Chapter 1: Wish Upon the Shrine

"I like you! Would you please go out with me?!"

The silence follow after that confession in an empty classroom that only have a pair of male and female middle school students.

The boy bowing his body in front fo the girl with heart full of anxiety.

"Sorry! I already have someone I like! Well then, excuse me."

After saying that, the girl took her bag and quickly left the classroom.

The boy that was rejected slumped on the nearest table and let out a frustrated sigh while burying his head on the table.

"Rejected again..."

Time passes on with the boy unmoved until the sound of door sliding made him raise his head.

At the door, another male student, brown hair with blue eyes wearing glasses, with bag on his shoulder, standing looking at him up and down, before his lips curved into a smile. Made a gesture like he was counting with his fingers and looked at the rejected student.

"This is the 9th or 10th? I already forgot the number after the last time."

Gritted his teeth, the rejected student stood up, taking his bag and went pass the other student.

"Shut up, Yuu! Don't talk to me!"

"Ara? I made Kei-kun angry?"

Undeterred with, Kei-kun's, or his full name Takamaki Keita, annoyed aura, Yuu followed behind him with innocent face.

"...."

Keita didn't respond, just quicken his pace, intending to leave Yuu behind.

But Yuu didn't let him and also increased his speed.

"Alright alright, I won't bring it up anymore. So forgive me, okay?"

"... you just say that because you want to copy my homework, aren't you?"

"Ara, you found out?"

"I KNEW IT!"

"Mah mah~ forget about that. I heard from my Haru-nii there is a new game machine in The Arcade, so accompany me there, okay?"

"No, I don't wanna. Just go alo-- Hey, my bag!"

Before Keita could finish his words, Yuu already snatched his bag and ran in front of him.

"I'll give it back if you can catch me! Rejection collector boy~"

Yuu looked back and taunting him while still keeping the distance between them. A twitch appear on Keita's forehead.

He speed up and chased after Yuu with murderous face.

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Ahaha!"

The rapid footsteps and laugh of the boys echoed loud on the empty hallway in the middle of spring.

★

Hello, my name is Takamaki Keita. Your usual and common middle school student. Well, not really a middle schooler anymore since it's been a while since I graduated from Middle School and only a day left before High School Start.

There is really nothing special about me that can make me stands out more than the others.

My appearance is just average, average face, black hair, black eyes, 168 cm heights, among the short category for boys in my class. No special hobby like sports or anything.

Well, there is one if you count being in the top 3 students in my years as something special, though I myself doesn't think so.

I only laze around in my room, laying on the bed doing nothing to spend my vacation before high school start, and to be honest, I was quite bored.

'Rings~ Rings~'

My phone rang. A mail?

[Please accompany me go to the Ryuusei festival!]

Why me though? Doesn't he have anyone else to invite?

[I have no one to go with.]

Another mail already came in even before I replied to his message. Did he read my mind?

To be honest, I really don't want to go--

[It's not like you have anything to do right? You just laying around on your bed doing nothing anyway.]

[Be a responsible childhood friend and play with me!]

I instantly sit straight and looked around my around and even looked out of the window. How did this guy know? Did he plant a camera on my room?

Ugh, forget it.

I'll just go along with his whim since I really have nothing to and was bored.

[Alright.]

I'll just reply with that simple word. But surprisingly a reply came in an instant as if already prepared.

[In an hour. In front Nanogomi Station.]

[Thank you, Kei-kun.]

Sigh~ I never can win against him.

•

•

The moment I got out of the train and go to the said location, in front of Nanogomi Station, I scan the location searching for that guy.

Until I found him leaning against the pillar, in front of him are 2 girls in yukata, they seems to be talking about something.

I just walk casually approaching them.

"How about you come with us, senpai?"

"That's right. We're only 2 frail girl alone. Having Yuuki-senpai with us definitely will give us reassurance."

Oh seems like they are our Kouhai from middle school.

This guy is really a polar opposite of me.

He, Mizuno Yuuki, have a quite a bishounen face, easy to get along personality, popular with everyone from classmates, kouhai, and even the teacher.

Different from me who get rejected here and there, this guy is the type who got confession from many girls.

I was debating whether to show myself or not. Maybe he will take on that offer, and there is nothing for me to do anymore here. Well, I guess I'll just go ho--

"Ah, Kei-kun, you finally come!"

He spotted me!

Just when I was about to turn around and leave, Yuu ran up to me and hold my shoulder. He looked back to the two girls and smiled.

"Sorry, I have promise with this guy for today. You girls can invite me another day. See ya~"

After saying that, Yuu hold my hand and ran ahead, dragging me with him. Somehow I can hear those girls squealing from behind.

Shit, those squels, they definitely thinking something weird about us.

The moment we far enough from the station and almost at the site of festival, I take back my hand from Yuu's grip.

Someone we know is definitely there at the festival and I don't want to have rumors going around if I continue holding hand with him in the festival.

I still want a girlfriend!

I don't like men!

Yuu stopped and looked back at me confused as if asking "What is it Kei-kun?"

"You said you have no one to go with, so why didn't you just accept those girls invitation?"

"Don't wanna! I want to play with Kei-kun!"

He really complained with a pout. What is this cute creature?

Ugh, why does this guy had to be born as a boy?

I wouldn't have complained if he is a girl.

....Hmm? Wait, what did I just think about?!

Even if he is a girl, no way I would like her. Childhood friends never win...

.... why I kept thinking about this?!!

While I caught in the dilemma of in my head, Yuu got behind me and giving me a push towards the festival.

"Come on, let's play! I'm the one who invite you, so everything is my treat. You just need to play with me, Kei-kun."

"Argh, I get it already, so stop pushing me."

"Hehe~"

Seriously, stop smiling over something like this.

•

•

We played around in many attractions like shooting gallery, goldfish scooping, ring toss, katanuki, etc. from the side stands.

Eating ringo ame and walking around sightseeing.

Of course I paid for my part. I don't want to be treated if I also having fun in it.

The sky is almost dark, and more people coming to the festival site and some leaving. I also think it should be time for us to go home.

"Kei-kun, let's pray at the shrine?"

"Alright."

I don't even have a will to argue with him anymore. Well, I was having fun today, so I will comply with whatever he wanted.

We queued with the many people who also want to pray at the shrine.

"Hey, Kei-kun, do you know the legend of this Ryuusei festival?"

"I only know the rough outline."

This city, Ryuuseimachi, in the past was just a nameless village that was lacking in everything. Agriculture couldn't thrive, poverty's everywhere, and many diseases couldn't be treated.

But then someday, a shooting star fell in the village. From that star, someone, or to be precise, a goddess, came out and solved every problem in the village and then disappeared.

To respect and honor the goddess' grace, people then named this city as Ryuuseimachi .

This festival is held every year to celebrate that and this shrine is said to be the place where the goddess first fell.

When it was our turn, Yuu throw some coin into the saisen bako and put his hand together in front of him.

I do the same and said my wish in my heart, like hoping to get easier time in high school and luck in my love life.

"I hope Kei-kun can finally get a girlfriend this year!"

'If only you were born a girl.... wait!'

"Huh?!"

I reflexively turned to him and chop him on the head.

"Why would you wish for something like that? And saying your wish out loud will make it to will never happen. It's the same as wishing me to never have girlfriend."

"Ouch, is that so? Then let me redo my wish."

"Forget it, there is a line behind us, so let's just go home."

"Okay~"

After that we boarded the train station while talking about high school, whether we will be on the same class or not.

•

•

"I hope we are in the same class again."

"So you could copy my homework again?"

"Ara, you found out again?"

"You're truly annoying."

•

•

We part way in the intersection, not after Yuu said that he want to go to school with me tomorrow.

•

•

•

Tomorrow come, my mother call me from the first floor that Yuu-chan (her nickname for Yuu) already waiting on the front door.

I hurried and went down from my room, but I didn't see Yuu. Instead, a girl with light brown hair, heterochromia eyes, one blue and one red, wearing the same high school uniform as me but girl version.

"You finally come down. I was waiting for almost 15 minutes you know?"

".... you're talking to me?"

Now she looked confused, rapidly blinking her eyes, which is somehow cute.

"Who else should I talk to? Kei-kun, are you still dozing off?"

Wait, she know me? But I don't think I ever have a girl friend like her.

"Who are you?"

Now she see me with weird look. Get in front of me and put her palm on my forehead.

"It doesn't seems like a fever."

I reflexively take a step back avoiding her. No, seriously, who is this girl? Doesn't she have sense of personal space?

"You really don't recognize me, Kei-kun?"

Now she looks crestfallen, her raised hand that was on my forehead a moment ago hesitantly lowered.

Then I heard the rapid footsteps from behind me and....

'Plak!'

"You stupid son! How can you make Yuu-chan cry? You okay, Yuu-chan? Want me to smack him again?"

My mother hit the back of my head, and she panickly trying to comfort the girl while threatening to hit me again.

Huh, wait, wait a minute, what did she said again? "Yuu-chan?"

This girl is.... Yuu?

Hah?!

"Pfft hahaha, no it's fine Asahi-san. I think Kei-kun was just a little dozed off, since this is the first day after long vacation."

"Why are you still so formal with me? Come on, you can just call me 'Okaa-san', you know, fufu?"

While I still trying to comprehend the situation, I see her face turned red from my mother statement.... ohhhh wait a minute!

"Wait, Kaa-san, what do you mean by--"

"Let's just go Kei-kun! Asahi-san, we're going now."

"Huh, wait, Yuu! I'm off, Kaa-san!"

Before I can finish my question, this girl, Yuu(?), take my hand and dragged me out of the house.

"Fufufu, oh young love~"

I can still hear you, Kaa-san!

•

•

On our way to school, none of us were talking. She also already releases my hand after we were far enough from my house.

I kept secretly glancing at her, whose cheeks still have a little blush and she shyly covered her cheeks with her palm while looking down.

So cute.

I still can't believe it.

I'm sure Mizuno Yuuki is a boy in my memory. We even play around at the festival yesterday and he was still a boy.

But what is this?

Just in one night, he become she, and a very cute one at that. She really hit all my checklist of ideal girlfriend.

There is no way he got sex surgery in just one night. And even more, my mother reaction was just too casual about it. It was as if she thought Yuu as a girl from the start.

Then, is it me who is the weird one?

Did I, in my sleep, slipped on to the alternative reality thingy where Yuu was born a girl?

I seriously don't know anymore.

Let's gather information for now while attending school. Whether it is just Yuu who was changed, or there is more than that.

"I really hope we're in the same class, Kei-kun."

"...Yeah."

It really hit different when Yuu as a girl said this.

•

•

"Look, Kei-kun, we are in the same class! Yay!"

"...Y-yey?"

I hesitantly raised my hand, following her wish to high-five.

In front of the notice board, many students crowding to see which class they were assigned to.

And I can clearly see my name and Yuu were listed in the 1-B list of student. I also see a few familiar name in there, so maybe I can see their reaction about Yuu later, to determine whether it is just her who changed or is it me who got the wrong memory.

"Hmm, it's a shame Nao-kun is in different class."

Yuu said it with disappointment.

Nao is the name of Yuu's twin brother.

•

•

After going through a long and boring speech of the opening ceremony from principal and other formalities, finally all students were freed from that torture.

Everyone go to their own classroom, of course me and Yuu too.

Since they already assigned the seat for everyone, I just quickly go to my own seat, which apparently was behind Yuu's seat.

"Yuuki-chan, we're in the same class again!"

"Ma-Mana-chan, wait, what are you trying to touch?! Let me go!"

"Mana, stop sexual harrasing Yuuki first time in the semester."

I looked ahead to see Yuu being hugged by another girl from behind, with suspicious hand movement. Yuu who was trying to break free and one other girl chopping the back of the harraser girl.

If I'm not mistaken, those two are Asakawa Mana and Sugawara Kaho. Both of them are from the same middle school with us and get along quite well with the boy Yuu, of course just as friends.

But seeing them joking around like that with such ease, I think it is confirmed; I'm the one who is weird.

Did I really slipped into different reality or is it just my memory that's going haywire.

I really did get distracted with my own mind, that I didn't realize the homeroom teacher already came.

•

•

Today is really crazy for me.

My boy childhood friend suddenly turned into a girl, and everyone reacted to it as if she was girl from the start.

I also somehow became class president without my consent. Um, well, I did nod at that time when the teacher called my name, but I didn't know that was just a call of confirmation.

I don't know whether it is fortunate or not, but Yuu volunteer herself to be the vice president. She did laugh at me at first though.

On the break, I thought about all of this over and over, trying to remember how this could happened, until when Yuu was talking about the festival with Mana and Kaho, I remembered it.

'If only you were born a girl'

I'm the one wishing for that!!

Did God or Goddess really grant that 'slip of the mind' wish?

Should I wish at the shrine again to turn everything to normal?

The school is already over for today anyway, so maybe I should just go there right now--

"...-kun? Kei-kun, do you hear me?"

I feel the tug on my uniform, waking me up from my thoughts.

While I turn my head, I see Yuu looked at me with concern.

Oh right, we, me and Yuu, are on our way home from the school.

I wonder why it's kind of hurt when she looks so concerned over me. As if I don't want her to worry.

No, it's not if. I really don't want her to worry.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just a little tired."

Yuu looked around then pointed at the playground park not far from our position.

"Let's go there!"

Without even waiting for my response, she take my hand and dragged me to the park.

She sits on one of the swings.

"Kei-kun, you sit too."

When I sit, she start to swing lightly.

"Kei-kun, do you have something you're worried about? You're really kind of distracted this whole day. You didn't remember me this morning, and in the class, you just sit as if your mind is elsewhere."

"...No, it's nothing, really--"

She stops swinging.

"Am I that unreliable to you, Kei-kun?"

"...."

That is so unfair to ask me with that tone and expression.

In the end, I, who can't stand making her sad, tell her everything that has been bothering me today.

From the festival, my wish at the shrine, the boy her, and my deduction of what was happening to me or maybe to us.

Either I'm the one who is from different reality, or it is just Yuu who got changed along with the world perception of her and only me who is not affected because I was the one who made the wish. It must be either one of the two.

After hearing everything, Yuu seems to be thinking about it hard while looking down.

"Haha, it must be hard to believe huh? You don't need to worry, Yuu. Maybe it just because I'm a little tired and anxious about high school."

"No, I believe you, Kei-kun! The Kei-kun I know isn't the type who lie!"

"Yuu..."

This girl really...

The way she shakes her head, looking straight at me with eyes full of firm belief.

"Thank you, for believing."

That's all I can say.

"But the boy me, huh? Now it got me thinking about something. If I ask, will you answer, Kei-kun?"

"What is it?"

"Between the current me, and the boy me in your memories, which one of us do you prefer more?"

"....what?"

What is this question supposed to mean?

Between the cute and considerate girl Yuu who I've only been with for less than a day, and the boy Yuu who always been with me for so long, teasing and irritating me to no end, but also my best friend.

As a man, the choice is obvious, girl Yuu is better. But I feel it is not that simple.

Hmm?

I can see a glimpse of blush on her cheeks. Even she got embarrassed by her own question,....

Wait, did she asking that this with that kind of 'preference' in mind?

Does that mean the girl Yuu have 'that' kind of feeling.... to me?

"Yuu, I--"

"No, forget it. Don't answer it yet."

She stands up and walk ahead a few steps.

"I will not lose to the boy me. I will show Kei-kun, that I'm better than the boy me in your memories!"

Wait!

Wait, wait a damn second!

What are this statements supposed to mean?

I can't see her expression because she has her back to me.

"Well then, Kei-kun. See you tomorrow."

She turned her head to me for a moment and waved, before running away and disappear in the intersection, leaving me alone in the park with head full of confusion.

Did she mean it the way I was thinking of?

Does that mean I have the chance with her?

Seriously, today is just too crazy...

★

I think it's far enough from the park, and I'm sure Kei-kun didn't follow me.

I slowed my pace to just walking.

"Hehe, hahaha, hahahaha! So it is really because of him. As expected of Kei-kun. This all is just to great to be true, hahaha!"

I couldn't no longer bold back my laughter. I've been holding it back almost the whole day.

Just until yesterday, or last night, I was still a boy, but when I woke up in the morning, I'm already a girl.

•

I didn't know how it happened. I don't remember getting abducted by alien or drinking a suspicious drugs, it just... happened.

I thought I was still dreaming, but my pain receptors working just fine so it's not a dream.

After checking myself out in the bathroom for a full 10 minutes, I quickly accepted that this body was real. That I really became a girl. I mean, my boobs were so soft, hehe.

When I returned to my room, I saw the family photo and the photo of me and Kei-kun from our elementary school days.

Everything else was the same as in my memories, except myself. Even in the photo, the boy me became a girl.

There was one hypothesis that came to my mind at the time; it's not just me who changed, but the world itself was changed, like, my life was rewritten to make me became a girl from the start.

I searched for the photo albums and it just strengthen my theory that history itself was changed, because in all those photo, the picture were taken with me as a girl.

A new kind of emotion rose within me. It's not depressions, confusion or denial.

It's happiness. A sense of elations welled up in my heart.

"It will be more entertaining to 'playing' Kei-kun in this form!"

Kei-kun, Takamaki Keita, is my childhood friends. My most favorite person in the world after my family and Ren-nii.

I love Kei-kun dearly. Not the kind of 'love' like in romance story, but the kind of 'love' where I want to 'play' him forever.

Hm? Is that really the same thing? Well, whatever.

Anyways, in this state, all my teasing to him will just come as innocent flirting from a girl to the boy she liked, and it will surely disturbed his pure and naive heart more effectively than when I was a boy.

No one will think I'm gay anymore because I kept clinging to him. (No seriously, I also get annoyed with that rumor).

I quickly dressed up myself, of course, with girl uniform. It will be weird if I wore boy uniform in this state.

Good things when the world was rewritten, the contents of my wardrobe also get changed, though I feel a sense of immorality when I put on the underwears. My body is a girl now, but I still felt like a pervert.

Since today is my turn for to make breakfast, I just quickly made some easy meal like tamagoyaki and miso soup, served them at the dining table, and called everyone for breakfast.

I didn't eat, just grabbed some toasted bread and quickly left the house to go to Kei-kun's house. I really can't wait to see him.

The moment I rang the door bell, Asahi-san, Kei-kun's mother, opened it and let me in while she went to call him. The way she treated me so normally as a girl, it seemed like people memories were also altered in this phenomenon.

While waiting, I was wondering how should I act in front of him. Should I just went like my usual self when I was a boy, or try to act like a childhood friend type heroine?

He came down, but got frozen in place the moment he saw me. Confusion was apparent on his face like he didn't recognize me.

In that moment, it just clicked on my mind; his memories remained the same. Which meant....

'Childhood friend heroine route it is then, fufu.'

From that moment onwards, I tried my best in acting as cutesy and innocent childhood friend as possible.

It felt so great!

His mind was clearly disturbed by my acting but he tried so hard to not let it shown.

On the way home, we talked on the park and it turned out that the whole things about my changing gender was actually because of his accidental wish yesterday at the shrine.

So, ....

....did that mean Kei-kun like me enough that he wished I was born a girl?

I didn't know what I was feeling at that time and I ended up asking something really embarrassing. Good grief I didn't let him answer it and quickly left before my expressions broke down.

•

My crazy heartbeat finally calmed down when I almost reached the house.

It's really dangerous. I almost went fully maiden there.

It seems the theory that soul follow the body is real.

But hmm, since I'm calm enough, now I can think clearly about my situation.

Everyone memories of me was altered that for them, I was a girl from the start, except Kei-kun, his memories remained as is.

Is he the only one? What about my family?

Now that I think about it, I haven't talk to anyone from the house today since I woke up as a girl. I also didn't see them at school, probably because I was too preoccupied with Kei-kun.

My only interaction with them is when I called them for breakfast from the front of their room door (except Shizu-nii, who most likely slept in the basement lab again.)

Will they remember me as a boy like Kei-kun, or their memories also get altered like everyone else?

I keep wondering about this while I go inside the house. The moment I went inside, I see everyone shoes remained in the shoes cabinet.

Did they all got back already? Even dad?

"Tadaima!"

I walk toward the living room, the most possible place to find someone in this house, but the moment I reached there, all I see are 6 woman in the living room.

All eyes on me and I get a little nervous.

"Ah? Did I get in the wrong house? Sorry, I'll take my lea--"

'Grab'

"Nope, you're not going anywhere, 'young lady'."

One of them, the tallest one, grab the back of my uniform collar, not letting me leave.

"Is she really Yuu-chan?"

"100%, she is our Yuuki."

The girl with glasses asked while the white haired one with cat ears answer.

Wait, cat ears?

No, more important than that, what did they call me again?

I see everyone face again.

One by one, more throughly this time.

• •

• • •

• • • •

"Pffttt! You guys got changed too?!"