Chapter 1: Diagnosis: Cute

The medical bay of the airship Fraxinus was, as always, sterile, white, and smelling faintly of antiseptic and stale coffee.

"Hmm..."

Reine Murasame, the ship’s chief analyst, leaned closer. Her eyes, rimmed with their perpetual dark circles, narrowed as she scrutinized the monitor displaying a 3D biological scan.

"W-Well?" Shido asked, his voice trembling. He sat on the examination table, clutching a blanket tightly around his chest. He was currently wearing one of Kotori’s oversized hoodies, which, given his new stature, was actually just a regular-sized hoodie.

Reine turned her sleepy gaze toward him. "Shin. Could you lift your arm again?"

"Reine, please," Shido pleaded, his face flushing a deep scarlet. "You’ve scanned me five times. Just tell me I’m hallucinating."

"I cannot lie to you, Shin," Reine said, her voice soft and monotone. She tapped a few keys on her console. "Physiologically speaking... you are a perfectly healthy teenage girl."

Shido buried his face in his hands. "It’s over. My life is over."

Kotori, sitting in a chair nearby and spinning a new Chupa Chups in her mouth, snorted. "Don't be dramatic. It’s just a little gender-swapping. It happens in anime all the time."

"This isn't anime! This is my life!" Shido shrieked—a high, piercing sound that made him wince. "And why is my voice like this?! It sounds like... like her."

He was referring to Shiori Itsuka, the persona he had adopted to infiltrate Rindoji Girls' Academy. But that had been acting. This was biology.

"That is the work of the Angel <Haniel>," Reine explained, bringing up an image of Natsumi’s broomstick Angel on the main screen. "Natsumi has the ability to transform objects and living beings. Usually, her transformations are superficial or temporary. However..."

Reine pointed to a glowing red mass in the center of Shido's diagnostic diagram—his chest.

"You currently hold the sealed Reiryoku of six Spirits. Tohka, Yoshino, Kotori, Kaguya, Yuzuru, and Miku."

"Right..." Shido nodded.

"That massive amount of energy acts like a battery," Reine continued, rubbing her temple. "When Natsumi hit you with her transformation beam, the sealed Reiryoku reacted defensively. It didn't reject the magic; it absorbed and stabilized it."

"Stabilized?" Shido asked, a cold sweat forming on his neck.

"In layman's terms," Kotori interjected, popping the candy out of her mouth, "you’re stuck like that."

"For how long?!"

"Until we catch Natsumi and force her to reverse the flow," Reine said. "Or until you re-seal her power. If we try to use a Realizer to reverse it now, the conflicting energies might cause you to explode. Like a balloon."

"Explode?!"

"So," Kotori stood up, smoothing out her skirt. "Until we find that bratty Witch, you are Shiori Itsuka. Congratulations on your rebirth."

"I don't want congratulations! I want my pants back!"

---

The Itsuka Household - 8:15 AM

Returning home was a surreal experience. Walking down the street in broad daylight, Shido felt like every eye was on him. He—she—was wearing a spare Raizen High girl’s uniform that Ratatoskr had "conveniently" had on hand (Shido suspected Kannazuki kept them for reasons he didn't want to know).

"Walk naturally," Kotori whispered, walking beside him. "You're walking like a crab."

"My center of gravity is different!" Shido hissed back. "And this skirt is breezy! It feels insecure!"

"You'll get used to it. Now, act normal. We have guests."

They reached the front gate. Standing there, looking confused, was Tohka Yatogami. Next to her was Yoshino, holding Yoshinon, and the Yamai sisters, who were arguing over a vending machine toy.

"Shido!" Tohka shouted, her face lighting up when she saw them. "You’re late! I was worried you wouldn't have time to make breakfa—"

Tohka stopped. She blinked. Her gaze moved from Kotori to the girl standing next to her.

The girl had long blue hair, amber eyes, and was wearing the Raizen uniform. She looked remarkably like Shido, but... prettier.

"Um..." Tohka tilted her head. "Kotori? Who is this?"

Shido froze. This was it. The moment of truth.

"Tohka," Shido said, forcing a smile. "It's me. Shido."

"..."

Tohka stared. Yoshino stared. Even the Yamai sisters stopped fighting.

"Keh-keh," Kaguya broke the silence, posing dramatically. "I see. A master of disguise? Or perhaps an illusion cast by a wicked sorcerer?"

"Correction," Yuzuru droned. "Visual analysis suggests a 99.9% match with Shido's facial structure. However, secondary sexual characteristics indicate female. Conclusion: This is Shido's twin sister."

"I don't have a twin sister!" Shido cried.

"That voice..." Tohka stepped closer, sniffing the air like a puppy. She leaned in, her face inches from Shido's.

Shido flinched, his heart racing. Too close!

"It smells like Shido," Tohka muttered, looking perplexed. She grabbed Shido's hands. "But... soft. And... small."

"It's a long story," Kotori said, stepping in to save him. "Let's go inside. We'll explain everything over food."

"Food!" Tohka’s eyes sparkled, the mystery instantly forgotten. "Let's go!"

---

The Itsuka Living Room - 8:45 AM

"So," Kaguya said, crossing her arms. "Natsumi turned Shido into a girl."

"Affirmative," Yuzuru nodded. "He is now a 'She-do'."

"Please don't call me that," Shido groaned, head on the table.

They were gathered around the dining table. Shido had managed to whip up a quick breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs, though navigating the kitchen had been a nightmare. The apron didn't fit right, and he kept brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"I think..." Yoshino peeked out from behind her hat. "I think... Shido looks... cute."

"Ooooh! Yoshino’s making moves!" The puppet Yoshinon cackled. "Watch out, Tohka! The competition just got hotter!"

"Cute?" Tohka mumbled, a piece of toast hanging from her mouth. She looked at Shido. Really looked at him.

Shido sat with his legs pressed together (a habit he was forced to learn quickly in a skirt), his hair tucking behind his ear. The morning sunlight caught his features, softening them.

"Ugh..." Tohka clutched her chest.

"Tohka? What's wrong? Heartburn?" Shido asked, concerned.

"No..." Tohka frowned, looking confused. "When I look at Shido now... my heart beats faster than usual. But... Shido is a girl. Why?"

"That's the power of the Shiori form," Kotori muttered, sipping her tea. "It transcends logic."

"This is a problem," Origami Tobiichi said.

Shido jumped. "Wha—Origami?! When did you get here?!"

Origami was sitting at the far end of the table, silently eating an egg. She was wearing her school uniform.

"The window was unlocked," Origami stated calmly. She set down her fork and looked at Shido with intense, unwavering eyes. "Shido. Stand up."

"Uh... okay?" Shido stood up, wary.

Origami stood as well. She walked over to him, invading his personal space. She circled him once, her eyes scanning him like a Terminator assessing a target.

"Hip width increased. Bust size, C-cup. Height reduced by four centimeters. Skin texture, refined." Origami nodded to herself. "Acceptable."

"What is acceptable!?"

"Gender is irrelevant," Origami declared. "You are Shido. Therefore, I will date you."

"That logic is terrifyingly sound for you," Shido sighed.

"However," Origami pulled out a small notebook. "I need to update my data. Tonight, I will come over to inspect your new physiology."

"Denied!" Kotori shouted. "Absolutely not! No inspecting!"

"Why?" Origami tilted her head. "We are both girls now. There are no barriers."

"The barrier is common decency!" Shido yelled.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

"Who could that be?" Shido wondered. "We're all here."

"Maybe it's Natsumi coming to apologize?" Tohka suggested optimistically.

Shido walked to the entryway, smoothing down his skirt. He checked the peephole.

Standing outside was a girl with long, indigo hair and a serene, idol-like smile.

Shido’s blood ran cold.

"Oh no."

It was Miku Izayoi.

The Spirit who hated men. The Spirit who had fallen in love with Shido’s female disguise, "Shiori," during the festival. The Spirit who had nearly destroyed the city when she found out Shiori was a boy.

And now... Shido was Shiori. For real.

"Shido, who is it?" Kotori called out.

"It's... Miku," Shido whispered, backing away from the door.

"Open it," Kotori ordered. "She's a Spirit. We need her cooperation to find Natsumi."

"She's going to eat me!"

"Don't be a baby. Open the door."

Shido took a deep breath. He unlocked the door and swung it open.

"Good morning, Darl—"

Miku froze.

She blinked. Her eyes swept over Shido. They took in the real hair. The soft curves. The lack of a wig or makeup. The genuine, biological femininity radiating from him.

"..."

Miku’s face slowly turned a bright, cherry red. Her hands flew to her cheeks. Her breathing became rapid and shallow.

"D-D-D..." Miku stammered.

"Hey, Miku," Shido said, forcing a smile. "Long time no see. There’s been a bit of an accident, and—"

"DARLING!!!"

Miku didn't just hug him. She launched herself at him.

"Oof!"

Shido was tackled to the floor of the entryway. Miku was on top of him instantly, burying her face in his chest, inhaling deeply.

"It's real! It's real!" Miku squealed, her voice vibrating through Shido’s ribcage. "No padding! No voice changer! You’re a girl! You’re really a girl!"

"M-Miku! Can't breathe!"

Miku looked up, her eyes swirling with hearts. "Oh, Shido! Or should I say... Shiori! You did this for me, didn't you? You threw away your manhood to be with me!"

"No! It was Natsumi! It's a curse!"

"It's a miracle!" Miku corrected, grabbing Shido’s hands and interlacing their fingers. "I hated men... but I loved you. It was such a tragedy. But now? Now the universe has corrected its mistake! We can hold hands! We can bathe together! We can get married!"

"Someone help me!" Shido screamed toward the living room.

Tohka poked her head around the corner, chewing on a piece of bacon. "Shido? Miku says she wants to marry you. Does that mean we get cake?"

"Not the time, Tohka!"

"Ara, ara," Miku giggled, nuzzling Shido’s neck. "Don't resist, Shiori-chan. You smell so sweet now... like lilies and sunshine..."

"Get off him, you lesbian banshee!" Kotori marched into the hall and kicked Miku off of Shido.

"Ouchie!" Miku rolled away, but she didn't look mad. She just sat up, fixing her hair, looking at Shido like a wolf looks at a particularly tender lamb chop.

"Shido," Kotori said, pulling her brother up. "Go to your room and change into your school uniform. We're going to school."

"School?" Shido paled. "Like this?"

"You can't hide forever. Natsumi is watching. If you want to catch her, you have to play her game." Kotori smirked. "Besides... you’re already registered."

"Registered?"

"As Shido's cousin. Shiori Itsuka. Transfer student."

Shido looked at Miku, who was blowing kisses at him. He looked at Origami, who was silently taking notes in the background. He looked at Tohka, who was just happy everyone was getting along.

He let out a long, feminine sigh.

"This is going to be a long day."