I had always thought that Narou Kei had a face that suited cross-dressing.

Even in my previous life, some crazy people had drawn feminized illustrations of him, and he was fairly well-loved as an early-stage disposable character.

But I never imagined it would be to this extent.

So here I am, a beautiful girl in male disguise (cross-dressing as a woman). Before I knew it, my sexual preferences became a Matryoshka doll.

“It seems you’ve cleverly used the preconception that Narou Kei is a man, but that won’t work on me. Even your student registration is probably fake, isn’t it?”

“…You understand quite well.”

Not just working or not, the predictions are already all over the place.

No, thinking someone would cross-dress and do something like that is pretty unusual in itself.

“So, do you need something from me? Please keep it brief.”

“Yes. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. — Help me destroy Kiso Academy.”

“No.”

Like I’d ever cooperate in wrecking the original story, you idiot.

“…You’re aware of Kiso Academy’s illegal experiments, right? The Demonsgear you’ve been pursuing is one of them.”

“Yes.”

Wait, really?

I’m chasing Demonsgear?

Is that what’s happening now?

“Kiso Academy recently obtained another Demonsgear through Rokuhara. It’s from Fectom’s experimental facility.”

Ah, right, Rokuhara-san was searching for it. I figured if it were her, she’d find it. So, she did.

Good for her. Well, not really.

“…This means Kiso Academy now possesses two Demonsgears.”

“That’s right. If they find a suitable second user, Kiso Academy will likely start a war against other schools. We need to stop them before that happens.”

I get what you’re saying. But Touka-kun will handle that, so it’s fine, really!

Besides, Rokuhara-san likes Touka-kun, so she’ll betray them for him (spoiler alert).

Effectively, there’s only one Demonsgear at Kiso Academy. Just one. And with just one, there’s no way they can beat Eina and Lutra.

Since I know the original story, I can stay optimistic.

But to Purification-chan, this must seem like an incredibly dire situation. I’d like to somehow reassure her.

“I’m not moving right now.”

“Why not? You know how terrifying Demonsgear is!”

Hmm, maybe I’ll just give some vague response for now.

“…Because the time hasn’t come yet.”

“Sorciera, what do you know?”

“Everything you don’t, and what calamity is coming.”

I look up at the sky meaninglessly.

This is the kind of gesture that makes you seem like a beautiful girl.

“It’s not time to move yet. Everything is aligned with the stars. When the opportunity comes, you’ll understand naturally.”

“…You expect me to accept that?”

“You don’t have to. But you need to understand. If you act now, you won’t win against them.”

Especially Rokuhara-san. You’d better wait until she switches sides to Touka-kun, or you’ll seriously get hurt.

Trust me, you don’t want to make an enemy of her. I know from experience, so I’m telling you the truth.

“But if you were there…”

Isn’t Purification-chan rating Sorciera a bit too highly?

Sure, Sorciera is a mysterious, perfect, invincible, unparalleled beautiful girl, but when it comes to fighting Rokuhara-san, she’s probably about equal, maybe a little weaker.

If she had the bad luck to run into Kiso Academy’s student council president, she might even lose.

“Do you really think that’s the only threat? …You’re too focused on what’s in front of you and not seeing the bigger picture.”

“…”

Purification-chan bites her lip in silence.

Why does she hate them so much? Even anti-fans at this level are frightening.

But if this continues, she’s likely to act on her own.

“…When the time comes, I’ll call on you too. Is that alright?”

Purification-chan looks up at me in response.

Alright, let’s keep her actions under control.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s not too far off. Kiso Academy’s destruction isn’t far away.”

Since they’re the early big boss in the original story, they’ll be defeated pretty soon.

Until then, Purification-chan, please be patient.

“Could it be… there’s already a plan in motion to destroy Kiso Academy…?!”

“Yes.”

Let’s go with that. So now, please indulge my hobby.

“They’re trying to use Demonsgear for a purpose that deviates from its original intent. It was meant for humanity’s survival. Only when a weapon is used correctly does it demonstrate its true value.”

“How much do you know about Demonsgear…!?”

In response to Purification-chan’s question, I strike a pose with a confident look.

“Everything.”

“…”

Purification-chan stiffens in apparent shock.

Haha, this person is great.

She reacts to every single thing I say.

Alright, let’s keep doing the mysterious beautiful girl routine a bit longer!

“Demonsgear was originally created to counter a single phenomenon. It’s an artificial manifestation of myth, the first hope born from this world.”

My knowledge of the original story aligns way too perfectly with the mysterious beautiful girl act. Even though I’m just dropping massive spoilers, in this world, it has the effect of omniscience.

I look Purification-chan straight in the eyes.

“That’s why we’ve been monitoring Demonsgear all this time.”

“We…?”

“Yes. We… or maybe I should stop there. You just want to destroy Kiso Academy, right?”

I gently stroke Purification-chan’s hair.

It’s okay because she thinks I’m a beautiful girl!

Barely okay because she thinks I’m a beautiful girl!

Then, I smile faintly.

“There’s no need to peer into the abyss any further.”

Perfect… Absolutely beautiful…

If you look at it objectively, I’m just a crazy person spouting off crucial-sounding information no one asked for, then declaring they shouldn’t dig deeper. But Purification-chan, caught up in the atmosphere, doesn’t notice.

Playing mysterious beautiful girl is so much fun!

“Sorciera, what are you… What are you all thinking?”

“Our goal has always been just one thing — the salvation of humanity.”

With that, I brush back my long hair with a graceful gesture.

…Wait, what!?!!?

My hair is growing!?!!?

“That appearance…”

Purification-chan looks surprised.

“Oh my, what are you so surprised about?”

I’m surprised too.

Though my uniform hasn’t changed, I’ve completely taken on the appearance I have when I’m Sorciera.

Why though???

‘■■■!’

You!　

…Seriously, what are you doing?

Is this for show?　

I appreciate the gesture, but how am I supposed to explain this to Toa-chan?

What’s she going to think if, while she wasn’t looking, the male student she brought along suddenly has long hair?

She’ll be confused.

‘■■■■’

Oh, you can change it back?

It’s retractable, huh.

…Well, I don’t need a wig then.

You’re actually kind of useful sometimes.

‘■■■■■!’

But it’s still scary.

You’re interfering with my body, aren’t you?

Isn’t that dangerous?

‘…………’

Hey, don’t go quiet.

Hey!

“Sigh.”

I let out an involuntary sigh.

And if you’re going to grow my hair, might as well make me a proper beautiful girl.

…Actually, never mind. If I use you to become a beautiful girl, that seems like it could get dangerous.

“— I…”

Hm?

“Even so, it doesn’t matter. Even if it’s the abyss, as long as I can destroy Kiso Academy. …No, as long as I can achieve my revenge, that’s all that matters.”

Purification-chan says this with a determined look on her face.

What are you talking about?

Stop making things I don’t understand happen both inside and outside of me at the same time.

“Alright. You seem to have some potential after all.”

But I’ll keep doing the mysterious beautiful girl routine.

It’s fun.

I send my contact information to Purification-chan through Divegear.

“…What’s this?”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

You’re interesting, so I’ll call on you from time to time to tease you.

Also, I want to maintain contact so I can silence you if you reveal my true identity.

Just then, a voice calls out to us.

“The beacon, the, the setup, it, it’s done!”

Before those words even reach us, my hair starts to tremble. Whoa, that gave me a little shiver!

When I touch my hair, it’s returned to its original length.

Hmm, this is handy!

‘■■■■■’

But I haven’t decided not to sell you off yet.

‘■!?’

I quietly approach Purification-chan, who’s been distracted by Toa-chan, and whisper.

“This concludes our conversation.”

“…Yes.”

Purification-chan nods slightly.

“I-I’m sorry! It was my first time finding a dungeon, so I got flustered setting up the beacon…!”

“No, it’s fine. I should’ve been able to do it, so I’m the one who should apologize.”

“No, Kei-kun, you have nothing to apologize for! It’s totally my fault!”

Stop being so nice, Toa-chan.

If you keep doing that, I’ll seriously fall for you.

“Anyway, with the beacon activated, we can warp back anytime.”

I look at the scenery once more as Toa-chan hands me a beacon.

The altar is beautiful and overgrown with weeds, yet it’s somehow awe-inspiring. The green light illuminating the area is beginning to dim, and the surroundings are returning to their original darkness.

“Shall we head back then?”

“Yeah. Purification-san, is that okay with you?”

Toa-chan speaks up.

Purification-chan doesn’t answer, but she nods slightly.

“Understood. Then, Kei-kun, please activate the warp.”

“Alright.”

I activate the warp and bring the three of us back to the surface.

Thus, the beautiful girl scenario comes to an end.

However, in that moment, Purification-chan had yet to realize that the real source of her troubles, Narou Kei, was actually the one standing right beside her.