Girls Are Scary
St. Antiope Academy was located in the bustling heart of the city, right along a busy main street. It was still early afternoon, with the warm autumn sunlight wrapping everything in a gentle glow. Vibrant fall leaves fluttered occasionally in the breeze, while shoppers strolled energetically along the avenue. Among them, one group of three female students particularly drew eyes.
"Trust us, Bianca!"
"You're already plenty pretty, but today we're giving you a total makeover!"
Their enthusiasm was off the charts. Emily Swan and Shasha clenched their fists with determination, while Bianca looked utterly flustered.
"Ah, no... I'm really fine as is?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're fine now."
In any case, the first stop for the trio was a famous hair salon in the city.
Ding-a-ling—
The inside of the hair salon felt incredibly busy, more like a wedding venue than a simple beauty parlor. Beneath dazzling chandelier lights gleamed a pristine marble floor, infused with a subtle aroma of herbal scents, and walls lined with mirrors.
Why is everything so fancy...?
Bianca's bewilderment stemmed from nothing special—she'd always gone to a small neighborhood salon.
"Ah, customers! Mind waiting a moment?"
"Sure thing. Let's go wait over there."
There was even a cozy corner with seats and coffee. The three settled in.
"See any hairstyles you like?"
"How about this? It'd suit you perfectly."
Shasha and Emily seemed right at home in places like this.
"What do you think, Bianca...?"
"Uh, yeah?!"
Bianca jumped in surprise. She'd been mesmerized by the many customers getting their hair done, the skilled stylists bustling about.
"Sorry, what'd you say?"
Shasha sighed lightly beside her. "Obviously, we gotta pick a style first, Bianca!"
"Got any you wanna try?"
Truth be told, Bianca didn't care much about hairstyles. Everything felt new and exciting, sure, but hair? Not really.
Still, if we're changing it...
Short hair would be nice. Long hair always felt like it got in the way. Why hadn't she cut it sooner? Well, going to the salon was a hassle.
"Doesn't matter much... but short, maybe?"
But she immediately faced fierce opposition.
"Eek—no way, what a waste!"
"You're serious...?"
Both Emily and Shasha shot it down.
"It'd take forever to grow it back!"
"Yeah, Bianca. You've finally grown it out."
Not like I grew it myself...
The two whispered conspiratorially.
"How about this? We leave it to the director."
"Yeah, sounds good."
Bianca nodded at Emily's suggestion.
Moments later, the salon director approached.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. What'll it be today?"
Apparently, Emily and the director knew each other.
"Ah, sis. Not me today, but..."
"Oh my, how cute!"
"My friend needs a little..."
The director suddenly gushed over Bianca, leaving her flustered. Emily's words didn't help.
Friend?!
But it didn't feel bad. Actually, it felt nice.
Soon, Bianca sat in a chair with her eyes closed. It felt like at least thirty minutes had passed.
I wonder what it'll look like?
Curious, but honestly, she didn't care too much. Not enough to peek.
Whatever. Deep down, something felt oddly off—like her old male self was slipping away? Hard to pin down.
"All done. Open your eyes, miss."
Bianca did. Emily and Shasha stood there, hands over their mouths.
"Whoa, amazing."
"You look totally gorgeous!"
Bianca was speechless too. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Ah..."
What? The mirror showed a far more feminine version of herself. The style hadn't changed drastically, but the vibe was completely different. Wavy curls with a side-up ponytail.
"I trimmed all the split ends too."
"Th-the ponytail...?"
The director smiled at Bianca's question. "You're so cute, I thought it'd amp up the adorableness. Like it?"
Bianca couldn't respond, but Emily and Shasha nodded vigorously.
"Of course she loves it!"
"It's a total hit!"
Her sharp, cute features popped even more. The soft copper-gold hair shimmered under the lights, pulled into that side-up ponytail.
Just a hairstyle can change so much...?
Stunned, Bianca admitted she liked it.
"Suits you perfectly, Bianca."
"Keep it like that from now on."
The two looked pleased.
"Feels so refreshing. You're way prettier now."
Especially Emily's repeated compliments. Bianca started off awkward but warmed up. People really do shine when they dress up, she realized—just a bit.
"So, we're done now, right?"
At her question, they shook their heads.
"Huh? No?"
"We've barely started."
"Wh-what?!"
Bianca froze in panic, but it was true.
"W-wait—!"
In front of a building, her face flushed red.
"Why... this place...?"
The mirrors showcased women's lingerie.
Ugh, what...
She was mortified. But her two partners-in-crime pressed on.
"Listen, Bianca. A girl needs feminine undies, obviously."
"Emily's right. Lingerie completes a woman!"
No, why? Was that common sense?
"Undies can be whatever... comfy ones are fine, right?"
She trailed off timidly.
"No good, this girl."
"How are we gonna handle her..."
They looked serious. Emily suddenly asked Shasha what she was wearing.
"Me?"
Shasha pondered, then grinned mischievously. She glanced around—no one nearby—then whoosh,
"Something like this?"
She pulled her blouse aside slightly.
"Wh-what!"
Bianca panicked; Emily burst out laughing.
"Our innocent Bianca's never seen undies like that, huh?"
A flashy red bra. Bolder than expected.
Shasha... so bold. And...
Bianca nearly got a nosebleed, but her female body held up.
"Mine's similar. Plainer color, though."
Really?! She hadn't expected Emily to agree.
Bianca flustered more.
"See? No character prints. Pick something pretty."
While she hesitated, they entered the shop, beckoning her.
"Hurry up, Bianca."
No choice—she followed into the lingerie store. Beyond the glamorous displays lay a mature woman's world.
"Welcome! Browse freely."
The clerk's friendly voice. Bianca's face burned at the sights. They were shopping for themselves too.
"How's this? Super cute, right?"
"Oh, totally."
Shasha held a lacy bra; Emily approved.
"Bianca, you? How about this?"
"No, that's..."
Too girly?
"I, uh, not really..."
Sweat beaded on her forehead.
Girls are scary. Yeah, really.
The questions kept coming. At Bianca's vague reactions, the two huddled.
"How about this?"
Emily held something even more intense—girly, but embarrassingly so. It wouldn't suit her; she wasn't a real girl.
"Ugh, no."
She just shook her head.
Emily tilted hers. "Too much...? But it's so pretty."
"R-rather..."
Bianca, who'd been eyeing one spot, spoke up.
"Can I pick my own?"
"Ooh, really?"
"Let's do that."
Simple, no characters, subtly feminine. It caught her eye.
"What about... this?"
They nodded slightly.
"A bit plain... but not bad."
"Wanna try it on?"
With their okay(?), before they changed minds, Bianca dashed to the fitting room.
She knew they meant well. Constantly refusing felt hard.
"Whew—"
Alone, she sighed softly.
What is this...?
Her head spun hanging with girls. Draining. Probably 'cause she used to be a guy.
But she reconsidered.
Still, I feel closer to them today...
Especially Emily Swan. Her crush.
If she couldn't avoid it, better enjoy. Well, not enjoy exactly, but no running either. They cared about her.
Right.
Resolved, she undressed. She'd stuck to plain or character undies till now. This was a big step.
Changed, she faced the full-length mirror. Not bad. Embarrassing, but...
It... kinda suits me...?
She had taste too. The pretty sight boosted her mood. Confidence even.
"Bianca, ready?"
Should she show? Women's store, for her sake. She didn't get girl vibes.
After agonizing, she peeked the curtain slightly. They waited outside.
"H-how's it...?"
Emily and Shasha looked like startled squirrels—flustered, shocked. They hadn't expected a show.
"Doesn't suit me...?"
She'd thought it did. Timid now.
"N-no!"
"It suits you great!"
They shook heads wildly.
"You're too cute—that's why!"
"So pretty, Bianca!"
Her face lit up.
"R-really...?"
"Yes, really. Super pretty!"
Especially Emily's praise—Bianca's lips curved up. Thank goodness. Her crush approved.
Of course, a thought crossed her mind.
...Is it okay to like her?
They praised her girl form. But since it was Emily, it felt fine.
Carlyle Schultz's face flashed inexplicably, but she shook it off. Emily was her only one.
Meanwhile, as Bianca bonded with the girls,
Carlyle was watching anime. He'd gotten info from Bianca Shama's junior, that pink-haired kid. Money didn't work, so he confessed sincerely. It was for his senior. No ulterior motives—just wanted to get closer to Bianca.
He even showed his album proudly: heart headband, magic wand on hip. A thrilled Bianca Shama back then. The kid's face went weird.
"So that's why... at the hospital..."
Didn't get it. But stuff like "take responsibility if irreversible," "hate to admit it, but senpai likes you," "telling you 'cause of that."
Anyway, what mattered now was watching anime. On his phone screen, a cute little magical girl bounced around.
Well, better than expected...
Watchable, but he wasn't a kid. Would she love it that much? He'd doubted at first but kept watching.
Because Bianca Shama liked it. Like at Wizni Park—she'd worn a similar headband and wand.
She looked stunning then...
Carlyle thought.
He chuckled at the line. So like her—defiant, pure Bianca Shama. And surprisingly, not boring despite the cheesiness.
What is this...?
Why's it kinda good? Decent time-killer. Unexpectedly enjoyable, especially since Bianca loved it.
Couldn't look away.
And the next day was the class president election.
"I-I'm running!"
"Me too."
Bianca and Carlyle both declared as candidates.