“Alright, alright, I have a question!”

“Who is the most mysterious, invincible, perfect beautiful girl in this academy city, currently the center of all the buzz?”

“Who could it be?”

‘You’re being noisy.’

“That’s me! It’s Sorciera!”

‘Could you be quiet?’

“If I stay quiet, then I’ll just be a cool beautiful girl!”

‘Is this guy invincible or what?’

“Exactly. Right now, I am invincible.”

At this moment, I feel like I could defeat any boss from the original story, no matter how many come at me.

However, even in my ultimate and flawless state, I was facing a big problem.

“…How should I reveal my gender?”

To be accepted as a beautiful girl by the three leaders of Fectom Academy, I needed to prove that I had become a girl.

If it were just about proving it, I could strip naked, but that wouldn’t be fun.

I wanted to do the whole, ‘What, you’re a girl!?’ reaction too. After all, I am a beautiful girl.

‘It would be way better to just explain normally. And you don’t have to worry about that just yet.’

“Better? Are you kidding? Can you even compute things, you idiot?”

‘…Tch.’

Even beings like this click their tongues… and it’s pretty serious too.

“Come on, don’t be mad. What’s wrong? Do you want to talk to a beautiful girl?”

Anyway, my biggest issue right now is how to reveal that I’m a girl. And also, what to do with Sorciera.

Is it really okay for an S-rank to just pop up at Fectom Academy? Won’t other schools start a war over wanting me?

Am I too high-level as a beautiful girl, causing a war…!?

‘It’s just because you’re strong. And besides, I’m the one who’s strong, not you. You’re just getting excited.’

So… the staff of the Star Reader and I are one and the same?

‘You’re not even listening.’

I’m listening, I’m listening.

Honestly, no matter how I look at it, you’re just trouble, and Sorciera has already become S-rank, so I can’t reveal my true identity yet.

For now, I’ll have to continue as a cross-dressing guy.

‘Aah, fine. I’ll switch back to the uniform.’

I returned to my usual form, becoming Narou Kei again.

Ah, this look brings back memories.

I had returned to Miroku-senpai and the boy.

Now that I’d turned into a beautiful girl and even played the part of a mysterious beauty, I was in the best mood as I came back.

“Oh, kid. How are you doing?”

“Big sister!”

“…Shh. I’m your big brother now, remember? That’s our secret, okay?”

I put a finger to my lips and smiled. The boy, face flushed, nodded repeatedly.

Looks like he’ll never be able to fall in love with someone his own age again.

“Alright, I need to wake up or carry Miroku-senpai now.”

Miroku-senpai was still unconscious.

…She’ll be okay, right?

‘No worries. I gave her a boost of my power, so she won’t die here.’

Wait, did you inject something weird into her?

‘No, it was just my power. It’s not weird.’

That’s exactly what makes it weird! Stop trying to modify Miroku-senpai, okay?

She’s just a normal, graceful girl.

‘I just improved her circulation a little. It’s like fixing her cold feet or back pain…’

Your power’s like a hot spring, huh? Fine then.

While we were having this mental debate in front of Miroku-senpai, new shadows appeared in the distance.

It was the explorers from the council, who had finally arrived. Too late!

One of them separated from the group and approached us.

“Are you alright!?”

“Yeah. We managed somehow. But it looks like there was a big fight in the central area.”

I feigned resilience.

“We detected abnormal magical energy in that area. Whether it was due to the monster or Sorciera, we’re still investigating.”

“Sorciera!? That mysterious S-rank appeared here?”

“Yes, the student council at Mikage Academy sent us that information.”

“I couldn’t see anything from here… Who exactly is Sorciera…?”

I played the role of the amazed side character once again.

As expected from the mysterious beautiful girl, people are still talking about her here.

“Anyway, let’s get that person to the medical tent outside the amusement park, where there are healers among the explorers.”

The explorer kindly offered, but I quietly shook my head.

I pointed to the boy.

“Please, take care of him. It seems he got separated from his parents.”

“Big sis…big brother?”

The boy tilted his head, looking up at me.

Farewell, kid. We’ll never meet again.

“We’re explorers too. We can get to the tent ourselves.”

“Understood. Then, we’ll take the child. Can you walk?”

“Yeah.”

The boy was led away, casting glances back at me, to which I waved in return.

Thanks, kid. You helped me satisfy my beautiful girl cravings, and now you’re helping me get Miroku-senpai out of this.

“Only beautiful girls are allowed to touch other beautiful girls.”

That’s common sense.

Too bad the explorer who came was a burly guy. If he had been a beautiful girl, I would’ve let him help.

“Excuse me, Miroku-senpai.”

I hoisted Miroku-senpai onto my back and stood up. I could feel the beautiful girl on my back.

Since I’m also a beautiful girl, we’re creating an overwhelming power field of beauty here.

‘No, you’re not. And by the way—’

Yes, we are!

Ignoring the rude staff, I started walking. Time to head back to the academy and enjoy a slice-of-life story as a beautiful girl.

“…Kei-kun?”

I heard a voice behind me. A very main-character-like voice.

I turned around to see the protagonist’s party from the original story.

‘Uh oh. Time to hide!’

With that, Sorciera’s presence vanished.

“Why are you here?”

“That’s my line! Are you okay? Both you and that person…”

“Huh? Who are you talking to? I’m not as fragile as you.”

After playing the mysterious beautiful girl, now I was playing the tough guy. I’ll nail every role perfectly.

But if we argue here, Miroku-senpai will wake up. I want her to wake up to the sound of birds singing.

Despite my wishes, Touraku and the others kept getting closer. Stop! Don’t look!

Oh, and hi, Rinka! First time meeting you—well, I did as Sorciera earlier. Haha.

“Your uniform is torn! You must’ve pushed yourself too hard!”

“I didn’t push myself. This is just from a little fall.”

I looked down at my tattered uniform and said that. The shadow tentacles were strong opponents…

“But—”

“You’re persistent!”

I shot Touraku an annoyed look. His outstretched hand froze in place.

Sorry, Touraku-kun. Really sorry.

“—Alright, this is getting us nowhere. Move aside.”

Mihaya, tired of Touraku’s behavior, approached me and grabbed Miroku-senpai without a word.

Ahh, a beautiful girl stole another beautiful girl from me!

“Rinka, can you take care of this person? …Rinka?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah! Got it.”

Rinka, looking a little startled by Mihaya’s words, took Miroku-senpai and carried her on her back.

Another beautiful girl took her away…

Wait, was Rinka staring at me just now? Was that my imagination?

“Now take off your jacket.”

“Huh?”

Distracted by Rinka, I didn’t realize Mihaya had already yanked off my jacket.

At the same time, I noticed something.

I wasn’t wearing a bra!

Oh no, what do I do!?

This is bad, really bad!

I’m going to get exposed as a beautiful girl like this!

“Hey! What are you—”

“Shut up!”

Mihaya’s eyes were terrifying…

She continued unbuttoning my shirt. Is this how I’m going to be outed as a beautiful girl…?

“Hmm, no obvious injuries. Some bruising here and there, but nothing serious for an explorer.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Mihaya looked relieved as she checked my body and then returned my clothes.

Wait, what?????

She’s not surprised by my beautiful girl body????

As I thought that, a voice whispered in my mind.

‘…It’s on a timer. You’re a guy again now…’

Huh?

‘I tried to tell you so many times… but you wouldn’t listen… Sorry for getting your hopes up. I’ll see you again when Lutra’s gone.’

With that, the staff of the Star Reader vanished once again.

I’m… a guy…?

Realizing this, my strength drained from my body, and I collapsed, barely managing to stay on my knees.

“Kei-kun!”

“You were overexerting yourself after all! It looks like you’re suffering from magical exhaustion…”

“No, that’s not it… Don’t worry about me anymore.”

My head pounded from the shock, and nausea and fatigue washed over me.

Having my dream crushed the moment I thought it had come true hurt the most…

“But…”

“I’m fine! I’ll get up soon!”

I had no idea how long it would take for my dream to come true again, but until then, I guess I’ll have to play the part of Narou Kei.