Chapter 66: A New Sugar

Ｒｅａｄ ｏｎ ＫａｔＲｅａｄｉｎｇＣａｆｅ

The Grand Cathedral of the Holy City.

The headquarters of the Holy Church, boasting nearly two thousand years of history.

So that reverence for the Saint and the fragrance of prayers may reach the heavens, a fervent service was underway in the main sanctuary.

The choir, dressed in white robes, sang with solemn expressions. Under the conductor’s guidance, their voices merging into a single melody.

At times, soft and gentle; at other times, surging with passion.

Even as the tempo and intensity shift unpredictably, not a single voice falters.

‘Only His, only His! Name alone, His Name alone! We shall exalt—’

The choir of the Holy City possesses a unique trait: when they sing, they infuse magic into their chants.

Just as the melody unites, so too does the magic of each choir member, blending as one.

Choral Incantation.

Unlike certain heretics who erase individual will and manipulate bodies at will, this is the real thing.

Because it is an exceptionally difficult technique requiring each singer to suppress their individuality and harmonize with the whole, the choir treats even an ordinary hymn as if it were a battlefield.

They train ceaselessly, becoming one, ensuring they can repel evil at any moment and be ready to stand in its path.

And here, within this sacred group, is one aspiring member.

A young woman with white hair, who blends seamlessly into any vocal part thanks to the purity of her magical signature.

“Aaaaah—”

Her voice, as light as the wind, flows from her small lips.

Though traces of her youthful innocence remain, she is now a fully grown adult. In this world, she has reached the age of majority.

The gentle rise of her chest beneath her robe, the slender curve of her waist, and the prominence of her hips compared to her petite frame naturally draw the eye.

Her face, already often praised for its beauty, has blossomed even more in adulthood. Large eyes, a well-defined nose, and fair, soft skin faintly tinged with a blush—combining into an enchanting sight.

Beneath the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, where sunlight cascades like scattered jewels, she stands.

Draped in a white robe, her silver hair fluttering—Sugar appeared as if she were an angel.

If anyone here captures attention the most, it would surely be her.

“…Whew.”

As the hymn ends, Sugar exhales softly and takes a seat. The choir has its own designated area where they pray and offer praises.

Now, only one more hymn remains before the service concludes.

Which means, only the dull part remains.

The sermon.

“…Zzz… Zzz…”

Her body may have matured, but in this aspect, she has remained unchanged.

**************************

“Thank you for your hard work—”

When the service ended and the choir gathered before returning to the rehearsal hall,

Sugar slipped off her robe and quickly trotted over to the conductor.

“Choirmaster, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Here, I’m returning this.”

“Ohhh…! Sugar…! If you leave, who will fill the missing parts…?!”

“You’ll find someone talented, I’m sure. The Lord will guide you.”

“Ahh… that’s true… You take care as well. May blessings be upon your path.”

“I haven’t passed the practical exam yet, but… I’ll do my best to make it.”

With a warm smile, she bowed respectfully and exchanged farewells with the other choir members.

Originally brought in as a temporary replacement for a missing voice, she had performed so well that she ended up staying much longer. But now, she finally had to leave—her practical exam would soon take her beyond the city walls.

A practical exam?

For what, exactly?

Of course—Steele!

She had passed the written exam three months ago.

Years of combined magical training and theoretical studies, followed by one to two years of dedicated academic focus.

“Can I do this…? Can I really do this…? I hate exams… I wanna quit… I don’t wanna study anymore…”

“Sugar! Get a grip! What even is an exam?”

Through many trials and tribulations, she barely made the cut.

Ian, on the other hand, passed with ease—she was quite the diligent student and had helped Sugar with her studies.

The examiners from Steele had come to conduct the test in person.

Due to the unprecedented case of “His Holiness applying for admission,” the academy had been momentarily flustered but ultimately made accommodations.

As a result, Sugar, who had been by her side, took the exam as well. Victory!

Thus, the two young ladies had successfully passed the written portion.

And what about the third person?

What of the boy, who by now must be a full-grown man?

“I have no idea!”

With a slight pout, Sugar made her way to the tower. But the moment she opened the door, a clamor greeted her—an unusual occurrence in this normally quiet place.

“Pack, pack, pack! What first? Just put everything in!”

“Ian, please calm down.”

“The outside! We’re leaving, Sugar! I’m finally stepping outside these walls! My first step! Kyahhh!”

Watching the fully grown woman bounce around excitedly was quite endearing.

Of course, she was dressed as a man. Though her hair had once been short, she had grown it out and now tied it neatly. Her outfit was a well-fitted men’s suit.

Given how flat she appeared in the chest, she must have been using some kind of magical binding. Whatever method she employed, it was convincing enough to pass as a man.

But if she took off that bandage, it would be… quite…

‘Ahem.’

It was best to respect the personal affairs of the esteemed prince.

Having spent her entire life confined within these walls, she had finally been granted permission to leave. With two of the three Guardians and the Saintess’ approval, a majority vote had permitted Ian to enroll in Steele.

However, whether she would have freedom beyond graduation remained uncertain.

For now, only the next few years of school life were guaranteed.

Even so, her excitement was boundless.

“This day… This day has truly come… It’s not a dream, is it?”

“It feels like a dream to me too. But first, we have to pass the practical—”

“Of course we’ll pass!”

She grabbed Sugar and spun her around. Despite having grown, Sugar was still petite compared to the average adult woman. With Ian’s movements, she flopped limply in her grasp.

“Ian…!”

“Oh, right! Let’s go to the market! We need supplies, clothes, all sorts of things!”

The situation was exciting, yet seeing someone far more animated than herself left Sugar feeling a bit… ha-ha…

But excitement was a good thing, so she smiled and followed along.

“Sugar, let’s start with your clothes!”

Ian, now hooded, took Sugar’s hand and led the way. The number of priestesses who used to trail behind them had dwindled as they grew older.

“My clothes… I can just wear what the city provides.”

“That’s so boring! You’re so cute—why not dress up a little?”

“My cuteness is a problem, huh?”

“Exactly. It makes me wanna pinch your cheeks.”

As she said this, she was already tugging one.

As they neared the marketplace they turned into a women’s clothing store.

The marketplace of the Holy City, home to countless visitors of the faith, had surprisingly stylish selections.

“Wow… So pretty…”

While Ian marveled at the displays, Sugar leaned against a wall, murmuring, “Let me know when you’ve picked something…”—looking like a bored boyfriend dragged along on a shopping trip.

“How about this one?”

“No way, that’s too frilly. I’m not going on a date or something.”

“But it’s cute…”

Ian’s shoulders drooped, making Sugar feel a bit guilty.

Since Ian had to wear men’s clothing, she was likely channeling her desire for cute outfits through Sugar.

Though a bit exasperated, Sugar decided to be understanding.

“I appreciate it, but—”

“Then you can wear it for a date. We’re keeping it.”

“Huh?”

“You’re gonna go on dates, aren’t you?”

“…Wait, are you saying you will wear this on a date?”

When Sugar used Ian’s alias, Ian tossed the dress into the basket and replied,

“What are you talking about? Everything we buy today is for you. I’m paying, so don’t worry.”

“Huh? Huhhh?”

“Dates. You’ll go on some, right?”

And thus, Sugar was dragged deeper into Ian’s whirlwind shopping spree.

She wore well-fitted slacks every day, and Ian, tired of it, pouted his lips.

“Comfort is the most important thing. Where did the you that would act like the guardian of public morals, talking about how something is scandalous or whatever?”

“Hey! That was about maintaining healthy relationships between men and women…! This is just about clothes…!”

Reading steamy romance novels and acting so self-centered.

Sugar, who knew what kind of books Ian usually read, shook her head.

“Then… Ah! This! How about this?”

“What is this…”

She pulled something from the hanger. It was indeed pants but they were so short. These were hot pants, the kind that hot-bodied women wear at the beach.

“No, I asked for pants, and you bring me underwear?”

“Underwear? This is clearly fashion!”

“Oh my. If I wear these, my legs will be completely exposed. How indecent. Scandalous. Oh my.”

“These days, showing legs is no big deal…”

Her Holiness—who loves erotic stories—said, “In this day and age, showing legs is no problem.” What a terrifying world we live in.

“If the shorts are too revealing, you can wear this with them.”

Ian pointed to something hanging in the corner. Sugar turned her head to look.

Wow. Fishnet stockings. Synthetic fiber. It’s a fantasy world with trains and cafes, so it’s not surprising.

“They say it’s trendy these days. The fibers are thinner than spider silk but incredibly durable. I heard they’re made from some kind of plant… Anyway. You can cover up with these, right?”

Wait, they’re not synthetic but natural fiber?

But what? So, wear extremely short pants and these black stockings made from natural fiber together?

‘Her taste is a bit…’

This girl. Maybe because she read so many risqué things since she was young, she’s a bit strange. She seems to like frilly things like other women, but she also enjoys this kind of fashion.

As Sugar looked at her with suspicion, Ian started mumbling to herself.

“I-it’s just because I thought it would look cute… There’s no exposure at all. Try it on.”

She handed her a shirt, the pants, and the stockings, then pushed her into the fitting room.

What could she do? Her Holiness, who is like the heavens, had commanded it.

Sugar first took off all the clothes she was wearing, except for her bra and panties. She was practically naked.

She quickly put on the comfortable shirt first. It fit perfectly, it seemed like Ian knew her size perfectly

Next.

The stockings.

“Ugh…”

So, she had to wear these. Who would’ve thought she’d ever wear something like this?

Even though she had lived as a woman for a long time, there’s a certain level of experience, right? In her past life, she never had to wear anything like this, and in this life, she hadn’t either.

Women’s stockings. A item almost exclusive to women.

They felt smooth yet slightly rough to the touch. A strange sensation.

Even though she was wearing a bra, why hesitate? She had to wear a bra as a woman. If she didn’t, it would hurt, and everything would show through.

However this felt more like a luxury item. Something you could live without. A fashion item with no practical purpose other than covering bare legs.

In fact, they accentuated the lines of the legs, and many men had a fetish for them. Thinking about it that way, it felt like she was wearing something she shouldn’t.

‘…Why am I overthinking this?’

They’re just clothes. Maybe she’s picking up Ian’s weirdness. Sugar decided to think positively.

She started by putting her right foot in.

“Ohh…”

A strange feeling. The smooth, slightly rough texture wrapped around her leg.

At first, it felt loose, but as she slowly pulled it up her leg, she felt a bit of pressure. The soft yet durable fibers wrapped around her leg, and their presence was overwhelming.

Next, the thigh area. The stockings tightly hugged Sugar’s plump, soft skin.

‘Ah, I hope they don’t tear.’

As the fabric stretched over her thighs, the color became lighter. It’ll be fine, right? It feels like they might tear at any moment, but they’re surprisingly durable.

After putting on the right leg, Sugar put on the left. The stockings slid up her skin, creating a strange sensation as they rubbed against her legs.

Her white, smooth legs. Covered by the black, semi-transparent fabric, their contours stood out.

Now, the final touch. Both legs were in, so she had to pull them up over her panties. She pulled them up to her waist, covering her belly button. The pressure from her belly button to her toes kept catching her attention.

Suddenly, she looked in the mirror.

‘Ugh…’

It was exactly like the legs of women wearing stockings that you see in media. Her own legs looked indecent. The white shirt with only panties and stockings underneath. The plump curves from her hips to her thighs, and from her thighs to her knees.

She glanced back slightly. The outline of her buttocks was clearly visible. It stood out more than when her legs were bare, making her feel strangely self-conscious.

She touched her thighs. Her hand moved on its own. Was it the part of her that was once a man speaking, or just curiosity? Either way, it was her own body. Touching them felt soft and satisfying.

The slight roughness made them not entirely smooth, which made it oddly addictive. Grabbing a handful of her thigh, the feeling of the flesh filling her hand was satisfying.

“…”

As she kept touching them absentmindedly, Ian’s voice called out, “Sugar, are you done yet?” She quickly put on the pants.

Hmm. But these pants feel a bit tight. You know the feeling when clothes are so tight they feel like they’re slipping down?

She stepped out of the fitting room.

“These pants are a bit tight–”

“W-wow…”

“Huh?”

Ian’s perverted reaction made Sugar want to faint.

But as if it didn’t matter, Ian’s mouth hung open as she trembled, scanning Sugar’s lower body with her eyes.

Scandalous. Scandalous. If Riley sees this, it’ll be a public scandal.

But it’s cute.

In a position where she should avoid scandal, yet she ends up enjoying it. The sad habit of the two conflicting sides made Her Holiness’s malfunction.

Sugar just wore a pitiful, blank expression.