Chapter 10
I was studying my wardrobe, wondering what I should wear when we go out. But… do I need to change into a special outfit just to go shopping with Lian Qi? I held the wardrobe door, feeling conflicted. Won’t this be weird? Why do I feel like I’m changing clothes for a date?
Lian Qi quietly appeared behind me.
“What are you doing? Agonizing over what to wear?”
“No need to agonize. You’re wearing your uniform with me, of course. Don’t make me wear it alone,” she said, hands on her hips, already changed into her Magic Academy uniform.
“That’s true.”
Since she completely said goodbye to boy’s clothes, I’ve pretty much gotten used to seeing Lian Qi in girl’s clothes these past two days. The uniform suits her well.
I noticed Lian Qi’s gaze shift.
“Eh? Is this your personal wardrobe?”
“Er, wait a sec—”
It’s a little embarrassing for her to see my private clothes. But I compromised instantly. Oh well, since the closet is already open, just let her look. It’s… not like I have any indecent or shameful clothes. I’ve done nothing wrong, so I’ve got nothing to fear.
“Why is it all… white nun outfits?” Lian Qi asked, studying the wardrobe.
“Because I… used to be a nun in the Church of Holy Light,” I said with a weak laugh. For a split second, I was worried my identity as the Saintess was exposed.
In truth, I don’t have that many styles of girl’s clothes in my closet. As the Saintess, I used to wear my church vestments for almost every occasion.
It wasn’t until I learned I was a boy that it was like opening a door to a new world. I became obsessed with all kinds of girl’s clothes I’d never worn before… The more it gave me a sense of immorality, the more I couldn’t stop.
Lian Qi turned around and asked me, “Why don’t you put on a nun’s outfit and let me see?”
Er, suddenly wanting to see me in a nun’s outfit… what is Lian Qi plotting? Or is she just curious?
“Wear it… outside? That’s not a good idea.”
The truth is, I’m worried that the moment I put on my vestments and walk down the street, I’ll be recognized as the Saintess.
I was worried Lian Qi would force me to wear it. Before she could say anything, I had a flash of inspiration— “Why don’t you try it on? I want to see you dressed as a nun.”
“Eek, no way. What’s wrong with you? Do you just like watching people cosplay?” Lian Qi said, flatly refusing.
“I just think you can pull off any style of girl’s clothes.”
“How is that possible? You’re so annoying. Hurry up and get changed so we can go.”
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The matter of me wearing the nun outfit was successfully diverted. But looking at Lian Qi’s expression… it turns out there are things she’d feel ashamed to wear.
“Okay, I’m going to change now. You can wait outside.”
“We’re both girls, what does it matter? Don’t forget, I’ve stripped naked in front of you—”
Didn’t hear it, didn’t hear… I forcibly pushed her out the door.
Seriously!
How could I possibly change in front of her? My identity as a boy would be exposed!
After making sure the door was locked, I untied my apron, slipped off my pajamas, and glanced at myself in the full-length mirror—Uwaah, so shameful! I quickly changed into the uniform, identical to Lian Qi’s.
The moment I came out, I ran up to Lian Qi—
“Ta-da—!” She was leaning against the wall with her hands behind her back, spacing out. I held a bankbook up in front of her.
“…Huh?” she said, baffled. Her view was completely blocked by the bankbook in my hand.
“What is it? A bankbook?”
“Yep. We need to stock up on a lot of things, and I don’t have enough cash on me. We have to go to the bank.”
She took the bankbook, opened it, and was shocked— “Ones, tens, hundreds… Three hundred thousand? I’ve been observing your world’s exchange rate. It’s not like the Yen. Three hundred thousand is no small amount.”
“The money in this account is the payment I got from my last ‘support’ mission. I was going to hand it over to you, but you didn’t want it.”
I was a little smug. Where else can you find a cute boy like me who can cross-dress and earn money?
“Huh? So you were trying to use this money to bribe me so you wouldn’t have to kneel on the washboard? Compared to three hundred thousand… I’d still rather see you kneel on the washboard.”
To Lian Qi, is the most valuable thing in the world… seeing me ashamed???
After leaving home, our first stop was the bank to withdraw some Holy Light Coins for household expenses. We had just walked out the bank’s bronze doors and were standing on the marble steps, chatting and laughing, when we suddenly heard a scream— “Robbery!”
Eh? Lian Qi and I looked over. It was a girl. Like us, she had just withdrawn money and was targeted. A thief snatched her bag and ran toward an alley.
“I’ll be right back,” Lian Qi said. I turned my head, and she was already gone.
“Hey, wait for me!”
I hurried after her. That girl Lian Qi… she must have wound magic around her legs to chase the thief, right? I chased her all the way to the mouth of the alley, only to see this scene— In the narrow alley, a tall, yellow-haired girl with a ponytail stood with her arms crossed, blocking the thief’s path.
The thief “tsked,” turned to run, but his escape route was blocked by Lian Qi, who had caught up.
“Daring to rob someone on the street in broad daylight? It seems the Royal Capital’s public security has really degenerated,” the yellow-haired girl said coldly, arms still crossed.
“Mind your own business!” The thief activated his magic, brandished a dagger, and waved it threateningly at Lian Qi and the yellow-haired girl.
At that moment, the two of them attacked from front and back. One punched the thief in the face, the other elbowed him in the stomach. He was subdued instantly!
“Blue magic power.” I was a little surprised. I knew Lian Qi’s magic had just reached fourth-rank star-blue. That girl… she’s at that level, too?
That poor thief. Instantly defeated by two fourth-rank experts.
“Ah—! My wallet!” Just then, the victim also caught up. Lian Qi snatched the wallet from the thief and handed it back to her.
“Thank you both for your heroic deed!” The victim bowed repeatedly.
“It was nothing,” Lian Qi said plainly. The yellow-haired girl also smiled and replied, “You’re welcome. It’s my duty.”
“Your duty? Are you a cop—from the Royal Capital Guard?” Lian Qi sized her up. The girl was wearing light, silver armor. She looked like a knight.
“Nope! It’s because I’m an ally of justice!” The girl, full of energy, gave us a V-for-victory sign. She then said, “I didn’t think there were still good people in the Royal Capital. My name is Ai’er.1 What’s your name?”
“Lian Qi.”
“Lian Qi, huh. Nice to meet you.”
“Ai’er, what are you doing here?” —Just then, a female voice sounded from behind me. I looked back and saw a slender, black-haired girl standing at the alley’s entrance. Her back was to the sun, so I couldn’t quite see her features.
“Excuse me, everyone. Bye!” The yellow-haired girl waved goodbye to us and immediately returned to her companion’s side.
“I was just catching a thief!”
Immediately after, the two lovely figures disappeared from the alley’s entrance.
“What’s wrong?” Lian Qi walked over and asked me.
“N-Nothing,” I quickly replied.
The truth is, that black-haired girl just now… she gave me a strange, indescribable feeling.
Footnotes
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爱儿 (Ài’er) - The name sounds like “Love-child” or a diminutive of “Love.” ↩