"Huh, Gale Splendor, why do you look so pale?"
"Uh... this..."
Just as I subconsciously started to reveal my true gender, I quickly swallowed my words.
Willow Ran chats with me so naturally partly because she thinks I’m a girl. If she knew the truth, her reaction might be even fiercer than upstairs.
Honestly, it’s better if she keeps misunderstanding me. I feel a little guilty, but going along with it is fine for now.
"Ah... I-I have my own reasons..."
Damn it. Hiding my male identity online was already frustrating—now I can’t even say it in real life.
Thinking back, Willow Ran is so naive. I never stressed my gender when chatting with Elder Sister Liu Xin, but my actions afterward should’ve hinted it—no, she mostly hid behind her sister then. And just now, her nervousness probably blocked any clues.
Is this fate?
Even though shoujo writers don’t have to be female, Willow Ran’s belief that I’m a woman is deeply set.
Alright... I’m to blame too. I shouldn’t look so tomboyish.
"Ah, forget it, Gale Splendor. It’s okay if you don’t want to say."
Thank goodness Willow Ran isn’t treating me like she does her sister...
"By the way, Sister Gale Splendor, tell me fun stories from when you write novels!"
Crap. Even her title changed. She definitely sees me as 100% female now.
"Ah... th-this isn’t worth talking about..."
"Huh? No way! I heard writers act out scenes in mirrors while writing, like they’re split-personality!"
"It’s not that exaggerated..."
"Sister Gale Splendor, don’t be stingy. Just tell me~"
Can girl friendships skyrocket this fast?
Willow Ran clung to my arm, coquettish and affectionate—unlike her tough act with Elder Sister Liu Xin. Worse, her chest pressed against my arm, deforming its soft shape. The sensation was painfully clear.
I didn’t know where to look. Even my nose filled with Willow Ran’s shampoo scent.
No one wants this.
"Th-that... Willow Ran... c-can you let go first?"
If this kept up, I might slip up. So I asked.
Willow Ran froze. Her eyes instantly welled with tears, like she’d been bullied. She carefully pulled her hands back, rubbing them anxiously.
"I-I’m sorry, Teacher Gale Splendor! I got carried away! Really sorry!"
She kept bowing and apologizing. It made me deeply awkward—I’d been the one enjoying it.
"No, no—it’s not that. I just rarely get this close to people. I’m not used to it."
"No, I overstepped. First meeting, Teacher Gale Splendor, and I asked something awkward. Truly sorry!"
"Ah... I said it’s not like that..."
"R-really?"
Willow Ran, in timid mode, peeked up at me like a creature fresh from its burrow.
"Of course!"
The mood had finally eased. I smiled, not wanting to ruin it.
Plus, if Elder Sister Liu Xin found out about this, she’d tear me apart.
"Th-then, as apology, Teacher Gale Splendor, let’s go shopping! I know a great store."
I’d planned to refuse, but seeing Willow Ran’s eyes, I nodded.
I don’t love shopping, but this could be research. Might help my new novel.
Following Willow Ran, we reached the commercial street near the editorial department.
Around nine PM, the street glowed with bright lights.
We entered a stylish store.
"Welcome, Miss Willow Ran! Long time no see. What’ll you buy today?"
"Not for me—it’s for this sister! Clothes that suit her!"
"This one?"
The clerk’s eyes sparkled when they saw me. "This... miss?"
"Yeah."
I suddenly felt I was walking a no-return path to weirdness.
I’d miscalculated!
I thought it was casual shopping—never guessed Willow Ran meant to buy *me* clothes.
Maybe androgynous styles are common now. The clerk just gave me a weird glance before accepting I was a girl—but I felt zero joy.
Meanwhile, Willow Ran chatted animatedly with the clerk.
"Huh? New item? So cute!"
"Yes, just arrived yesterday! Perfect for both you and that miss!"
The clerk smoothly pitched it. Willow Ran couldn’t put it down.
I felt invisible. But research sometimes means emptying your mind and observing.
"Teacher Gale Splendor, come try this set!"
"Huh?"
"It’s new! And the design fits a handsome woman like you!"
So... women’s clothes?
I just wanted to quietly observe!
"Ah, no—really, I don’t need clothes!"
"What? Teacher Gale Splendor, you’re a girl! You can’t keep wearing such masculine stuff!"
Seriously, Willow Ran, you’re overdoing it.
"Miss Willow Ran’s right. A stylish woman shouldn’t lean too hard into masculinity!"
Even the clerk chimed in uselessly.
Her voice drew nearby shoppers’ attention. Under those stares, proving I was male was impossible.
I don’t want to be headline news!
"...It’s really not like that."
I was near tears.
Willow Ran tilted her head, puzzled—then seemed to realize something.
"Teacher Gale Splendor, you said you rarely get close to people. Is this your first shopping trip with someone? Are you just shy?"
