I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 173: Alternate Reality
Bradley checks his reflection once again in the café’s window. He had chosen his outfit very carefully for today. He wears something he knows Thea had always loved seeing him in: a navy-blue polo shirt with white stripes on the sleeves and collar, paired with white jeans.
Thea used to say those colors matched his light blonde hair and bright blue eyes best.
They had chosen this café as their meeting place. It was where they used to go together. Still in the city center, yet tucked away, its entrance hidden from the main road. Bradley chose this café today to invoke familiar feelings in Thea. They had shared so many sweet memories here together.
From where he’s sitting, Bradley can clearly see the door. A small bell hangs above it, and every time it rings, his eyes snap toward the entrance.
He’s anxious.
Thea is late.
Today, the café is quite full. Young adult couples fill most of the tables, sitting close, talking in low voices, sharing quiet laughter. The atmosphere is warm and intimate.
It’s the perfect dating place.
The bell rings once again, and Bradley, for the nth time, snaps his gaze toward the door, already bracing himself for disappointment.
But this time, his breath hitches.
A white-haired young woman steps inside.
She’s wearing a knee-length, long-sleeved light green dress patterned with pale pink flowers, a color that brings out her eyes and hair even more. The dress has a small V-neck, making her neck appear longer and more delicate. White sneakers. A small white tote bag slung over her shoulder.
She isn’t wearing any makeup, but it doesn’t diminish her beauty. On the contrary, her rosy cheeks, soft pink lips, and flawless skin only enhance it.
Heads turn.
Some linger longer than they should.
Some eyes look at her with lust, others with admiration, and a few with quiet envy.
She looks around the café, clearly searching for someone, oblivious to the attention she’s drawing.
Bradley slowly stands and raises his hand.
The young woman spots him. Her eyes brighten with recognition, and a dazzling smile blooms across her face.
Bradley freezes.
She’s beautiful. And that smile is mine. Mine alone.
Thea walks toward him, weaving between the tables.
When she reaches him, Bradley leans forward and pulls her into a tight embrace. He buries his face in her hair, inhaling deeply.
Memories flood back.
The tension in his chest loosens. For the first time in months, he feels like he can breathe again.
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Theo watches Bradley hug nothing but empty air with mild amusement. He has to work hard to suppress his smile, carefully arranging his expression into one of confusion and concern.
Around them, café patrons stare.
Bradley stands there, arms wrapped around nothing, clutching the air as if it were precious. As if it were real.
Yes.
The moment Theo’s eyes had met Bradley’s, the illusion had already taken hold.
Everything Bradley is seeing, feeling, and hearing now is a construct.
All of it is Theo’s magic.
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After a moment, Bradley reluctantly releases Thea. He straightens, his hands still resting on her upper arms.
He smiles at her gently.
Then he blinks.
His hands are grasping air.
There is no Thea in front of him.
He blinks again. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Thea is standing about three feet away, looking at him with concern.
Bradley frowns, confused.
She was right here. Right in front of me.
How did she get there in a blink?
"Brad?" Thea calls softly, her voice careful, concerned.
"Are you okay?"
Bradley freezes.
And suddenly, he becomes aware of something else.
Someone else.
No, many people.
Only then does he realize that almost everyone in the café is staring at him, their expressions strange, uncomfortable, curious.
Bradley blinks several times.
What’s going on? I hugged Thea, then... what happened?
"Brad?" Thea calls again.
She steps closer, cautiously. "Are you okay?"
Bradley looks at her in silence, blinking, his mind struggling to catch up.
"Here," Thea says gently, guiding him. "Sit down."
Still disoriented, Bradley follows her lead and sits.
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After helping Bradley sit down, Theo straightens his back and takes a seat across from him. He carefully smooths his light green dress so it falls properly as he sits.
He places his tote bag on the table, directly in front of the empty chair beside him.
Theo glances around at the people still staring and gives a small, polite bow, as if to say: it’s alright, everything is fine.
Slowly, the café returns to its usual low murmur. Conversations resume. Eyes turn away.
Theo shifts his gaze back to Bradley and smiles.
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Bradley watches as Thea takes a seat beside him. His thoughts finally catch up, and he quickly dismisses what just happened, blaming it on exhaustion and lack of sleep.
He reaches out, takes Thea’s hand, and squeezes it with both of his.
"Thea," he whispers. "I’ve missed you."
Thea smiles softly, her eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears.
She leans closer and whispers back, "I’ve missed you too, Brad."
Bradley exhales shakily and pulls her into an embrace.
"Oh god, Thea. I really missed you." He closes his eyes, savoring the moment.
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Theo nearly bursts out laughing, barely managing to turn it into a silent gasp when he sees Bradley reach for his tote bag, pull it into his arms, and shout,
"Thea, I’ve missed you!"
Then, even louder, drawing fresh attention,
"Oh god, Thea. I really missed you!"
Bradley clutches the bag tightly, eyes shut, completely absorbed.
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Bradley, who believes he has Thea in his arms, suddenly feels the cold.
Not just cool air, but a hollow, unnatural chill seeping into his chest.
Cold?
Why is it cold?
And worse, why does it feel... wrong?
His arms feel empty in a way that makes his skin crawl, like he’s holding an object instead of a person. His brain screams at him that something isn’t right. That this isn’t Thea.
But his heart insists it is.
The conflict makes his head spin. Nausea rises in his throat. Confusion crashes over him again, heavier than before.
Slowly, hesitantly, Bradley opens his eyes.
He expects white hair. Soft fabric. Warmth.
Instead, he’s staring at white canvas.
A tote bag.
Thea’s tote bag.
Clutched tightly in his arms.
For a split second, his mind refuses to accept it.
Then panic slams into him.
Bradley lets out a sharp gasp and flings the bag away as if it has burned him.
The tote bag sails through the air—
Toward Thea.
Who is sitting across from him at the table.
Not beside him.
Not in his arms.
She looks at him with wide, concerned eyes, completely still.
Bradley’s blood runs cold.
