Regression Is Too Much

[…Wait.]

“…Huh?”

I have no idea how many times I’ve regressed by now. I never counted, and even if I had, I would’ve forgotten by now.

“…You… you can talk?”

But this was the first time my clone had ever spoken to me. Literally the first time. Until now, he’d just muttered to himself. Suddenly, he was speaking human words, so naturally, I was shocked.

“Why… why now, all of a sudden?”

I didn’t even consider the possibility that he might be pretending to talk as a trap. Traps or one-time betrayals don’t hold much meaning for a regressor. And besides, my opponent is myself. If he were going to set a trap, he wouldn’t have done it so crudely.

[…]

“…Hey, why’d you start talking and then stop?”