"Xiao Ya, my dear granddaughter, and Furide—I called you here today for one reason only: to share some important news."

...

Yesterday’s mess with Furide during our so-called "stroll" still had me frazzled. Now, Grandpa’s summons first thing this morning had me even more on edge.

He sat sternly in the Headmaster’s chair. Leaning against the office door was Furide’s mother—Teacher Selica—her posture tracing the elegant curves of a mature woman.

Lorian and Furide stood nearby too.

Even without thinking, I knew Grandpa had "serious matters" to announce.

Yet even in this tense atmosphere, those two suspicious "rivals" were still glaring daggers at each other.

They’d promised "fair competition," but their relationship seemed worse than ever…

I sighed. Grandpa’s reasons for calling us were always the same few things.

"Grandpa, I’ve told you—life-changing decisions need careful thought…"

Honestly… bringing up marriage *again*? Do elders just forget things as they age?

"It’s not about the engagement. Furide and Teacher Selica might already know."

Grandpa shook his head. His single sentence instantly cooled the icy tension between Lorian and Furide.

"Though sudden, Elvenfolk Elders will visit us in a few days. Officially, it’s ‘a friendly cultural exchange to deepen mutual understanding.’ That’s all."

*Gulp…*

Elvenfolk… Elders!?

I glanced at Furide beside me.

Her beautiful twin-tails were no longer a wig; her newly tailored uniform fit perfectly; around her neck hung a simple, inexpensive necklace—the gift I’d politely bought her yesterday.

[Thank you, Master! I~I’ll treasure it like a priceless heirloom forever!]

Ignoring Fuu’s suspiciously enthusiastic words back then, this elf now looked completely like a lovely "girl."

"Ahem. I simply wanted you to hear this news early."

Grandpa cleared his throat, his gaze flickering between Furide and me.

I knew what he was thinking—but I was desperate too!

*I* hadn’t forced him into a dress!

"Still… such a sudden visit. Hard to guess what the Elders truly want…"

Teacher Selica, who’d been watching her son "tangle" with another man from the doorway, hadn’t intervened once. But at the mention of the Elders’ arrival, even this elven mother frowned in worry.

*You should be worried!* Your son’s cross-dressing this badly and you still don’t step in?

"Worse… Elder Beren himself is leading them. That complicates things."

"E-Elder Beren?"

Was he some eight-foot-tall, muscle-bound giant with twelve-pack abs—a literal mountain of an elf matron just by looking at him?

I wiped sweat from my brow.

My dad ran off with their Queen. I made their most promising elf wear women’s clothes…

At this rate, we’d spark a full-blown racial war.

"Ah, Master doesn’t know? Elder Beren is our youngest, most accomplished Elder!"

Seeing my stiff expression, Furide "kindly" explained.

Y-young and accomplished!? Meaning he’s *strong*!?

"Plus, Elder Beren’s family is distantly tied to the Queen. Strictly speaking… she’s my older cousin!"

Furide’s *sister*!? What if she sees her brother with another man…

"Lastly, Elder Beren holds a critical position: Discipline Elder, overseeing conduct and order!"

Discipline… *committee*…

But the "conduct" between Furide and me? We couldn’t even fabricate a decent excuse anymore…

"Essentially," Grandpa hinted firmly, "we must show the Elders our academy’s finest face. While we shouldn’t overly restrict student interests… Furide, during their visit, please wear boys’ uniforms."

Furide nodded.

At least this elf hadn’t forgotten his "human roots."

"Lorian—you’re a student here, but remember your dignity as Luo City’s princess. No petty quarrels with Furide."

Lorian *hmphed*, shooting Furide a glare. Fuu shot one right back.

*Grandpa… just leave these two alone…*

"Finally, Xiao Ya…" Grandpa hesitated unusually upon seeing me.

*Of course he would.* My dad and I were practically "elf-charmers."

"So those days, you *must* stay cautious. Don’t give the elves any suspicious grounds to accuse you. Understood? I must prepare for the Elders’ arrival. Mind the academy’s conduct until then."

Grandpa stood. His duties left no time to micromanage me.

I understood. I wanted to comply. But…

"It’s too late, Grandpa."

I sighed.

...

Lately, rumors about Furide and me had twisted into bizarre new directions—even dragging Lorian into the mess.

[Heyhey! Did you read Bleep-sensei’s latest volume yesterday!? Those two protagonists are totally Fu*de and Ya*sha, right!?]

[Read it! Bleep-sensei’s work keeps getting… *amazing*! Boys’ love with cross-dressing boys? I bought the limited edition! Let’s read it at the tea party!]

[Psst—Bleep-sensei started a new series too! *My Blind Date Rival Can’t Be a Cross-Dresser!* The original love interest suddenly falls for someone else, making the heroine the villain who ruins their romance—*squee*!]

These escalating rumors clearly targeted Furide and me. Poor Lorian was caught in the crossfire.

The culprit? That "manga artist" the girls called "Bleep-sensei." Yesterday, while shopping with Furide, I’d spotted his "works" selling hot in the bookstore’s 18+ section.

In his manga, two boys *suspiciously* like us got tangled in… sticky, intimate situations. A heroine resembling Lorian played the villain trying to break up their "boyish romance."

I’d nearly fainted buying every copy—but it was a drop in the ocean. This damn author was too famous; half the academy had read his stuff.

Worse… was it coincidence, or was he *watching me constantly*?

Bleep-sensei’s stories felt *exactly* like they used Furide and me as raw material…

The blind date setup. Furide in a dress. The interfering heroine…

...

At first, I thought staying alert and mending my behavior would make these manga fade away…

But Grandpa’s news today proved it was too late.

If that "Discipline Elder" Beren discovered these… filthy, elf-insulting publications—and the manga’s version of me teasing and flirting with Fu*de…

*I’d die.*

The elves would *kill* me! This wasn’t about race anymore—my life was on the line!

"F-Furide! Come with me—*now*!"

I grabbed Furide’s hand and bolted.

There was only one solution left!

Before that "Discipline Elder" arrived, I *had* to find that damn interdimensional manga artist—"Bleep-sensei"—and shut him down!