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Arc I - Closer to You [Chapter 2: Changes to Everyday Life]

[Wednesday, body-swap week 1, at the CC simulation rooms]

Welcome everyone to day four of the body swap. Hurray! And surprise, we're not back to normal yet. And yes, I am still overwhelmed with almost everything. In the meantime, I've had to do more spine-chilling things I don't even want to think about. Same goes for Kacchan, of course. We don't talk about this topic either, unless it's absolutely necessary because it's just too embarrassing and unpleasant for both of us. The fact that otherwise everyday and normal things have mutated into something so scary and alien for us is absolutely wearing. In this respect, emotional blunting has not yet progressed nearly far enough. Although on the other hand, I am desperate to never ever reach such stage because it would mean that we have been swapped for too long. And I guess I am not one of those who become blunt very quickly.

Currently, I am watching Kacchan as he enters his registration for the CC simulation training room.

Kacchan: "As Tōdō-sensei likes me so much and at this time feels sorry for me, he helped organizing the room. So-" The status light changes from red to green and the door slides open. *grins boastfully*, "-this simulation room is ours for the next five Wednesdays, same time as today. With his help, we even managed to carve out 1 1/2 hours."

I am genuinely impressed, "Wow, that's nice!"

The simulation rooms have only been around for a relatively short time, as they incorporate the latest technical achievements. They can be used in a variety of ways but enable effective close combat training in particular. In addition to the practical modules that require their use, they are also used for individual training. It goes without saying that the U.A. was the first of all the academies in Japan to install these rooms and to such extent. One big reason is that the U.A. provided a great deal of support for research and development, especially in terms of financial resources. Small academies don't even provide one of these little gems. However, these training rooms are extremely popular and as there are 'only' six of them at U.A., they are normally fully booked weeks in advance.

Kacchan: "I don't do it out of charity, of course. If my body loses even one gram of muscle mass during this shit, I'd be pretty angry. That's why a regular training in the simulation room comes in handy. Brace yourself, I won't go easy on you in my body. My demands are high as you might have already concluded."

Today during the lunch break, Kacchan presented me his joint training plan, adapted to our current time resources. He already had a lot of it beforehand but had to make adjustments here and there. The plan is a tough one and starts very early in the morning with a joint breakfast. Of course, I also had my own plan, but it wasn't as strict and rigorous. Kacchan's body is not so fit for nothing, right.

Me: "I'm well aware. Your plan is a lot stricter than mine. And I will do my best to hold the bar. Besides, my body alongside benefits from the additional training, too."

Kacchan: *smirks*, "Good."

In the meantime, we enter the changing rooms to get ready with the required special suits, called Enyo suits. These suits are tight-fitting due to the functionality which is why every student receives a tailored one. In addition, depending on your wishes and the size of your wallet, you have at least one back-up suit in case of maintenance or cleaning. The basic fee for the U.A. covers one regular and one back-up suit, including their maintenance. This is just one of the reasons why the fee is quite staggering. However, it is sufficient for regular practice regarding the corresponding module. Unless you train here three times a week or so, which is unlikely due to their mentioned availability. Otherwise, in my opinion, a higher amount is a bit of a show-off.

I enter my PIN in the panel to open my locker and feel Kacchan's presence right behind me.

Kacchan: "Only regular kit, eh?"