"Shit… I shouldn't have done that…"
Now he remembered everything about her. However, why should he bother fixing her problem when he already knew someone else would help her?
He wasn't the type to suddenly get chummy just because he knew the solution. That wasn't his style.
But in the middle of it all, he found a clue about his own body problem.
Sitting at his desk, he turned on his computer. It was easy for him to access a hospital database and look up someone's medical history.
"Found him. Azusagawa Sakuta, and his sister, Kaede."
Sakuta only had animal-like marks on his chest, but Kaede's case was different, not only physical wounds caused by sharp objects but also a mental trauma and memory loss.
"It's only the tip of the iceberg since they're both under the influence of supernatural phenomena," he muttered, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Puberty Syndrome. What bullshit. Just some made-up concept by a fourth-dimensional being to keep the plot moving."
Whatever the name was, he already knew why Saika ended up like this. This world was fiction, and everything was in the hands of the author. If the author wanted Saika to be cute like a girl, then that's exactly what he'd be.
"Whatever, man. There's nothing I can do except work out."
He flopped onto his bed with a smile.
He had already won.
He had overcome his weird body by lifting weights like a monkey, as if he needed to kill Gojo Satoru by using pure muscle alone.
What could possibly happen to him now?
Kill him?
Become a real girl?
---
"Hmm…"
Mai grumbled as the alarm went off, waking her up far too early. Reaching out for her phone, she couldn't find it. Sitting up in bed, she got out and walked slowly toward the sound.
"Finally… hm?"
She paused. She remembered she always set three alarms, each five minutes apart. Slowly glancing around, her eyes landed on a desk with two large monitors.
"What…?"
She didn't even own a computer.
"Wait… why do I feel… taller? Mirror… where's the mirror? My voice…"
Her hand went to her neck. There was something solid and round under her skin and why was her neck so thick?
Starting to feel uneasy, Mai looked around the room. Her furniture was gone. Only a bed with drawers underneath, gym tools, and the computer only.
That was it.
She ran to the bathroom, thankful that the apartment layout was still the same, though it felt emptier than hers.
When she finally reached the bathroom, she froze. A guy stood in the mirror.
"This guy? Why did I become him? Is this real?!"
Her hands flew to her chest, then her stomach. Everywhere she touched, hard muscles are everywhere.
"I'm a guy… and him of all people?!"
This was unmistakably a man's body.
"If I became him, then what happened to my body?"
The thought made her chest tighten. A wave of dread ran through her.
Mai quickly ran out of the bathroom and headed straight for the front door. Once outside, she dashed next door to her own apartment. She entered the passcode, and the door clicked open.
She went into her room while still in someone else's body, but then Mai froze again.
There, sitting on the bed, was her body.
"Morning, you are finally awake," said the girl or rather, Saika as he casually squeezing her chest with both hands.
Seeing this, Mai's face turned bright red.
"S-Stop touching them, you bastard!"
With her new body, she pushed herself down onto the bed. It was too easy. After pinning both wrists, their position turned awkwardly… erotic.
Saika smirked. "What, with my body, are you sexually frustrated now?"
Mai quickly let go. "You're crazy! Why would I be interested in my own body? Anyway, what just happened? And why are you so calm about it?" she demanded, folding her arms.
Saika sat up casually. "Hmph. First time? Obviously, we switched bodies."
"I know that already! Were you the one who did this?"
"Are you nuts? Even if I could, I wouldn't switch bodies with you."
Mai almost snapped, feeling even more offended.
"The only explanation I can give is something supernatural like Puberty Syndrome," Saika said.
"Such a thing actually exists?"
"Well, I experienced it myself. And you too, Mai. If that's why you were walking around in a bunny costume then now it all makes sense to me."
Mai blushed and pouted. "You called me a pervert. And I don't recall giving you permission to call me by my name."
"Stop blushing like that while using my body. It's creeping me out."
A vein popped on Mai's forehead.
"Have you seen the mirrors in my room? I bought them for a reason, yet you couldn't use the greatest invention mankind ever made," she shot back.
"Your point?"
"You're the real creep. You fondled my chest the moment you woke up."
"Fair enough."
Mai simply crossed her arms and huffed.
Saika sighed as he crawled out of bed.
"Alright, first, I should go to school—wait…"
He looked down. He was still in a different body.
"That reminds me, it's Monday. I'm going to skip for now."
"No, you can't. Today's supposed to be my first day."
"You're a transfer student?"
Saika nodded.
"You're kidding, right? The timing couldn't be worse. Then you should stay here—"
"No."
"Stay!"
"My mom's supposed to drive me to school. She'd definitely notice you're not me. I'll go too."
"I'm confused. Why would it be different if you came along?"
"She'll be distracted by me. I mean, technically, by you."
"You mean… like that?"
"Yeah, like that."
Mai sighed inwardly. "I feel like I'm being used somehow."
Saika chuckled. "How about this... if you help me, I'll help you with your problem."
Mai went silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll hold you to that. But! Don't do anything stupid with my body."
Saika's lips trembled as he tried not to laugh. "Easy," he said, standing up and stretching. "Alright, I'm going to take a shower first."
Mai froze instantly.
"W-Wait! You can't do that in my body!"
"Are you crazy? I'm taking a shower no matter what. It's part of my routine. Don't tell me you don't shower?"
"Of course I do! I go jogging every morning!" Mai huffed. "Fine. I get it. I don't want to leave without showering either. So I'll scrub my body, myself! Also, don't you dare open your eyes, or you're dead!"
"Interesting…" he muttered, his gaze lock in.
She told him not to move and let her do all the work? Hey now, that doesn't sound bad.
After a while, Mai found herself in her own bathroom though this time, she was scrubbing her own back with a man's body. It doesn't feel right.
"Hey, your eyes are tightly closed, right?"
"I'm doing it. Just hurry up, man. We'll be late."
Mai sighed and started wiping her back.
"Ahh~"
"Don't make weird noises, Saika-kun!"
"HAHAHA! Sorry, I'm just messing with you. Go on."
Behind him, Mai clenched her teeth.
'Once I get back to my body, I'm going to kill him.'
After some time, not only did she finish cleaning her own body, but she also ended up showering in Saika's apartment.
"Why is this so exhausting? I had to clean my own body and shower again in his place?" she muttered, slipping into Saika's school uniform.
Then she paused. "Wait… this is my school uniform. The world really is small." she rolled her eyes.
After that, she went back to her own apartment. Saika was still there, so she just let him dress himself. If she helped him, they would definitely end up being late.
"Oh, Mai, you done already?" Saika asked with a grin.
"Yeah. I wonder where that smell's coming from… you can cook?"
"Uh-huh. Just a simple dish. Sit down, Mai."
Mai sat at the dining table, watching him cook. The sight was surreal, her own body moving around the kitchen while she sat there in a man's body.
And somehow… she realized how cute she looked in an apron.
"Why aren't you wearing the skirt?"
Saika laughed. "Are you insane?"
Mai facepalmed. "You have to wear it or you won't be able to get into school."
"Do you know how cold it is outside? How are you guys able to survive winter?"
"That's why I always wear tights. Maybe you prefer socks?"
"Ew. You want me to wear something sexy all day?"
"Alright! Alright! Just wear track pants under the skirt, okay?"
After that, Saika finished cooking. Miso soup, grilled fish, and rice. Nothing fancy, but it smelled amazing.
When Mai took a bite, her eyes widened. "My… this is delicious." She looked at him, a bit frustrated. "It kinda hurts my pride that you cook better than me."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't forget to bring that protein bottle with you."
"This? Why is it so big? Wait you finished breakfast already?"
"Mai, you have to drink all of that or something bad might happen to my body. Please."
Seeing how serious he looked, Mai sighed and nodded. "Alright."
Just then, Saika's phone buzzed.
"My parents are here. Let's go."
---
Once they finished, the two went down to the lobby where Saika's parents were waiting.
"Saika, we're here for your… first day…"
His mother froze mid-sentence. Even his father beside her stiffened like a statue.
A beautiful girl stood next to their son.
Saika nudged Mai subtly to say something.
"H-Hello, Mother. Thank you for coming all the way here for my first day," Mai said politely.
"Why are you being so formal, Saika? Just tell me who your friend is," his mother said, narrowing her eyes.
Seizing the moment, Saika smiled. "Nice to meet you. My name is Sakurajima Mai. I live next door and seem fate, I'm his upperclassman at high school."
His mother's eyes sparkled. Even though he's only transferring today, he already knows such a pretty senior and she's his neighbor too! It seemed bringing him back to Japan was the best decision she'd ever made.
"Oh my! By any chance, are you two together? Because I can smell a same shampoo on Saika."
Saika cursed inwardly. Of course… Mom's too sharp for her own good.
"Ah, no, Mom. She just lent me her shampoo. She's my neighbor right? that's all." Mai quickly said.
"Really?" His mother looked doubtful, clearly unconvinced but unable to prove otherwise. "Anyway, come with us, Mai-san."
Before Mai could react, Saika's mother gently dragged her potential daughter by the arm and ushered her into the car.
"Son…" a deep voice called from behind.
Mai flinched when a large hand landed on the shoulder. She froze for a moment. Saika was already around six feet tall, yet she had to tilt the head back to meet his father's eyes. So that's where he got it from, she thought.
"I'm proud," Saika's father said simply.
For a second, Mai froze. Then, surprisingly, warmth spread through her chest. It was the first time she'd ever heard such words from a parent even if it wasn't directed at her.
"...Make sure you bring her to the family dinner next time," he added with a light smile before walking ahead. "Finally, a real maiden," he muttered, though she could still hear him.
'Ah, I see… He thinks there's something between me and Saika,' Mai thought, exhaling. 'Me, dating him? Ew. No way.'
Even though he had a decent face, his personality was the problem. Beside, she just met him. Thus, the chances of that happening were absolutely zero. Still, she is jealous at his warm family.