The next morning, Alicia was still fast asleep. In her dream, she had not only regained her male body but also used a mirror to transform the Demon King into an adorably petite loli. Just as she was about to deliver some well-deserved punishment—

"Alicia, Alicia~"

Ugh. That annoying, silly voice again. Stop interrupting my loli-training session!

"Alicia, time to wake up."

Her perfect dream shattered under the relentless nagging. Reluctantly, Alicia opened her eyes to see her close friend Larry standing over her.

Still drowsy, she sat up and rubbed her eyes cutely. "Morning, Larry."

"Morning, Alicia."

Larry averted his gaze, looking guilty.

"What’s with that face?" Alicia frowned.

"This face proves I’m still human," Larry said awkwardly. "But maybe you should check yourself first."

"Myself…?"

Alicia glanced down. Her loose robe had gaped open, revealing everything beneath—no underwear meant Larry had likely seen it all from his angle.

So regaining her manhood was just a dream?

Memories of yesterday flooded back like a slideshow. Alicia’s face turned ashen.

Larry waved his hands frantically. "I swear I did nothing this time! I was just waking you for breakfast. See how gentlemanly I am? I didn’t peek where I shouldn’t!"

Alicia didn’t buy it. Faint traces of touch lingered on her skin, and the phantom sensation from last night’s… incident still haunted her chest.

She kicked Larry straight down the stairs.

"A *gentleman* can’t control his paws?!"

Groaning, Larry climbed up from the street below. So vengeful! He’d only pinched her cheek this morning—just once!—to test that incredible softness.

Passersby stared at him oddly.

Alone again, Alicia scrambled into her clothes, seeking a flicker of security.

*No way I’m sharing a room with this beast anymore,* she fumed while brushing her teeth. *I’d rather stay a girl forever than lose my virginity first.*

*Crack.* The door opened.

"Alright, I admit it—I was wrong. Won’t happen again. Happy?" Larry called.

Alicia yanked the bathroom door open and glared. "Next time, I chop those paws off."

"Fine, fine! Pack your bags—we leave now. Those demons will track us down otherwise."

"Got it."

Alicia sighed. Those women had truly scarred Larry for life.

At checkout, they paid extra for damaged furniture. The clerk’s expression turned peculiar after hearing the cleaner’s report.

*Did these two go at it that hard?*

Thankfully, their bounty from wiping out the bandits—and looting their hideout—covered the costs. They stepped out of the inn without trouble.

Alicia headed straight for the exit, but Larry veered off course.

"Hey! That’s not the Swift Dragon rental spot," she called.

"Womenswear store," Larry replied casually.

"Why?"

Larry gave her a pained look. "Why? Because you’re a girl now. Time to learn how to wear proper underwear. Unless you want yesterday’s… accident to repeat?"

Alicia: "…"

He had a point. But admitting she was a woman? Unthinkable. Yet denial changed nothing. Last night’s chaos had forced her to confront this body’s reality. To protect it from trash like *him* until she changed back… some armor was necessary.

Defeated by reality, Alicia followed Larry into the boutique.

…

Unseen by them, a raven-haired beauty in a cherry blossom kimono watched from afar, grinding her teeth. "Found you at last."

…

"Are you newlyweds? Such a handsome couple!" The shopkeeper pounced as they entered the upscale lingerie store. "Special discount today—if your brave husband accompanies his wife shopping, everything’s 30% off!"

Alicia had bristled at "couple," but at "30% off"? *Hah. What’s a little dignity for a discount?*

They’d vanish soon anyway. No one would remember them.

She threw her arms around Larry’s shoulders, blushing shyly. "Madam, don’t tease us like that~ It’s embarrassing!"

Larry: "......"

*She forgot last night already?* Alicia wasn’t even wearing a bra—and now she was crushing his arm against her chest.

Poor Larry. He’d always dreamed of being a pure-hearted gentleman, saving himself for his future wife. He’d avoided women meticulously, earning endless mockery from a certain backstabbing friend about his "inadequacies."

And now? That same traitor had defiled his body *and* his soul! *Where’s your pride? Your fury?!*

Tears welled in Larry’s heart while Alicia gleefully calculated savings.

"Larry! Which one’s better?" She held up lingerie, oblivious to his turmoil.

Larry snapped back. "Me? You’re asking *me*?"

"Of course! You always helped me pick clothes before." Alicia had zero fashion sense. But underwear? A first. She had no choice but to rely on her best friend.

*After defiling my body, now you want to defile my heart too? Picking lingerie is a boyfriend’s privilege!*

He wanted to refuse. But for Alicia? He couldn’t.

"Just so you know—I’ll choose based on your body and *my* taste."

Alicia blinked. "Didn’t you say that in our past lives? Why repeat it?"

"Because now you’re a cute girl. Totally different from when we were guys."

Alicia shuddered. "Why’d you say ‘cute’? That sounded… creepy."

*Is this idiot still scheming?* She eyed him suspiciously. *Maybe I should castrate him temporarily. This world regenerates limbs, after all…*

Unaware of his peril, Larry muttered inwardly: *Comforting myself… dressing a cute girl isn’t so bad. She’s the only one I’d ever do this for.*

He kept that thought locked away. "Just stating facts. Look in a mirror—you’ll agree."

Alicia pouted. *He’s hiding something. Better not ask.*

What followed was Larry’s meticulous selection process—a torture only Alicia’s friendship could justify. He scrutinized fabric, stitching, and design with ruthless precision. Only three pieces survived his culling.

"These are the only decent options in this store. Try them," he declared, ignoring the exhausted shopkeeper’s wounded expression.

Alicia blushed at the revealing designs. "Aren’t these… too bold?"

Larry planted his hands on his hips. "Chosen with care: my aesthetic standards, material quality, *and* practicality for our adventures."

Alicia tilted her head. "The first two make sense. But ‘practicality’?"

"Freedom of movement. Protection for vital areas. Durability during long chases."

His logic was flawless. Alicia had no rebuttal—even if she suspected this newly "awakened" friend had ulterior motives. She headed to the fitting room, resigned.