A soft, golden light danced in Johan's mind as he woke up. For a fleeting moment, he was back in a time and place from his past life, a memory drenched in warmth and love. The soft sound of laughter, the smell of freshly baked cookies, and the sight of two young boys chasing each other in a sunlit garden. The memory was as vivid as it was heartwarming, a stark contrast to the cool, metallic confines of Jurica City.
It was a glimpse of a past he couldn't remember, a life he didn't live, yet felt incredibly real. He was an older brother, always protective and caring. They shared laughter and tears, triumphs, and failures. It was an unspoken bond that transcended time and space, etched deep in their hearts.
"Morning, Johan," Miles greeted him, his voice pulling Johan back to reality. He blinked, casting a glance at his younger brother. Could this be the same mischievous boy from his dream, now grown up in this alien world?
A sense of curiosity took over Johan as he spent the day trailing Miles. He watched him closely, looking for signs of their shared past in his mannerisms, his expressions. He asked about their favorite childhood spots, about stories their parents might have told. Miles, albeit a little perplexed, played along, revealing snippets of their life before Jurica City.
The sight of Miles' eyes lighting up at the mention of a particular ice cream shop, the softening of his gaze when talking about their late-night story sessions, each was a clue, a fragment of their shared past.
In the quiet solitude of their living space, Johan found a dusty photo album. Flicking through the pages, he found a trail of their journey, frozen moments in time. There they were, two bright-eyed boys grinning widely, their arms draped around each other. The bonds of brotherhood, immortalized in sepia tones.
"Feels like another lifetime, doesn't it?" Miles walked in, looking over Johan's shoulder at the photos. Johan nodded, a lump forming in his throat. It was a life he didn't remember living, yet felt so deeply connected to.
...
In this new world, Johan found himself walking on a tightrope. Every word, every action, needed careful consideration. He had to remember a past he didn't live, know people he didn't meet, navigate through relationships he didn't build. The fear of exposing his transmigration kept him vigilant, forcing him to think before he acted.
"Remember the time we tried cooking and almost set the house on fire?" Miles laughed one day while reminiscing about their past. Johan joined in, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Yeah, that was...wild." He agreed, using Miles's laughter and the shared nostalgia as his guide.
Despite the constant act, the charade had its moments. Exploring Jurica City, tasting the city's diverse food, re-living Miles's memories; they all became the foundation of their rekindled bond.
One day, they found themselves sitting at a bustling food stall. The aroma of sizzling meat filled the air as Miles talked about their favorite childhood food. Johan nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he listened to his younger brother's vivid descriptions.
They strolled through the city streets, taking in the lively atmosphere. The city, once an alien landscape, felt a little more familiar with each shared experience. With each shared story, each shared laugh, they were weaving a new tapestry of memories, one that Johan was a part of, not just an outsider looking in.
"Jurica City isn't so bad, is it?" Miles turned to Johan, a hopeful glint in his eyes. Johan looked at his brother, then back at the sprawling city. "No," He smiled, "It's not bad at all." With that, they sat there, shoulder to shoulder.
...
Their days were full of camaraderie and new discoveries, but also fraught with pitfalls. One such stumbling block arrived during a visit to an arcade. Johan, unaccustomed to the advanced gaming technology, failed miserably in a two-player game that, according to Miles, they were champions.
Miles frowned, frustration visible in his eyes. "We used to ace this, Johan," he said, disappointment leaking into his voice. It was a minor thing, but the note of hurt in Miles's voice had Johan's heart clenching.
A cloud of confusion descended upon Johan. It was a world he didn't belong to, a past he didn't share. He fumbled for words, for an excuse. "I guess, I'm just a bit rusty. It's been a while, right?" He attempted a joke, trying to lighten the mood. But the words felt hollow, even to his own ears.
The day ended on a tense note, their laughter replaced by a curtain of silence. Johan's mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. He knew he had to do something, to fix things. He couldn't let his lack of memory reveal his secret!
The next day, Johan made his move. He dragged Miles back to the arcade. Miles shot him a questioning look, but Johan just flashed him a confident smile.
He had spent the entire night practicing the game, exploring its mechanics, figuring out the tricks. It wasn't the same as having a shared past, but it was something. A step towards their shared future.
As they started the game, Miles watched with wide eyes as Johan easily breakthrough through the virtual challenges. It was not perfect, but it was better, way better. When the game ended, Johan turned to Miles, uncertainty flickering in his gaze.
Miles's lips twitched upwards in a smile, and Johan's heart did a flip. "Welcome back, champ," he said, ruffling Johan's hair. The tension melted away, replaced by their familiar easy-going atmosphere.
...
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, Johan and Miles found themselves sitting on the rooftop of their modest apartment building. It wasn't much, but it was their space - a refuge amid the towering skyscrapers and the ever-buzzing city life of Jurica.
The cityscape below them glittered with thousands of neon lights, reflecting in their eyes. Miles was rambling about his day, his voice a soothing rhythm against the distant hum of the city. Johan listened, his mind half on his brother's words and half on the world around him.
His gaze traced the lines of Miles's face, the familiar curve of his smile, the spark in his eyes. Yet, it was a familiarity born out of recent days, not a remembrance of a shared past. He realized that these moments - Miles's laughter ringing in his ears, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, their shared meals, the lost and won video game battles - they were all stitching a new quilt of memories. A quilt that might not be as rich as the one Miles held but was precious nonetheless.
"Johan?" Miles's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned towards his brother, an inviting smile on his face.
"Yeah?" he responded, echoing the smile.
"You've been zoning out a lot today. Everything alright?" Miles asked, his brow creasing in worry.
Johan nodded, assuring him, "Yeah, everything's good. Just... thinking about stuff."
Miles didn't push him further, just nodded and went back to his story. Johan looked at his younger brother - a constant in this strange new world, his tether to sanity. An affectionate smile tugged at his lips.
In that moment, as the city glowed beneath them, Johan made a silent promise. He would guard these memories, their bond, no matter what. He didn't know what this new world held for him, what trials awaited him. But he was sure of one thing - he'd face them all, with a younger brother to protect. He doesn't care if it was the lingering feelings of the original host had for Miles. After all, now it was his body! He needs to accept his new life, his new identity.