*Ding-ding-ding!!*

The grating alarm pierced her ears. A small hand emerged from the covers, fumbling across the nightstand until fingers brushed cold metal. She swiped the screen twice—silence.

The girl dragged herself upright, scratching her arm absently before yawning wide.

At the mirror, a black-haired teen stared back, bleary-eyed. Uncombed strands stuck out wildly, dark circles shadowing her eyes—a clear sign of chronic all-nighters.

*"I’m back..."*

After two days adventuring in another world, Moyu Manatsu had finally returned.

*What an incredible dream.*

Memories of meeting Lunorette flickered in her chest—a warm, nameless feeling. Probably happiness.

Her room remained its usual disaster zone, trash scattered everywhere. *Maybe Lunorette couldn’t be bothered to tidy up,* she mused, *knowing it’d just revert tomorrow.*

*Right. School today...*

Resigned, she peeled off her pajamas. With practiced ease, she wound binding cloth around her chest, layer after layer, shrinking her modest bust. *Lucky it’s not bigger,* she thought, *or this’d hurt like the novels say.*

She coiled her hair into a neat bun, leaving a tiny tail, then jammed on her hat. Phone in hand, she stepped outside.

The summer sun beat down like a steam room. Moyu debated changing into something cooler. Lunorette’s note had suggested buying proper pajamas, but a girl whose heart lived in online games wouldn’t waste cash on *that*.

The train swayed, packed tight. She scrolled Weibo mindlessly, envying rich kids with private cars. Students in mismatched uniforms flooded the streets. Finally, the sign for Kaiyue High appeared. She trudged toward it.

"*Look who finally showed up.*"

The class monitor’s icy glare hit her the moment she opened the classroom door.

*Right. I skipped yesterday. While Lunorette was in control.*

"Nice weather today—"

"Don’t change the subject."

"Sorry. My bad."

Moyu apologized instantly. *Crossing the monitor? That’s a death wish.*

"You missed yesterday’s exams. Math and English teachers are furious—said in thirty years of teaching, you’re the first student arrogant enough to skip."

"I wouldn’t have passed anyway."

"Nonsense. You’re taking make-ups."

"*Ugh...*"

Reluctantly, she accepted her fate. But first—

"*Two days offline? I’m itching.*"

She plopped into her seat and launched *Honor of Kings*.

"You’re still gaming? Class starts soon!" Yuki snapped. She hated games, and this brat loved defying her.

"Just five minutes! *Five!*"

"Today’s test is *Chinese*. Planning to stare at your phone the whole time? How many more make-ups do you want?"

"...Fine."

Moyu surrendered.

Morning exams passed in tense silence, only pencils scratching paper. Chinese wasn’t her worst subject—she breezed through most questions. A breeze lifted her bangs, revealing distant eyes. Sunlight spilled over her test paper. Below, first-years sprinted across the field, their energy contagious. She refocused on her answers.

At lunch, Moyu face-planted on her desk.

"I *hate* exams."

*Two days without internet... I could’ve gamed all morning.*

"If you studied regularly, you wouldn’t need last-minute cramming," Yuki said calmly, sliding their desks together. "Did you remember your bento today?"

"Bought one at the convenience store."

*No more forced feeding sessions,* Moyu thought, heart pounding at the memory. *Being fed by a girl is sweet, but daily? My pride can’t take it.*

"By the way," Yuki added quietly, "the Supernatural Investigation Bureau seems suspicious of you. Be careful."

Moyu’s appetite vanished. Her body was valuable research material to them. Only the Purple Grace Family’s protection kept her safe. *I owe Yuki for that.*

"Yuki, thank you. I—"

"Separate issues. You’ve got make-ups. Study hard this week."

"You mean... less gaming?"

"Precisely."

"Thanks. I won’t give up."

*Whether she meant exams or gaming remained unclear.*

"Mind if I join? Oh—sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey lunch, Manatsu!"

Nan Kaon slid her desk over uninvited, eyes sparkling at the pair.

"Kaon, eat your food. Less fantasizing," Yuki deadpanned.

"*No no no!* Real life inspires stories! A strict monitor and a gloomy guy? *Perfect!*"

"Read fewer shoujo manga."

Moyu stiffened as Kaon leaned close, floral perfume flooding her senses.

"Uh—Nan, what are you doing?"

"I’ve got a *brilliant* idea! If I just—*scootch*—"

"Don’t come closer! We’re not like that!"

"*Will Yuki get jealous?*"

*Adorable girl + male attention = death glares from every guy in class.*

"Let her be," Yuki said, unfazed. *Moyu’s in a girl’s body anyway. Kaon’s the one at risk.*

"Monitor! This isn’t the time to be calm!"

*The class’s murderous aura is suffocating!*

*No harem disasters, please!*

"Tch. Your reaction’s boring, Yuki." Kaon pouted. "Manatsu, your arms are so soft—no muscle at all. And your face... so girly. Pale skin. Are you *sure* you’re a guy?"

"...Yeah."

*Technically, no.*

"Oh! Manatsu!" Kaon’s eyes lit up, fist tapping her palm. Yuki stuffed a rice ball into her mouth.

"Ever considered being a cross-dresser?"

"*PFFT—!*"

Yuki’s rice ball—and half her lunch—sprayed across Moyu’s face.

Silence. Moyu froze, chopsticks hovering. Yuki covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. Kaon shrank back.

"Kaon. *Less manga.*" Yuki’s dead-eyed glare promised violence.

"Sorry!" Kaon squeaked.

Moyu wiped slime off her cheek. *Disgusting. And no, I don’t get turned on by girl spit.*

As apology, Yuki treated her to coffee after school.

They slipped out early, bags slung over shoulders, chatting about nothing. Inside a new café, Yuki ordered two coffees and a slice of cake.

"There’s a dance machine nearby. Want to try?" she asked casually.

"Why would I? I hate dancing."

Yuki’s hand jerked, nearly spilling her cup.

"What’s *that* look for?" Moyu frowned. First time seeing Yuki flustered.

"Aren’t you obsessed with dance machines? Last time, I had to drag you away before you danced till midnight."

*Lunorette’s doing.*

Moyu already knew the answer.

"Listen, Mo—"

"What is it?"

"Lately, you've been acting a bit off."

Moyu felt a pang of guilt.

So she had noticed something after all.

No wonder—Yuki was the closest to Moyu Manatsu in real life. It’d be strange if she hadn’t sensed anything.

"If you have any worries, tell me. I can help solve them directly if possible."

She genuinely cared for Moyu.

Yuki really was a good person. Even though they’d only known each other a month, she was so devoted to Moyu Manatsu. It was impossible not to be moved.

Her heart pounded faster than usual. Heat rose within Moyu. She clutched her coffee cup and gulped it down in one go, ignoring the scalding burn.

"Yuki, thank you."

But the secret of her trips to the other world was something she couldn’t share, Moyu thought.

Watching Yuki’s resentful gaze, Moyu Manatsu silently sipped her coffee.

Outside, the sun slowly set, marking another day’s end. Watching it, Moyu Manatsu couldn’t help but smile.

Tomorrow, she’d return to the other world, resuming her daily body-swap with the girl there.

Sometimes, she felt this life wasn’t so bad after all.

The sun dipped lower as birds flew past. Lights flickered on across Rockefeller Academy, heralding night’s approach.

The tea had gone cold. Chancellor Valianda finished his cup in silence, eyes fixed on Duke Fodisar. The duke drained his own cold tea with a bitter smile.

"By the way," the Academy Chancellor began.

"Has Duke Fodisar heard the tale of the Hero?"

The duke smiled faintly.

"Long ago, the continent faced crisis. The Dark Lord sought to wipe out humanity and claim the throne. Just as people’s smiles faded, a Hero descended from another world. Wielding the mightiest Holy Sword, he vanquished the Dark Lord and saved us all. Peace returned, and the Hero went back to his world."

Duke Fodisar slowly recounted the story he’d heard since childhood.

"It’s called ‘The Savior from Another World.’"

Anyone raised here knew this tale—it was common knowledge.

"One thing’s strange, Your Grace."

"What?"

"When this fairy tale first spread, many nations banned it outright. They burned every copy. Anyone who mentioned it was jailed without mercy—many even met the guillotine."

This part was new to the duke. Duke Fodisar’s interest sharpened.

"Why such hatred? It’s just a common story. Hard to imagine kings causing nationwide panic over something so small."

"What do you mean?"

"Suppose this tale is real. The Hero from another world—perhaps it’s not fiction, but history."

The sun vanished completely. Night fell, casting an eerie gloom over the land.