My throat was dry, and my vision blurry, but gradually my senses began to normalize. It was an uncomfortable, surreal feeling.
I could hardly describe it, as my head had been in the clouds ever since I woke up in this strange, alternate world.
Even my alternate self was different from me. While I had given up on my childhood dream of acting, he pursued it further than I ever had.
He was completely unlike me, even in personality—something I only realized through the memory assimilation process, presented to me by the very system I had created yet couldn't recognize.
It wasn't enough that this system window was toying with me at every turn and my mind felt like a jumbled mess… now, I had received another set of memories.
I was living through a life, or more so, the end of one.
Living through the memories of Doyle and another Liam… it wasn't something I ever programmed into the system.
I would have known.
But no…
The only thing I added were tools to help someone improve in a specific category—the perfect system for learning and self-development, capable of helping anyone achieve their dreams.
But memory fragments?
I never even considered something like this, let alone programmed it. Yet here it is, letting me experience parts of other people's lives.
This opened up near-infinite possibilities, but with a drawback, I was already dreading...
Losing my own sense of self in the process.
Maybe it's unreasonable to distrust my creation, but I can't trust it. I don't know what it truly is, and trusting it would be foolish.
Still…
I have to depend on it because this is my only way back home…
While I was deep in thought, my legs turned to jelly, and I almost collapsed from exhaustion.
But I caught myself at the last moment, taking a deep breath as I felt burning gazes etched into my back.
Good.
I feel like I made quite a spectacle with Liam's performance. Anything to secure a spot in the play.
Now that I could showcase an improved version of the script, surely they'll listen to reason.
Or not. Who knows? Stupid kids.
Still, their eyes told a completely different story. Most of them looked at me strangely… did the memory fragment ruin it?
Maybe I just stood still while I was living as Doyle…
Damn it!
I looked around the room, each and every one of them stared at me without uttering a word, I couldn't read their expression.
Did I fail?
[Doyle the Stranger added to the list of memory fragments
+1,5% acquired after living through the first fragment
+1,5% acquired after the host successfully portrayed the Stranger to an audience]
The flashing light of the blue screen appearing in front of me just floated, sending chills down my spine.
Living through the life of Liam is one thing, but being a soldier from medieval times isn't something that I want to experience…
"Liam."
A raspy voice called out to me, breaking me out of my daze. The voice sounded oddly familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Turning toward the source, my gaze met a middle-aged, balding man. His head was like a graveyard for hair as if he was desperately trying to deny the fact he was losing it.
I almost wanted to say, "Just let it go… go bald by choice."
But what's his name? Damn it, the memories are clashing in my head, everything's a jumbled mess.
"Yes sir?"
He walked closer to us with a frown clearly present on his face, the students in his way gradually parting apart and letting him through while he made his way to the stage.
"I heard from the others that you want back in the play?"
He had a strange unreadable expression on his face, one of confusion.
"Yes sir."
I answered casually, but his expression contorted even further with the same confusion present.
"If you really want to come back, I see no reason to refuse, but you were the one who wanted to leave in the first place, is everything alright outside of school Liam?"
…What?
I had to stop myself from leaking out the shock on my face that I was feeling right now… Liam was the one that left the club and he wasn't kicked out?
That barely makes sense, it was Liam's dream to act, but he left them?
Then, why did he beat up that weasel?
I have to wait and assimilate more with the fragments like this, without them, I am walking on thin ice constantly, I will be standing out inevitably but that can't be now, I can't show too drastic changes overnight.
"… Yes sir, I will manage."
He sighed first then showed a bleak smile.
"It would be a lie to say I'm not happy you're back. With barely two weeks left and the deadline approaching, getting someone ready to play your part would've been tough."
"I understand, sir. Thank you for letting me back in."
I bowed, thanking him sincerely before joining the rest of the students to continue decorating the set but we were stopped right before we could begin.
"Oh, you guys should stop," he suddenly said. "I have to lock up. Something came up, and we'll have to find another day to finish decorating and practicing. I apologize again, but it's important."
He rubbed the back of his neck, sighing in frustration, helping one of the students place a piece of decor in a high position before dismissing everyone. Some were frustrated, while others seemed glad to head home early.
I was gladly among them.
More than anything, I needed time to prepare, assimilate the memory fragments… and figure out what to do with the new one I had received.
Assimilating with a soldier is something I dread. The last thing I want is to appear strange or have a drastic shift in personality—mine or Liam's. But if I merge with a soldier?
Impossible. I'd stick out like a sore thumb, and all I want is to blend in, like a needle in a haystack.
"Then when is the next time we can make up for today?"
Amelia asked, her expression showing mild annoyance. But it didn't seem to be about the canceled club activity—no, her irritation was directed at me.
While she only cast quick glances at me from the corner of her eyes, William was nowhere near as subtle. His eyes bored into me, full of intent. I wouldn't doubt for a second that he'd strangle me if given the chance.
To be honest, I wouldn't mind giving him a light smackback, but I wasn't my brother. He was the one who practiced combat sports. I had always been more of the indoors type. But this Liam… he wasn't exactly like me, even if the difference wasn't huge.
He was active—not like Aiden, but active nonetheless.
Aiden, though, was just like the one from my world. He hadn't changed a bit. Nor had my father.
So why had Liam changed?
Anyway, I could ponder these things later. It was time to head home and practice more of the improved script, which I still wasn't overly familiar with.
Just like that, we were sent home, and I wasn't one to curse the situation.
Leaving the school with a smile on my face, I felt a sense of relief. Things had been getting overwhelming, and Aiden would probably get home later, which was perfect. I didn't want to interact with anyone.
I needed time alone.
"Hey!"
I turned my head and the faint smile I had instantly vanished. The one calling out to me was nothing short of a nuisance.
William…
No, forget a nuisance—this guy was borderline a hindrance, an eyesore even.
"What do you want?"
I tried not to sound overly hostile, aware of the eyes watching us from the others nearby. But these weren't just my feelings—they were mixed with Liam's.
It was almost hatred, a creeping sensation that made me clench my fists and grit my teeth with anger.
Just the sight of William made my body tense, instinctively wanting to lash out.
And that smile on his face—that victorious, smug grin—it crawled under my skin, turning my anger up tenfold.
"I think we've been overly hostile to each other," he said, his smile only intensifying, feeding the fury simmering inside me.
Then, he did something I wasn't ready for.
He held out his hand. "What do you say, bury the hatchet?"
Heh, bastard. So that's the game we're playing? Fine, let's play.
"You're right. Now that I'm back in the play, why don't we just get along? What do you say, William?"
I mirrored his gesture, extending my hand with a smile plastered on my face. The act almost made me nauseous, but if I was going to play his game, I had to keep it up for a while.
"Wait, did they make up?"
"I can't believe it! Look, Liam's hand, the one shaking William's, is still bruised from beating him up… just like William's face."
"Right? William is such a forgiving person."
Hearing the murmurs from the other students, they all seemed genuinely shocked. But they were right, weren't they? William really is a saint... Good for him.
"In that case, we meet tomorrow." He backed away with a wide, mocking grin, flashing one last look at me.
Bastard.
Still, I wouldn't let him ruin the rest of my day.
Heading to the school bus, I glanced around the city—tall buildings, a middle-class neighborhood, clean roads, and people dressed well, walking without a care in the world.
A strange world, unfamiliar to me.
But I would get home. Staring at the home screen on my phone, I saw an old photo from nearly 15 years ago—my family.
The one I left behind.
The one I'm going to get back to… no matter what.
The bus ride home was a blur, my eyes were barely able to stay open.
What felt like an hour was barely fifteen minutes, and I got off the bus, walking through my neighborhood.
It took no more than five minutes to reach home, but the sky was already darkening—it was 7 p.m. Even with the club activity canceled, I'd still arrive late.
Reaching for my keys, I tried to unlock the door, but it didn't budge when I turned the key.
Huh?
Why isn't it opening?
I tried again. Still nothing.
Wait, is someone already home?
I reached for the handle, and to my surprise, it opened.
Inside, I saw both my brother and father. Something was off about them. I could sense it immediately, and from my memories, I knew what was happening.
"Liam, run!" Aiden called out.
But it was too late. My father's bloodshot eyes locked onto the phone in his hand, his mouth opening.
It was too late.