Since I Helped, You Should Give Me a Reward
St. Antiope Academy. A place where students from ages 17 to 19 gather from all over to nurture their dreams. Just being an alumnus of St. Antiope Academy gives you a huge leg up on getting into a top university. Anyway, being such a prestigious and historic institution, Vita naturally felt a bit tense as she entered the administrative office. She'd thrown on a hoodie for clothes—her old one from her male days.
"Um... so, you're Bianca Shama, right?"
Across the solid wooden desk, the principal facing Vita had a rather stern impression. White hair slicked back neatly, a well-trimmed mustache. Vita answered right away.
"Ah, yep!"
"Have a seat, for now. I've already heard all the details from your father."
He took a sip of coffee before continuing.
"I express my regrets over Vita Shama's situation."
Yeah, sure. Truly regrettable.
"But that doesn't mean you can just skip academy, does it? Hm, well... Vita, you always had excellent grades anyway."
Vita paused for a moment. How the hell does he know that? Sensing her hesitation, the principal smiled faintly.
"Ah, don't worry. I'm not the kind of adult who'd go blabbing a student's private struggles everywhere. Your father confided in me specifically."
Thinking about it, that made sense. Vita had declared to her parents that she'd keep attending this academy, and it wasn't as simple as just saying it. Her usually strict father was reliable in times like these. He'd apparently negotiated with the academy to sort this out.
"I've personally reviewed the diagnosis from the major hospital, and even Teacher Yang vouched for your gender. You're undeniably a woman now..."
He seemed to struggle believing it himself. Vita nodded to the principal's ambiguous smile.
"...Y-yeah."
So, what was the conclusion?
"The academy's policy is this."
To sum it up: Officially, Vita Shama was sick. And her twin was attending in her place. Via a special transfer admission.
"Is... is that possible?"
"Nothing strange about it. There are all sorts of ways to get into this academy."
No issues there. From the academy's perspective, it was just their original student whose gender had changed. No corruption or anything. Vita herself continuing as the female 'Bianca Shama' posed no real problem. It was all to protect Vita. Spreading word that she'd been a boy who turned into a girl would do her no favors.
"If it ever becomes an issue, we'll reveal the truth then. For now, play along appropriately. Adapt to your new gender, act like it's your first time here."
Vita felt a fresh wave of gratitude toward her father and the academy. She hadn't expected things to resolve so smoothly.
"Elder Maximilian, that is."
The principal said suddenly.
"Your father. He's always supported our academy generously. And this time, a substantial donation as well."
The principal's smile was worldly, benevolent, warm.
"Be sure to thank him for me."
"Ah, yes!"
Yeah, of course. Nothing suspicious there. Parental love from parents, solutions from money. Vita realized this anew.
Knock knock— Someone rapped on the administrative office door.
"You called for me, Principal?"
And in walked none other than Carlyle Schultz. His hair was oddly damp, breath a little ragged, like he'd run here. Did he just wash it? It didn't look dry, but even disheveled, that annoyingly handsome face remained the same. Ash-gray hair, golden eyes. Sharp, refreshing features.
Vita's eyebrows twitched.
Why the hell is this guy here?
The unexpected encounter left her inwardly flustered. Recent memories were still fresh.
"Oh, Carlyle."
The principal across from her lit up, by contrast.
"What's up with you coming?"
"You called, so of course I came running."
The principal snorted.
"As if you haven't skipped out once or twice before. Always so slippery..."
"Call it busy, not slippery."
Their familiar banter suggested some connection Vita didn't know.
No way... corruption?
Her instincts fired up—maybe she'd finally caught Carlyle's weakness. Her small ears perked. Carlyle, glancing her way briefly, threw out an abrupt line.
"Anyway, I'm always grateful. I'm satisfied with coming here recently. All thanks to you, Principal."
The principal cleared his throat, explaining to preempt any misunderstanding from Vita.
"He's a transfer via admissions officer selection. I brought him in personally."
"Ah, I see..."
The unexpected truth left Vita speechless, but somehow utterly convinced. Carlyle had indeed seized first place since arriving and even gotten scouted by research labs.
[They told him not to go to university, just come straight here?]
[Yeah, genius, right?]
[And handsome too. Nothing he can't do.]
Her stomach had ached from those whispers for so long. Vita openly glared at Carlyle for a moment. But when their eyes met, he just smirked, souring her mood further.
The principal had been briefing Carlyle meanwhile: Vita Shama was sick, so her sibling had come instead. Thankfully, Carlyle seemed indifferent, accepting it readily.
"Anyway, Carlyle. As student council exec, could you guide our new transfer, Bianca Shama?"
"Sure, whatever."
"Yes—huh?!"
Carlyle's flat response clashed with Vita's outburst. The moment they stepped out of the office, Vita spoke first.
"I don't need a guide."
But Carlyle, ignoring her curt dismissal, was lost in thought.
Bianca... Shama?
Shama sounded vaguely familiar. Wasn't that the persistent kid who'd bugged him—Vita Shama?
His twin sister...?
They'd said twins. Looking now, yeah, she did resemble him. Carlyle spoke up.
"Did you sub for your brother last weekend?"
What had she said then? Something about carrying on his will? Cute choice of words.
But Carlyle didn't know Vita was sick—or that she was Vita.
"Yeah, so?"
Her brusque reply made him reassess her slightly.
Sick, nothing to do about it.
If he couldn't even attend academy, skipping that match made sense. Not just because she was that intriguing guy's sister. The way he'd always challenged despite losing was admirable. Not a loser—a decent guy. Carlyle concluded and said abruptly,
"Your brother Vita's got grit. Solid guy."
Really, it was true. If he'd known about this cute sister sooner, he'd have gone easier.
Vita, clueless to his intent, widened her eyes. It felt like a confession from the last person, at the worst time.
"Uh... yeah?"
She blurted something dumb. Even after her firm rejection, Carlyle persisted.
"I'll show you around. Semester starts tomorrow."
Of course Vita hated it. She hated Carlyle Schultz. But his words shifted something.
'I'm a decent guy...?'
Stating the obvious. Like his opinion mattered. But secretly, her lips twitched upward. Unaware of her own reaction.
She didn't need his approval, but...
...A quick tour couldn't hurt?
The principal's words echoed too.
[Play along appropriately for now.]
Right. She had to act the part. Absolutely not because of what he'd just said.
Vita nodded slowly.
"If it's quick. Fine, whatever."
Surprisingly, Carlyle gave a thorough tour. A fact Vita had forgotten.
...Oh, right!
Sweat beaded on her skin. She'd half-worried he'd bring up their match, but no sign of that.
"This is the pool. Indoor, so usable year-round. Even nights."
Main building, annex, gym, auditorium. And pool—included, he introduced every facility earnestly. Vita knew them all already, so she was bored, but... unexpected? As student council exec, maybe? Carlyle Schultz almost seemed normal. Friendly, even.
Her image of him as an over-dramatic jerk might've been prejudiced. A fresh feeling crept in.
Finally, the snack bar.
"Their crepes are popular. Especially with girls like you."
Vita shot back curtly.
"I hate that stuff."
Crepes? Girls might like them usually, but Vita hated sweets.
"Picky girl."
She nearly retorted, but held back.
Not picky, I'm not really a girl!
Saying that in this body would just get her labeled crazy. Carlyle glanced sidelong, smirking at her pursed lips and puffed cheeks. Advertising her sulk with her whole body? He had no clue why, but it was cute.
The tour wrapped simply.
"Alright, now... to your brother's room?"
"You? Why?"
Vita tilted her head.
"Heard you need to move his stuff."
True enough. She couldn't stay in the boys' dorm anymore. Parents had gotten her a new room nearby. She'd told them the luggage was light, she'd handle it alone—but now it felt daunting.
When do I even move all this...?
This body meant splitting loads, dragging it out forever.
Call Lou?
But with this guy volunteering...
"I'll help."
She almost refused, then thought practically and accepted.
Better than alone... and using him isn't bad?
She didn't realize that was her mistake.
"Hoo—done!"
Carlyle showed no signs until the move ended. Vita missed it was a predator's patience.
Yeah, sweet deal. She'd worked him good. Bed by Carlyle, drawers by Carlyle. She just trailed with light stuff.
"Good job. Go home."
"No reward?"
The sudden line startled her.
What reward out of nowhere? Golden eyes gleamed under his tall forehead. Carlyle chuckled.
"Since I helped, you should give me a reward. Been waiting."
Ridiculous, yet Vita sensed inexplicable danger. Just the two of them here.
As if natural, Carlyle cornered her. She backed up, hitting solid wall. Unknowingly.
"Wh-what...?"
Thud—He planted a hand by her head, trapping her fully. Vita panicked, body freezing.
Carlyle gazed at her shaking eyes, recalled past memories, eyed her tense form. Then backed off.
Not always what he wanted. Unless she was insignificant—but Bianca Shama was odd. Pure? Unaware? Letting a guy into her room so easily?
But he liked it, settling for a lip brush this time.
Smack—
And. Her reactions to just chuckles were fun.
"Y-you...!"
Trembling lips.
"Relax, Bianca."
"Get out—now!"
Finally snapping to, face flushed crimson. Angry? Sort of.
If she really hated it, she'd have shoved harder.
If touch repulsed her. So Carlyle was satisfied.
Thud—thud—Taking small but stinging punches to the back, he laughed out the door.
"...What the hell!"
After he left, Vita tore at her hair. Why hadn't she moved? Pushed? No clue. Body just froze. Overwhelmed, tense strangely.
"That drug's fault...?"
Or the incident? Body remembered unfamiliar sensations.
Vita rationalized endlessly, tormenting innocent hair. Yeah. That weird drug. Find a way back soon.
As Vita grappled with confusing feelings toward him.
Finally, the new semester at the academy began.