(Yoru POV)

It was a sudden occurrence.

As usual, I enjoyed texting with Yuki, my important best friend, and laid in bed feeling slightly off.

“…Hmm, why do I feel so restless in my chest?”

It was an odd sensation, almost like a buzzing or itching under my skin. It wasn’t enough to keep me awake, so I fell asleep, but my body had transformed into a woman’s when I woke up the next day.

“What the heck is this?”

I remember letting out a dazed voice.

Something felt wrong when I noticed my hands were unusually pale and slender. Then, I saw a significant bulge pushing up my chest and, reaching down instinctively, realized something was missing.

“…!!”

I jumped out of bed and stood in front of the mirror.

The person there wasn’t me as a man but as a woman. I couldn’t believe it and wondered if I was still dreaming.

But it was all real.

I realized I had contracted the TS disease Yuki and I had talked about.

“What should I do now?”

Honestly, I wasn’t overly pessimistic at that moment.

But my outlook turned to despair when I explained it to my parents. They were deeply concerned, repeatedly asking if there was something wrong with my body. That was fine… but I felt a distance in their gaze.

As a woman, my usual casual appearance now drew more attention.

My father awkwardly looked away upon seeing the cleavage revealed by my disheveled clothes, and my mother quickly moved to cover me up.

I realized I was no longer seen as their son at that moment. Despite it not being true, I concluded this and fled to my room.

“…Damn it, why did this have to happen…?”

Despite the harsh words, my voice sounded cute.

I saw myself as a pretty girl, and I had to admit my body was attractive. Yet, I didn’t feel any desire; I was only concerned about how to live my life from now on.

I spent several days in turmoil, even missing school.

My parents said nothing, just waiting for me to recover. I appreciated it, though I felt guilty for causing trouble. But more than that, I suffered from being unable to respond to Yuki, and the others worried about me.

“Haah…”

TS disease, though rare, is somewhat accepted in society. But relationships do change. Being a man or a woman is fundamentally different… I feared my everyday life with Yuki and the others would change.

…But it didn’t turn out as I feared.

Yuki… he saved me.

“Even if you’ve become a woman, nothing changes. We are best friends, after all.”

I cried at Yuki’s words.

He was confused seeing me as a woman, but his kindness hadn’t changed, and he truly saw me for me.

“Of course. We’re always together, so don’t worry.”

He even held my hand as he said that.

I’ll never forget that warmth… I’ll never forget it. Yuki will always be by my side… As long as he’s with me, I’ll be fine.

Male or female doesn’t matter. Yuki and I will always be best friends.

“Because we’re always together, so don’t worry,” he said, saving me more than he knew… It’s a promise, okay? I’ll never forgive you if you break it. I want Yuki to…

…What do I want from Yuki?

I want him by my side, and my heart feels warm when he is. I want to be with him more, to have him close… It’s strange. Was I always this needy?

“What’s wrong?”

“…Ah, nothing.”

When I suddenly fell silent, Yuki asked what was wrong, but I brushed it off and became lost in thought again. After a moment, Yuki pinched my cheek hard as if dealing with one of his male friends.

“Ouch!?”

Naturally, I let out a loud yelp.

I was slightly teary-eyed, and my cheeks turned red, which must have looked cute. Still, I glared at Yuki.

“What was that for?”

“I was worried because you were zoning out.”

“And you pinch my cheek because you’re worried?”

“That’s just me.”

“Seriously…”

I chuckled and then suddenly pounced on Yuki.

As expected, I easily overpowered him. Being pinned down by a woman is exciting, but there’s nothing tender in our relationship.

“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a girl now!”

His challenging expression stirred a competitive spirit in me, and I reached out to tickle his sides. I know all his weak spots after all these years.

“Hey, you’re a pervert!?”

“Hah, only now you’re a girl? I won’t stop!”

I used my tickling technique, a peaceful resolution to any argument, something we learned from our past scuffles.

“Hehe… Ahaha! Stop, ah!”

“…I’ll stop.”

I immediately backed off when Yuki let out an unexpectedly sultry laugh.

He was breathing heavily with laughter, looking very… ahem, no, I shouldn’t think about that!

“Opportunity!”

“Whoa!?”

He tackled me again when I let my guard down.

I couldn’t move, completely pinned by Yuki. His body was undoubtedly that of a woman, his chest pressed and changing shape against mine. And I could smell his sweet scent, which was difficult.

I tried not to focus on it, but then Yuki said something.

“…Heh, this is exciting. I don’t know why.”

“Don’t say things like that.” 

I see Yoru as my precious best friend, and that won’t change. But being this close and feeling her as a woman, it’s hard not to be reminded that she’s no longer just a friend. I feel pathetic for even slightly reacting to her femininity despite reminding myself she’s just a friend.