Like someone pulled from drowning water, Autumn Ease snapped his eyes open at Ji Yingying’s shout.

He looked down at his body. His clothes had reverted to what he wore when first arriving at this Anomaly Point—just a tight combat suit. No robe, no dress. And now, he was male again.

This suit was convenient. It worked whether he was male or female… without feeling out of place.

At most, people might think he was cosplaying.

“Where is this…” He tapped his head, clearing the fog, scanning his surroundings.

It was afternoon. The sun hid behind clouds. Yellowed leaves drifted from trees. Every shop on this street was shuttered, walls marked with big red ‘DEMOLITION’ signs.

Dust coated the park bench. Spiderwebs draped its edges.

The trash can stood empty—as if even garbage avoided this place.

Memories flooded back. Autumn Ease recognized it now.

This was the small city’s pedestrian street. Or rather, what was left of it. Soon to be torn down, maybe rebuilt into something flashier. But it’d never taste the same again.

Back in high school, this was the city’s only walking street. Cutting-edge for 2004, when the internet was slow. You could buy anything here—especially niche stuff.

It was here Autumn Ease first became an otaku, obsessed with anime merch.

After all, this was the only spot in town with anime stores and model shops.

He’d also hang out at the game center with friends.

Not just any arcade—this place had home consoles to play.

That’s where he discovered PlayStation. Graphics leagues beyond clunky arcade machines.

In dreams, he’d stroll here with another version of himself. Visiting fortune-telling huts, candy figurine stalls, even buying a token of affection at a jewelry store…

“Autumn Ease? Hey! Autumn Ease?”

“I hear you, I hear you.” He snapped back, answering fast.

“No anomalies detected nearby. This should be the Anomaly Point’s start time.”

“I know.” Autumn Ease nodded. “If I recall right, I should be sitting on that bench right now… drinking.”

“Go check on that you.” Ji Yingying ordered.

“Alright, I’ll look.”

Autumn Ease wandered leisurely down the doomed street. For a moment, he saw shops bustling, crowds chatting, bicycle bells clattering nonstop.

Online shopping made life easy now. But it lacked that old thrill—touching and craving things in person.

Sometimes, broke, he’d just stand by shop windows, staring for ages.

Just looking felt like a treat.

Most precious was the carefree joy of coming here with friends, buying whatever they wanted.

Autumn Ease felt nostalgic. But did nostalgia mean he wanted to return?

He had no answer.

Memories wore rose-tinted glasses. Maybe he didn’t truly crave the past—just liked savoring the feeling of missing it. That was all.

As a kid, this street felt endless, packed with shops for every desire.

Now, grown, standing amid demolition signs, it seemed so short.

Visible end to end.

He spotted another himself on a bench. An empty beer can rolled on the ground, clattering in the wind.

Rattling…

Lonely. Desolate.

Silently, Autumn Ease approached. The other him slept, head lolling sideways.

Just an ordinary young man.

Not ugly, not handsome. Forgettable.

A faint alcohol smell clung to him. Drunk. Tired. Asleep.

Watching his own slumped posture from outside felt oddly fascinating.

“Typical loser,” Ji Yingying’s voice cut in.

“Heh… What’s wrong with being a loser? Not everyone can be on top. Not everyone’s a genius. If you can’t be special, better to stay ordinary.” Autumn Ease smiled faintly. After all he’d endured, he’d grown a little.

Everyone craves to stand out.

But after trying, most accept being average.

Admit your ordinariness. Then find happiness within it.

Autumn Ease knew the bench-sleeper was deep in that long dream.

He’d dream of becoming a girl. She’d try to help her male self succeed, to win over his crush—the school flower. But instead, they’d fall for each other.

Same soul. Drawn together.

“Wait…” Autumn Ease’s eyes widened. “I… became a girl? Strange…”

Just now, his recalled dream shifted perspective. It was from the female self’s view.

Not the male self loving a girl, only to discover she was his future self.

“What?” Ji Yingying sounded puzzled.

“Nothing…” Autumn Ease shook his head. His memories felt messier than ever.

Curiosity struck him. What if he interrupted this dream right now? Would things change?

Waking early might erase those deep impressions. Maybe nothing after would happen.

“No way.” Autumn Ease grinned. “He must finish this dream. Only then can I find a way… to bring her to reality.”

“Heh… HAHAHA… FOUND YOU—!” A man appeared down the street. He hunched slightly, face twisted in bloodthirsty glee. A knife glinted in his hand. His eyes locked on the sleeping Autumn Ease.

That man was another Autumn Ease.

Call this killer Autumn Ease #2. The one about to die? Autumn Ease #1.

“You!” Autumn Ease tensed instantly.

“Heh… HAHAHA… You’re here too… Kill you. Kill all of you… Only I am Autumn Ease!” He threw his head back, laughing wildly, then charged.

Autumn Ease knew no knife fighting. He cheated.

Ducking behind a trash can, he shoved it hard into #2.

But #2 leaped high, knife gripped in both hands, stabbing straight for Autumn Ease’s skull.

“Dodge!” Ji Yingying screamed.

“Ugh!” Autumn Ease jumped back. Spotting a thick tree nearby, he sprinted, dropped the knife, and scrambled up like a monkey. He perched on the sturdiest branch.

Haven’t climbed trees in years. Survival instinct kicked in.

No time to rest.

#2 rushed to the tree, pausing briefly below—debating whether to follow.

That pause was all Autumn Ease needed.

Surprise attack.

#2 never expected him to drop down so fast. Autumn Ease slammed into him, knocking him flat.

Their fierce struggle didn’t wake #1. He slept soundly.

*Thud!*

*Clatter-clatter!* Autumn Ease pinned #2 down, hands clamping the arms. Desperate, he bit the knife-hand’s thumb webbing. #2 yelped, dropping the blade.

Autumn Ease gasped relief—then #2’s hands choked his throat. They rolled violently, grappling all the way to the street’s railing.

Beyond it flowed a man-made river. Deep. Draining fast. Even strong swimmers might not make it back.

#2 aimed to throw him in.

“Damn… ngh…!” Autumn Ease fought back. He hadn’t swum in years. In this current? He’d drown fast.

*Thump-thump-thump!* He hammered #2’s head. But #2 ignored the pain, focused on hurling him over.

“Hraagh!” Autumn Ease tried hoisting him up—still weaker.

Teeth again.

This time, biting #2’s inner thigh.

No—had he accidentally hit something… sensitive?

#2’s grip loosened. Autumn Ease seized the chance, slamming #2’s neck against the railing.

The hollow railing crumpled. Autumn Ease went wild, bashing again and again. *Crack!* The rotten metal snapped. #2 plunged into the river, swept away instantly by the churning water.

But Autumn Ease had thrown his full weight. Off-balance, he tumbled after him.