That Evening's Story - Epilogue Prologue
After their hearts had finally connected, the two of them still couldn't bear to part ways. They just wandered the streets together, spinning in lazy circles—though neither had any idea why.
Holding hands, the pair strolled along. Parting right away felt too regrettable, and none of it felt quite real yet. Under the crisp autumn evening air and the ruddy glow of the streetlights that had flickered on, they walked the main avenue side by side. With each step, their hearts gradually settled.
Me... with Carlyle...
Right now, I'm with Bianca...
It was their confession day—a milestone in its own right. And here they were, spending the evening together. It was unbelievable, but not at all strange. Just days ago, this reality had been unimaginable.
To truly grasp it, they probably needed to keep walking like this a little longer, feeling each other's presence. It didn't feel bad at all, did it?
Looking back, the day had been packed with so many events that even sorting through them felt overwhelming. After a few kisses, they simply held hands and walked in silence.
Even just like this, a fuzzy sense of fulfillment welled up inside them.
"So... what are we even doing?" Vita suddenly piped up, giggling.
"Beats me," Carlyle replied with a smirk. Truth be told, neither knew.
As he gently stroked the hand in his, Carlyle lost himself in thought. Parting felt regrettable, but they had nowhere to go.
Of course, I could go to Bianca's place...
He knew exactly where that would lead. They'd go in, embrace, kiss... and with no one around, just the two of them, they might get swept up in the moment and spend some intimate time together after so long apart.
He didn't hate the idea. But for some reason, not tonight.
Yeah, right now—in this exact moment—he just wanted to stay like this. Holding hands, walking the streets, reaffirming each other's existence. This emotional connection felt precious.
No more, no less.
...Just like this, for now.
Yeah, this was enough. It felt full, complete.
Sorting his thoughts, Carlyle paused his steps. The air had turned a bit chilly.
"Not cold, are you, Bianca?"
He turned to her, lowering his frame slightly and fastening her collar. His coat was too big anyway—he'd bought her a cardigan earlier. Bianca Shama, now wearing it, nodded ever so slowly.
"...Not cold at all."
She glanced away briefly, cheeks puffed out at his gesture.
"What am I, a kid...?"
Despite her words, her ears had turned a faint pink. Carlyle chuckled.
"You're not a kid."
She shot him a look that said then what am I? So he answered.
"...You're my partner."
Her tiny face flushed deeper, like a ripening tomato.
"W-what? My partner in class is Shasha!"
"Not that schoolyard stuff. Partners in life."
Her face looked ready to burst now. But Bianca Shama was a master at playing coy.
"Wh-who said you could...?"
All her reactions so far screamed permission, but Carlyle just laughed.
"Guess I need to do better, then."
That was surely the answer she wanted. He took her small hand again.
Carlyle and Bianca—the pair matched their strides, walking slowly, leisurely.
How long had they gone on like that? Eventually, Carlyle grew concerned for her.
"Wanna rest nearby for a bit?"
Walking was nice, but tiring after all.
"Yeah."
Vita nodded slowly. They sat lightly on a nearby bench.
Silence lingered—not awkward, but comfortable. No words needed; their hands stayed clasped tight.
Then Carlyle remembered something unfinished. Curiosity was inevitable.
"Hey, Bianca."
He spoke up, wrapping her small, delicate hand in his. Even in the dark, he could see her cute little flinch.
But she met his gaze soon enough.
"Yeah...?"
Her amethyst eyes shimmered. Under the streetlight, her long auburn waves caught the light in natural hues. A few strands clung to her lips.
Carlyle's hand moved toward those cherry lips. He brushed the strands aside with his long fingers—and her face ignited.
"Wh-what...!"
Yet she didn't pull away anymore. Her eyes fixed solely on him, no turning, no words.
"Ngh..."
Just a strange little noise from her lips. Right now, Bianca Shama was simply accepting him.
Confirming that once more, Carlyle finally asked.
Under the streetlight, on a bench in some alleyway, Carlyle spoke.
"About those rumors."
Truth was, he'd been wondering about it all along. Hadn't the rumors spread? About that incident with his ex-girlfriend.
It could shake Bianca Shama's view of him—in a bad way.
And it wasn't just rumors. She'd likely learned of his flashy history with women too.
But you...
Bianca Shama hadn't wavered once. Not from the start. She'd trusted him, known his past, and never been disappointed.
Or maybe she had been, but her feelings outweighed it. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here now.
"...Why didn't you doubt me?"
At his question, Vita tilted her head.
The rumors? "Why would I doubt you...?"
It was so obvious, no second-guessing needed.
"You're not that kind of guy. You wouldn't."
Her firm answer left Carlyle stunned. Unshakable trust laced her words.
Vita propped her chin on her hand.
"Surprisingly, you're more diligent than you look."
"In what way...?"
He asked eagerly, like a kid craving validation. Vita's eyes widened in surprise, then she burst out laughing despite herself.
What to say? Yeah, sure...
"You look like a playboy, but you're surprisingly wholesome. Decent, even."
"Me... decent?"
Even Carlyle had never thought of himself that way.
"Obviously."
Vita nodded, smirking mischievously as she added, "Besides, you don't have the guts for that. And if something did happen, you'd own up to it."
Come to think of it, Carlyle always used protection—without Vita even asking.
"What's your basis for that...?"
No real answer for that. So Vita shrugged.
"Dunno, just a feeling?"
That was it, really. No concrete proof, just her experience with him.
"I know you well enough. I trusted you, Carlyle."
She flashed a grin.
Thinking about it... "Others might not get it, but I know you're a good guy."
Rivals were like that—rating each other highest, bound close. Their relationship had shifted a bit now, but Vita still saw Carlyle Schultz as her rival.
A lame rival would drag her down too.
With a smile, she said, "So have some confidence. You're a good guy...!"
Carlyle felt his heart stir. It pounded harder, genuinely.
She wasn't family, just another person. Yet she trusted him completely—maybe even more than he trusted himself.
...
He felt worthwhile, like he had someone in his corner. Bianca Shama was the first to give him that.
He pulled her into his arms.
"...We should get married, after all."
She panicked. "Wh-why so sudden...? Why jump there...?"
But he meant it.
"Let's build a family together."
"Y-you lunatic...!"
Maybe the words carried heavy implications. Vita's tiny fist thudded into his side.
Still, Carlyle just chuckled. "What, don't you want to? I do."
"Not with anyone but you."
He kept insisting, nuzzling into her slender neck like a sulky child.
"...I love you, Bianca."
At those words, Vita's face turned tomato-red.
Ah, no...
She didn't know what to do. But passersby were nearby, so embarrassment hit. She smacked his back.
"O-okay, just... back off a little...!"
"Promise me first."
The shameless reply came low, right by her ear.
"Or... pat my head or something."
"Wh-what...?"
Vita thought she'd misheard. What was he, a toddler? But she remembered how good it felt when he did it to her.
Reluctantly, she gave in, stroking his head like a mom soothing her kid. A big guy like him making such a ridiculous demand—it was absurd.
"There, happy...?!"
Finally, he pulled back from her neck with a grin.
Of course, their lips brushed, breaths mingling—a natural follow-up.
After their sweet time together, Vita headed home.
Even at her doorstep, they'd hugged for ages, kissed, hesitated to say goodbye—hugging once more.
She could've invited him in. The thought had crossed her mind.
But tomorrow's Monday...
Early academy start. And she craved some alone time. They hadn't said it, but they both knew.
So they parted, regrets and all.
Plenty of time ahead anyway.
Time with Carlyle stretched endlessly. The thought lifted her spirits.
"Guess I'll shower..."
After half a day out, her body felt sticky. Stripping down, her slender female form came into view.
She always paused here, once thinking it wasn't hers.
But now... This is me.
She'd decided. No second thoughts. She'd live in this body forever.
Her perception shifted anew. This is my body...
Now precious. As hot water cascaded over her, Vita pondered.
What a strange day. So much in one go—her values had shifted too. She'd connected with Carlyle.
She could stay by his side from now on. That joy loosened her smile.
Vita Shama was a woman now. Bianca Shama.
No need to deny her male past. But she'd live as a woman.
Why? One person. Carlyle Schultz.
...Lucky, really.
Vita let out a soft sigh of relief. Emily hadn't spilled about the letter.
It had gone to Carlyle instead. Vita didn't know why, but she could guess.
Emily Swan was kind at heart. She slipped up sometimes, but that's who she was.
Help from junior Lou, resolve from Emily Swan—maybe that's why she and Carlyle connected today.
Luckily, Carlyle seemed clueless that she was "Vita Shama." Whatever his hesitations, he'd grasped the gist from the letter.
She hadn't signed it anyway—Emily already knew it was her.
Of course, he said he didn't care...
About her being a woman from the start. But still.
Every woman has secrets she keeps from her man. Vita wanted to bury this one.
No need to say it herself. His confession earlier sealed it.
[Whatever your past, even if you were a guy once. I don't care. To me, you're a woman.]
I'm a woman to him...
That was enough. To Carlyle, she was fully Bianca—a complete woman.
She still thought of herself as "Vita," though. Her male time wasn't meaningless.
Thanks to it, she'd come to this academy, met Carlyle Schultz, realized her true desires.
What Vita wanted was simple: to be by his side. Build memories with that kind guy.
Being together was comfortable, joyful. Every day full of anticipation and fulfillment.
He'd become part of her now.
To Carlyle alone, she'd be one woman. So she was Vita and Bianca Shama.
She accepted that now.
"Ha... feels good."
Warm water? A grin crept up. Everything had worked out somehow—relief.
Come to think of it, I don't know much about him...
Vita realized. Carlyle Schultz's everything—his part-time job, likes, habits, weaknesses.
Liking him made her curious.
I'll learn it all from now on...!
She clenched a small fist, resolute. She'd chosen this life trusting him.
So Carlyle, you're mine now—completely! No sharing with anyone.
Vita reaffirmed it. Their future together would dwarf the past.