Chapter 27: The Angel’s Change

It was that dream again.

A dream where I was playing with Kiri, but in a male body.

When I wake up, I always forget the details. I can’t recall exactly what we were doing, but I’m sure that’s what the dream was about.

Still, since I was playing with Kiri, it must’ve been fun... probably.

But the moment Kiri appeared before me, something changed.

My heart suddenly started racing.

No way. He’s supposed to be my best friend.

Thinking that, I pressed a hand to my chest to calm my heartbeat—only to be even more shocked by what I felt there.

At some point, my body had become female.

It was a form I’d become so used to that it now felt completely natural—so familiar I could say with confidence, “this is me.”

But why was I getting flustered over Kiri while in this body? It was almost like—

—and then I woke up.

“Fwaaahhh…”

I sat up and stretched my arms high above my head.

My mind felt clear, and I woke up refreshed. Maybe I’d had a good dream.

But that refreshed feeling didn’t last long—bit by bit, I started to feel gloomy as the time drew closer.

Kiri would be coming to pick me up soon. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see him.

It’s just… I had no idea what kind of face I should be making when we met.

Yesterday, I hung out with Kiri. And ever since then, something’s felt off.

Specifically, it started during lunch at the café.

Up until then, I’d accepted—though with some resistance—that Kiri saw and treated me like a girl. But it was all still within the boundaries of friendship. At least, that’s what I believed.

But yesterday… was different.

Sure, it all started as a punishment game.

And yes, I’m a girl now, and—though it’s embarrassing to admit—I know I’m cute.

So if we could get a discount by pretending to be a couple, then fine. I didn’t mind playing the part. I figured I’d help Kiri show off a little.

That’s all it was supposed to be.

But the moment we started pretending to be a couple, it felt like something switched on inside me—and I ended up doing things that went way beyond just “pretending.”

What’s worse, I didn’t hate it. If anything, I… I think I enjoyed it.

Yeah. I mean… it was fun. I felt kind of giddy.

Even after Kiri said something that snapped me back to my senses, I still felt strange. Every time I looked at him, my heart would race—and hiding that was exhausting.

I might’ve acted a bit blunt toward the end, and honestly, I don’t remember everything clearly.

Once we left the café and stopped pretending, I managed to calm down. I think I was able to keep a proper, friendly distance after that.

But the moment I got home, everything from lunch came flooding back all at once—and my emotions returned just as strong.

I even screamed into my pillow, trying to vent. But it didn’t help.

The more I tried to suppress or forget it, the more vivid it became. I kept replaying it in my head, again and again, like it was rewriting how I felt inside.

Right now, I’m calm.

But the moment I see Kiri again, I might lose control all over again.

And that… terrifies me.

We’re supposed to be best friends. That’s all.

It’s clear Kiri sees me as a girl and has feelings for me in that way. But I—I’m not there yet. I don’t think I am.

Falling in love with your best friend, just because they’re the opposite sex—that’s not right. It’s weird.

If we became a couple, we wouldn’t be best friends anymore. And I don’t want that.

I like Kiri. But only as a best friend. Not in a romantic way.

I don’t want to lose someone that important to me.

From what I can tell, Kiri feels the same way. He clearly likes me, but he’s still keeping things in the realm of friendship. It’s like he’s resisting the urge to push forward.

It must be because he values our friendship, too. That has to be it.

We’re still best friends. We are.

The doorbell rang, letting me know someone was here.

Kiri’s arrived.

What do I do? I’m not mentally ready yet.

Even so, my heart is already pounding—loud and fast, like an alarm bell in my chest.

Don’t get the wrong idea.

This isn’t excitement. It’s just nerves. I’m not looking forward to seeing him. No way.

Yeah, that’s right. Why would I be excited to see a best friend I see every day? That’d be weird!!

Calm down!! Get a grip, me!!

“Haru-chan, are you not coming out? Hellooo, can you hear me? —Geez, you really are such a handful sometimes.”

—A-alright.

Bit by bit, I’m regaining control. The pounding in my chest isn’t so loud anymore.

“Good morning, Kiriya-kun. Haru-chan will be right out, so just wait a little, okay? Oh, I know! Want to chat with me in the meantime?”

I heard Mom chatting with Kiri.

Wait—Mom!? Why!?!

“Good morning. In that case, would you mind? I actually went to a café with Haru yesterday—”

Of all things, she brings that up!?

“Okay that’s enough!! Alright alright thanks Mom, I’ve got it from here. I’m heading out now!!”

I rushed out of the living room and cut Kiri off at the front door.

Then, without slowing down, I dashed straight outside.

My heart, which had finally settled down, started pounding again—though for an entirely different reason this time.

Ugh… this can’t be good for my heart.

Still—

“Kiri!! Don’t you dare tell anyone about yesterday!!”

“What’s the problem? It’s just your mom. But fine, if you say so, I won’t.”

There’s no such thing as “just” when it comes to that. No matter who it is, it’s not okay.

And my mom of all people is the last person who should know—well, maybe second to Koharu-chan.

She’d definitely tease me, or worse, start acting weird and overly considerate. Either way, nothing good would come of it.

“Oh, right.”

“Hm?”

I glanced at Kiri without thinking.

“—Good morning, Haru.”

Kiri walked beside me, matching my pace.

Looking me straight in the eye with that usual sharp gaze of his—but this time with a gentle expression—he greeted me like it was nothing.

I was completely caught off guard.

Totally unprepared.

I took it head-on.

Yesterday’s events flashed through my mind like a reel, and click—the switch flipped again.

My heart jumped, and I found myself looking at Kiri with eyes full of heat, like I was expecting something.

“G-Good morning…”

With the tiny scrap of rationality I had left—the part of me still clinging to “just friends”—that was all I could manage to say.

This is bad!! I’m worse than I was back at the café yesterday!!

When I returned his greeting, Kiri looked pleased and turned his gaze forward again.

Whether it was luck or not, he didn’t seem to notice the change in me.

But I couldn’t stop staring at him.

I kept glancing up at Kiri walking beside me, wanting—something—and kept my gaze locked on him.

Of course, when you walk without watching where you’re going, you’re bound to run into trouble. Even a child knows that.

Thunk. I stubbed my foot on a little bump in the road and stumbled.

My slip-ons caught, and I pitched forward.

There wasn’t even time to say anything—just as I braced to hit the ground and squeezed my eyes shut—

Kiri acted instantly. With his tall frame and long arms, he reached out and caught my hand, pulling me into his arms to steady me.

I instinctively clung to him, holding onto him tight.

“You okay?”

He lifted me up effortlessly, then gently lowered me back to the ground.

Thanks to him, I regained my composure. Or… I think I did.

“…Yeah. Thanks.”

—Wait a second.

This situation… I’ve seen it before.

—Right.

There was a time before, when I was lost in thought, zoning out, almost tripped—and Murakumo-kun caught me.

…What was I thinking about back then…?

—!!

As the memory came rushing back, my cheeks grew hot, flushed red, and I felt like steam might actually burst out of my head. In short—I was blushing.

Yeah… at that moment, I had been thinking, “I want to hold Murakumo-kun’s hand.”

And now? What was I just thinking?

“I want to hold Kiri’s hand.”

…Sigh. I let out a breath internally.

I haven’t grown up at all.

But what’s even more of a problem now is—now that I’ve regained my rationality, do I still have that same urge?

—No!!

…is what I wish I could say.

In reality, I’ve been holding onto Kiri’s hand ever since he helped me up, and I show no signs of letting go.

“Haru… are you okay with holding hands?”

Yeah, I figured he’d ask that.

We’ve been insisting for ages that we don’t hold hands because we’re “just friends,” so of course Kiri would be confused by me suddenly grabbing his hand.

But honestly? I’m even more confused.

Because even while having these thoughts, I have no desire whatsoever to let go. On the contrary—I’m happy we’re holding hands. Embarrassingly so. Or rather… no, not even embarrassed—I’m straight-up enjoying it.

“Can you… let go of my hand?”

“Huh? …Wait, you’re the one holding my hand.”

Yeah. That tracks.

Sure, Kiri could easily pull away if he wanted to—but there’s no reason for him to go that far.

After all, Kiri was the one who initially wanted to hold hands. I was the one who said, “No way, we’re just friends,” and rejected him.

Ugh. Well, it’s not like we’re both guys or anything. It’s not weird. I don’t hate it. So… we can just stay like this until we get to school…

But telling Kiri I want to keep holding hands? That feels like admitting defeat, so I decided to slap on a reason after the fact.

“T-think of this as a thank-you for helping me, okay? I’ll let you hold my hand. Just this once.”

Yeah. Let’s go with that. So I’ll hold out until we get to school. Just grit my teeth and deal with it. This isn’t indulgence—it’s a necessity.

I fought to keep the stupid grin off my face with the last scraps of my rational mind.

“Really? Thanks, Haru.”

Kiri gave my hand a gentle squeeze in return.

Joy bubbled up inside me, making the corners of my mouth twitch upward. If I tried talking now, I’m sure my voice would shake.

And I’m probably making the most ridiculous face right now—totally unable to hide my feelings.

So, to keep Kiri from noticing, I turned away from his cheerful, glowing face and started walking again—toward school.