Even a Body Swap Can't Stop the Illustrator
"...Huh."
I had no idea how long I'd been lying on the floor. I blinked a couple times and sat up. My body felt strangely light. In a hazy daze, I got out of bed and pulled back the curtains. It was morning. Or maybe lunchtime. I yawned once and headed to the bathroom. Even if I hadn't eaten, I still needed to brush my teeth.
That was the plan when I stepped inside.
"Whoa."
I let out an exclamation at the sight in the mirror. But the awe didn't last. Because the voice that came out was a sweet, girlish soprano.
Yeah, that was fine. If only it hadn't come from my mouth.
"Did I drink too much Hot Seven last night?"
Was my mind playing tricks? Or had years of overwork finally driven me insane? The girl in the mirror was staring back with wide eyes, basically screaming, that's not me. And we sure didn't have a girl living in our house—let alone a stunning beauty like this.
So what the hell? Was I hallucinating?
No amount of denial changed reality.
"This is... me, huh."
I muttered at my reflection. I still couldn't wrap my head around it—couldn't tell if this was real or a dream—but for now, I accepted it. And as if to confirm this moment was reality...
Throb. Throb.
"Guh?!"
A vicious headache slammed into my skull like a hammer. I collapsed against the wall, drenched in cold sweat and tears, drooling uncontrollably from the agony.
"Agh..."
And in that unbearable pain, new memories seared into my brain. Not mine—this girl's.
I blacked out.
I came to with my back against the bathroom wall, still sweating bullets.
"...Gotta wash up."
I forced my shaky legs to hold me up. The headache was gone like it had never been, but now my head was filled with her memories, not mine. Or maybe the opposite—I'd jumped into her body. Who knows.
But get this: her life was identical to mine. What was the point of that torture, then?
I puffed out my cheeks in annoyance and glared at the mirror. The messy hair and pale skin bugged me, but that was normal. No sunlight meant vampire-pale, like something out of a comic.
Anyway, time to clean up. Didn't smell bad, but it felt gross.
I toweled off my hair and blasted it dry with the fan. The white locks were longer now than when I was a guy—even as a bob, it took time. Once dry, I turned off the fan and plopped into my chair to work.
Body swap or not, life went on. Yesterday's project was still waiting.
I could think later. Three hours later, I'd finished and saved two outfit designs. The deadline was midnight last night, but it'd be fine now. Six outfits total from yesterday and today—exhausting, just like before bed.
"Gotta send 'em off before crashing."
I emailed the six designs to my handler and leaned back. Now, to sort out yesterday.
Missed deadline, drew a girl character, woke up as her. Past matched perfectly, like a parallel-world me.
"What luck."
A talentless normie like me had a plain face. Yet this world's me holed up drawing with this looks? Oh well. She was me, I was her. Same personality, same feedback from others. Only path: VTuber illustrator. Just a body swap, nothing more.
That's what I thought back then.
Ding!
A reply already—from the email I'd just sent.
Tsupi was the team lead at KR Maerchen Live, overseeing all generations of KR VTubers as head manager. How many people traded emails like this with execs?
Was it okay for a team lead to seem so casual? No worries—she looked flighty, but she was terrifying in reality.
Anyway, a meeting. JP had their own outfit illustrators, right? Why me? Our styles differed a lot. KR favored sleek or soft designs—about 120 frames per animation. JP prioritized looks over function, around 60 frames. My hands were wrecked daily, but still usable.
Emails sucked for back-and-forth, but oh well. They never shared a phone number.
Work done for today. Nap time?
I crossed the small crosswalk. Supposed to be around here. I scanned for the meeting spot.
There—Serene Cafe. That was the actual name.
I blinked at it, then went inside.
"Welcome~."
I nodded to the server and looked around. Lime green hairpin, lime green hairpin... Found her in the corner by the window, across from a Japanese-looking woman.
She's younger than I thought.
First time meeting Tsupi. We'd only emailed for work stuff.
"Hello."
"Oh, Muil?"
"Yes. That's me."
"No way."
Tsupi—the lime green hairpin girl—gaped, eyes wide.
"Whoa, the world... whoa."
"...What?"
"You're just so pretty! Damn, we should've met sooner!"
I scooted back from her enthusiastic greeting and nodded. Emails hinted at this—she wasn't your average woman.
My gaze shifted to the other woman; Tsupi introduced her.
"Oh, that's Auka from JP. Outfit illustrator like you, Muil."
"Nice to meet you. Call me Auka."
Her Korean was fluent. Older than me, too.
"Hi. Muil here. Auka."
"Nice to meet you. Coffee first? Sit."
"Ah, I'll order! What for you, Muil?"
I sat next to Tsupi, thinking.
"Iced Americano."
"Got it. Auka?"
"Caramel macchiato for me."
"Okay~."
Tsupi dashed to the counter. Awkward silence fell; Auka broke it.
"How long have you been drawing, Muil?"
"Can't remember exactly, but around elementary school start."
"Wow, that's ages."
Auka gave off major middle-aged vibes, peppering me with questions. Tsupi returned midway.
"Okay! Eat, drink, then talk!"
"Why dessert..."
"I wanted it. It's huge—share?"
Forced, but tasty. Strawberry tart hit the spot. Bellies full, to business. I sipped my Americano and faced Auka.
"So, what's this about? Why'd JP call me?"
"Straight to it. Interested in joining JP?"
"Wait, that's not what you said!"
Auka answered me; Tsupi freaked at Auka.
"Sorry. Just had to ask. JP's buzzing about your skills."
Auka sighed, hand to forehead. Her pitch: KR outperformed JP—thanks to outfits and style. KR's prestige was higher; they'd lapped JP since I joined Maerchen Live. Talent poach, basically.
My answer was set.
"Thanks, but no. I like KR."
"Fair. Thanks for listening."
"Phew..."
"But feel free to copy my style."
Their eyes went wide.
"We're family—gotta help somehow. Can't do more."
"Seriously? That's huge. Thank you."
Auka bowed awkwardly. I urged her up; she smiled faintly, pleased.
"You're a good person, Muil."
"Just coworkers."
"Still."
Tsupi eyed me oddly.