearance.

Feigning offense, I crossed my arms and replied, "Hey, I've always been a handsome guy, Takashi. I guess my glow-up just decided to happen all at once!"

We both erupted into laughter, reminiscing about our middle school days. And then, with a mischievous glint in my eye, I leaned in and whispered Takashi's long-held secret that only he and I knew. His face turned beet red, and he playfully punched my arm in embarrassment.

But as his gaze shifted back to me, his eyes widened in shock. "Wait a minute, Shun. You're not just playing a prank on me, are you? Your appearance is... different," he stammered, trying to find the right words.

I shrugged, a touch of sadness in my voice. "I wish I could say it was a prank, but it's real. I've changed, Takashi. And these shades I'm wearing? The street lights and the bar lights have been giving me splitting headaches lately."

We spent the night partying, enjoying the music and laughter around us. But Takashi couldn't help but notice that I wasn't eating the delicious food the bar had to offer. Concern filled his eyes as he leaned in closer.

"Shun, are you okay? You're not eating," he pointed out, his voice filled with genuine worry.

I nodded, trying to dismiss his concern. "I'm just not hungry, that's all. You know I'm a big foodie, but tonight... I just don't have an appetite."

Takashi placed a hand on my forehead and immediately, Takashi's hand recoiled as he felt the coldness of my skin. His expression turned serious, his eyes filled with concern. He withdrew his hand and sighed.

"Shun, you're not fooling anyone. I can tell something's not right. You're freezing cold," he said softly, his voice filled with worry.

I mustered a weak smile, unable to hide the truth any longer. "Okay, you got me. I'm not feeling well. But don't worry, it's nothing serious. I just need some rest."

Takashi's brows furrowed with genuine concern. "Rest alone won't solve everything. You should see a doctor, Shun. I can't just ignore it when my best friend's not doing well."

I appreciated his genuine care, but I didn't want to burden him further. "Thanks, Takashi. I'll consider it. But for now, let's just enjoy the night. I want to forget about it, at least for a little while longer."

Takashi nodded, understanding my wish to embrace the moment. Throughout the night, he kept a watchful eye on me, making sure I was okay. We laughed, danced, and created memories that would become part of our treasured friendship.

As the night came to an end, Takashi leaned in and gently squeezed my shoulder. "Shun, promise me you'll take care of yourself. We'll hang out again soon, once you're feeling better. I don't want to see my best friend down and out."

I mustered a tired but genuine smile, touched by his words. "I promise, Takashi. I'll take care of myself. And thank you, truly, for being there for me tonight."

We said our goodbyes, and I left the bar with a mix of emotions. Though uncertainty clouded my mind, I found solace in knowing that I had a friend like Takashi by my side. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead, and I was grateful for that unwavering friendship but I mustn’t tell him about what’s going on with me.