The girl truly wanted to die.

Waking up that morning to an empty wallet, her heart shattered.

Sure, Moyu Manatsu bore some blame—but Lunorette had gone too far.

After all, she was the capitalist; Moyu Manatsu was just a proletarian.

"Lunorette, I hate you!!!"

Staring at the barren wallet and the new CD on her desk, she nearly tore it apart.

*"Since you caused me trouble during lab class, you owe me compensation. No excuses."*

The note’s meaning was clear: *You embarrassed me using my body—you pay the price.*

True, Moyu Manatsu had botched the lab assignment in Lunorette’s form, producing only a glitchy mess that horrified teachers and students alike. Moyu Manatsu deserved death. Especially since Lunorette was such a stunning girl. When a pretty girl blames you, arguing only invites doom.

But! Moyu Manatsu was a girl too!

Even if not 100% natural!

"It wasn’t my fault! You spent all my money—what am I supposed to eat? Are you trying to starve me?!"

After penning tomorrow’s complaint letter, Moyu Manatsu’s heart ached. Her father had just sent money days ago—how could she ask again?

Unlike Lunorette, Moyu Manatsu wasn’t rich. Poverty meant agony. Not being able to spend money on games was minor; starvation was real.

Must she sell her precious collectibles as secondhand junk again?

Her gaze swept the messy room: clothes and underwear strewn on the bed, a few risqué manga lying lonely on the floor. She’d already sold her beloved body pillow. Nothing valuable remained for the pawnshop.

Could she really sell her treasured adult manga?!

No—God, how cruel!

Those manga were bought with saved meals. She’d never sell them.

If not the manga, the only thing left to sell was...

Her panties.

The pure white cotton pair—forced on her by Yuki after becoming a girl, replacing her old boyish underwear. Most importantly: unwashed. She’d heard certain gentlemen paid handsomely for girls’ used panties. Selling it could buy stacks of manga. Even fund her games.

"...Nah."

The thought sent chills down her spine. Beyond losing dignity, she still had shame. Being a former boy didn’t mean selling herself as a girl. She’d hate herself if she did.

"Hey, Yuki?"

Finally, she called the only friend in her contacts.

"What’s up?"

"Um... I’m broke. Can you lend me some? I’ll pay you back fast."

"No problem. How much?"

Crisis averted.

Thank goodness for Yuki.

*True friends are reliable*, Moyu Manatsu mused, feeling the weight of having just one friend (sort of).

What to do with money? Obviously spend it on—*ahem*—food!

Dreaming of daily half-price bento boxes, her stomach growled.

————————————————————————————

*"I love you like mice love rice~"*

Lunorette hummed, twirling on the spot, lost in rhythm.

"...Is she acting weird lately?"

Saria’s eyelid twitched, watching her friend’s bizarre dance moves.

"Not sure," roommate Caina replied uncertainly. "Lunorette says it’s new—some ‘rock’ thing from another world..."

Lunorette had become obsessed with otherworldly rock and pop music, buying piles of CDs. With someone else’s money, of course.

On the academy’s grassy lawn near the fountain, the Chief Student danced—not a noble’s waltz, but something utterly unfamiliar. Her two friends wore priceless expressions.

"Sigh... I really want an MP3 player."

After finishing her dance, Lunorette sighed. She’d drained Moyu’s wallet yesterday, missing the new MP3 launch.

Honestly, she had no idea Moyu was starving over meal money. To her, Moyu owed compensation for the lab incident. Teasing her was just a bonus.

"Lunorette, did you plan to sing and dance here all holiday?" Saria’s voice cut in, annoyed.

They’d agreed to explore outside the academy today. Lunorette had forgotten, lost in music dreams.

"Sorry! Let’s go."

She flashed an apologetic smile, stepping off the grass. *If only today were in that other world*, she thought wistfully. Those pop songs were irresistible.

"Sifrena, I’m heading out. Stay in the academy, okay?"

She called to the dragon playing in the fountain. Sifrena let out a soft *"Mrrph"* in reply.

"Ready, Saria, Caina? There’s a new café outside—I heard their cakes are amazing."

Lunorette beamed, leading her friends toward the gates.

"Now that you mention it, I’m hungry. Should we invite more people?" Saria followed.

Caina didn’t move.

Her eyes darted between Sifrena splashing in the fountain and Lunorette chatting cheerfully with Saria. Unease coiled in her chest.

Not long ago, Sifrena had attacked her master. Now, it acted as if nothing happened, still obedient. And Lunorette treated the dragon like a dear friend—as if the attack never occurred.

*What’s going on?*

Caina’s suspicion deepened. She began doubting this Lunorette was the real one. At least, not the Lunorette Sifrena had attacked.

"Caina! Coming?"

"Right away!"

Whatever the secret, Lunorette was hiding something. With that thought, Caina hurried after them.

————————————————————————————

In another corner of the academy, Theos sat meditating on a large boulder. A girl in non-academy attire approached—visitors were allowed on holidays.

"Young master, an urgent message from the Duke."

She bowed formally, noble grace in every motion.

Theos opened his eyes, stepping down. His delicate face showed clear irritation.

"What is it?"

Annoying, but as the Duke’s heir, he had to listen.

"This isn’t about you."

"Oh?"

Surprise flickered across his face, irritation fading.

"The Duke says this matter is grave. You and the Chief Student alone won’t suffice."

The slender youth’s shoulders tensed.

"What happened? The royal family?"

"Hard to explain. His Grace requests the Hero’s aid."

"...Is he mad? The Hero’s a myth. Everyone knows that. That old fool rants like the Academy Chancellor."

Theos sneered.

"Just say it—has the princess been compromised?"

Ignoring the messenger’s flustered look, he stated the shocking truth flatly.

"...You already knew. Truly the Duke’s son."

"Spare the flattery. I’ll inform the Chancellor directly. Tell that old fool I’ll handle it."

The boy strode past her, cold murder in his eyes. The messenger felt her throat tighten as if gripped by ice.

Above the academy, dark clouds gathered, swallowing the sun.

————————————————————————————

Holidays were for fun.

But fun came in flavors: outings with friends, family trips, movies with classmates...

For Moyu Manatsu—with poor social skills—holidays meant gaming alone at home.

Socks and clothes littered the floor. Crumpled tissues and plastic bags formed piles. Wearing only an oversized T-shirt, the girl swung pale legs, sprawled on the floor, fingers flying over her keyboard.

On-screen, her character defended territory while teammates clashed. Shouts erupted from speakers:

"WTF?! Stop feeding!"

"They killed me fair and square—why blame me?!"

"Shut up and play! My base just fell!"

Moyu Manatsu watched the chaos, lip curled in disdain.

"All trash teammates. Never learn."

She kept her mic muted—her insults stayed private.

"Even basic gear gets stolen. Team-ups are useless."

Mouse gripped tight, she focused on the screen.

A smirk spread as her character charged solo toward the enemy crystal tower.

"HOLY CRAP! ONE PERSON—TRIPLE KILL!"

"Dude... no, MASTER! CARRY ME!"

"Your gear’s trash but you play like a demon!"

Moyu Manatsu was a gaming legend.

Beyond studies, games were her true mastery.

The girl was so engrossed in the online game that she couldn't tear herself away. She didn't even notice her phone ringing. On the screen, 'Yuki Shiki' stood out prominently.