Burn Brightly, O Love of Youth 2
Even crossdressing to snag a boyfriend was a stretch? Fine, a girlfriend it would be. Revo's tear-jerking devotion to Beatus was more than enough to stir his friends' hearts. And even without that, they just looked way too good together—enough to fool anyone into thinking they were a real couple.
Meanwhile, Zeke was so pissed off about having smaller boobs than some crossdressing dude that she tried to stab Revo with her centipede tail—only for Kali to scoop up Wiyu and use her as a shield.
At any rate, entering the Suin Road Race and clinching a flashy win seemed like it could be a solid plan(?). Probably. Maybe.
But still, shouldn't they try something else too? Wiyu crossed her arms, pondering for a moment—until Zeke shot her arm up with a triumphant shout.
"How about school idols?! Idols are guaranteed to be super popular!"
"The top student's scary as hell..."
"She's not the top student, she's the valedictorian..."
Did you come to the café just to sip coffee...? Without even glancing our way, she launched into how idols were like stars in the sky—shining bright with dreams, striving for everyone, not just out to capture girls' hearts. If you're doing it just to charm one girl, your mindset's already flawed, she grumbled. God, why so picky? Idols and Vtubers alike were all desperate hustlers—what was so funny about that? She ranted on for a good while.
"Studies stressing her out, huh?"
"She's heartbroken 'cause she can't reach Tendo. Got his number? I'll pass it on."
"Nope."
"You're his freaking childhood friend. Don't bullshit me."
"No, really, I don't..."
With the world's dumbest look, she scratched her head claiming she didn't have Tendo's contact. Orochi blinked in disbelief.
This guy's too good for the boys' side... But more importantly, who doesn't carry a phone in this day and age? Witches didn't vibe with tech anyway, and handing one to a male witch? Disaster waiting to happen. Orochi held her tongue.
Here, at least, she could spin it positive—no way for her rival Wiyu to contact him either.
"Nah, I talk to him every single day."
"Share the method!!!"
"...Mirror?"
Orochi kicked Wiyu's shin in rage, only for her toe to shatter with a crack as she tumbled rolling away. That was modern youth for you—desperate enough for love to go this far. And stepping up for a friend's love, no rewards asked? That was "bro code."
"First off, does Beatus even like Revo?"
"Yeah, definitely. Oh, and it's just Revo, right? Everyone's tacking on '-kun' like it's obvious."
Beatus was a kid shunned hard for being a goat suin—a species that didn't even exist in this world. Straight-up livestock genes from real goats, basically classified as farm animals. But with succubus/incubus blood, she scraped by as half-sentient. She'd nearly gained rights like No.1 once. Ostracized by her own kind, glared at with disgust everywhere she went. Kali recalled Beatus's academy days: she'd lock eyes and snarl like, Fight me?! Total feral vibes back then—like she might actually snap.
These days, everyone at the academy was grown-up enough to know discriminating over birth was wrong. Beatus had loosened up. But still, like a hedgehog with quills up, she kept her distance.
Then there was this one boy who saw her purely as "Beatus the person," no judgments.
Worried she'd burn out studying? He'd whip up fatigue potions as gifts. Exam grind wearing her down? Skincare and hair products incoming. Sparring or dungeon dives? Healing potions for safety.
Clueless on how to confess, Revo poured his unstoppable feelings into what he did best: alchemy.
Of course, Kali—Beatus's longtime friend—could tell the girl's gaze had shifted past fondness into something deeper.
"She doesn't toss back his gifts, even the weird ones, and they've started chatting a bit."
The girls swapped stories on how Revo and Beatus usually interacted.
"He hits the café a lot, buys her drinks to boost sales," said Wiyu, who handled shifts there. She remembered Revo staring longingly at Beatus's back while she mixed drinks, peeking nervously.
"And in herbology or potion-making class, he shares his notes," added another. He never asked to teach—just sidled up shyly during study time, handing them over in that cute voice.
Orochi had caught him sneaking peeks at Beatus's books in the library, killing his presence like a total dork. Adorably so—she'd wanted to pinch his cheeks. Beatus was oblivious, but Orochi giggled.
"Even if that's not enough, crossdressing for love? That's some serious resolve," nailed Ephemera, sipping iced Americano from the outer god.
Everyone turned where she pointed. There sat a boy whose soul had fled—realizing his classmates knew everything. His unfocused eyes stared into void. Pitiful.
"Yeah, I get it... The weight of true love..."
Bukureshti grinned, face blooming with smiles at this pure, heart-pounding unicorn romance.
A guy ready to offer his virginity(?) for a dual-sex love? Unicorn goals. She'd never dreamed of such devotion—now she was bursting to help her junior.
""
"Gahk!"
"Revo! Don't die!"
"Nah, just die easy. I'll revive you."
"You and your familiar are both total psychos!!"
Wiyu smirked, getting comfy with resurrections lately. Bukureshti punched her face.
Zero damage. Wiyu just grinned wider.
""
"Keep talking demon shit and I'll smite you with 109 gods' power!"
Senior's divine fist nailed Grand Duke and Wiyu, launching them into the wall and out of the academy.
Tough nuts—no one worried. They just chugged drinks from the outer god.
"So, what's the Road Race prize?"
Wiyu poked her head from the busted wall, asking Kali.
"Musical instrument. Beatus loves playing."
"Ah, should've kept the one I made instead of releasing it."
"...Releasing?"
Releasing an instrument? Kali bit her tongue—instinct screamed don't ask.
They signed Revo up, planned a group cheer sesh with Beatus on a day off. Soon, race day.
"...Still bugs me what 'releasing the instrument' means."
"Better not know. Sincere advice—heed it."
Great Sword Dunce gave Kali dead-serious counsel. Seeing her pale face—like she'd witnessed forbidden horrors—Kali sighed in resignation.
"Hey, Revo, we're here cheering. Why's Great Sword Dunce here?"
Beatus, clueless why Revo entered, asked her.
She pointed at a horse suin on the starting line.
"To meet Grim Ponaineight from Kashiro Academy—heroes only! Born with Constellation Skill: Baphomet Weapon, summons true hero swords. Personality's arrogant as hell, though."
"Didn't need that last bit."
"..."
Just here for heroes, huh, you otaku? Beatus regretted not entering—suin-only event. She waved at crossdressing Revo anyway. No clue why, but he looked cute—no prying. Tastes deserve respect, and succubi rocked worse.
"Gulp."
At the line, Revo swallowed hard under Beatus's cheers, scanning nervously. Total powerhouses everywhere—confidence plummeting. Lose bad, and she'd be disappointed?
"Lovely lady, no need to tense up. I'll protect you, top dog of Radamu Red Suns, Yuunryong!"
"Uh, no, that's..."
Plus, this horse suin mistook his crossdress for real and was hitting on him. Mind breaking.
Senior smacked his back.
"...I'm a unicorn. Purity's my jam. That future you saw? Pure love's fruit."
"..."
"So."
If you're charging for the girl you love, shake off fear with resolve. Race on instinct—horse suin pride.
Revo etched her words, crouched. Short skirt hiked, thighs bare—male suins' eyes locked.
Signal flare!
Then "attacks" flew. No rule against interference meant fair game.
Pluwitch Academy was info-poor on events like this—prestige high, so sabotage common. Like Wiyu's tamer exam.
They skipped "lady" Revo, blasting other Pluwitch kids instead.
"Don't underestimate me!! I'm a cleric!!!"
Bukureshti tanked hits, spamming divine magic nonstop.
Yuunryong, still flirting, hurled fireballs.
Witches varied by type. Hearing entry conditions fit, Wiyu signed up for free points like an idiot.
Dumb face, missed the start—suin beatdown gang-up.
But weathering the storm on bulk alone, her stomach growled. Fiery blasts smelled like tasty barbecue. Hunger hit.
A mumble: "Hungry..."
Witchcraft gut rumbled loud.
—No "cannibalism ban" in rules. Players knew.
She'd totally eat 'em. Unicorn senior bolted first, no look back. Revo followed. Yuunryong fled for life.
Horse instincts? Dodging predators max speed.
"Nom nom."
Wiyu licked lips, plotting post-race eats, then dashed. Lagging meant no eat, but terror-screams anyway.
""
Will she ever get love? If she does, scary. Change shook his head.