First, let me make an excuse.

  I certainly seem to be a woman. My body is completely female, and I have the self-awareness that I am a woman. Unlike when I was a man, I don't see women as the opposite sex. Even seeing my own or other women's naked bodies doesn't affect me in itself.

  It sounds like a really desperate excuse, but it's all true. I have no awareness that my personality or tone has changed from when I was a man, nor do I feel like changing it. But I think that's simply because I am still me.

  However.

  It is also a fact that I have lived as a pure-born man for the past sixteen years, and I can become a man anytime if I feel like it. Male "Ore" (me) is at that age (I am too, so naturally). In a place like the girls' dorm, which is like a flower garden, if I stayed a man, it would undoubtedly be impossible not to get excited at all. Sexual desire is something almost all humans have, and it's a normal emotion for a man, so it's unavoidable to some extent...

  Well, it's a pathetic story.

  Technically, I pride myself on having strong reason. Just because I'm a man, I don't intend to do anything weird, and I don't think I actually would.

  Still, if it's just to the extent of inadvertently fantasizing about naughty things... honestly, there is. ...I'm sorry. There is a fair amount.

  Embarrassingly, maybe I am moderately perverted. Not just "Ore," but probably... female-me too. Because. Since I was little, I've been a spoiled child, and I have a tendency to want affection and skinship. Touching someone feels comfortable, and I feel happy. So I have awareness that I'm the type who can't escape easily... I do have awareness of such dangerous parts... technically.

  Anyway.

  Therefore, when living in the girls' dorm, I will never become a man.

  This is the minimum rule I imposed on myself, and I have kept it all along.

  Still, at first, I felt like I was doing something bad just by being in the girls' dorm. I held back in various ways, and I tended to look away from various things out of guilt. Inside, I was sweating buckets every day.

  But living while keeping the rule for a while, I gradually stopped minding it. I became able to talk normally even if Alice was in an open outfit, and I didn't get flustered much even if Milia hugged me. Problems are almost disappearing with other people too. I'm even becoming able to initiate skinship myself.

  Little by little, I think I've become able to handle everything naturally without hesitation. Getting used to things is wonderful.

  But even for the current me, there is still something I inevitably avoid.

  ...The large public bath of the girls' dorm.

  A space where people who don't know about my ability expose their bare skin too defenselessly, too indifferently. This was the only thing that was absolutely no good. My conscience pricked me.

  I didn't want to enter if possible, but I couldn't go without bathing at all. The large bath is open until midnight, so I tried to avoid times with many people as much as possible. That was the least I could do. Although, since I have training with Inea-sensei until late at night, most days it was automatically avoided. And when I entered, I soaked as unobtrusively as possible in the corner so as not to make eye contact with anyone.

  Alice and Milia often waited for me and entered with me, but with just the two of them whom I became completely friendly with, it was okay now. Especially with Alice, I have experience entering with her many times before enrollment.

  One day, while I was managing to get by like that.

  Inea-sensei had to go on a business trip to instruct Qi Sword Arts. It's a regular monthly event held at the Sacris Sword Corps. So, Sensei said there would be no training tomorrow. For the first time in a while, my schedule opened up. Or in this case, I should say it ended up opening.

  Coincidentally, on that day, there was an event limited to girls' dorm students from after school until late at night. It's an exchange event involving not only classmates but also seniors. Led by Alice, Milia and I decided to participate too.

  There were twelve participants, including the three of us. Karla-senpai was among them. The flow of the event was first sports for recreation, and then a party. So, the sports themselves were quite fun, but here, the fact that the number of participants was medium-scale and flexible backfired.

  Just for that occasion, the flow went to "let's all bathe together and wash off the sweat before the party."

  When it comes to this, it's hard for just one person to refuse.

  Still, spare me just this! Inside, I was already about to cry. Mustering my meager courage, I attempted to decline. It can't be helped if I ruin the mood. I'm prepared for it.

  "I'm sorry. I'll pass on..."

  Before I could finish saying it, someone grabbed my arm firmly. Turning around—

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  "It's more fun if we all enter together."

  Ugh, Milia! With her observation skills honed from the vigilance of being shy, she probably sensed that I was reluctant. She was wearing an awfully dark smile saying "I won't let you escape."

  With this attack from Milia, first, my retreat was cut off. Immediately, a combo attack was unleashed there. It was Alice, familiar as the Yu-killer.

  "Yu~. You're embarrassed, aren't you? I know it~"

  "T-that's right. So you see."

  "But you know, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You have a beautiful body, and impressive breasts too!"

  "Mine are bigger, though."

  Milia puffed out her chest modestly yet triumphantly. Milia is plainly a hidden big-breasted girl. Wait, that doesn't matter!

  Bad. This flow is bad in various ways. Is there no help anymore? Can't I escape somehow!?

  However, the moment it was decided that I couldn't go because I was embarrassed, I had already lost. The one who delivered the finishing blow was Karla-senpai, who was listening happily with a hum next to us.

  "Fuffuffu. So that's how it was. Yu."

  "Um. Karla-senpai?"

  "Holding back is forbidden. Come. Inside, Big Sister will hug you gently while talking thoroughly about the wonders of Lost Magic research!"

  As soon as she said it, she had already grabbed the collar of the jacket I was wearing.

  "Eh, wait! Karla-senpai!?"

  "I won't let you escape!"

  I started being dragged away by force. She has awfully strong arm strength, so struggling is futile. Bad! Really bad! At this rate!

  "Please let go! I have a place I must go to!"

  "Oh my. I heard you have no plans today."

  Crap! I did say that!

  "Help! Alice! Milia! Anyway, it's bad if I enter!"

  "Ufufu. What's bad about it? You always enter with us normally."

  "I think naked association with everyone is also important, you know?"

  Ah geez! No good! I have no allies!

  "Don't worry, Big Sister will spoil you plenty. Right, Yu-chan?"

  "Waaaaaaah!"

  Dragged by Karla-senpai just like that, I was forcibly taken to the bathhouse.

  I want to die...

  In the changing room, I was depressed, holding unprecedented guilt. Not to look at anyone, I was staring only at the wall in the corner intently. Ah. If allowed, I want to become a shellfish.

  The meddlesome Alice poked my cheek poke poke and talked to me.

  "Come on. Let's take off our clothes too, Yu?"

  "My mental preparation is still... go ahead first."

  "Fufu. You really are a shy girl. You come later properly, okay?"

  "We'll be waiting."

  I heard Milia add that from behind. Waiting patiently, confirming by sound that everyone changed and went in, I could finally take my eyes off the wall.

  Honestly, I really want to run away as is. Haa... Everyone won't forgive me, huh... Now that I've come this far, I have no choice but to steel myself, huh.

  Taking a deep breath, Eiya! one burst of spirit. I throw off my clothes vigorously.

  I've been thinking about it all along. How not to see everyone's naked bodies. There is a simple but certain method. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. With the resolve not to open them at all while bathing from now on.

  Named: The "Let's Keep My Eyes Closed Forever" Operation!

  This is it. With this, I don't have to see anyone or anything. There should be absolutely no problem. Yeah. Here I go.

  Don't let your guard down, Yu. Beyond this point, everything is a death zone. If I open my eyes even once, I don't know what kind of bombshell will fly in. Carefully here. With eyes closed, advance carefully.

  Thus, although with somewhat unsteady steps, I successfully reached what seemed to be the sliding door of the bath entrance. So far so good. Good. Keep this up.

  Don't look don't look don't look, absolutely don't look—

  Chanting it repeatedly again, I put my hand on the sliding door. However, this operation, which seemed perfect at a glance, would collapse all too easily.

  It was when I finally stepped into the bath and started walking slowly.

  "Ah, Yu. Watch out."

  "Eh—"

  The moment Alice called out a warning. I bumped into something. My body swayed, and I fell clumsily with a thud. The mass of soft skin enveloped my whole body. Especially, a squishy sensation ran through my chest area.

  "Yu..."

  Hearing a sweet whisper, I inadvertently opened my eyes—

  Right before my eyes was Milia's face, blushing bright red to her ears. To my surprise, I had fallen on top of her, covering her whole body firmly! And the soft sensation on my chest was! Namely, it was caused by my moderately sized breasts and her huge breasts touching from their peaks and crushing each other!

  W-w-w-what do I do!? While confused with bewilderment and embarrassment rushing in at once, for the time being, I worry if she's hurt.

  "Sorry. Are you okay? Did it hurt?"

  "Yes. I'm okay, but..."

  At the same time she smiled happily for some reason, the surroundings started making noise.

  "Kyaa!"

  "So that rumor was true after all!"

  "Eye candy? Eye candy?"

  Woah! That's right! Because I messed up at the welcome party, there's a weird rumor that Milia and I love each other! Hiii. At this rate, another groundless misunderstanding will spread. Is it too late? Anyway, it's bad! Just as I tried to stand up to say it's wrong.

  I was absorbed in thinking of an excuse and completely forgot that this is a bathhouse.

  A dynamite-class impact attacked me. Awawawawawawawawawawawawa.

  Including the people who were already in, roughly fifteen girls were staring at me all at once. As far as the eye can see, naked. Naked. Naked. Everyone exposing their breasts, butts, and crotches as if it were natural—

  Ugh... Guuu...

  Disregarding the public gaze, I was completely devastated. It's over... completely over... I can't make excuses to myself anymore. I've crossed a line I can never return from. I—

  "Fufufu. Haha, hahaha..."

  Something decisive snapped inside me. That's right. If I stayed a woman, didn't I know a day like this would come eventually? Who benefits from selfish lines? In the end, it doesn't change the fact that I'm hiding the truth. Drawing such lines was useless...

  That's right. Be at ease. Yu Hoshimi. Rather, let's blow it off. Current me is a woman. There is no problem. Yeah. None. Absolutely, surely... probably... perhaps... hopefully, none!

  A-alright! Since it's come to this, I'm desperate! Whatever comes, come! I have nothing to fear from now on!

  "I'M A WOMAN!" (Aimua-u-man!)

  "What's that?"

  Karla-senpai nearby had a dubious face. Bad. I blurted out something weird in the momentum. Since she probably doesn't know English, I'll deceive her appropriately.

  "It's like a special spell when entering the bath! Do you want to try saying it together, Senpai?"

  "There is such a thing? Fine!"

  As expected of Karla-senpai. Her vibe is intense usually, but it's wonderful that she goes along well with things she doesn't understand like this!

  "Ready, set."

  ""I'M A WOMAN!""

  ""Yaaay!""

  We high-fived with that momentum.

  "Karla-senpai! Let's talk slowly!"

  "Oh, you understand! I'll talk as much as you want!"

  "Bring it on!"

  I felt like I faintly heard Milia and Alice saying something like this.

  "Yu finally broke, huh."

  "I wonder what got into her only today. I've never seen Yu like that."

  Leave me alone. Even me. Even I!

  I want to cryyyyy!