Ch.45 Best Friends. It's Always Nice to Have Someone Similar to Oneself.

Next morning.

"Ugh... what is this ja? My head hurts so much..."

When I woke up this morning, I was hit by an indescribable headache.

I felt a throbbing pain, like I am being hammered from the inside, and I woke up feeling absolutely awful...

Actually, I can barely remember anything about yesterday...

I remember telling them about my past and how they were incredibly sympathetic, but my memory of what happened after that is quite hazy.

What exactly happened?

"F-first things first, I have to do something about this headache..."

I managed to get myself out of bed, clutching my throbbing headache.

...Now that I think about it, when did I fall asleep?

"...And this is a hotel room, is it not?"

Moving my neck triggers a headache, but I manage to endure it and look around.

Then I realized that this is a hotel room.

...Well, I suppose it would not be weird notice it if you were sleeping in such a lavish room.

Is this it? Is this what they call a suite, the one I have heard so much about?

The reason I was sleeping in this room was probably due to the employees here. After all, for some reason, they seem to respect me.

Anyway, time to get out of the room...

"Upuu... This is bad, I am starting to feel nauseous..."

As I tried to walk, I was overcome with intense nausea, so I placed one hand on the support post of my canopy bed and covered my mouth with the other.

I-I feel so disgusting.

"W-what exactly happened to me noja...?"

I should assume something happened at yesterday's gathering, but I have absolutely no memory of it... I cannot even recall what happened.

"...Ugh, I feel sick... My head hurts..."

I am already exhausted.

As I slowly and sluggishly moved around the room, wondering if there is any way to cure myself, I found what looked like pills and a note on the desk right next to the bed.

"Let me see... 'Yesterday was quite an ordeal, so please take this medicine. It's a very strong hangover cure, but you can expect it to work. However, you might experience some nausea and a headache, so please be aware of that. Also, there will be no harm to your body, so please don't worry.' Is that what it says?"

Seriously, what happened yesterday ja?

Or rather... a hangover cure? Did it really say "hangover cure" on it?

...I do not want to believe it, but did I drink alcohol?

T-hat is impossible!

No matter how lazy and indifferent I may be from others (though I would not admit it myself), I would never drink alcohol as a minor!

...But now that you I think of it, the symptoms I am experiencing are very similar to a hangover.

A throbbing, intense headache and nausea. At this point, I have a feeling things are going to go wrong...

N-not yet ja. It has not been confirmed yet that I have been drinking!

"...But what is that thing sitting next to it..."

It looks like a drink meant for alcoholics, no matter how you look at it.

That is Uko〇 no Chikara, is it not?

...I suppose I must have been drinking alcohol after all.

"I-I have a terrible feeling about what I have done—ugh."

It hurts nojaa...

When I shout, the terrible headache resonates in my head...

"I-I guess there is no other choice. I will just take this pill for now..."

What is done is done.

With that change of mindset, I pick up one of the pills that was lying there, pop it into my mouth, and swallow it.

"...Mu? Has the medicine already taken effect?"

Immediately after taking the medicine, I suddenly feel much lighter.

It seems the medicine worked, but...

"Normally, medicine should not work this quickly..."

In that case, this medicine is no ordinary medicine.

Perhaps there is someone among those TS syndrome folks who possesses the ability to compound medicine.

If that is the case, then it makes sense that the medicine works quickly.

"...But I still have a slight headache and nausea..."

The problem is that I have absolutely no memory of it. I'd like to find out what exactly happened... Oh, that reminds me, I did exchange LINN with Mikuto and the others.

I wonder if I should ask about it.

[I am sorry, but I do not remember anything from a certain point yesterday. Do you know anything about it?]

When I ask Mikuto and the other four,

[Ahh, yeah. Nothing... happened, right? It's all good, it's all good.]

Everyone replied with that exact same message.

That just gives me the impression that something significant has happened though?

Could it be that I really did something wrong? What exactly? At the very least, I know there is a possibility that I drank alcohol...

...Surely I was not super drunk and acting recklessly, was I?

……………...Umu. I will stop thinking about it. I am kind of scared.

"Oh, it's already 9:15 a.m.. I need to hurry up, get ready, eat breakfast, and head to the meeting place."

Still feeling slightly nauseous and with a headache, I get ready and head to the diner on the first floor.

◇◆◇

"Fumu. 'Tis almost time, but..."

I packed my bags, had Inogawara send the larger items home, and now I am waiting in front of the hotel with my own shoulder bag.

While checking the time on my smartphone and looking around,

"Ano, are you, Ouka-kun?"

Suddenly, I heard a beautiful voice, like the tinkling of bells.

When I look in the direction of the voice, I see that the person there is not exactly the same as in the photo Mikuto had shown me... but rather someone wearing a newsboy cap and sunglasses ja.

Upon closer inspection, her clothing is rather plain, and she does not look like the person in the photos.

But she looks pretty cute, so I guess that means her looks are just that good.

"Umu, that is so ja. So, you are Iyo, is that correct?"

"Un, that's right. Oh, sorry about this weird outfit. It's a bit of a problem if I go out without disguises on..."

"You mentioned something about work, is this related to that?"

"Well, you know. Believe it or not, I'm actually quite famous... It's not like I wanted to be, but the pressure from those around me is so strong that I ended up like this..."

"Is that so? ...Shall we move on for now?"

Since it would be awkward to stand around and talk here, I suggested we move, and Iyo smiled and nodded.

"Oh, that's right. You see, I have a favorite cafe nearby. Shall we go there?"

"Okay. Do they have good coffees?"

"Of course. Plus, it has private rooms, which is rare for a cafe, so I can relax there without feeling self-conscious. Let's talk there."

"Umu, understood ja."

"Welcome."

"There are two of us. Do you have a private room available?"

"We do have one. Please come this way."

Upon entering the restaurant, a waiter led me and Iyo to a private room at the back.

Then, after closing the door to the room and creating a private space for just the two of us, Iyo takes off her cap and sunglasses.

"Phew... It's definitely better without these disguise on."

"Hohou, I see. You are even cuter than you look in the photos."

"Fue?! R-Really...?"

When I called her cute, Iyo's face turned red.

Fumu. They said she was still a beginner, and it seems she really is.

"Umu. Well, I suppose we shall sit down for now."

"U-un, of course."

We are sitting on the sofa facing each other.

But looking at her again...she really has a well-proportioned figure.

I have never seen such beautiful silver hair before, and her facial features are also remarkably well-proportioned.

Her style is... Umumu. She is huge. Much bigger than she looks in the photos. Bigger than Mizuki, huh... I cannot believe there is someone our age who is bigger than her. The world is a big place.

"Okay, then let's order right away. Here's the menu."

"Excuse me. Well then... I will have a black coffee."

"You don't want any sweets?"

"Well, actually, I did not bring much money with me today. Besides, my purpose today was to meet and talk with you."

"Oh, really? Well then...shall I pay for it?"

"That would make me feel bad, especially since 'tis our first meeting."

"It's fine, it's fine. I just... wanted to spend some money..."

Iyo smiled, her eyes drifting into the distance.

What reason could there be for saying that?

"Even if you say that..."

"It's okay, it's okay. If it's someone Mikuto and the others introduced me to, there shouldn't be any problem. So, go ahead and ask without hesitation. Of course, don't worry about the price, just get whatever you like."

With a gentle smile, she hands the menu to me, practically forcing it into my hand.

I wonder why... For some reason, I get the feeling she has an older sister vibe.

Moreover, I feel like I am being treated like a little sister... 'Tis just my imagination, right?

"Is this really okay?"

"Un, that's fine."

"I see. Well then... I will have this strawberry sundae."

"I'd be fine if you get something even more expensive though..."

"Ah, no. I am not much of a eater. I just had breakfast a little while ago noja. So, a small dessert would be better for my stomach ja."

"Oh, really? Then, I think I'll have these fluffy pancakes then."

"You are really going for it... It looks like there are about four of those."

"There's always room for dessert!"

"I see."

...This guy, she really was a man before, right?

She just does not look like a former man.

Her cute gestures, how easily she blushes, and how she says there is always room for dessert... Fuumu. I have a suspicion that she might not have been a man before.

With those thoughts in mind, we ordered the desserts.

We chatted about trivial things while waiting for them to arrive.

◇◆◇

"Here you go, I hope you enjoy it."

"Oh, here it comes. Now, let us eat."

"Un."

""Itadakimasu.""

First, I shall take a bite of this strawberry sundae.

"Umu. This is delicious."

'Tis quite delicious.

The vanilla ice cream has just the right amount of sweetness, and the sweet and sour strawberry sauce is a perfect match.

"Right? I heard that the ice cream, whipped cream, and fruit sauces here are all homemade. They're really particular about everything."

"I see. Well then, I shall drink the coffee now..."

I generally prefer green tea, but I also like coffee.

However, I just cannot bring myself to like black tea. I cannot stand the smell...

Anyway, the coffee ja.

"Slurp... Hohou, this is delicious too."

Apparently, a good black coffee has a subtle sweetness... and indeed, it seems that is the truly case. I like it.

"This is a nice place."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"Umu umu. Thanks to Iyo."

"Haha, hearing you say that makes bringing you here worthwhile, Ouka-kun."

"You can just call me Mahiro. We are the same age anyway. ...Well, I have already started calling you Iyo without any honorifics though."

"It's fine, calling me by my name. Then I'll call you Mahiro too."

"Umu. Once again, pleasure to meet you, Iyo."

"Un, nice to meet you too, Mahiro."

We shook hands lightly.

...Her hands are soft and warm.

"Even so, it's strange that someone who looks like that is the same age as me."

"I look like an elementary school student, but I am actually a second-year high school student."

"Fufu, that's true. Besides, 'TSF syndrome' is a rare condition, so it's not surprising that there are people like Mahiro."

"Umu. Well, this is more or less my ideal after all."

I want to add that I am absolutely not a lo**con.

"Ahaha..." Iyo could only manage a wry smile.

"But is that your ideal form?"

"I think so. I've always liked characters with silver hair and blue eyes."

"I understand. I totally get that feeling. I love silver-haired characters too."

"But Mahiro's color is cherry blossom pink, isn't it?"

"I also like cherry blossom pink, so I guess this one won."

In my opinion, 'twas a very close call.

Well, I can change my hair color with my ability anyway, so 'tis not much of a problem.

"Hee~."

"Ah, now that you mention it, I heard from Mikuto and the others that you have exceptionally high physical abilities, do you not? Is that... an ability?"

"Ah... hmm... if you call it an ability... I guess it could be considered an ability."

"What was that? You are being quite evasive."

"Well, let's just call it an ability. ...So, what kind of ability does Mahiro have?"

"My abilities include the power to freely grow or regress my body, the power to manifest the abilities of my favorite animals, and the power to change the color of various parts of my body."

"That's quite an impressive ability, in a subtle way."

She gave me that assessment of my abilities with a slight smile.

Is it really such an amazing ability? I am not so sure myself, though.

"Right? Well, the only ability I would use often among these is the one that manifests the abilities of animals noja."

"Because of the disadvantages?"

"Umh. I hardly ever use 'Growth Regression' because it makes me hungry when they grow. I do mot use 'Color Change' because once I change the color, I cannot change it back for 24 hours. Well, I might use it for a change of pace, though."

"I'd definitely hate being hungry..."

"Umu. To be honest, 'tis tough."

I feel sick when I am hungry.

I am not sure how long I can stay like that, but judging from how I felt when I was growing up, I would say about 4 hours at most.

Any more than that and I will probably collapse from starvation.

"So, what kind of abilities does Iyo possess?"

"Ah... it's a little secret."

With a apologetic look on her face, Iyo put her index finger to her lips and said this.

"Is there something you do not want to talk about?"

"It's a little hard to say... I'm sorry, Mahiro, for letting you tell it alone."

"I do not mind. Everyone has their own opinion on this, you know. I do not feel the need to force the question."

Because 'tis too much trouble.

Furthermore, in these cases, the going rate is determined by whether there is some serious reason behind it or if the abilities are embarrassing.

"Thank you."

With a relieved smile, she thanked me.

Fumu. I am still curious about it, but oh well.

"By the way, why did you want to meet me, Mahiro?"

"Ah, well, actually, I feel like we could become friends..."

"Really? Which part exactly?"

"The biggest part would be being often told as oblivious."

"...Could it be that Mahiro has been told the same thing?"

With an expression that seemed to say, "Friends? Friends?", Iyo asked.

"Umu. In my case, I am called a dull, oblivious, sleepy idiot."

"That's a pretty strong way of addressing someone..."

"I do not believe that I am oblivious, though..."

"I see... I don't know why, but people say I'm oblivious. Even though I'm sensitive to other people's stares."

"I understand that. 'Tis like, when you say that, your friend says, 'No, that's not it,' right?"

"That's right. And when I ask, 'What's the difference?', they say, 'The other person is pitiful...'"

"Umu umu. I do not really understand what is so pitiful about it... The person in question certainly has a sad aura about them, but did they say anything strange?"

"Un un. I don't really understand..."

"What a mistery..."

It seems this fellow is just like me.

Apparently, she is the type of person who is considered oblivious.

...For some reason, I feel an even greater sense of closeness to her.

"And you, weren you not forced to crossdress when you were a man?"

"...No way, Mahiro too!?"

"...Judging from the looks of it, that seems to be the case."

"Un... My mom's a strange person... When she saw me as a girl, she said, 'I've sometimes thought it would be nice if Iyo was a girl... but I never imagined you'd actually become a girl... I'm kind of happy!'"

"Uwaa...how awful..."

"In both elementary and middle school, I was made to crossdress on every occasion, so I didn't have much resistance to wearing girls' clothes, and I knew how to wear them, which made my feelings even more complicated..."

"Ahaha..." She said, her eyes lifeless, as she spoke of the past.

I felt truly sorry for her.

"...I was also often made to crossdress by my mother... When my parents found out I had developed the illnes, they dropped everything they were doing at work and came home for some reason like, 'It sounds interesting,' and when they saw me they said, 'We came to see the interesting situation of you developing "TSF syndrome" and becoming a beautiful girl' ja... And what is more, on the day I became this form, when I went to look for some of my childhood clothes to wear for a medical examination... all I had were the clothes I wore when I was crossdressing ja... And the boys' clothes, they had all been thrown away..."

"Uwaa... My situation pretty bad, but Mahiro's is pretty bad too..."

"...Do you understand?"

"Of course. This is the kind of suffering that only those who have experienced it can understand..."

"......How to say this ja? Tears are starting to come out of my eyes..."

"......Me too."

As we comforted each other, we both started crying.

Well, you see... Even for me, crossdressing was something that really affected me...

And now, having come here and met someone who shares those feelings, and who can comfort each other... it makes me want to cry.

These are probably tears of joy because we have found a member of our own kind...

"...I've told them countless times that I hate cross-dressing, but they still make me wear it."

"...And then, you know? The people around you start getting carried away, saying things like, 'It suits you,' or 'It's cute.'"

"Un……"

Ah, that really touches my heart...

Our own kind. What a wonderful sound that is...

Until now, there was no one in the same situation as me, so I am truly happy to have met Iyo...

Perhaps that is why.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I blurted out the following:

"...Well, you know ja. From today onwards, we are not just friends...we are best friends."

Perhaps because we understood each other's struggles, I casually referred to her as my best friend.

Upon hearing this, Iyi looked surprised for a moment, but then instantly understood and a smile spread across her face.

"Un, that's right. For me too, it's very comforting to know that there are others who have experienced the same suffering."

"Right, right? So, I guess we will be best friends from now on."

"Of course. After all, we were both originally men, and we were both forced to crossdress, so that kind of relationship might feel more natural."

"Umu, I think so too. Alright! Iyo, do you have some time after this?"

"Yes, I do."

"So, how about we hang out after this ja? My plan was just to meet briefly and then go our separate ways, but I have taken a liking to you, and more than anything, I would love to hang out."

I told Miho and the others I would be back by lunchtime, but... my plans have changed!

I want to play! With this fellow!

However, if Iyo does not agree, then that is the end of it.

"That sounds great! I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't had time to hang out. And even if I wanted to hang out with other people, it would cause problems if I did... Especially if I hung out with male friends, well, you know."

Fumu. I do not know what kind of work this fellow does, but she has gone to the trouble of disguising herself.

In that case, it seems we cannot just mess around too much.

"Well then, let us play to make up for the time you have not been able to play."

"Un! Let's go after we eat!"

"Umu!"

That is how it turned out.

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