"Should I really use my words here?"

"If that’s the case, I’ll just change with Teacher Fenghua."

"!"

Just as I was about to refuse outright, I snapped my mouth shut.

This might be a decent chance—not *that* kind of chance, of course. If Willow Ran and I changed together, we’d be alone. Then I could explain everything to her, minimizing how far this mess spread.

And since Willow Ran was my loyal reader, she’d surely forgive me… right?

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice Willow Ran had already dragged me into the changing room.

When I snapped back to reality, the sight before me nearly scared me out of my wits.

In the cramped space, Willow Ran and I stood face-to-face. For some reason, I recalled that bizarre incident at the Uniqlo in the capital a few days ago—the one that went viral across half the internet.

Willow Ran, oblivious to my panic, casually slipped off her vest. Then she unzipped her dress—simple enough that she was bare in just over ten seconds.

Only a few flimsy scraps of fabric blocked my view now.

"A-ah… mmph…"

Totally unprepared for this, I froze. Back in elementary school, sure, but after middle school started, I’d spent every spare moment writing novels. My "research" with girls never went beyond interviews. So even though this was wildly inappropriate, I couldn’t deny a flicker of anticipation.

That’s why I covered my eyes—but peeked through my fingers anyway.

Willow Ran stared, baffled.

"Teacher Fenghua, what are you doing? Why aren’t you changing?"

"Uh… y-yeah… okay… um…"

My heart had never wavered like this. I’d planned to confess my real gender before Willow Ran undressed. But now she was practically naked in front of me. If I told her I was male…

Yet staying silent and putting on the girls’ clothes was impossible too. This changing room barely fit two people. She’d spot the truth while I changed, making things even messier.

My options were running out.

I knew: if I kept lying, Elder Sister Liu Xin’s punishment would be brutal. Cornered, I finally made up my mind.

I pulled my ID from my wallet, head bowed low, and handed it to Willow Ran with both hands.

"T-that… Willow Ran, just look at this."

"Huh?"

Confused by the sudden ID, her voice wavered.

"Feng… Hua? Wait! Teacher Fenghua, your pen name sounds just like your real name!"

Yeah, exactly—but shouldn’t your attention be on the gender field? Like, *that* part?

"Gender… male… born 2001… Huh! You’re not—"

She finally got it!

Relief washed over me—until I saw her small ankles jerk backward.

"N-no way… T-teacher is a guy… A guy writing girls’ novels…"

Silence followed.

I could feel Willow Ran trembling.

Had I made her cry? Even Elder Sister Liu Xin tiptoed around her, yet I’d hurt her this badly.

"Teacher… do you have anything to say?"

Her voice was eerily calm.

"Ah… well… I only realized you’d mistaken my gender after hearing you at the café. I meant to tell you earlier, but… you suddenly hugged my arm, and…"

"And you got lost in the moment?"

"Yeah, lost in—" I cut myself off. "No! I just thought you’d be too embarrassed if I said it then. Later, when you dragged me to buy clothes, I wanted to explain—but with so many people around, I couldn’t…"

"So you followed me into the changing room and got lost in the moment?"

"Yeah, lost in—" I stopped again. "No! I didn’t process it at first. By the time I did, you’d already…"

"And then you stared at my body, lost in the moment?"

"Yeah—like hell I did! Not at all!"

After that flustered denial, silence swallowed the room again.

Willow Ran stayed quiet. Unable to bear the tension, I started to lift my head.

But before I could, a gust of wind hit me—followed by a sharp *crack*. My left cheek exploded with pain.

Slapped.

Exactly as expected.

…

"Unbelievable. Teacher actually has this perverted hobby!"

Minutes ago, my devoted fan had bowed to me. Now she loomed like a queen, interrogating me with icy disdain.

Once again, I marveled at girls’ acting skills—something us dumb guys could never master.

Still, I understood her anger. And since she hadn’t screamed for help, the least I could do was stand quietly in the changing room, head bowed, letting her vent.

"Teacher, what do you think would happen if I spread this around?"

Her tone carried something else—I was too drained to decipher it.

Probably just rage.

Having her whole body seen by a boy she’d met a day ago… it must’ve crushed her.

All my strength drained away. I got it.

If I’d confessed from the start, she might’ve just scolded me. At worst, I’d lose one reader. But now… my writing career—my whole life—felt over.

The timid little animal I’d known was gone. In front of me stood a reaper, armored to protect herself. I’d been completely fooled by her act.

"I’m sorry… If you want to tell people, go ahead…"

Strangely, admitting defeat brought calm.

"You’re the first reader I’ve ever talked to face-to-face. Honestly, I was happy."

"Really? I was happy too."

Huh?

What was she saying? Wasn’t she furious? She’d just slapped me!

"But I’m even happier…" She giggled. "Hehe, Teacher… now I’ve got your weakness in my hands~"