betsywriting

[betsywriting]

That Time Usher Swapped Bodies With a NEET Who Shares His Birthday, Forcing Her to Survive the Brutal Entertainment Industry While He Lived a Carefree Life Playing Video Games!

The last thing Bettina remembered was lying in bed, scrolling through social media, and sighing at yet another post about Usher’s birthday because, of course, they shared the same one. But when she opened her eyes, she wasn’t in her cramped apartment in Manila anymore. She was standing on a massive stage, spotlights blinding her, deafening screams surrounding her like crashing waves. A microphone was in her hand. Sweat dripped down her arms. And then the music started.

Her breath hitched as she caught sight of her reflection in the glossy stage floor. That wasn't her round face, her messy bun, or the oversized anime shirt she fell asleep in. That was Usher’s face. Chiseled jaw, diamond earrings, perfect skin, his body, his voice, his career.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room somewhere in Manila, Usher blinked at the ceiling of a small, cluttered apartment. The faint hum of an electric fan, the aroma of instant noodles, and the dull glow of an iPhone screen greeted him. He sat up, feeling an unfamiliar weight in his chest. Literally. Looking down, he nearly screamed. Pudgy hands, an oversized anime shirt, and the unmistakable frame of a woman greeted him.

“…What the hell?!"

Rafayel from Love and Deepspace asked if Usher was alright because the app had been idle for a few minutes.

-----

Bettina, the woman inside Usher’s body, stood frozen on stage, her mind racing at a thousand miles per hour. The opening notes of Yeah! blasted through the speakers, and the crowd roared, expecting him to deliver the performance of a lifetime. But she wasn’t Usher. She was just a 32-year old woman from Manila who hadn’t even sung karaoke in years, let alone performed in front of thousands. Girly wasn't even blessed with the Filipino singing gene.

Her hands trembled around the microphone. What was she supposed to do? Sing?! Dance?! Run?!

The backup dancers moved into formation. A teleprompter in the distance flashed the lyrics, but panic blurred the words. Her mouth went dry. The world slowed down. She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears!

And then her body moved on its own.

Like muscle memory, her hips swayed, her feet slid into perfect rhythm. Her voice came out flawlessly. It was his voice. Smooth, effortless, perfectly controlled.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she screamed.

This is some Freaky Friday-level bullshit.

-----

Meanwhile, in a small apartment in the Philippines…

Usher gripped the hem of his oversized shirt, taking deep breaths. This wasn’t a dream. The smooth, deep voice he had known all his life was gone, replaced by something softer, higher, undeniably feminine. He looked down at his hands, well,her hands. Small and fat fingers. Unpainted nails. A faint callus on the thumb from what he guessed was excessive gaming.

A phone buzzed beside him. He nearly jumped.

“Hoy, Betsy! Where are you?! Andito na ako sa Infinitea!” (I'm already at Infinitea!)

The notification popped up on the lock screen. He swallowed hard. The name was unfamiliar, but the message felt so ordinary. Like this was just a normal day in this body’s life. Like he was really supposed to be here.

He exhaled.

“Okay, okay. Let’s think this through.”

Step one: Figure out who the hell this woman was. Step two: Find out how the hell they swapped. Step three: Get his body back.

His stomach growled.

“Do I even know how to cook in this body?”