Vowing Revenge the Night Before the New Semester
The night before classes began, Vita vowed to get her revenge no matter what. For the first time in a while, she called her parents on the magiphone. Ever since meeting Carlyle, her heart had been all aflutter for no good reason, leaving her sitting there in a daze—right when thoughts of her family crossed her mind.
"My child! What's this about? Oh, look at me—now I have to say daughter…"
The magiphone's video call feature let them see each other even when apart. Soon enough, her mother's smiling face filled Vita's screen.
"Classes start tomorrow," Vita replied awkwardly with a grin.
"Have you gotten a little used to it?"
She meant the woman's body, of course.
"…Yeah, sort of."
At least for trips to the bathroom.
"Anyway, Vita. Now that you're a girl, be mindful of how you carry yourself. You're not in a tough spot right now, are you?"
"Don't worry, Mom."
She wasn't adjusted at all, but she wasn't so immature as to worry her parents.
Both parents happened to be together, it seemed.
"Did the procedures go smoothly?"
Vita nodded at her stern father's expression.
"Yes, of course. Thank you for taking care of it."
"It must be confusing after recent events, but this is your final semester—finish it strong."
"Yes, Father."
"Then I'll hang up."
Always so curt. Maximilian Shama was ever the strict father.
As Vita went to end the call, her mother chimed in.
"Hey, dear. Is that all you have to say?"
The two bickered playfully.
"You were fretting over the strangest things at dinner earlier."
"What are you talking about?"
Laughter followed, then her mother's voice again.
"Anyway, Vita. Always be careful—your father says all men are wolves…"
Beep-beep. The call ended abruptly.
"What… was that?"
Vita set down the magiphone in bewilderment, but it didn't feel bad. Her parents seemed to be doing well, at least.
I must've misheard. Dad worrying about that…?
Anyway, classes started tomorrow.
"Haa—hate it."
Vita packed her things, lost in thoughts—especially about Carlyle—kicking at her blankets over and over until sleep finally claimed her.
And so, opening day arrived. For Vita Shama, it should've been a good day. St. Antiope Academy ran on semesters, and this was her final one out of six. A meaningful day, but her expression was stiff right now.
Put it on, take it off. Lift it up, drop it. Getting into women's underwear took forever.
It was seriously awkward. Uncomfortable, too.
But the real problem was the academy uniform.
"Hah, this sucks…"
Go out looking like this? It was a new semester, after all. First time meeting her new class and friends, and she was stuck in this outfit.
Of course, it was only natural for her current body. But the psychological resistance was unavoidable.
With a deep sigh, Vita steeled herself.
"Fine, whatever! Can't skip wearing it."
She had to go to the academy. Wearing the boys' uniform now would look even weirder.
Pumped up, Vita slipped into the uniform and froze before the mirror, momentarily speechless.
This is… um…
It suited her, but prettier than expected. White frilly blouse with a neat black ribbon. Sleek navy checkered skirt from the waist to above the knees. Thin black cardigan, white knee socks.
This was the spring-and-fall uniform for St. Antiope's girls!
Vita wondered idly.
If I'd been a girl all along…
Would she have just enjoyed this moment? It was pretty, after all.
She spun around playfully. Twirl—
"…Cute. For real."
Ahem. Aesthetic satisfaction was universal, right?
"Guess that's why they say the rack matters."
It was her body now, but Vita felt a twinge of regret. A girlfriend like this would've been nice.
Feeling better, she glanced at the clock and jolted.
Gah—crap!
She'd spent so long agonizing over the clothes that she was super late.
Glancing around, Vita shoved a slice of bread in her mouth and bolted from the room.
Her dorm was near the academy, so she reached the gates quickly. A chill prickled her skin. The peaceful, quiet surroundings confirmed it: big trouble.
First class of the final semester. New teacher, new friends—she sprinted full tilt, heart pounding.
I'm late, totally…!
Thud—
She rounded the hallway corner and crashed into someone.
"Ow, ouch…"
Her butt throbbed from the hard impact. Rubbing it, Vita groaned. A total wipeout.
"Who runs in the hallway like—"
The other person stopped mid-sentence.
"Bianca… Shama?"
A displeased voice. None other than Carlyle Schultz.
Not the most welcome face lately, but one Vita kept bumping into. Yesterday's encounter soured her expression.
"Get up. You okay?"
Even to his concern, she snapped back.
"Buzz off, mind your own business?"
He pressed anyway.
"Let me see if you're hurt."
"I said I'm fine."
But as she spoke—
"Ow—ah—"
She winced at the pain in her butt.
"You are hurt."
Carlyle had knelt in front of her. Vita tried to deny it, but groans escaped against her will. Standing up only made her collapse again.
"Ah, ugh…"
This really hurt.
"Sorry I couldn't catch you."
An out-of-left-field apology. Had he had a bad breakfast?
As Vita hesitated on how to respond, Carlyle's large hand reached toward her face.
She turned away instinctively, but it was futile.
Swipe—
A long finger brushed near her moist pink lips. Vita blanked out, frozen—what just happened?
"You had crumbs here."
A bit of bread on his fingertip. Then Carlyle popped it into his mouth, and Vita's brain short-circuited.
Wh-what the hell…!
Indignation, absurdity—her face burned hot.
"What the heck are you doing?!"
"Why are you such a slob, like a total girl?"
His non-sequitur scolding hit her.
Vita fired back.
"Unbelievable. Who hit who?"
"Usually, the runner's at fault."
She knew that. Technically, she was running. But hunting for excuses, she caught Carlyle chuckling.
"Why not finish the bread still in your mouth?"
Only then did Vita remember. She'd been eating bread, right? It flew out on impact, but remnants lingered…
Did some spray out while talking…?
Mortified, she chewed and swallowed the rest hastily.
Ugh, embarrassing.
Of all people, in front of Carlyle Schultz.
Puffing her cheeks, she glared while swallowing. Carlyle thought anew how pretty the girl before him was.
Slim, delicate calves in pure white knee socks. Crisp white frilly blouse, sleek navy skirt. Even her disheveled cardigan looked alluring.
He didn't want others seeing her. Wanted to hide her away for himself.
But more pressing matters first.
"Hop on. Here."
Carlyle offered his back readily.
"What, why?"
Anticipating her tsundere act, he hit the nail on the head.
"Or sit there forever. Skip class, then."
"What about you?!"
"This is my daily routine."
He shrugged, leaving Vita speechless. Admitting to being a delinquent so boldly?
"So. Hop on? Unless you wanna be late."
Ridiculous. Why ride him?
Vita had zero intention, not budging.
"…Do what you want."
Surprisingly, Carlyle stood.
"Staying put wouldn't be so bad?"
He continued.
"Transfer student misses first class with a butt injury. Sounds juicy. Everyone'll gossip, tear you apart, have a field day…"
Her face paled with each word.
"Bad first impression with the homeroom teacher, too. But if you like that, oh well."
And he started walking away. Really leaving!
Everything he said rang true. Anxious, Vita finally yelled.
"F-fine—!"
Carlyle's steps halted.
The quiet hallway felt serene. Tardiness forgotten.
Other thoughts. Other thoughts.
Vita chanted it inwardly dozens of times. She tried ignoring the hands on her butt, but failed. Was she a pervert?
Pathetic.
"Put me down already?"
She snapped gruffly on purpose. A flat reply came.
"Can you walk?"
"Hah—seriously."
He knew she couldn't, huh?
"Almost there. Hang in a bit longer, even if it hurts."
She'd heard that concern several times now. Carlyle Schultz was impossible to pin down.
Why pretend to care? The crash was mutual fault. He had some conscience, at least—helping out now.
Vita felt awkward snapping at him anymore.
Whatever his deal.
She didn't speak to him. No idea if he knew her class.
Irritating to even talk, but Carlyle headed straight for it naturally.
Does he… know?
Unsure if he did or was guessing, Vita stayed silent.
Soon, they reached the classroom.
Surprising he knew, but Vita assumed he'd set her down.
Slide—
No time to stop him—the door flew open with a bang. Eyes turned their way instantly.
"……!"
Vita's vision went dark. This lunatic had caused a scene.
"Huh, who's that…?"
"It's Carlyle, teacher."
He greeted the teacher casually.
"Ah, Carlyle! I was just calling roll—wondered where you were…"
Damn it all. Same class? Worse, Vita wanted to die right now. Her disheveled state, carried in by a guy.
Don't look. Just die like this.
She hid desperately behind his back.
"…And who's behind you?"
Couldn't ignore the teacher. After agonizing, Vita raised her head.
"…Bianca, teacher."
"Ah, Bianca! You too— I noticed you weren't here for roll call. So, what's this about…?"
The kind teacher's face froze, trying to process. Classmates' stares were no different.
Revenge. Definitely.
Vita loathed Carlyle to death. She'd get him back, no question. It was all she'd thought about forever.
And then Carlyle spoke to the homeroom teacher.