Forced into Drag
"Move aside. What's going on?"
The atmosphere felt off. Seo Joo-hwan hurried straight to Jang Deok-hoon. Even at a glance, the swollen ankle was obvious. He asked in a shocked voice,
"Deok-hoon, you okay? How'd this happen?"
"Ah... hyungnim, it's nothing. I just twisted my ankle a bit."
"Nothing my ass, you lunatic. It's swollen like a balloon!"
The round ankle bone looked, if anything, 1.5 times bigger than normal. Jang Deok-hoon scratched the back of his head with a dazed expression.
"It's really nothing. Just a little sprain."
"Did you tell the student council? You haven't even put any spray on it."
"My noona went to report it."
Noona probably meant Jeong Ha-yeon. That explained why she wasn't in the room—she'd gone to make the report.
"I brought the spray!"
Speak of the devil. Jeong Ha-yeon had just returned. Min Hye-young, the one handling medical aid, was with her. Min Hye-young looked at Jang Deok-hoon's ankle with pity and said,
"If it hurts a lot, tell us. You need to go to the hospital right away."
"N-no, it's fine! I'm really okay."
Jang Deok-hoon waved his hands vigorously. To prove it, he even tried rotating his ankle. But pain hit him, and he winced.
"Ugh."
Jeong Ha-yeon clicked her tongue at him like he was pathetic.
"Hey, stay still. You big bear, thinking you're an actual grizzly."
"Sorry..."
Jang Deok-hoon hung his head dejectedly. But since he could still move it, the injury didn't seem as serious as it looked.
"Give me your foot. I'll wrap it. Hye-young, hand over the bandage."
"No. Hye-young, give it to me."
Seo Joo-hwan snatched the bandage mid-handover. He also took the spray from Jeong Ha-yeon's hand, who was staring at him like what the hell are you doing?
"You guys rest."
"I can do it just fine."
"I'll handle it. I've wrapped a ton of these."
Seo Joo-hwan spoke firmly and crouched in front of Jang Deok-hoon. The reason he insisted on doing it himself was to naturally use the healing sub-effect of Holy Touch.
Instead of spraying right away, Seo Joo-hwan placed his hand on Jang Deok-hoon's ankle. He kneaded the swollen joint. Activating both massage and healing effects at once.
Jeong Ha-yeon and the other team members watched with puzzled looks. Rubbing the injured foot without spray looked weird.
Jeong Ha-yeon urgently tried to stop him.
"Joo-hwan, don't mess with it—you might make it worse. Just wrap it and leave it."
"It's fine. I learned massage."
"What?"
Jeong Ha-yeon's face filled with bewilderment. But soon, seeing Jang Deok-hoon's expression relax, she looked shocked. She couldn't see it, but a faint light gathered in Seo Joo-hwan's hand, seeping into the ankle in real time.
He infused energy for about five more minutes before deactivating the skill.
Sssshhh—
Spraying the analgesic, he wiped the sweat beading on his forehead.
Tiring.
A slight fatigue washed over him, like after a workout. The backlash from overusing the touch. Skills consumed stamina based on intensity.
He finished by wrapping the bandage tightly.
Pat-patting Jang Deok-hoon's shoulder, he asked,
"How's it feel? No pain when you move?"
"Yes! The bandage helps—the pain's way better now. Hyungnim's massage is amazing."
Jang Deok-hoon rotated his ankle in wonder, his face much improved.
"Still, take it easy for a bit. Go to the hospital after MT ends."
Even with healing, it wouldn't fix instantly. A B-rank skill's sub-effect was just "minor" healing. But it could reduce swelling and pain.
Seo Joo-hwan released the ankle and playfully shook out his hand.
"Ugh. Smells like feet now."
"Ah, hyungnim! My feet don't smell. I washed them just before!"
He chuckled at the indignant protest. Then the girls whispering nearby turned to stare. Blinking curiously, Yoo So-jeong flashed a suspiciously ominous smile.
"Oppa, I told you to keep Deok-hoon resting, right?"
"Uh... yeah? Pushing it could make it worse."
Yoo So-jeong's smile deepened. Behind her, Jeong Ha-yeon was tsk-tsking.
An ominous feeling hit Seo Joo-hwan.
Yoo So-jeong grinned like she was enjoying this.
"So, what about our cross-dressing?"
"...Huh?"
"Deok-hoon's hurt, so he can't do it. They'll make someone go up front."
"......"
Seo Joo-hwan clamped his mouth shut. He could guess what came next from Yoo So-jeong's lips. He quickly looked away.
Jo Kyung-jun was slinking off. He called desperately,
"Kyung-jun! Up for cross-dressing again? I'll buy you drinks after MT!"
"Piss off, you psycho!"
"Aw, why!"
"I did it freshman year! No way in hell!"
No hesitation—an instant no. No point arguing.
Seo Joo-hwan awkwardly smiled at the others instead.
"Guys, let's skip the cross-dressing. Who cares about yangju? I'll buy it later... Hey? Where you going? I signed up for the talent show!"
He resisted fiercely to the end. But someone who'd circled back grabbed his arms from behind. He felt a familiar softness against his back.
"Joo-hwan, give up. We'll make you pretty."
"Jeong Ha-yeon, you!"
"Deok-hoon's hurt. No choice."
"Ha-yeon, just send Deok-hoon. Looks minor now. He said he's fine."
Before he finished, Jang Deok-hoon clutched his ankle and yelled,
"Argh! My leg suddenly— I can't move!"
"You bear?!"
After all that skill use to heal him—betrayed. Before he could complain, Jeong Ha-yeon whispered from behind,
"Just do it. Keep dodging, and I'll spill what happened earlier."
"...What?"
"During the newspaper game..."
"Fine, I'll do it..."
Blackmailing with that? He glared full of grievance, but Jeong Ha-yeon just burst out laughing. She added mischievously,
"I said I'd remember it, right?"
He had heard that. Didn't expect her to use it like this.
*
Seo Joo-hwan sat in a chair, dazed. Something patted and smeared over his face. His face was like a blank canvas now. Dab, smear, pat. Unfamiliar makeup smells enveloped him.
"Oppa, don't touch your face. No grimacing!"
Yoo So-jeong was the most enthusiastic, eyes sparkling like she'd found a fun toy, applying makeup nonstop.
Finally done, the girls handed him a wig and clothes to change into. Even thick padding from somewhere.
"You want me to wear this...?"
Seo Joo-hwan said with despair-filled eyes. His gaze was pitifully droopy. The women in the room felt a pang.
Whoa, what now. Look at his eyes.
Did Joo-hwan oppa always look this good? The makeup?
With makeup-enhanced skin plus Pheromone effects, Seo Joo-hwan had an oddly captivating vibe. His face seemed to glow brighter than usual for a moment.
But it didn't lead to good results.
Deok-hoon would've been a total dude-bro, but Joo-hwan oppa's vibe... Good call switching to cross-dressing him.
Regretted not tailoring clothes. At least Jang Deok-hoon's bigger build meant they fit.
Clueless to the stares, Seo Joo-hwan sighed deeply at the clothes in his hand. He shooed the girls out to change.
As Yoo So-jeong left, she said regretfully,
"Oppa, can you dress alone? I can help..."
"Out! So-jeong, go!"
"What're you plotting alone? Pervert, out!"
Before he could speak, they dragged her away. Alone, Seo Joo-hwan slowly changed. First time in women's clothes, obviously. Padding too.
He struggled for a while, then gripped the doorknob, hesitating before stepping out.
"What? Where'd everyone go?"
Dressed up, and no one around. Then the bathroom door opened—Jeong Ha-yeon emerged, face and hair slightly damp from washing up.
She stared at Seo Joo-hwan in shock. Her eye twitched, face muscles quivering.
"...Pfft!"
Unable to hold it, she covered her mouth, laughing. Eyes trembling, she said,
"Joo-hwan. You changed... pfft... all... heh... changed, yeah. Looks good. Heh."
"...Just laugh already."
His sullen expression triggered her—she clutched her stomach, laughing maniacally.
"Kyahahaha! Oh god, hilarious! What to do! Ahahaha!"
She'd roll on the floor if left alone. Frowning annoyed, he grumbled,
"...Told you to laugh, not overdo it."
"Ahahaha! Aaaah. Hah, heh. Ow, my stomach hurts. Looks good, so funnier. Pfft!"
As Jeong Ha-yeon said, the cross-dressing suited him surprisingly well. Tall, not delicate, but like a model—tough big sis vibe.
Makeup made his face androgynous, hard to peg gender, and Pheromone added unintended sexiness. Enough to make Lucy show negativity first.
Master, I feel strangely bad.... Why is that?
Shut up...
Jeong Ha-yeon laughed a while longer, then scanned him head to toe. Unable to hide her grin, she said,
"Pretty, but the skirt... thighs too thick for calves. Waist slimmer than expected?"
"Can't I just wear pants? Skirt's not my thing."
"Hmm. Yeah, thighs are..."
He wore a black skirt ending mid-thigh, legs fully exposed—embarrassing. More than that, his muscular legs looked gross even to him. Lucky no body hair.
Seemed prepped for Jang Deok-hoon as pure comedy.
"Ah! Got an idea!"
Jeong Ha-yeon rummaged her bag in the corner. Ominous vibe hit; he tried stopping her, but she was faster.
"Here! Wear this!"
"...For real?"
"Totally. Forgot I had it stashed—perfect. Right?"
"Perfect my ass!"
She handed thigh-high black stockings. Furious, he yelled but put them on anyway. Better than bare muscled legs.
"Kyahahaha! You're so pretty! Super sexy, Seo Joo-hwan!"
"......"
"Guys up front will swoon. Pfft!"
"Don't jinx it!"
He recoiled seriously; feeling bad, she stopped laughing. Wiping laugh-tears, she said,
"But seriously, suits you. Cross-dress from now on. Better than guy clothes."
Regret my foot.
She'd tease endlessly. This... the friend he'd wanted? Not crossing lines—jump-rope with them.
"Hey, Jeong Ha-yeon."
"Y-yeah? Hey, what's up. Mad?"
"Whatever. Look at me."
Seo Joo-hwan scowled and leaned close, face-to-face.
"No matter what, this ain't it. Look close. Even with makeup, more androgynous than girly, right?"
"Y-yeah. Back off a bit?"
Face too close, she sounded flustered. Makeup or not, his face screamed guy more. No wig yet, naturally. Even with, generously androgynous. Skin smoothed by makeup looked handsomer too.
Seo Joo-hwan smirked inwardly at her fluster. Her earlobes pinked. Cool exterior, but teasing-prone. He leaned closer on purpose; her face struck him anew.
He stared blankly. Clear gaze made her shrink.
"W-why stare like that?"
"You wiped your makeup?"
"Huh? Oh, right! Hey, face away! I gotta redo it!"
"Why not skip it?"
Tough look was her charm. MT revealed personality—why hide now?
He kept staring silently; she snapped,
"...What? Move."
She shoved his chest. But workout-honed, he didn't budge. Frowning, she said,
"Hey, Seo Joo-hwan. I'm getting mad. Stop messing."
"Not messing."
"...Then what're you doing."
Playfulness vanished from Jeong Ha-yeon's face. Straight gaze locked on his.
"You like me?"
Her cat eyes glared up.
Like her? Heard similar before. Friday, post-incident, smoking area walking her home. He'd dodged, swept by mood.
Now?
Do I like her?
No instant answer. As friend, obviously. As woman... attractive for sure.
Jeong Ha-yeon had killer looks and body anywhere. Full makeup? Prettier than TV stars. Purely physical? Liking her natural.
Personality not prickly. Always snippy, but considerate subtly. Pre-regression, helped often.
"......"
Yet unclear. Liked her, but friend? Romance? Or just instinct for hot girl?
Plus Lust System—confess and date? No good end in sight. Biggest issue.
Jeong Ha-yeon watched silently. Then lowly,
"...Move."
She shoved hard, shin-kicked mid-thigh.
Thwack!
Private-spot precision! Seo Joo-hwan hopped, clutching leg.
"Argh! Hey, that really hurts! Ow!"
Private days flashback-level pain. Sitting, he glared aggrieved.
Jeong Ha-yeon raised fist, fuming.
"Fuck. Keep giving inches, you take miles. Teasing me, Seo Joo-hwan?"
"Agh... wasn't teasing..."
"Shut up! Roll call in 30... shit."
While changing, student council rounded up. Cross-dresser and one helper got extra time—till 30 mins.
Jeong Ha-yeon rushed dressing, urging,
"Get up. We're late."
"You're doing makeup?"
"Whose fault's the time crunch? Shut up and come."
"Yes, noona."
"Noona? Then escort properly."
She giggled out. Tension gone like illusion. He scratched eye, followed.
"Shall we go, ma'am!"
*
Da-an University's Publishing Content department filled the auditorium. Students and profs too.
Meanwhile, Seo Joo-hwan and eight guys waited outside in drag.
Someone among the drag guys cursed at the MC's words.
"Fuck."
Didn't matter who—everyone agreed.