06 - A strange feeling that continues to grow

Ever since the day Nagi and I met Shita-chan, or Akane, our childhood friend, she's been following us everywhere we go at school.

I don't know what kind of struggles her father went through to raise a free-spirited daughter like her.

But what frustrates me-

I can't get turned on anymore when I'm around a beautiful girl like her!!!

Akane keeps following me wherever I go, always sticking close to me, hugging and pressing my hand tightly against her chest.

There's no denying it, even though Akane doesn't have the best personality, she's still a beautiful girl.

But how is it possible that I feel absolutely nothing?!

Yeah, I know. I don't have a... well, you know, down there anymore, but I should still be attracted to girls, right? I mean, I used to be a guy after all.

No matter what, my soul is still a guy! It's impossible that my attraction to women would just vanish simply because my gender changed.

But-

I don't know if it's because of the gender bender or what, but strangely, my heart pounds like crazy whenever I'm near Nagi.

It's been three days now, and the same thing keeps happening.

I refuse to admit this is love, it must be something else! Yeah, maybe it's just a feeling of happiness.

***

I stared seriously at the wooden sign hanging above a room. The sign clearly said, "Girls" Changing Room.

As you've probably guessed, it's PE class time. Whether I like it or not, I have to change in the same place as the other girls in my class.

This will be the moment of truth, to see if I've really lost my interest in girls or not.

Slowly, I opened the door. Through the crack, I saw a sight I used to consider paradise.

***

Damn it...

After changing into my gym clothes, I walked out of the room feeling utterly defeated.

There's no need for me to explain what just happened.

I should've realized when I didn't feel even the slightest excitement when looking at my own body.

I didn't even experience the typical cliché in gender bender stories, where the main character blushes from seeing their newly transformed body.

Simply put, I've lost my interest in girls.

Setting that aside, now that I think about it, I didn't see Akane in the changing room at all. Where could she have gone?

I stayed in the changing room for quite a while. Besides feeling nervous, I tried sneaking glances at the other girls a few times, just to test my attraction.

But of course, all that effort was wasted.

"Hey! Yuichi!" Nagi approached me, walking quickly.

"What?!"

"Huh-? Why do you look so mad?" Nagi asked, confused. Then he opened the plastic bag he was carrying. "Here, catch!" He tossed a cold yogurt drink he bought from the cafeteria at me.

I swiftly caught the drink. "What's this for?"

"Huh..? It's for you to drink, obviously."

Even though yogurt isn't my favorite, I was feeling a bit thirsty.

"Thanks, but it's not like you to buy me a drink," I asked curiously, opening the can.

"It's nothing, I just noticed you've been looking gloomy these past few days. So I thought I'd treat you. Don't you like yogurt?" Nagi replied.

Well, I did like yogurt, but that was a long time ago, back when I was a kid. Does Nagi still remember that? Nowadays, I prefer caffeinated drinks.

But- why does Nagi care so much about me? I didn't even realize my expressions and actions had been weird lately. Is this some kind of scheme?

I doubt it. Nagi's always been like this, he's an understanding guy. He worries about me more than I worry about myself, and he notices the little things about me that I don't even know.

I've never said this to him out loud, but- to be honest, I've always thought of him as someone really cool.

Maybe, if I were born as a girl, I would've fallen in love with him.

Eh? Wait a minute... What did I just think?

"Yuichi? Your face is red. Are you okay?" Nagi asked, looking concerned.

"A-ah! N-no, I'm fine..." I stuttered. Feeling embarrassed by my own thoughts, I grew even more flustered because Nagi noticed how red my face had become.

Now that I think about it, Nagi doesn't look that bad. His face is rather handsome, his hair is smooth, his chest is broad, his shoulders wide-

And his understanding nature... Even though he often annoys me with his attitude, it doesn't mean I hate him.

"I-!"

Before I could finish my sentence, a girl suddenly appeared behind Nagi. Her green hair and duck-shaped hairpin immediately told me who she was.

Akane!

"Akane-san! You saved me!" I said as I shook her small frame.

I almost let something slip. Damn, I got carried away. Luckily, Akane showed up.

How did I end up monologuing for so long just because Nagi gave me yogurt...

"Ah-! Yui-chan... S-stop!! You're making me dizzy..!"

"Sorry!" I quickly pulled my hands away after hearing her response.

"Ah... It's okay. But, what are you guys doing here? PE class is about to start. The teacher even asked me to come find you two," Akane explained.

"It's been that long?" I asked, confused.

"Yeah! Hurry up, or you'll lose points!" Akane said, jogging lightly ahead, leaving us behind.

Nagi and I followed Akane, heading to where the gym class was held.

It wasn't until then that I realized the yogurt drink in my can was completely gone. I didn't even remember drinking it... Did I finish it without noticing?

***

When lunch break started, the three of us rushed to the school rooftop to eat our bento together, as usual.

Aside from the beautiful view from up here, the gentle breeze felt refreshing, making our meals even more enjoyable.

However, my food didn't taste as good, thinking about the things I had almost said to Nagi earlier, if Akane hadn't interrupted...

"Yui-chan, Nagi-kun."

"Yeah?" we both replied in unison.

"Do you guys want to go shopping?" Akane asked.

"I'm in!" I answered quickly.

Of course, who wouldn't want a free shopping trip?

Plus, considering Nagi and I live far from our parents right now, well, not that far, but still. We have to save money as much as we can since our parents only send us a limited amount.

"Alright then... Yui-chan!" Akane suddenly said, pointing at me.

"What..?"

"But there's a catch. This weekend, we'll meet at my father's villa, and you have to do WHATEVER I ask for the whole day!" For a brief moment, Akane flashed a mischievous smile that seemed different from her usual self.

I've got a bad feeling about this...

TO BE CONTINUED.