The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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On the weekend, it seemed there were plenty of kids chatting in the hallway. So, just like back then, I couldn’t steal openly.

Even if my head was a bit messed up from the heat, it wasn’t enough to make such a basic mistake. The incident with the spirit was an accident caused by ignorance, so it didn’t count.

Besides, I fixed that too. No matter the process, isn’t a good outcome what truly matters?

I casually entered Dokan’s room as if it were my own. Yoonho, while grooming himself in his nest, leaped up into the air as soon as he saw me, welcoming me.

It’s a bit heart-wrenching to show just how scared he is.

Dokan was still sleeping soundly, perhaps because I hadn’t woken him up today. After being woken so often, it seemed he had forgotten how to wake up by himself.

He might have just stayed up late, but even considering that, he’s been asleep for over nine hours. People can get by on just four to five hours, right? Isn’t he sleeping too long?

As usual, I tried to wake him by rubbing his tail against his nose, but then I remembered the ‘no contact’ rule and barely stopped just before I could reach him.

“…That was close.”

Habits can be scary like that. It was amazing how, after just a month of doing this, my body reacted instinctively.

Meanwhile, the person in question had no clue I had entered and was sprawled out, showing exactly what being carefree was like.

I felt pathetic for worrying that he might meet another girl. What kind of girl would be interested in someone who snores this loudly?

Ordinarily, such hard and scary things must be approached after waking up early, preparing oneself, and getting mentally ready.

“Yoonho. Come here for a second.”

I called Yoonho, who had been sneaking glances at me. This time, he looked like he was going to ask, “Why do you keep calling me?” I picked him up and placed him right on top of Dokan.

“…He’s not waking up. Alright. You can go back now.”

I could feel him sulking, feeling let down that I called him for such a trivial task, but I decided to let it slide this time.

Still, even though a person is defenseless while sleeping, this felt a bit over the top. If I had even a hint of ulterior motives, he could have ended up being snatched away just like this.

Oh, wait. If I just carried him off, wouldn’t Dokan have no idea? After all, his academy life isn’t exactly that enjoyable.

No. What am I even thinking? No matter what, I shouldn’t kidnap him. It would be fine to suggest he come over to my place later, but…

“Hey, wake up.”

I gently pulled the edge of the blanket, urging him to get up quickly. If this continued, he really would sleep all day, and I really didn’t want that.

“…Ugh, wait a second. Why… are you…!”

He had always been able to sleep clothed, so why was he naked today…!?

Though I may be the protagonist, my body still feels like a boy’s, and it feels like something in me just snapped.

In a fit of confusion, I tossed the blanket right at his face. It wasn’t out of embarrassment.

I’m a girl now, but once, I was a boy myself, so I wasn’t going to get flustered or excited over seeing another guy’s body.

I just had mild stomach cramps every now and then, typical for when the heat kicks in.

“What… Is it… Yoonho… What time is it…?”

Maybe finally ready to wake up, Dokan was sluggishly trying to rise, still not fully aware of the situation.

“Ugh…”

“Get dressed, right now!”

I’m not interested in seeing your strip show at all, so hurry up and put on your clothes. I sure feel like my brain’s going to mess up any moment now.

I kindly tossed his clothes at his face and didn’t forget to carefully move around to his back.

Just in case, I tossed him some underwear too, but who would sleep completely naked? Still, just in case, I mixed it in with the pile of clothes.

“…Ah, right. Thanks, Yoonho. That could’ve been a disaster.”

While listening to the sounds of him hastily getting dressed, I couldn’t help but complain inwardly about why he was acting like a barbarian.

After him saying he was done getting dressed, I turned around and saw he had no underwear on.

…

“…Dokan.”

It seemed he was desperately trying to defend himself as I began to speak.

“…You know, sometimes a person wants to try something they usually don’t do. Yesterday just felt hot for some reason… I wanted to try it out once, but I ended up forgetting about you. Um. Sorry.”

I understood perfectly what he was saying, but it felt like he’d just said something even more bothersome.

“…You forgot me. Even though I wake you up every day.”

“That’s… because I was really sleepy, you see. Ahahaha…”

I almost reached out to mess with Dokan’s hair again but held back. I need to restrain myself. I should be understanding.

“Sure… that could happen. The important thing is that it doesn’t happen again, right?”

“Y-Yeah.”

After signaling that this room isn’t just for him, I plopped down into a chair that was a bit further away.

“…By the way, Yoonho. It seems you don’t have anything to do today.”

“Hmm? I’m currently busy watching you.”

What do you mean you’re busy? I’m the one who’s watching you now. But from his point of view, it seemed he thought I was just a friend coming over with nothing to do.

“Ah… I see. But I don’t have anything to do today either… do you want to go somewhere?”

With no green ball around, I didn’t feel like going outside at all.

“No. Not today.”

“Really… then how about we play a simple game? I thought it might be a bit boring just sitting around like this.”

A game wouldn’t be bad. He probably meant something simple like rock-paper-scissors or something, but anytime there are two people together, even watching leaves roll would be amusing.

“…That sounds alright.”

“I was thinking the winner can ask the loser anything… How about that?”

Oh, he’s the one suggesting a bet this time.

I mean, the last bet really was a fluke, but this time it’s pure skill without any luck involved, so I’m confident.

After all, I’m a beastkin. Shouldn’t I have animal instincts?

Even if I’m the protagonist, how could I possibly lose to some human? I could easily see where a flying mosquito was headed, so there’s no way I wouldn’t be able to choose one of three options in rock-paper-scissors.

“Are you confident? I’m fine with that… since I want to get some revenge for last time.”

“Of course, I am.”

Whoa. I like that confidence. That’s my teammate.

Wait a second. That’s not right.

…Oh. It feels like my head is starting to take over my body’s will. Should I have just avoided him altogether as I promised myself this morning?

“Yoonho, are you feeling unwell today? Your face looks a bit red.”

I’m not having health issues, but… maybe my head is getting a little fuzzy…

“No? Not at all! I’m completely fine?!”

“Then let’s get started.”

Even knowing he’s not alright at all, him cheerfully asking to start is so typical of him.

“Best two out of three… rock-paper-scissors!”

I activated all my senses to read his next move. This was 100% going to be scissors. My instinct was screaming that way.

“Rock!!”

But Dokan came out with the same rock as me. How? I’m sure it was scissors!

“…It’s a tie.”

Something felt off. I had genuinely given it my all just now. There was no way it should have ended in a tie. I’d beaten the Black Wolf that way several times!

For some reason, Dokan also looked disappointed as we prepared for the next round. Wait a moment. Something feels odd here.

“Dokan, wait a moment. There’s something off…!”

There’s no way my instincts could have been wrong, but I couldn’t accept the current situation.

“What’s wrong? You’re not about to quit, are you? Or are you… scared to lose?”

“…No. It’s nothing.”

But that one comment from Dokan brought my emotions back to check. If I let slip that I was scared, I would really lose it.

“Alright, then let’s do it again. Best two out of three…”

“Rock-paper-scissors!”

If my instincts were thrown off by the heat, then I could just throw out any of the choices. My instincts said I would throw out cloth, but for some reason, I felt scissors this time.

So I threw out my fist, but Dokan produced cloth just as my instincts predicted.

“Oh, I won!”

I have no idea if he’s been deceiving himself all along or if he knows about my instincts.

Either way, it’s creepy nonetheless.

“…So. What are you going to ask?”

I responded curtly, annoyed. But Dokan didn’t seem to think it was a big deal, his face turning serious as he asked me.

“Uh… It’s a bit of a sensitive subject. Yoonho. Do you not go through heat?”

“Eh.”

My body and brain were completely out of sync. So from a human’s perspective, he was asking if a girl didn’t have her period.

Oh…

There were many words spinning in my head, yet not a single one could make it out of my mouth. I had no idea what to say.

After a long deliberation, I finally managed to utter a single word.

“…………No.”