episode_0042

“What do you mean?”

The guy’s expression stiffened at my sharp gaze and tone. We often bickered and fought, but there was a familiar feeling to it.

There’s a difference between being a little mischievous and genuinely angry, in the atmosphere that is emitted.

However, this is a very subtle difference, so in the state of constant bantering, it’s not easy to notice due to the difficulty of crossing the line unintentionally.

This time, Lager’s senses reacted quite quickly.

“Um… why all of a sudden?”

“Am I being too sensitive?”

“What is it?”

“Because you keep treating me like your girlfriend.”

“……”

“Is it my mistake?”

Although I asked the question, it was more of a coercion. It also played a role in not pushing further and providing an escape route.

Call it a misunderstanding.

Say that I misunderstood, that I haven’t let go of my feelings.

I absolutely do not want to be in a relationship with a guy like you, who smokes and refers to people with vulgar words while smoking cigarettes all day.

So, tell me straight.

Lager, who read the message with a sharp look, scratched the back of his head and opened his mouth.

“Of course. Did you think I did all this because I love Cha Yujin?”

“Then what is it?”

What is he thinking? Even though it came out of my mouth, I had doubts. If there was an intended answer and Lager gave that answer, it would have ended there.

Why add another word.

Lager briefly answered after choosing his words in his head for a moment.

“Because we’re friends.”

“Where can you find a friend who does all this for you?”

“We’re a bit peculiar.”

“In what way?”

A vague tail-chasing. What will be left after dragging out this conversation like this.

Even though I know.

Even though I know, before thinking, the words came out of my mouth.

“A friend who used to be a man but became a woman. Me, who used to be a woman but became a man. It’s not a common peculiarity.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m just passing on personal know-how based on my experience as a woman. There’s no other meaning.”

I asked Lager, who laughed coolly, one last question.

“Is that all there is to it?”

Not asking if that was all, was entirely intentional.

I wasn’t sure if the response I wanted to hear was positive or negative.

Without any intention on my part, I decided to leave it entirely up to his sincerity.

Once again, Lager nodded his head.

“Yes. That’s really the only reason.”

Finally, I nodded in agreement.

“I see.”

“Did I make you worry too much?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

What, it’s not nothing. I answered carelessly, then quickly raised my head and corrected myself.

“…No, actually, it seems right to make you worry. In the future, if you want to advise me on something like this, just send a text. I’ll take care of it when I need to.”

“Hmm, okay.”

“Don’t come all the way here to be gentle. It’s annoying.”

“Got it.”

Lager replied with a sullen tone as he held up the birth control pills in front of me.

Thinking that it was all because of my sensitivity, irritation crept up on me. I put my hands in my pockets and added one more word.

“If you’re harboring any futile thoughts, speak up. Don’t confuse people. Got it?”

“What’s it to you? Honestly, even the person who’s confused has other thoughts, so don’t stumble on nonsense…”

“What?”

I furrowed my brows and approached Lager at his words. He seemed to realize it was a slip of the tongue, as he quickly shut his mouth and avoided eye contact.

Feeling strangely uplifted, like a cat that begrudgingly helps out rather than being cornered like a mouse, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“So, are you saying that I like you?”

“…Or not.”

“Unbelievable.”

I let out a fake laugh.

“Don’t get it twisted. I’ve sorted out those feelings ages ago. It’s been years since then.”

“Got it.”

“And even if you have a body that goes through menstruation, at the end of the day, what’s inside is male. It seems like you’ve already reached the peak of your male corruption to the point where you can even have wet dreams about me.”

“Wait, that’s not it. Why am I being labeled as male corruption? Isn’t that just an inevitable physiological phenomenon due to the male body structure?”

“I can let other things slide, but I don’t want to hear the word ‘pervert.’”

“Of course not, because I’m not one!”

Seeing Lager’s expression shift slightly towards the corner, I felt a bit better. I decided to tease him a bit more.

“Oh, so because you’re not a pervert, your life goal is to become a depraved character aiming for ultimate feminization, the great ‘Kkobap-Dwipang’ author?”

“Hey, where did you hear that?!”

“I just shortened ‘grabbing the tail and hitting the back.’ Did you go somewhere and talk about wet dreams? Did you dream about me?”

“No, that was actually Dakota…”

Before he could finish, I reflexively threw a strong punch towards Lager’s back. With a short cry, he hunched over and knelt down.

“Are you crazy? Why would you say that to him! No wonder you’ve been acting jealous these past few days, spewing fire every time you see me. It was all your doing.”

Lager tried to justify himself, but I didn’t listen anymore. I briskly walked away from Lager towards the restaurant.

“Lina will be waiting. I’ll go ahead.”

“Ugh, hey, wait.”

As I tried to leave quickly, Lager grabbed me with a strained voice and stood up.

“So, how are your scores up to today?”

With the sudden change of topic, I paused for a moment to think about the intention behind the question.

“Hah, hah… Ah, aiming for ultimate feminization, Mr. Ale Chloe… Hoo, hoo. How many points do you have for feminization today… Huh?!”

Upon hearing the additional question, I remembered kneeling in front of him and licking his fingers, so I kicked his back in anger once again.

Leaving Lager behind as he fell, I headed towards the restaurant. He’ll find his way back once he recovers.

Curious, I checked my phone to see the score. With everything that had been happening recently, I hadn’t paid much attention.

[469 points]

I realized that I had progressed 469 points towards feminization.

“Hmm…”

Is it because of menstruation?

…No. It’s not just about visible actions that earn points. There must have been a feminine mindset or heroine-like movements.

What could it be?

I’m not sure, but the score is gradually increasing.

There are no signs of personality collapse or anything like that.

If things continue like this, even without setting a tight deadline of 6 months, I might naturally reach 10,000 points.

Feeling a bit more optimistic, my mood improved slightly from the annoyance I had felt earlier, and the slight cramping in my stomach from menstruation also eased.

“I need to find out what Lager’s mission question mark is.”

However, that point still bothered me.

Will Lager receive hints through this public support?

Thinking that way, I started to look forward to the public support.

*

One week later.

As instructed by the instructor, Lager and Lena and I gathered in the command control room. The time was 7:55. We arrived at the right time.

However, the instructor seemed to be waiting for someone even after seeing us all gathered. I cautiously raised my hand, wondering if they had mistaken the number of people.

“Instructor, um… we’re all here.”

“I know. We’re waiting for the chaperone, not you guys.”

Chaperone. In that moment, the word “seriously” came to mind.

I once again confirmed that the old saying, “seriously catches people,” was indeed a fact.

Just then, with a creak, the door opened and the instructor gestured for us to hurry. Dakota Kale appeared with quick steps, her tight bun and uniform pants clinging to her hips and legs without a wrinkle.

Today’s chaperone, Dakota Kale, revealed herself.

“No wonder. I was wondering why she wasn’t here.”

As I grumbled in my mind, Dakota and I locked eyes.

Perhaps there was still some awkwardness lingering from our argument a few days ago, as she hurriedly avoided my gaze as if she couldn’t bear to look at me.

It would be nice to have a strong backup if demons were to appear.

Regardless, I had a feeling that it was going to be a somewhat tiring day.