The next day, Birdy was only got more and more quiet, more shut into herself. Or more accurately, himself.

On the one hand, Tsutomu had more time in the shared body, as himself. Could finally catch up with school.

On the other, Birdy hardly talked to him.

Somehow, it just wasn't the same, wasn't worth stopping being 'weird' to the other students. Something… something was missing.

"Birdy? Are you still there?"

Only silence greeted him.

"Birdy, im going to take over your body and form and insult your insect boss."

He turned around, and after making sure that he would not be overheard, spoke.

"Birdy, I will take your form and will do bad, ecchi things to it."

Even as a ruse and a lie, it was hard for him to utter those words, and he felt acutely his cheeks, his entire face burning bright crimson.

You can't force the transformation into my form.

"You're still here!"

Where else would I be?

"Where…? Never mind. Are you better now?"

Tsutomu, do you have any computers here in your school where you can work discreetly?

"Why?"

I want to recheck something, and in your form.

"This is about the… about that, isn't it?"

Yes.

"It bothers you so much."

XxxXxxX

"You're home late Tsutomu!" You were told to make sure you are home before dark! It's not safe, with monsters out and about!"

"Sorry, mom-"

"-We interrupt this program for special live news transmition!"

"Yesterday night, our astronomers have observed an unknown object that appeared from behind Mars, previous undetected and approaching earth. "

Tsutomu ignored whatever his mother was about to say, and hurried to the living room television, where his father was sitting, his mother at his heels.

Any further… well anything, was forgotten as all three set, watching the screen with rapt attention.

"-t around 2 in the morning, we received confirmation of the object en route to earth orbit, as well as a visual.

"This is an artificial construct of clearly not earth make. A spaceship!

"At last, a great question that humanity pondered for long has been finally answered-we are not alone in the universe!

"We now go live to the Emperor of Japan, as he is about to give a speech to our nation!"

XxxXxxX

As nice as Mister Gomez was, and as nice his family was, Chigira was wondering, not for the first time, about the strange power he had, about that strange woman… who still occupied his thoughts much.

He didn't expect answers to present themselves in such a way, though…

The wife called him downstairs, stating that he had to see this.

"-an artificial construct of clearly not earth make. A spaceship!

" At last…"

The little girl took that as the moment to ask if he was an alien too.

Her mom broke in laughter at that soon after, and he joined in.

While the first laughs were somewhat fake, the kid's pout at being laughed at caused for true humor to follow soon.

'Is that the source of the strangeness? Is that what I really am-an alien? Did they come for me?'

XxxXxxX

"Birdy? Did you know anything about that ship?"

No! I'm as surprised as you are. And if it was observed it wasn't attempting stealth. This is against the guidelines I was given to work within. It's unlikely to be a Federation Police ship.

What does it mean?"

That I'm about as much in the dark about it as you are. Maybe if I had a chance to see an image of the ship, but with just the declaration about its arrival, with earth as suspected destination… I don't like it; I don't like it at all.

The boy sighed.


Author Notes: I am sorry, but the muse seems insistent on giving me trouble with this story.

I have a plan and later parts, but have trouble reaching them. for now.