Riku woke up with a strange sense of exhilaration coursing through his body. It had been a full day since he had used his Copy Eye, and every muscle in his body felt different—more alive. The energy, the power—it was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He hadn't dreamed of anything in the night, which, for him, was a blessing. The darkness of his past rarely left him alone, but for some reason, it felt farther away this morning.
He stood in front of the mirror, staring at himself. It was like looking at a stranger. The boy in the reflection was different—more focused, more determined, more... powerful. Riku barely recognized him.
Today, he decided, he would test his limits. He needed to understand what he could really do with this power. The first day had been a fluke, just mimicking a punch. But what if he could do more? What if he could *become* more?
---
The school day passed in a blur, with Riku trying his best to focus on the lessons. But his mind was elsewhere—on his power. The more he tried to distract himself, the more his eyes kept drifting to the people around him. They moved, they fought, they lived... and he could copy all of it.
During lunch, Riku sat alone in the courtyard, his thoughts swirling. He watched the students from a distance, noting how they interacted with each other. His gaze fell on a group of tough-looking students sitting by the vending machines. One of them, a tall boy with dark hair, was leaning against the wall, throwing casual jabs at his friends. The way he moved—effortless, controlled—was the perfect test.
Riku's breath caught. He had to try it.
He didn't think about it, he just *did*. His body moved before his mind could catch up. He mimicked the way the boy threw his punches, the way his posture shifted. It was like a switch had been flipped. Riku could feel the power surge through him, the punch connecting with the air, the precision of every movement.
It was intoxicating.
"Hey, new kid!" a voice called out. Riku snapped back to reality and turned to see one of the students from the group approaching him. The boy had a cocky grin on his face, but there was something in his eyes—something challenging. "You think you can fight?"
Riku hesitated. His mind screamed at him to walk away. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't like them. But then he thought of the Copy Eye. He could *become* like them. He could prove that he wasn't weak anymore.
"I think I can," Riku said, his voice steady.
The boy grinned wider. "Let's see what you've got, then."
Riku's pulse quickened. This wasn't just a test of his power. This was a test of who he was now. The boy launched at him, swinging a quick right hook. Riku's eyes sharpened, and his body reacted instinctively, copying the motion he had just observed. He dodged the punch, his movements swift and precise. In that moment, it wasn't Riku Aono who was fighting—it was someone else entirely, someone faster, stronger, and more confident.
The fight was over quickly. Riku's knee connected with the boy's stomach before he had a chance to react, and the force of it sent him stumbling backward. The courtyard fell silent. The students who had been watching were now staring in shock.
Riku stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding. He had done it. But the exhilaration quickly faded as the consequences of his actions began to sink in. He had proven himself, yes, but at what cost?
The boy who had challenged him groaned on the ground, clutching his stomach. His friends slowly gathered around him, their faces a mixture of anger and disbelief. Riku could feel their eyes on him—cold, calculating. He had made his mark, but now, he was a target.
"Nice move, new kid," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But don't think that makes you invincible."
Riku didn't reply. He didn't need to. He turned and walked away, trying to ignore the burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. What had he just done? He had used his power without thinking, without considering the consequences. The Copy Eye was a dangerous tool—and he was starting to realize that using it came with a price.
---
Later that evening, Riku sat in his room, his mind racing. He had never been the type to enjoy fighting, and yet, the thrill of power had swept over him. For the first time in years, he had felt in control. But was this who he wanted to be?
He glanced at his phone, and for a moment, he thought about the characters in *Lookism*. They fought because they had to, because survival depended on it. But they also had a code, a set of rules that kept them grounded. Riku didn't have that. He didn't even know who he was anymore.
That's when he heard it. A soft knock on his door.
"Riku?" a voice called out. It was Daniel.
Riku opened the door, finding Daniel standing there, a curious expression on his face. "You okay?" he asked, his tone soft. "You seemed... different today."
Riku nodded, his thoughts still clouded. "I'm fine. Just... thinking."
Daniel studied him for a moment before stepping inside. "You know, power isn't everything," he said quietly. "It can change you. But it can also make you forget who you were."
Riku frowned, looking down at his hands. "I don't know who I was."
Daniel sighed and sat down beside him. "Then maybe it's time you figure that out. Power might help you stand tall, but it's your choices that'll determine what kind of person you become."
Riku didn't say anything. He wasn't sure he was ready to confront that yet. But Daniel's words stuck with him. He had power, but he didn't know how to control it. How could he become strong without losing himself?
As the night wore on, Riku lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He could feel the weight of the Copy Eye pressing on him. It was both a gift and a curse. The temptation to become stronger, to never be weak again, was overwhelming. But at what cost?
The price of power was higher than he had imagined. And he was only beginning to understand it.
---
...End of Chapter 3....
---