Consciousness sank deeper and deeper. No sound reached her ears. She drifted in a strange, empty space.

Occasionally, a strange power pulsed in her body. Then, it slowly faded away.

Deep in her mind, an image surfaced...

A woman plunged a sword into a black-haired girl’s body.

This was a dream she’d had countless times. The vision crashed into her reality again. But it vanished quickly.

The girl opened her eyes. She found herself in a wondrous space.

The area stretched endlessly, hazy and unreal. Only white mist drifted around.

She examined her hands. She touched her hair twice. It was black. This was truly her own body—Moyu Manatsu’s.

Her field of vision sat a few centimeters lower. When using Lunorette’s body, it had been higher. Simply put, Moyu Manatsu was shorter than Lunorette.

“Where is this place?”

Moyu Manatsu stared at the unfamiliar realm, confused. She’d never been here before.

Barefoot, she walked across the ground. It felt neither cold nor warm. Her previously tied-up hair came loose. Long black strands flowed to her shoulder blades, adding an enigmatic charm.

The mist gradually cleared. A silvery-white figure emerged. Moyu froze mid-step.

As the fog vanished, a silver-haired girl’s form sharpened. Her face, once hidden, grew clear. Surprise flashed across her features.

“Is that... Little Mo?” she asked uncertainly.

The two girls stood face to face. They stared silently. A five-minute quiet stretched between them.

“Lunorette?” Moyu finally spoke.

Lunorette paused, then smiled. Her expression felt healing, warm.

“It really is you, Little Mo. Up close, you match what I’ve seen perfectly.”

Before, Lunorette had only glimpsed this face in mirrors. Seeing it head-on now felt startlingly real.

“But why are we...” Moyu Manatsu couldn’t stay calm. She scanned the unknown space.

Until yesterday, their only connection was body-swapping. This was their first true meeting.

Viewing Lunorette’s face directly differed completely from mirror reflections. Her aura was impossible to mimic. That gentle smile clashed utterly with Moyu’s own demeanor. Their presences were worlds apart.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Lunorette explained, chin resting on her palm. “This seems like an unknown realm. I recall falling asleep and waking here.”

“What’s happening?”

“Perhaps some mysterious force. Like when our souls swapped. Maybe it’s the goddess’s doing.”

Lunorette spoke seriously, no trace of jest. This shocked Moyu—she’d assumed Lunorette was an atheist.

“Forget your weird talk. The goddess tale is old news to city kids. I’m not a child. Don’t treat me like a fool.”

“So you read our fairy tales too?”

“Don’t change the subject!”

“Alright, alright. Honestly, I don’t know why this occurred. Only that it happened after we fell asleep. Around the same time as our soul exchanges.”

Truthfully, countless mysteries surrounded them. Moyu still didn’t grasp why their souls swapped. As strangers from separate worlds, what reason could exist for such a bond?

“Overthinking won’t yield answers. But meeting you here as souls feels lucky. I’ve always wanted to say something.”

Lunorette scratched her head, hesitant. Moyu stared blankly, making her uneasy.

“Ahem, Little Mo. I heard from Caina. I never expected you to tell her about us.”

Under that gaze, Moyu felt guilty. She lowered her head and stepped back silently.

“You know everything?”

“Mm.”

“Then... you know what I did with your body?”

“Yes. Everything. You truly did something incredible.”

*She’s angry*, Moyu thought. *Naturally—anyone would be*.

Moyu retreated again. A white wall materialized behind her. Trapped, she stood still.

“You genuinely surprised me. I never imagined you had this side.”

Lunorette continued, ignoring her discomfort. “Using companions, scheming... hard to picture you doing such things. You hid it so well. I was fooled. This side of you... unexpected.”

Lunorette meant no blame—just honesty. Yet she was right. Moyu Manatsu had deceived her. Who’d think this gaming-addicted girl held such ruthlessness? She’d betray trust for victory, even flip enemies off the board. How terrifying. One misstep, and she’d outmaneuver anyone. Before this, she’d been a hopeless netizen.

“I’ve always known who I am.” Moyu refused to overexplain. It was pointless.

“Believe it or not, as a kid, I trapped a classmate in a mousetrap snare.”

“I believe you could.” Lunorette chuckled dryly.

“If you dislike me, fine. I did those things. No excuses—I won’t deny it.”

The silver-haired girl paused, then smiled softly. “But in the end, you tried to atone.”

Moyu looked up, confused.

“I heard from Caina. Though you did what I hate most, you didn’t run. You fought the enemy and saved Wensidia for me. Little Mo, what I truly want to say is thank you. For protecting my friends when I couldn’t be there.”

Lunorette’s sincere smile dazzled Moyu, making her heart flutter.

“Aren’t you angry with me?”

“Why would I be?”

“I did those things... You value companions deeply. I used your body like that, and you...”

“Deep down, you hold kindness. That’s why I forgive you.” She smiled again.

“What nonsense! Are you brain-dead? You forgive me? Even lies should sound better!”

Facing the flustered girl, Lunorette smiled gently. She opened her arms and pulled Moyu into a hug.

Moyu’s face pressed against her chest. She blushed fiercely and stilled.

“Because I trust you. Aren’t we friends? I know you’ve reflected. So, Little Mo, stop blaming yourself.”

Warmth flowed into Moyu’s heart. Calm settled over her. No one had ever shown such care. She let herself be held, unresisting.

“Besides, didn’t you apologize to Erica?”

“I did. But she dismissed it as a joke. To her, Lunorette would never do such things. If she knew it was me...”

“That night, back at the academy, I apologized personally. She didn’t take it seriously.”

“It’s fine. You tried, Little Mo. I won’t blame you anymore.”

“Lunorette...”

“Just call me Luno.”

Moyu studied her genuine smile, her tender gaze. Gripping Luno’s clothes, her cheeks flushed deeper.

“Luno.”

Her first time saying it. Unfamiliar, yet warm. Crimson spread across her face.

This was their first true conversation. Though only souls met here.

Luno released her and studied Moyu closely. Up close, the girl was undeniably cute. Alluring lips, wide bewildered eyes, smooth skin. Only flaw: she was too thin, fragile as a twig.

“Why stare?”

“Ah, nothing.” Luno looked away, flustered.

That matter settled, but Moyu had old scores to clear.

“Since you forgave me, I haven’t forgiven you. Explain buying CDs and headphones with my money.”

Moyu’s expression turned fierce. Luno’s guilt spiked—trouble was coming.

“Th-that...”

She couldn’t confess she’d bought them on impulse, using Moyu’s cash to tease her. If Moyu knew that, she’d be furious. Luno vowed silence.

“Do you realize you left me broke? You used my stuff, ate my food, and made me clean your mess!”

“Hey, can girls speak more politely?”

“Shut up!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll repay you. My wallet’s full.”

“Get lost! Can I take your coins to my world? Are you stupid?”

*Not good. She’s livid.*

Moyu Manatsu cared little for most things—but money? Starve her a week, and she’d crave it desperately.

"This is such a hassle. Fine, how about this: if you become my wife, you can spend all my money. You can use it to eat fancy meals—in my world, of course. That’ll clear your debt."

"What twisted logic is that! Stop giving me that playful look! Why would I be your wife? What nonsense are you even thinking?"

"What’s wrong with that, my dear wife?"

"You’re crazy! Am I your wife?"

"Crazy? Aren’t you my wife?"

"Gah—Get lost!"

Lunorette was just teasing her for fun; she found it amusing. But Moyu was still an innocent kid—how could she possibly accept such an insult?

"I’m telling you, I’m a guy! If anyone’s becoming a wife, it should be you!"

"Pfft! That’s hilarious. Where do you even look like a guy?"

The other simply laughed it off as a joke.

"I was a boy until a month ago."

Moyu Manatsu wasn’t joking; she said it dead seriously.

"Also, I used to be called Manatsu Mio. You’ve already seen it on my student ID."

"Huh?"

"I’m a guy. Listen up."

"Hey... aren’t you a girl?"

Lunorette couldn’t stay calm anymore.

"I am now, but I was a real boy before. So I suggest you stop messing with me."

"Are you kidding me?!"

Lunorette lost it.

"These jelly-like little lips, that animal-like gaze, delicate skin, and hair sticking out everywhere—you look like a girl from every angle! You’re telling me you’re a guy? Are you messing with me?"

"Luno, how about you calm down?"

"I don’t believe it! This can’t be true!"

She seemed unable to accept this fact.

Well, no wonder.

Just as Lunorette let out a sorrowful wail, this otherworldly space began to blur. Soon, both vanished, and their brief encounter came to an end.