Bittersweet Farewells
Goodbye, Bianca Shama.
After wrapping up her final class as Bianca Shama, Vita headed to the hospital.
"Just two days left, huh?"
The doctor named Rosa smiled warmly, and Vita gave an awkward smile of her own, glancing down at her hands.
"Yeah, time flies..."
Wriggle, wriggle.
For some reason—how to put it?—it still didn't feel real that she was going back. She'd thought it'd be amazing, but there was also this nagging sense that it wasn't quite that simple.
...But this is right.
Going back to her original self. She had never once doubted that.
"Any guy troubles...?"
The sudden question caught Vita completely off guard.
"...What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Your face looked kinda down. But not super serious or anything."
Her face flushed bright red, her movements flustered.
"If not, forget I said anything."
"Ah, no, it's nothing."
Vita sighed inwardly where the doctor couldn't see. Even when Carlyle had left her heart in turmoil, she'd never wavered about returning to being male—to Vita Shama.
It was obvious, really. Her male self was her true identity. She'd lived as a boy her whole life.
Yeah, that's right.
So this was correct. Going back was right. Vita took a deep breath and looked up again.
"Thank you, Doctor!"
She bowed deeply. Her heart felt lighter. It probably would be fine. Definitely.
"Are you... really sure about this?"
"Yeah, why...?"
"Hmm..."
For a moment, the doctor seemed hesitant, like she wanted to say something but thought better of it. She shook her head.
"Nah, never mind. We'll talk later."
"Uh, okay...?"
Vita felt a bit miffed. What, give her a scare and then clam up? It was frustrating to be left hanging like that, but she couldn't exactly grill her doctor.
If anything, she owed the woman. She'd given her the chance to go back to being male.
"How's your physical condition? Any fever, headaches, or other symptoms?"
"Nothing like that."
"Great! Then,"
The doctor clapped her hands.
"Come back the day after tomorrow as planned? We need to check the results after you take the medicine."
"Yes, Doctor."
"See you then."
Vita left the hospital. The doctor's meaningful expression nagged at her a little, but overall, she felt empty. Everything had gone too smoothly.
But good is good, right?
Vita hummed a little tune as she strolled back casually.
"Hmm... hmm hmm..."
Now that the return was really imminent, part of her felt relieved. Honestly, lately things had been... tough, even aside from Carlyle. Back at the academy, realizing it was her last day had hit her funny. But her friends' concern had touched her, too.
Life as Bianca Shama hadn't been half bad, looking back. It was short, but she'd learned new things, adapted to a fresh environment, and grown.
Yeah. So this was enough. Now it was time.
Back home, Vita surveyed her room.
Wonder what I should do...?
Oh, right. She had packing to do for the trip to her family home over the weekend. Vita sorted her stuff. Not much, really—just the women's clothes from her closet. No more awkward skirts or uncomfortable bras after this.
Come to think of it, this is...
Actually pretty great, right? Her mood lifted. Guys had no idea how uncomfortable women's clothes could be.
Though I was one too.
A unique experience.
"All done!"
Packing complete. Definitely refreshing. Vita snapped a photo like she was showing off and sent it to her junior Lou.
A prompt, enthusiastic reply came from Lou.
After replying, Vita hesitated a bit. Her desk mate Shasha had been on her mind. Staring at Shasha's name in her contacts...
Yeah, I should...
Shasha had helped her a ton as her desk mate. A proper goodbye was in order. Texting a farewell after heading to the family home felt too cold.
Vita messaged Shasha first in a while. Surprisingly, a reply shot back almost immediately.
"No way, absolutely...! I'll make time if there isn't any!"
And so, before long, the two sat face-to-face at a pasta place in the city.
"The pasta here's so good...!"
"Oh, really?"
Just like on the school trip, they chatted freely without a hint of awkwardness.
...Good thing we kinda made up back at school.
Not exactly made up, but that tacit vibe.
Vita spoke up.
"Hey, Shasha. You know pasta's super cheap to make, right?"
"Eh, really...?"
"That's why I don't come to places like this much."
"I didn't know."
Vita launched into a rant about how pasta had the worst cost-performance ratio. Shasha fired back.
"Well, still. The atmosphere's nice, right?"
"Hmm, is it?"
"Come on, Bianca... Worrying about value like that? That's guy stuff!"
Vita flinched a little.
"Wh-what... Isn't rational spending just common sense?"
Logic over sentiment! But as she ranted, Shasha pouted.
"Hiiing..."
She was doing it on purpose. Change the subject. Vita knew it but got flustered anyway.
"Ah, hey. No pouting..."
"Wanna talk about something else?!"
Her face flipped to a bright grin in an instant.
There we go.
Even knowing Shasha, Vita couldn't help laughing. The chit-chat that followed was mostly meaningless but fun. They both skirted one topic on purpose. But to shake off the lingering awkwardness, they couldn't dodge it forever.
"Um... hey."
Shasha spoke first.
"Yeah, so..."
A tough expression, an awkward smile. Probably about her, Carlyle, and Emily.
Knowing that, Vita cut in.
"It's all sorted. The thing with Emily and Carlyle."
Mentioning it outright...
"Oh, really...?!"
Shasha's eyes widened, she sighed in relief, then finally smiled.
"Phew, that's great!"
She seemed genuinely thrilled.
"I was so worried. Emily's a precious friend, and you're super precious too... Oh, of course! I feel closer to you since you're my desk mate...!"
"Thanks, Shasha."
But Vita's real point was just starting. For some reason, her chest tightened, but she smiled and said it.
"Hey, Shasha. Thanks for being my desk mate."
"Uh, yeah...?"
It came out of nowhere, leaving even Shasha flustered.
"Thanks for approaching me first, always talking to me. It meant a lot. I think my shy self changed a bit because of it..."
Vita meant every word. Meeting Shasha Noah, pairing with such a lively girl—it felt like her personality had shifted.
Shasha squirmed.
"What, no big deal... You don't have to say it like that and embarrass me all sudden..."
This was the real point.
"...Hey, Shasha. I'm going far away soon. Might not see you again."
"What do you...?"
Shasha's face hardened.
"Once I go back to the family home this time, I probably won't come back."
Vita forced a smile.
"My brother will return instead. I'm switching back. Something like that."
"Wait, hold on... I don't get it at all?"
Shasha looked utterly confused.
"What're you saying?"
"...Exactly what I said."
Vita couldn't explain. Suddenly, she felt an emotion welling up from deep in her chest.
"Family stuff. I'll have to stay there from now on. Luckily, my brother's better, so he'll come to school..."
Shasha had become precious in that short time, too. But she couldn't reveal the truth.
Yeah. She couldn't say Bianca Shama had always been Vita Shama.
Emily was a special case. Even telling her had hurt Vita.
Sorry, Shasha...!
So she couldn't.
"I... can't tell you the details."
Vita squeezed her eyes shut.
"...It was short, but thanks for being friends."
I liked being your friend.
Hearing the farewell sank it in for Shasha. Tears welled in her eyes.
"...Why so sudden."
By the time Vita snapped out of it, she was comforting a bawling Shasha.
"Don't gooo... Bianca. At least tell me why..."
"...I can't help it."
Vita soothed her, then hugged her tight. Overwhelmed, she started crying too.
They somehow wrapped things up eventually.
Caving to Shasha's insistence, Vita promised regular contact. After calming down, they made that pact.
Will Bianca Shama and Shasha ever meet again...?
Probably not. That's what Vita thought.
But this much...
Yeah. It might be okay. She couldn't refuse her friend's desperate plea to stay in touch.
Time as Bianca Shama had been precious in its own way. Saying goodbye to her desk mate made Vita fully realize it.
So precious it hurt. Her chest ached.
Why...
Tears pricked her eyes now. It had been that precious.
Carlyle Schultz had been utterly desperate these past few days. Somehow, he had to save it. Seize a chance to win back Bianca Shama's heart.
No one would hand him that chance—he had to make it himself.
Luckily, Carlyle had a pretext.
Yeah, the bet! He'd made a bet with Bianca Shama.
He recalled that moment.
Carlyle had said it himself. Asked for one chance. The deadline wasn't up yet—Sunday, the end of the weekend.
And how had Bianca responded? She'd accepted. Said she'd take the bet seriously too.
A girl who's dead serious about bets.
She obsessed over competition like no one else, so Carlyle planned to use that as his in.
The bet wasn't over. Bianca, you have to play along with our bet. You promised me a chance—you have to keep it.
If I bring up the bet, you can't ignore it.
That's how she was. Weak to promises. Couldn't turn away from full sincerity.
Bianca Shama couldn't run from this bet. Carlyle would make sure of it.
So he desperately kept scheming. How to win her heart by Sunday, the bet day. He had no clue why she was running, but he'd grab her anyway.
"I'll take this one."
"Oh, really? It's pretty pricey..."
Didn't matter. Carlyle shelled out two months' bar wages for a necklace.
He'd given her a ring already—as a souvenir from the gentlemen's club on the school trip. Wanting to give something else, he picked a necklace.
One with an amethyst matching Bianca Shama's pretty purple eyes. It'd suit her perfectly.
Imagining her wearing the necklace he'd given her, Carlyle smiled faintly.
Few women hated jewelry. She had to like it. Boost his odds.
Carlyle had even booked a fancy restaurant for "confession day."
...Great atmosphere. If I can just get her there once.
Use the bet as an excuse—dinner at least. Propose over the meal.
Carlyle didn't know other ways to woo a girl. Never tried before.
But now was different. For Bianca Shama's heart.
He was trying. He'd even written stacks of letters. Too many to list. One a day at the academy cafe, one before bed.
To seem sincere. And what else might she like? Parfait, definitely. Anime for sure.
Especially magical girl stuff...
Yeah. He'd bought up merch like crazy. Magical girl souvenirs galore.
This was Carlyle pulling out all the stops. Call him an idiot, reckless—fine. No clear path? He wouldn't quit. Even with absurd methods.
He just wanted to hold onto her.
Ding.
As Carlyle left the store with the necklace, a message came in.
What the...?
First shock. Then panic. Finally, a dizzying haze.
How'd she get his number? The long message was hard to believe even reading it.
Bianca Shama was leaving forever. Even said goodbye to her desk mate.
Unbelievable. Why? Carlyle Schultz had no idea Bianca was leaving.
His vision blurred, his footing unsteady. He barely stopped himself from rushing to her.
Of all days. That day? Why? Bianca leaving? Far away? Why?
Everything unclear, like drowning in the deep sea.
Carlyle couldn't comprehend.
Why the hell...?
What circumstances? His heart ached pointlessly. One fact clear amid the ignorance.
Bianca, I... I need you. No one else.
Only her. He had to hold on. Veins bulged on his fists long ago.
Breath caught. Hard to breathe.
How could he let go of the one he'd found? Carlyle couldn't send her away.
No idea if she was running from him or something else. Selfish or not, he wanted her.
At least try...
He wanted to try. They'd bet. It wasn't over.
So Carlyle Schultz—
What should I do...?
Racking his brain, he thought of someone. Yeah, that guy. The pink-haired one might know when and how Bianca planned to leave.