The Man in the Mirror

The shrill beep of my alarm jolted me awake at 5:30 AM. I groaned, rolling over to slap the snooze button. But then I remembered why I'd set it so early in the first place.

Time to get my ass in gear.

I dragged myself out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Stumbling to the closet, I grabbed the first workout clothes I could find - a faded t-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts that had seen better days.

As I laced up my sneakers, I couldn't help but chuckle. If my old squad could see me now, up before the crack of dawn and voluntarily going out for a jog? They'd think I'd lost my mind.

I stepped outside, the cool morning air sending a shiver down my spine. The streets were quiet, the only sound being the slap of my shoes against the pavement.

As I jogged, I took in my surroundings. The neat rows of houses, the tiny front gardens, the occasional convenience store with its neon sign flickering in the early morning gloom.

It was a far cry from the war-torn landscape I'd left behind. But in a way, it was comforting. A reminder that life went on, that people found a way to carve out a slice of normalcy even in the most unusual circumstances.

Like me, waking up in a stranger's body with a mysterious system guiding me towards fame and fortune. If that wasn't the definition of unusual, I didn't know what was.

But I was adapting. Learning to navigate this new world, to use the tools at my disposal to achieve my goals.

As I rounded a corner, I spotted a small park nestled between two apartment buildings. A few old men sat on benches, feeding the pigeons and chatting amongst themselves.

I slowed to a walk, catching my breath. The park looked like a good place to do some stretches, maybe a few push-ups and sit-ups.

I claimed an empty patch of grass and got to work, feeling the burn in my muscles as I pushed myself through a series of exercises.

It was strange, being back in a body that hadn't seen combat. Kazuya's muscles were soft, unused to the rigors of training. But I could feel the potential there, the raw material waiting to be shaped and honed.

Just like my acting and music skills. They were rough now, untested. But with time and dedication, I knew I could mold them into something spectacular.

After my workout in the park, I remembered my plan to check out some boxing and Muay Thai gyms in the area. I pulled out my phone and did a quick search, jotting down the addresses of a few promising spots.

The first gym I visited was a sleek, modern affair. All glass and chrome, with state-of-the-art equipment and a juice bar in the lobby. I took one look at the membership fees and left. I wasn't here to blow Kazuya's savings on fancy machines and overpriced smoothies.

The second place was better. A no-nonsense gym with a ring in the center and heavy bags lining the walls. The trainers looked like they knew their stuff, barking orders at their students as they put them through their paces.

But as I watched, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. The students were going through the motions, but there was no fire, no passion. It felt more like a chore than a calling.

I moved on, hoping the third time would be the charm. And as I stepped into the final gym on my list, I knew I'd found my place.

It was a hole in the wall, tucked away down a narrow alley. The sign above the door was faded, the paint peeling. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of sweat and the thud of fists against leather.

There was no air conditioning, just a few oscillating fans that did little to cut through the heat. The equipment was old but well-maintained, the heavy bags tape-patched and the ring ropes frayed.

But what caught my eye was the energy in the room. The students here weren't just going through the motions. They were hungry, driven, pushing themselves to the limit and then some.

I watched as a wiry man with salt-and-pepper hair put a group through a series of punishing drills, his voice a constant barrage of encouragement and correction.

"Keep those hands up! Pivot on the ball of your foot! Don't drop your guard unless you want to eat canvas!"

This was my kind of place. No frills, no bullshit. Just hard work and dedication.

I approached the man after the class ended, introducing myself. "I'm looking to train. You teach both boxing and Muay Thai?"

He looked me up and down, assessing. "I do. You have any experience?"

I shrugged. "Some. But I'm always looking to learn more."

He nodded. "Good attitude. Alright, come by tomorrow at five AM. We'll see what you're made of."

As I left the gym, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. This was exactly what I needed. A place to hone my skills, to keep my edge sharp even in this peaceful world.

Back at Kazuya's apartment, I wasted no time. I hopped in the shower, letting the hot water soothe my muscles after the morning's workout. Feeling this luxury that the rest of the world has taken for granted was a humbling experience. If someone had told me a week ago that I'd be starting my day with a jog and a shower, I'd have laughed in their face. But here I was, living the clean life.

I toweled off and threw on a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. Comfortable, but still presentable enough for a day of online research and planning.

First on the agenda: acting schools. If I was going to make it in this industry, I needed to hone my craft. And what better way than to learn from the pros?

I scoured the internet, making a list of the most promising programs. Some were expensive, with tuition costs that made my eyes water. But others were more reasonable, offering scholarships or flexible payment plans.

Next up, singing lessons. I knew I had a great voice if I do say so myself, but great wasn't going to cut it in the music world. I needed to be outstanding, unforgettable. So I searched for vocal coaches, looking for someone who could help me take my pipes to the next level.

Compiling my lists, I smiled softly. This was real. I was taking concrete steps towards my dreams, putting in the work to make them a reality.

But I also knew I had to be smart about it. I couldn't blow all of Kazuya's money on acting classes and voice lessons. I still had college to think about, not to mention rent and food and all the other expenses that came with being a functioning human.

A million yen a month sounded like a lot, but it could disappear fast if I wasn't careful.

I started crunching numbers, mapping out a budget. So much for rent, so much for utilities. A chunk for acting school, another for singing lessons. And of course, I had to set aside some cash for the gym. 

It was a balancing act, but I was used to juggling priorities. In my old life, I'd had to weigh the needs of my squad against the demands of the mission. Compared to that, managing a budget was a cakewalk. 

I glanced at the clock - 5:28pm. Damn, I've been at this for 8 hours. My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since before my morning jog.

Time for a break. I needed some food and fresh air before I finished ironing out the new Kazuya schedule. But before I could even start, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. Dad's name flashed on the screen.

"Kazuya, your grandma collapsed. She's in the hospital." His voice was tight, strained.

My heart dropped. "I'll be right there, d-dad." The word felt strange on my tongue, a reminder that this life, this family, was still new to me.

I rushed to the hospital, my mind racing. I barely knew this woman, but she was supposed to be my grandma. The closest thing to family I had in this world.

When I arrived, the room was crowded with worried faces. Mom, Dad, and there, in the center of it all, was Grandma.

She looked small in the hospital bed, her face lined with age. But her eyes were sharp, alert. "You guys are making a fuss over nothing," she grumbled. "I just got a little dizzy. No need for the whole clan to show up."

Mom huffed, her hands on her hips. "We're worried about you. You need to take better care of yourself."

Grandma waved a dismissive hand. Then her gaze landed on me. Her eyes widened. "Kazuya, what on earth did you do to your hair? And your eyes... they're different."

The room fell silent. I could feel every stare, every questioning glance. I swallowed hard, scrambling for an explanation.

"I, uh... I just felt like a change, Grandma. New look for a new chapter in life, you know?"

She studied me, her gaze piercing. For a moment, I thought she could see right through me.

But then she chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, I suppose it suits you. Always were a bit of a wild card, weren't you?"

I grinned. "You know me, Grandma. Never one to follow the crowd."

She laughed, the sound warm and fond. "That's my boy. Now, enough about me. Tell me what's new with you. Any girls caught your eye yet?"

I groaned, the sound echoing in the small room. "Grandma, really? You're in the hospital and that's what you want to know?"

But even as I protested, I could see the genuine concern in her eyes. This wasn't just idle gossip. She wanted to know I was happy, that I had someone to share my life with.

I sighed, a rueful smile on my lips. "I was dating this girl, Mami. Real cute, funny, the whole package. I thought maybe she could be the one, you know? Even considered bringing her to meet you."

Grandma's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement dancing in their depths. But before she could get too carried away, I held up a hand.

"But she broke up with me on Friday. So, no big family introduction. Not yet, anyway."

The excitement faded from Grandma's face, replaced by a look of sympathy. "Oh, Kazuya. I'm sorry. Breakups are never easy."

I shrugged. "It's fine, Grandma. Plenty of fish in the sea, right?"

She chuckled, reaching out to pat my hand. "You'll find your girl, Kazuya. Just give it time. And remember, no paying for any funny business, you hear? You're better than that."

I laughed, the sound a little too loud in the quiet room. "Come on, Grandma. You really think I'd stoop that low?"

But even as the words left my mouth, I felt a twinge of guilt. If she knew about the rental girlfriend...

I pushed the thought away. That was the old Kazuya, the one who was too afraid to chase his dreams head-on. The new me was better than that.

"Don't worry, Grandma," I said, my voice firm. "I'm focusing on myself right now. Getting my head on straight, figuring out what I want in life. The right girl will come along when the time is right."

She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's my boy. Wise beyond your years."

I returned her smile, hoping she couldn't see the ghosts lurking behind my eyes. If only she knew just how many years I had rattling around in my head.

The conversation shifted then, to safer topics. Family gossip, neighborhood drama, the latest exploits of Grandma's long-suffering bridge club. 

I stood up, stretching my arms above my head. "I should get going, Grandma. Let you get some rest."

She waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I'm fine. But you go on, Kazuya. Get some food in you. Growing boy like you needs to eat."

Stepping out of the hospital, the sun was just starting to set. The air was cool, crisp. I breathed deep, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders.

My stomach grumbled again, a reminder of how long it had been since my last meal. I spotted a ramen shop across the street, its neon sign glowing invitingly in the gathering dusk.

I grinned, digging my hands into my pockets as I made my way over. A bowl of hot noodles, a cold soda, and some time to finish planning my next move.

Yeah, that sounded just about perfect.