episode_0077

Long, reddish-blond hair, and detailed facial features.

Her amethyst eyes and vibrant cheeks give her a slightly fresh look.

Aren’t you a little short? Just a little bit.

Vita sighed.

“… How come this guy’s height is the same even after becoming a woman?”

It was the same when I was a man, but I was also slightly below average when I was a woman. It’s disappointing in many ways.

But it looks pretty good on its own.

“Well, at least to this extent… ”

I hope this isn’t self-praise. It doesn’t feel bad.

Um, um.

What should I say these days?

Vita often did this in front of the mirror.

I feel like I’m a little more concerned about my appearance than before. I don’t know why, but I have that feeling.

No, actually. I think I know.

Vita’s face turns slightly red for no reason.

“Why am I like this… ”

A shallow sigh escapes me as I wash my face with my hands.

I think to myself that this is strange. I wonder again why it matters so much how Carlyle sees me and whether he thinks I’m pretty.

If I were to give an overall impression, it would be that of a grumpy cat.

If I were to describe my own appearance, I would say I’m cute.

But still, what should I say?

I wonder if she has enough feminine charm. So, recently, Vita has been looking in the mirror a lot without realizing it.

I’m a little concerned about my body feeling more delicate than mature.

It went in where it had to go and came out where it had to come out, but the overall curve is feminine.

‘but yet…’

From a man’s perspective, he would like a mature body, so-called glamorous. Carlyle has even dated many women.

With that thought, Vita became a little gloomy and then slapped herself on the cheek for no reason.

slap-

“No, what does it matter in the first place…!”

He gives himself a shout, his face red as a tomato.

“Rather, I think the guy should be grateful to me.”

Yeah, that’s right!

I’ve been saying that this is useless and that I will take responsibility for it.

Didn’t that guy Carlyle declare that he would take responsibility for himself anyway?

That too, probably for a lifetime!

Vita nods and clenches her fist for no reason.

‘I will never forgive you, not even for the rest of my life!’

Any man with a conscience should do that.

Well, she became a woman because of that guy, so if she doesn’t take responsibility, she’ll be in a lot of trouble?

Honestly, Vita likes Carlyle because he has a conscience.

Even his secretly affectionate personality and his kindness in listening to my stubbornness are all just nice.

Even though I’ve become a woman, I can’t imagine dating anyone other than Carlyle, or any other man.

I don’t like anything but Carlyle.

That’s my honest opinion. Just thinking about it makes my face feel warm.

Vita opened the window to cool her hot face.

The fallen leaves on the road create a charming scenery.

After the two people confessed their feelings to each other, about ten days had passed since that confession.

‘Autumn is almost over…’

It’s already come to this.

Today is Thursday evening.

Now, finally, tomorrow is the final exam day.

I studied enough and feel light-hearted.

“Ah, good… ”

Besides, tomorrow is Friday.

Vita throws her body down on the bed.

A thought that naturally came to mind after lying down like that.

‘What is he doing now…?’

Of course, Vita knows that Carlyle is working part-time.

However, there is no other reason for the feeling of regret in my heart.

I haven’t had a chance to see Carlyle alone lately. After school, that is.

I roll around on the bed for no reason. I hug my pillow tightly and feel a little better.

Honestly, I miss Carlyle. That’s what I think.

Of course, it’s not my fault or the other person’s fault, but even after communicating with each other, there’s no dramatic change, so it’s a bit disappointing.

But there are many reasons why this happened. I guess I can’t say that the test didn’t have any influence.

Recently, Vita had hardly studied. She was so confused that she couldn’t do anything, so she was in a state of panic right away. It was the last final exam.

Another reason is-

My mother came here.

You came last Monday and went back over the weekend, so you were there for a week.

They’re not your parents for nothing.

People who can tell what their child’s condition is just by the voice they hear on the phone.

Vita had no idea how serious her condition was, but it must have been bad enough for her mother to come running.

[Actually, Mom…]

Eventually, with some difficulty, I confessed everything.

After listening to the story, Mrs. Emma Shamal, the mother, reproached herself a little for not having looked into it more closely.

[Mom didn’t even know that… She took it too lightly.]

[Oh, no-! It’s really okay now.]

Vita says she’s okay now and has decided to accept herself as a woman.

When I told my mother that I had made that decision, she just hugged me tightly.

***

Still, it seems like it was impossible to feel completely at ease.

[You know, Vita. Since you’re here, why don’t you have Mom stay with you this week?]

[Eek, yes…?!]

That’s why I didn’t get to see Carlyle separately last week, because my mother was with me for several days.

And this week, we came to an agreement. Of course, with Carlyle, and since it was the last exam, let’s focus on studying.

-That’s a bit disappointing…

Carlyle had been saying that after work, he wanted to see her face for a moment. Wouldn’t that be okay?

Vita tried hard to refuse.

Honestly, if I ever get to see Carlyle face to face, and at night,

Because I know very well which direction it will go.

-… I won’t go just by seeing your face.

-You’re not the one catching it?

I was a little taken aback by the question that was raised.

Well, up until now, whenever Carlyle came to his house, I was the one who grabbed him.

-That, that’s why! I told you not to come at all…

Carlyle looked disappointed by the suggestion, but soon nodded.

-Yeah, well… if that’s what you want.

Because I’ve confirmed my feelings. Honestly, I don’t have the confidence in either of us to control ourselves at all.

It was an agreement reached because they knew each other.

So, there was a reason why we didn’t meet until now.

Time alone.

I studied hard, and whenever I had time to rest, I thought a lot about Vita and various things.

‘Looking back now…’

Vita’s own life did not change much.

It’s already been a long time since I became a woman. Now, my life as a woman has been decided for the rest of my life. I have no regrets at all about the fact that I made the choice and that I can continue to be by Carlyle’s side.

‘My relationship with Carlyle is…’

I’m thinking about it again.

That she had become a woman.

If this is a story, and if the story has an ending, is it a happy ending?

‘I don’t know yet, but…’

Although Vita can’t answer that question for sure, he can be sure of at least one thing.

[Let’s start over from the beginning.]

The voice I heard then. Because I believed the sincerity contained in that low voice.

Because I trust Carlyle Schultz.

He’s a trustworthy guy.

Right now, I just completely trust the person I like.

This is not the end of the story. This is a new beginning.

Perhaps it will definitely be a positive, new beginning?

Yeah, yeah. I think so too.

So, in many ways, Vita feels quite at ease now.

‘Tomorrow is practically the end of the final exams…’

Because I had studied enough. Vita was just rolling around in bed, staring at her phone.

‘You’ve been waiting for me, haven’t you?’

Before I knew it, this time of day had become the one I looked forward to the most.

For the past ten days, Vita has been talking to Carlyle on the phone every single day without fail.

Isn’t that amazing?

I’m now desperately waiting for a call from someone I once tried hard to ignore.

But late at night, hearing the other person’s voice was now a pleasure for Vita. It felt like an addiction.

It feels like the end of a busy day.

I hope you had a safe and fun day today. It was a meaningful day.

I have to call Carlyle to get those thoughts.

We share small talk, but when it comes to breaking up, even that feels regrettable.

-Hang up, Bianca. I’m going in now.

Because I feel regretful for some reason. Whenever I hear those words, Vita always licks her lips and tells me to hang up first.

-Sir, I don’t like it… I’ll hang up if you hang up first.

-No, you first.

But it seemed like the other person felt the same way, so in the beginning, the two of them would bicker during every call.

It has become customary for the two to hang up at the same time after such a meaningless argument.

Fidget- Fidget-

While waiting for the other person’s call, I caress the necklace around my neck with my hand.

A beautiful amethyst necklace that resembles my eyes. Carlyle gave it to me, and whenever I touch it, I feel at peace. It makes me smile for no reason.

lol-

Because it is precious, it becomes something to be cherished.

I like anime, but I treasure the figures I have on my shelf more than my favorite Magical Girl Eve figure. It’s gotten to that point.

Even Vita herself finds it quite a strange experience, doesn’t she?

I just want to see the other person.

Because those feelings are growing bigger day by day to the point where I can’t control them.

Thump- thump-

Just waiting for a phone call, just the simple act of waiting, makes my heart race like this.

Vita wonders to herself what happened to her.

‘… We’re in big trouble, really.’

I guess my heart has completely become a woman now. Otherwise, I can’t wait for Carlyle like this.

It’s unbelievable, but I realized it myself.

At the same time, honestly.

It’s not that I feel bad, but it’s still difficult.

So, Vita hugs the pillow in her arms and thinks of a wish.

‘… I hope it ends quickly.’

Of course, Carlyle’s Alba. I just want to hear the other person’s voice.

No matter how many times I hear or experience the affection contained in it, I never get tired of it. Because it makes me want it more.

So, Vita, who had been waiting for Carlyle to contact her, found herself slowly closing her eyelids without realizing it.

Bow- bow-

I’ve been feeling very tired lately.

But even in the midst of all this, the corners of his mouth are relaxed into a smile.

To truly like someone.

It is in the moment when you realize how exciting and good that heartbeat is.

***

The weather has gotten chilly.

Looks like winter is coming soon.

Carlyle Schultz loved this special atmosphere between fall and winter.

It feels like the end of the year is nearing, and he feels like he’s taking a step towards his goal.

As a child, Carlyle Schultz wanted to grow up quickly. He just wanted to be an adult.

The desire to start my own family and have a complete shelter was something that could only be achieved when I grew up.

Every year around this time, I always think back to that wish.

But these days, I just feel better.

Honestly, no way.

I can’t believe it at all. I feel a bit dumbfounded.

If you think about it for a moment, have you ever been as happy as you are these days? Not even once.

He and Bianca Shamal started dating.

Since we have confessed our feelings to each other, there is an unspoken agreement.

[Let’s start over from the beginning.]

He said so.

[… Yeah, okay.]

The other person agreed with him. It’s obvious to anyone that they’re dating.

So, really.

Bianca Shamal is now dating him. In other words, his girlfriend.

It’s also my first love. It’s the first time I’ve truly liked someone, and it’s the first time he’s been so attached to me.

Yeah, first time.

Strictly speaking, it was the first time I had a heart-to-heart conversation with someone.

Maybe that’s why?

‘Why doesn’t this feel real…?’

Carlyle feels like every day is an unbelievable dream these days. Every time he looks at his phone, there’s a call from the other person, and he just got a text.

-Sorry…! I didn’t know and just fell asleep…

The emoticon with a sad face left underneath.

After work ended, I thought he was sleeping because he wasn’t answering my phone.

Of course, I was sad about yesterday, but when I thought about the person who was asleep, and imagined them nodding off while waiting for a call, I could comfort myself by thinking about that alone.

-It’s okay, Bianca. I’ll see you at school later.

After sending that reply.

Carlyle Schultz is now ready to take to the streets.

I went into the bathroom, washed up, and roughly dried my hair.

Look in the mirror and apply the skin to your hands.

I used to only apply skin care when I felt like it, but these days I’m conscious of it. There’s a reason for everything.

-What is this smell…?

It was something Bianca said to him while she was hugging him tightly on the rooftop, because she hadn’t seen him since school.

-Just, skin.

He looked at me curiously, and my face turned slightly red.

-Oh, no… I was just suddenly curious.

Because I just turned my gaze away. Even though I said that, it was easy to guess what Bianca Shamal’s true intentions were.

-Okay, this is it?

-Wh, what…!

A very bewildered expression.

But he kept smiling and staring at me intently, so I hesitated and eventually confessed my true feelings.

-… It might not be so bad.

That’s why I’m taking care of it.

Recently, their lunch break has returned to its old routine.

On the rooftop, just the two of us.

If there’s one thing that’s different, it’s that we’re more attached than ever.

Certainly since that day, since she revealed her feelings, Bianca has become somewhat honest, even if she still twitches, and that’s really cute.

He would quietly hold her in his arms and then suddenly turn around and hug her, or after that, he would try to hide his flushed face by rubbing his cheek against her chest.

Every time that happened, Carlyle couldn’t stand it anymore and ended up kissing her.

So now I feel like I’m looking forward to every single day. I want to go to school soon and see Bianca Shamal.

The moment I was about to leave the house, a text message arrived.

Tiring-

-Yeah… The test is over today! Just know that. It doesn’t mean anything.

After reviewing the contents of the text, Carlyle paused for a moment.

A smile comes out of my mouth.

‘It doesn’t really mean anything…’

I can see you’re expecting something. Anyway, Bianca Shamal’s words and feelings are different, which is secretly cute.

-Okay, I got it.

After sending the reply.

It was inevitable that Carlyle himself would feel a little excited.

So finally today!

We’re going on our first date after we start dating. He’s been looking forward to it too.

***

A noisy classroom.

Vita entered the classroom.

After exchanging brief greetings with classmates I encountered, I headed to my seat.

“Oh, Bianca! What a good morning!”

Shasha is active today too, and her noisy partner is.

Vita couldn’t help but laugh out loud when Shasha greeted him so actively. However, she grabbed his hand and shook it roughly. It must mean she wanted to shake hands.

“What role is it again?”

“Ah, the role is… ”

Sasha smiled faintly.

“That’s a good day, isn’t it? Today is the real final test for our soldiers!”

“That could definitely be the case?”

Vita thought again as she hung her bag next to the desk.

Was it just last week already?

The look on Sasha’s face when she entered the classroom somewhat awkwardly was truly something to behold.

Sasha must have known that it wasn’t a joke when they cried and said goodbye to each other over the weekend.

-Rain, Bianca…?

So, Vita just smiled awkwardly at that expression as if he was looking at a ghost.

-What, what are you two doing?

-What happened between you two?

Since my other friends had no idea about the situation, I just had to explain it to my partner, Sasha.

Vita sat down next to Shasha, scratched her cheek briefly, smiled vaguely, and spoke to Shasha.

-Somehow, I ended up staying here.

-Me, really?!

It’s only one semester, a short period of time in some ways.

But still, I became close friends with Sasha, so you can see how much she really liked me back then.

While I was lost in thought for a moment.

Meanwhile, Sasha is placing a finger on my cheek.

“You got it, Bianca.”

A word out of the blue.

Vita was a little taken aback by the playful expression.

“What, what…?”

“Hey, you little girl. Are you only thinking about going on a date after your exams are over today?”

“No, what the…!”

Vita looked around with a blush on her face, then met Carlyle’s eyes.

He unconsciously trimmed his bangs. Vita quickly looked away, coughing, but he could hear Carlyle speaking through his lips.

-Lunch, Annex.

Because it’s always promised. And today, there’s something I’m secretly looking forward to.

‘What are you trying to tell me? Could it be plans for after school?’

I’ve been thinking about it myself, but Vita is a little excited.

Looking at that friend, Sasha could only click her tongue.

‘I said no, you young lady.’

What the heck is not that?!

This is a total fraud!

These days, Bianca Shamal and Carlyle Schultz are famous within the academy.

They say that after a brief estrangement due to rumors, their relationship has become even stronger since it was revealed to be a misunderstanding. Before, it seemed a bit ambiguous whether the two were dating, but now it’s completely different.

The two of them are so playful that it’s annoying.

Are only the two parties completely unaware?

Even now, seeing the two of them exchanging glances makes Sasha feel jealous, even though they are friends.

‘… Ugh, who. Is it really possible to live this sadly?’

Is it because it’s the end of fall? Is it because winter is coming soon?

It’s a sin not to have a boyfriend.

Today, Sasha sighed as she felt a strange chill in her side. Very, deeply-