Chapter 13
"Naiiyraa, come on! Hurry up—we're getting late for our class!"
Mimi shouted from the door, tapping her foot impatiently.
"I am not Naiiyraa anymore," she replied sharply. "I am Mimi—Mimica Asper. And you are Naiiyraa Shillion. Don't call me that again."
"Huh!? Girl, I know it's hard for you to adjust again, but you need to understand—it's for your own safety!"
"I never complained about anything, did I… Naiiyraa?"
Her voice came out low, almost broken, like words she had buried for too long were finally escaping.
Mimi frowned. "You're acting like I stole your identity! Why can't you understand this is for your own good, Mimi? Is it that hard for you?"
"I am not 'Mimi'! And yeah—it is that hard!" she snapped. "Imagine changing your identity two times continuously! Don't you think I have a heart? First I was Lerah… then Naiiyraa… and when I finally started getting used to being Naiiyraa—I had to switch again! With you!"
She wiped her eyes quickly, but more tears followed.
Mimi's expression softened, her voice lowering.
"I know you've suffered a lot… that's why I'm helping you. But you need to understand—we have no other choice."
"I know… but I… I just can't…"
"You have to! Naiiyraa, in order to survive—you have to."
Silence filled the room.
"…I'll try my best, Mimi," she whispered. "Thank you so much. You're the best… I'm really happy to have a friend like you."
"I know," Mimi smirked lightly, wiping her tears away. "Now come on—we're getting late!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, we're going. Happy now?"
"Yeah!"
They rushed through the hallway together, footsteps echoing.
Mimi adjusted the ID card hanging from her neck.
Naiiyraa Shillion.
Naiiyraa glanced at hers.
Mimica Asper.
"This still feels weird," she muttered.
"Get used to it," Mimi replied quickly. "And don't mess up."
"You're the one who almost messed up just now."
"Excuse me? That was you!"
"No, it wasn't!"
"It was!"
"Okay, fine, maybe a little," Naiiyraa sighed.
They stepped into the university building—
"Huh? What's wrong with you two?" Noshi suddenly appeared in front of them. "Why are you wearing each other's ID cards? Mistake?"
Both of them froze for a second—
Then spoke at the same time.
"What are you talking about?"
"We're wearing our correct ID cards."
Noshi blinked. "What…?"
"I am Mimica Asper, obviously," Naiiyraa said confidently.
"And I am Naiiyraa Shillion," Mimi added.
"What is wrong with both of you today!?" Noshi snapped.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked.
"YOU are Mimi—not Naiiyraa!"
"No, I'm Naiiyraa."
"No, you're not!"
"I am!"
"You are not!"
"I AM!"
Mimi's voice echoed loudly across the hallway. Students turned. Conversations stopped.
Silence.
Mimi slowly looked around. "…Did I say that a bit loudly?"
Noshi crossed her arms. "A bit? The whole university heard you."
"…Oh. Sorry."
"M— I mean, Naiiyraa, we're getting late. Hurry up," Naiiyraa said quickly, pulling her arm.
"What do you mean her name is Mimica, not Naiiyraa!" Noshi insisted.
"Well, I didn't ask you, Noshi," Mimi replied coldly.
Noshi flinched. "…Since when did you become this rude?"
Mimi didn't answer.
Naiiyraa tugged her again. "Let's go."
Next moment—
They were already walking away.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Noshi called, but they didn't stop.
Walking faster now—
"You didn't have to be that rude," Naiiyraa whispered.
"We don't have time to explain things to everyone," Mimi replied.
"Still…"
"Focus. Don't slip again."
"You slipped first."
"Can you not start again?"
"…Fine."
They reached the classroom door.
"Let's go, Nai— I mean Mimi," Mimi said.
"Yeah… let's go."
They stepped inside and took their seats.
Moments passed.
Then—
Naiiyraa's eyes shifted toward the window.
She leaned slightly closer.
"M— I mean, Naiiyraa… look there."
"Mimi, what's wrong with you? You have to call me Naiiyraa. Don't make a mistake again."
"That's not what to focus on. Look outside."
Mimi sighed and turned—
Then froze.
Someone was standing outside the class, watching.
"It's… Ne—"
"Nehan Senoria."
The name lingered in the air.
And for the first time—
Mimi looked genuinely shaken.
End of chapter 13