Hello.
I’m the undercover, mysterious beautiful girl.

Right now, I’m infiltrating the ridiculously sketchy building of Kisou Academy.

‘…Next time, be sure to prepare glasses. Glasses make situations like this even more dramatic.’

Do you really think this is the time to say something like that?
We’re actively dealing with a threat to Kisou Academy here!

“Hmm… according to this streamer’s data, it should be this way.”

With Mizuhi-senpai leading the way, we moved stealthily through the building.
Honestly, what would she have done without Purification-chan’s data? Charged through the front entrance?

“I’ll reiterate our objective: rescuing Miroku. And yes, I’m granting permission to punch her a few times during the process.”
““Huh?””
“That fool doesn’t seem to learn unless you knock some sense into her. Honestly, who does she think this reckless stunt will please?”

Countless memories of Mizuhi-senpai’s usual antics flashed through my mind.
You’re not exactly one to talk, are you???

Toa-chan and I exchanged glances, sharing a wry smile. Clearly, she had the same thought.

So, our goal was set: retrieve Miroku-senpai.
No way is having a beautiful girl in Kisou Academy a good thing.

Especially not with that professor. If we cross paths with him, I’m slicing him to pieces.

‘Oh? So, you’re finally putting me to use?’

It’s too late to turn back now.
If it’s come to this, then I’ll just have to take the professor out.
Do you know how many beautiful girls he’s killed?
I couldn’t save them…

But I will save Miroku-senpai.
Even if it costs me my life!

‘Oooooh!’

Starreading Staff-kun seemed as energetic as ever, but there was one problem.

“The guards have moved. Now’s our chance. Let’s go.”
“Got it.”
“Okay.”

With Mizuhi-senpai at the front, me in the middle, and Toa-chan at the rear, we advanced.
Being sandwiched like this left no room to play the mysterious beautiful girl.

So, is this how I’m supposed to rescue Miroku-senpai as Narou Kei?
Do they not realize how utterly weak I am in this state?

‘Technically, you’re still in Super Mysterious Beautiful Girl Mode. Your physical abilities are 1.5 times higher with this outfit.’

A drop in the ocean…
Better than nothing, though.

The quickest way to rescue Miroku-senpai would be to transform into Sorciera and bulldoze my way to the destination.

But there’s a catch.
In this state, there’s no room to become a mysterious beautiful girl, and mysterious beautiful girls don’t rampage like berserkers.

Three days have already passed. If Miroku-senpai is frail, she might not even be alive.
The thought was eating away at me. I wanted to transform into Sorciera now.

Miroku-senpai…
The precious older-sister figure of Fectom Comprehensive Academy…

‘Why don’t you just admit you’re worried? Why do you have to view your rescue target through a lens of beauty?’

Adding value to the rescue makes my resolve stronger.
It’s essential.

Even you would prefer saving a beautiful girl over a shriveled old man, right?

‘True. My computation speed would change.’

Exactly. It’s like meditation.
I’m focusing my spirit entirely on saving this beautiful girl.

‘Got it…!’

And if I’m rescuing a beautiful girl, then naturally, I need to be one too.
That’s why I must become Sorciera.

But I can’t!
Do you know why?

Because I’m sandwiched between two people!
By beautiful girls!
Is this what happiness looks like!?
Please, someone tell me!

‘You’re panicking, aren’t you? You’re making even less sense than usual.’

I’m not panicking.
I’m just worried about Miroku-senpai, and my brain is spinning at full speed.

‘Sounds more like it’s spinning out of control.’

Hahaha… turn me into… Sorciera already!
I’ll save Miroku-senpai in Super Mysterious Beautiful Girl Mode!

‘And what if your identity is revealed?’

Like I’d let that happen.
I’m going to save Miroku-senpai while being both the mysterious beautiful girl and Narou Kei!
Both identities! Both are essential!

‘You sound like a brat. Oh—be careful. It seems we’ve been spotted.’

The Starreading Staff suddenly grew serious.
I grabbed Mizuhi-senpai’s hand to halt her.
We stopped in the dim hallway.

“What’s wrong?”
“Kei-kun?”
“…Something’s coming.”

I’d always wanted to say that line.
How nostalgic.

So, what exactly is coming?

‘From this sensation… it’s your sister. Probably Eina. I’ll hide for now, so it’s up to you. Super Mysterious Beautiful Girl Mode should hold for fifteen minutes without me.’

What!?

“Both of you, step back.”
“What’s going on—“
“Just do it!”

I summoned my dagger and took a stance.

From the dim hallway ahead, footsteps echoed toward us.

They sounded casual, like a stroll… yet carried the weight of a predator’s breath.

Then, appearing before us with a ferocious grin, it spoke.

“—Yo, we meet again, Narou Kei.”
“…I wasn’t hoping to see you.”

Red hair and twin swords: Demonsgear.
There’s only one person in the Academy City who fits that description.

The S-Rank Explorer of Academy City—Rokuhara.

“Eina detected intruders, so I came to check it out… and here you are, pulling something interesting. Just three of you launching a raid, huh?”
“And if we are?”

At my question, Rokuhara grinned, raising his twin swords.

“What else? We fight! I’ve been itching for this. Watching this dump while waiting to fight you has been killing me!”

Before I could process his words, his blade was already closing in.
I deflected it with my dagger, countering with a kick to his stomach as he remained poised in his swing.

“Hahaha, you’re fired up. Don’t hold back, yeah?”

This is bad!
Meeting Rokuhara here means it’s over!

I should’ve waited for Gatou Touraku to initiate the original event!

‘Come on, do you really think I’d lose to someone like Eina? I’ll crush that pest in no time! Hahahaha!’

Why are you willingly playing the underdog!?
Stay out of sight!

All I want is to rescue Miroku-senpai!
At this rate, I’ll have to become Sorciera!

…Wait, that’s it.

“…Mizuhi-senpai, leave this to me and go ahead.”
“Kei!? But he’s an S-Rank Explorer! Even with your agility—“
“Please. Go rescue Miroku-senpai. I’ll hold him off.”

Mizuhi-senpai hesitated, but Toa-chan pushed her forward.

“Let’s go, Mizuhi-chan. Kei-kun will keep his promise.”
“Toa… Fine.”

Nodding, Mizuhi-senpai and Toa-chan dashed off.
Goodbye.
The next time you see me, I’ll be a mysterious beautiful girl.

Now, time to face Rokuhara.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I thought Kisou Academy was full of disrespectful people.”
“It’s fine. I just wanted to fight you at full strength. Couldn’t let you blame protecting weaklings for holding you back. Besides, they can handle the guards themselves.”
“Maybe. They’re pretty tough, though.”

Rokuhara twirled his neck, looking disinterested.
Listen! I’m talking about beautiful girls here!

“Enough waiting. Let’s get started. I hate waiting!”
“…Bring it on.”

I raised my dagger.

And so began the first round between Rokuhara and me, the crossdressing, mysterious beautiful girl.