Her Body is a Cage

-Toshiki-

I think I messed up. I said something stupid. I just couldn’t stop. It just came out.

“You remind me of someone,” I said. Yumi lifted her head. I should’ve stopped there. But I kept going.

“You see,” I said. “There was someone who I used to date. She kind of reminds me of you.”

“Does she?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. Why didn’t I stop?

“What was her name?” she asked. I shook my head.

“I don’t know.”

She frowned at me. “Why?” I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Yumi stared me down. Oh no… What am I doing? What am I saying? No. No. Please stop.

“Everything about you reminds me of her! Your face, your voice, your laughter, your words, your… your…” I froze when I saw the look on Yumi’s face.

“Yumi?” I asked. Tears formed in her eyes. She shook her head.

“What are you saying?” she asked. I just had to make it worse.

“I’m just saying you remind me of her,” I said. “It’s almost like you’re her reincarnation.” I paused.

“But no…” I said, shaking my head. “It can’t be You aren’t the right age…” Yumi threw down her cup.

“What are you saying?! I am me. I am me!” She turned and ran out of the room. I just sat there. It donned on me what I have done. I smacked myself in the head.

“Damn it!” I said under my breath. I flopped back onto my futon. I had no idea how confusing and messy this was going to get.