Prologue: I Must Win This Time...!
That was the only thought from the very start. I must win this time...! But this time was no different.
"Winner, Carlyle—!"
Vita had lost again. In the captain's match, representing the dorm. The event was kendo—the final one among many. She didn't need to look to know. Unlike the opponent's cheering section, a mix of cheers and jeers, her own behind her had fallen silent in disappointment.
...I was just careless.
Vita bit her lip. Defeat wasn't a word in her dictionary. But how many losses was this now? Her head spun.
...No, no way.
I couldn't have lost. This can't be real. My talent that I've always believed in couldn't be that of an ordinary person.
Get up, try again. She kept telling herself that, but her body wouldn't listen. In the end, Vita collapsed.
"I held back quite a bit, you know."
That guy's voice rang out. Vita ground her teeth.
Damn that bastard.
Acting all smug like that. Strutting around after getting lucky once. Wait, not just once? Damn it, screw this!
Vita was just furious. A loser had nothing to say, after all.
Vita Shama's life so far had been a road of unbroken success.
"Vita took first place again?"
"It's cheating, for real."
"That's why Reindeer Dorm always wins."
Vita's dorm was Reindeer, with its deer emblem. And last year's evaluation? They'd claimed comprehensive first place. Vita's pride swelled.
Yeah, that's right. Praise me more!
She had the skills to back it up! What could she do about being so talented? A model student with impeccable conduct, and great at sports too. Talent, effort, and an innate competitive spirit all combined—and the biggest factor was definitely that drive to win.
I can't accept it—rematch!
Ever since childhood, Vita hated losing with a passion. She couldn't stand even losing a casual bet. Every match ended with her victory.
Urgh, I won.
What? Rematch! I gave you one!
Yeah, no.
Sometimes that competitive streak came off as childish. But Vita's obsession with winning stemmed from one aspiration.
The epitome of cuteness, Vita.
That nickname from childhood was a deep trauma.
Eh, you're a boy?
You're not a girl after all.
Ugh... no, I'm not!
Always nicknames tied to being cute. Her build was a bit small, and her looks were actually adorable. Plus her pure personality—it happened a lot. So Vita had always yearned for masculinity, in a way.
Look down on me for being small, and I'll crush your nose!
Better to be a macho than seem girly. So her worldview was set: True "manliness" meant never yielding to anyone. Never backing down. Crying only three times in a lifetime, and her ideal romance was pure, unwavering devotion to one woman! Yeah, that was it. Vita was a proper man. With a fierce competitive spirit.
That drive, and the endless drive for self-improvement it spawned, had led Vita Shama here—to St. Antiope Academy, where the best talents gathered.
And Vita had always taken first place. Pretty much. Until last year, for sure. Then one transfer student arrived, and everything changed.
"Winner, Carlyle—!"
"Carlyle wins—!"
No, again?
"First place goes to Carlyle again."
Swimming, kendo, ball sports, written exams. Vita lost in every category. Eternal runner-up.
No, this can't be...
Vita's head spun so badly she could barely think straight. Always first: that guy. Second: her. Shame kept her waking up at night, trembling.
Please, just stop—!
That growing inferiority complex ignited by one incident a month ago.
I, I like you—!
Vita had confessed to her longtime crush. The academy's flower, Emily Swan.
Um... sorry.
And got shot down immediately.
My type is someone a bit more manly...
Crack—
Those words struck at Vita's long-held complex and pride. And after Emily dumped her, rumors flew that she liked that transfer student, Carlyle Schultz. Vita was so mad she took to her bed.
...Damn that guy. Stealing my Emily.
He was the one at fault anyway. Emily was pure; he'd probably gaslit her. Carlyle everywhere—class, everywhere. Unbearable. As a member of the academy's morale committee, she clashed often with his free spirit, so she found her excuse.
—Don't you know sneaking out at night is banned?
—Huh, didn't know.
—You're hopeless. No badges—let's fight.
—......?
Eventually, fed-up Carlyle gave in to Vita's nagging and accepted the duel. One week later.
This time, I win!
Vita burned with resolve. She secluded herself in intense training. Used every means to win. Even got some mystery drug. Supposed to boost stamina temporarily.
Is this okay for a morale officer?
...I'm so pathetic.
But she was desperate. Even a cheat like this—to beat him just once. That very night, Vita swallowed the pill. If no effect, fine. If there was, bonus.
Still, it'd be nice if it worked...
This time for sure! She'd beat him.
This time, you—!
As Vita closed her eyes, a strange sensation washed over her. Expectation swelled.
Ahh...
Could this chill be...? The mystery drug's effect? An unfamiliar, eerie feeling from her upper body. Itchy, Vita opened her eyes.
And her thoughts froze. She doubted her eyes.
"...?"
Confirming the reality, Vita was speechless.
What the hell? Something had gone terribly wrong—her mind went blank.
St. Antiope Academy. This school, with its long history and prestige, was an elite haven—a high school brimming with romance.
Autumn, leaves carpeting the ground. Around this time every year, new students swarmed the area. Amid the crimson foliage, excited teens followed their guide.
"The academy's huge, right?"
"Yes, senior!"
"I like your loud voice. St. Antiope Academy receives generous support from top institutions, so..."
It cultivates exceptional talents excelling in intellect, virtue, and athletics. Vita nodded at the guide's explanation.
Ah, those were the days.
She knew that thrill and pride well. She'd been a guide herself last fall. Her term as morale officer had just ended too. Few knew the academy like she did.
But right now, something else mattered more. The situation was a total mess.
Vita huddled by the roadside. Her face burned for no reason.
So embarrassing.
Her outfit felt awkward for sure. Even as a guy, she'd been smaller than average—but now even tinier. The hoodie hung loose, oversized. Black sunglasses hid her eyes. Suspicious as hell.
So the new students spotting her and whispering? Not surprising. Of course, Vita felt unjustly close to tears. There was a reason for this getup!
Yeah. She'd turned into a girl.
Unbelievable, absurd—but true. First seeing herself, she was dumbfounded.
Wh-what...?
Even then, Vita lost herself for a moment.
Is this... me...?
Honestly, it felt like meeting her first love. If only the girl in the mirror wasn't her.
Cascading light golden hair, amethyst eyes like jewels, flawless porcelain skin. Cherry lips, plump and moist. Cute, pretty. A total knockout! Petite build—under 160cm, probably. Well, round up if needed. Vita couldn't tolerate "small."
Whatever. Pretty was pretty.
"What the hell is this?"
Vita stared blankly, then irritation surged. What kind of drug was that? But this was St. Antiope. With diverse students, the teachers were all top-notch. So she went to her friendly school nurse for a checkup.
An awkward silence followed.
"Hmm... well. Physically, you're completely female now?"
Vita panicked.
"What? No way..."
No way at all. Something was seriously wrong. Sure, she looked female now—but a perfectly healthy woman, no issues? Vita was floored, speechless.