Why Is This Shido So Adorable? He's Practically Shiori

April 9th was the last day before spring break ended, and also the day before the main story began—before "Shido" met Tohka.

There were no Spacequake alarms, no violent energy fluctuations. Qian Huanyue had fortunately returned to the real world through Silent Reality Manifestation.

She lowered her head and looked at the strikingly gorgeous Astral Dress she wore. With a thought, the dark radiance forming it flowed off her body like quicksand, dissolving before being rewoven and transformed by pure spiritual power under her will.

Moments later, she had changed into a simple inner top and a comfortable, loose long skirt. The colors were soft, the fit was perfect. At that moment, she looked like any ordinary girl enjoying the last moments of her vacation, wearing a gentle smile as she slowly blended into the afternoon street.

Even beneath her plain clothes, Qian Huanyue's stunning beauty quickly drew furtive glances from those around her.

She seemed completely unaware of it—or perhaps she was simply used to it—and continued strolling in that relaxed mood.

Suddenly, at the entrance of a shop, Qian Huanyue spotted a blue-haired "boy." Her eyes lit up, and an impulse to greet him rose within her, but she paused as a small, mischievous thought popped into her mind.

She lightened her footsteps like a cat concealing its presence, deliberately using spiritual power to mute herself. Silently, without making the slightest sound, she approached him. While he was focused on the display window, she reached out and, with eager anticipation for her prank's success, lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Wah!"

"Shido" was clearly startled by the sudden touch. She shuddered violently and nearly jumped as she turned around, her face still carrying a frightened expression.

"Q-Qian Huanyue...?" Her voice still trembled from the fright. A faint mist of moisture clouded her eyes from that instant of panic, making her look like a startled deer—or some soft, harmless little animal...

Huh???

Something was wrong. Very wrong!

The sly smile on Qian Huanyue's face froze slightly after her prank. She took half a step back, and even a feeling of guilt instinctively flashed through her mind. Did I go too far? The thought drifted past.

No, no!

Wah, what was going on? Why did she suddenly find an expression like Shido Itsuka's so adorable?

Her brain seemed to freeze for a second as she silently screamed inside. This isn't right! She should have felt smug about pulling off her prank, or perhaps a little apologetic for frightening him. Yet her mind was filled entirely with thoughts about how cute he was.

Did I really hypnotize myself into being interested in men?

"G-Good afternoon... Itsuka." She even stuttered unconsciously, her eyes turning blank and round. "Did I scare you? Um... I'm really sorry."

"Shido" seemed to have recovered as well. She lightly patted her chest, let out a breath, and smiled helplessly. "Honestly... Huanyue, do you walk without making any sound? I almost thought I'd run into something supernatural."

That smile carried a hint of reproach without any real anger, and it once more made Qian Huanyue feel something indescribably strange. There was an ineffable softness in it—perhaps even a touch of girlish coquettishness?

Wait! Stop! What am I thinking?!

Qian Huanyue quickly shook her head hard in her mind, trying to throw away those chaotic thoughts.

"Was Shido looking at something interesting?" She turned her gaze toward the display window Shido had been studying. It was filled with cute stationery and delicate little accessories.

"Ah, this..." "Shido's" attention was indeed successfully redirected. Her gaze returned to the display window, and her tone became slightly embarrassed. "I was just looking at some cute memo pads and stickers... I thought the designs were really lovely."

Memo pads and stickers?

Qian Huanyue paused subtly. Wasn't that... a little too cute? Could this be a preference the original story had never revealed?

No, she couldn't judge a book by its cover. Boys could like cute things too. I used to be like that myself! Shido would turn into Shiori after cross-dressing anyway, so what was wrong with liking cute things? (>д<)

Qian Huanyue completed a truly ingenious feat of self-persuasion in her mind. When she looked at "Shido" again, her gaze held a little more... understanding and tolerance.

Following "Shido's" words, she softened her tone. "Especially that one with the stars and clouds. It feels really dreamy, doesn't it?"

After all, she was a genuine girl herself. There was nothing wrong with praising cute things.

"Right?"

"Shido" seemed to have found a kindred spirit, and her tone perked up as she pointed to another one. "I think the one with the little cat taking a nap is really cute too. Just looking at it makes me feel relaxed..."

Pfft, what a Kurumi move.

The sudden association nearly made Qian Huanyue laugh out loud. She quickly pressed her lips together, managing not to give herself away.

"Shido" did not notice her momentary distraction.

She turned slightly to face Qian Huanyue. Her brown eyes looked especially clear and warm in the sunset, carrying a heartfelt smile as she softly said:

"Come to think of it... I'm really happy to meet you again, Qian Huanyue."

"We parted rather hurriedly last time."

"Shido" scratched her cheek awkwardly with a finger. The gesture made her seem even more harmless and sincere. "I thought... there might not be another chance for us to meet. So, running into each other by chance today, and even getting to talk about things we like together... I'm really happy."

Wasn't that a little too cheesy, Mr. Shido?

So this was the cheesy talk of a herbivore-type harem protagonist? She had learned something today!

"I... I'm happy too, to see Shido... again." Qian Huanyue lowered her head slightly and unconsciously curled her fingers around the hem of her skirt. A faint blush spread across her face, making her appearance especially eye-catching.

It was an unconscious habit of hers. She was already used to making herself appear like an utterly harmless, pure young girl.

But she truly was happy. Despite the chaotic thoughts and constant snark in her heart, meeting someone relatively familiar like Shido still made her rather glad.

Naturally, this lovely scene did not escape the eyes of passersby. People walking past cast envious looks toward "Shido"—

A high school student who had just gotten out of school watched the scene and muttered sourly to his companion, "Damn it, who's that guy? He's so lucky..."

More and more gazes pricked against "Shido's" back like tangible needles, making her shoulders tense unconsciously. She had never been used to becoming the focus of a crowd, especially when those stares contained such obvious envy and jealousy.

She could feel the tips of her ears heating up. Everyone must have misunderstood her relationship with Qian Huanyue. At that thought, her heart began racing so fast that even her desire to buy more cute memo pads was temporarily thrown out of her mind.

She only wanted to leave this "trouble spot" as soon as possible!

In her panic, "Shido" acted almost instinctively—she grabbed Qian Huanyue's wrist!

"Let's go!"

Before the words had even faded, she had already pulled Qian Huanyue, who had not fully reacted yet, out of the crowd as though fleeing and quickly turned into a quiet alley nearby.

The wind from their run lifted both of their hair.

Only after confirming that those unbearable stares had completely disappeared did "Shido" stop, panting for breath.

Then she froze.

The soft, warm sensation in her palm, belonging to another person, suddenly became incomparably clear.

What am I doing?!

I'm "Shido" right now, not some cute college girl named Shiori!

Will Qian Huanyue think I'm frivolous?

Being dragged along by a man she's only met twice—no matter how you put it, I must look like a weirdo to her!

It would be natural for her to hate me!

I don't want that!!

"Um, um! I-I'm sorry!" She tried to explain incoherently, waving both hands helplessly in the air while not daring to look Qian Huanyue in the eyes. "I didn't mean to... I just... those people earlier... so..."

She stammered for a long time without managing to form a complete sentence. Finally, she lowered her head in surrender, her voice as faint as a mosquito's:

"...Anyway, I'm terribly sorry!"

"Wah..." "Shido" let out a brief, miserable whimper. She looked as though she might start smoking from embarrassment, her mind completely crashing. She had already prepared for the worst—if Qian Huanyue showed even the slightest trace of disgust, she would immediately confess that she was actually a girl.

She reacted like this just from holding hands while running? Was that all the nerve Shido had?

Still, how strange. Shido's hand was so soft, just like a girl's... Could he be Shiori...? Haha.

A doubt flashed through Qian Huanyue's mind, and she sensed something oddly out of place. But then she remembered herself before transmigrating, and the doubt faded away.

As long as someone took good care of their hands, it should be normal for even a boy's hands to be soft, right?

Seeing "Shido" on the verge of evaporating from embarrassment, Qian Huanyue decided not to tease her any further. She mischievously raised an eyebrow, her tone becoming exceptionally gentle—one could even say she deliberately sweetened her voice.

"It's really okay, Shido~"

"Shido's" tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly. She secretly looked up at Qian Huanyue, and only after confirming that the other girl truly was not angry did she quietly say:

"Um... as an apology..." She took a deep breath as though mustering all her courage. "If you don't mind... would you like to come to my house for a simple meal? I'm quite good at cooking."

I was wrong. Shido is actually the high-level player here. I underestimated him before.

Fine, I'll indulge him for now.

This was also Shido's last chance to experience an ordinary life. Starting tomorrow, Shido's normal life would undergo enormous changes.

"...All right." Qian Huanyue's gentle voice sounded. She was used to acting this way, but this time, she was sincere. There was not much deliberate pretense left in it. "I'm looking forward to trying your cooking, Shido."