I learned later that the ringleader's name was Vester. The attack on the Coliseum and the town ended with his death. The number of victims rose to several hundred, and it would remain in people's memories as one of the most gruesome incidents in the history of Sacris.

  The festival was cancelled immediately, and strict martial law was imposed throughout the town.

  Alice and I were taken near the Coliseum by Clam. There, we were briefly questioned by one of Barton-sensei's subordinates. During that time, seeing my terrible injuries, one of the subordinates offered to call a healer, but I politely declined, saying I had someone in mind.

  After the questioning ended, we were finally released. Argus came over immediately. I had seen him listening in near Barton-sensei. He must have been waiting for the right timing.

  "Yo. You're Alice, right? Glad to see you're safe too."

  The two of them showed relieved faces.

  "Yeah. It's good that we're both safe."

  "By the way, did you see Yu on the way? Knowing her, I think she managed to escape somehow, but..."

  "Ah... well..."

  Seeing Argus with a blatantly worried expression, Alice looked at me with a troubled face, as if asking if she could tell him. I whispered to her, (I'll tell Argus myself), and she nodded in understanding.

  Argus turned to me and asked with a slightly suspicious look.

  "Come to think of it, who are you?"

  "I'm Alice's friend."

  I replied like that for now. It wasn't a lie, strictly speaking. Alice backed me up.

  "That's right. We escaped together."

  "Huh."

  Just then, I saw two figures running toward us. It was Milia and Inea-sensei. Sensei hated noisy places, so she probably hadn't watched the magic battles. Being with Sensei meant Milia hadn't been present at the scene of the attack.

  "Milia! You're safe!"

  Just as Alice and I were about to welcome her, Sensei cut through the wind at blinding speed and jumped straight at me.

  "Yu! Thank god you're safe! If you had gone somewhere too, I don't know what I would have done...!"

  With unusually bare emotion, Sensei hugged me so tightly it was hard to breathe. To think the always calm Sensei could be this flustered... But it made me realize how much I was loved. Feeling that firsthand made me happy. However, well, the emotion of embarrassment also welled up.

  "Sensei..."

  "What."

  "I'm happy you're worried, but everyone is watching."

  Told so, Sensei looked around and finally realized that attention was gathered on us.

  "Ah, right."

  Blushing slightly, she loosened her grip. Just clearing her throat once, she immediately regained her composure, which was impressive. Then, she whispered in my ear.

  (By the way, why are you in your male form?)

  (I transformed to save Alice from an attacker.)

  When I told her the circumstances, Sensei seemed a little surprised.

  (Does that mean you revealed it?)

  (Yes.)

  (I see. But you don't seem to regret it.)

  (Thanks to that, I was able to save Alice.)

  Looking at Alice, it seemed she had already finished her reunion hug with Milia. Once everyone settled down, Milia spoke up.

  "While I was doing research, urgent news came in that the Coliseum was under attack. And I learned that terrifying Explosion Magic was likely being used."

  "Right. It was probably the same magic Milia mentioned."

  That was what I thought too. At Alice's words, Milia nodded strongly.

  "Yes. I was worried and moved immediately. But I couldn't be of help alone. So I hurried to find Inea-san, who could be a fighting force, and brought her here, but..."

  Sensei dropped her shoulders powerlessly.

  "It seems we were a step too late. It appears everything is already over."

  Then, Sensei surprisingly bowed her head to me.

  "I'm sorry, Yu. I couldn't be of any help during my disciple's crisis."

  Of course, I thought there was no need for Sensei to apologize. So I said:

  "Please don't do that, Sensei. Just you coming here is enough."

  "Is that so..."

  "Besides, it couldn't be helped. No one could have predicted such an incident would occur."

  "Right. I'm sorry..."

  Even though I said it was fine, Sensei seemed unable to forgive herself. She was a person with a strong sense of responsibility. Observing my body like a doctor, she made an increasingly bitter face.

  "Even so, you've sustained terrible injuries. You're covered in cuts and burns."

  "It's a bit bad, yeah."

  Honestly, my body hurt everywhere, and I was so dizzy it was hard even to stand. Seeing me like that, Sensei must have finally found her own way to atone. She puffed out her chest and said.

  "Alright. I'll heal you right away."

  I had been waiting for those words. Sensei's Qi treatment was exactly what I was counting on. She was way better than any clumsy healer. She should be able to ensure no scars remained.

  "Please."

  "Yeah. Leave it to me."

  We sat side by side on nearby chairs, and Sensei immediately began healing my injuries. Where Sensei held her hand over, I felt a faint, pleasant warmth. Perhaps finding the harmonious treatment scene between master and disciple interesting, Alice came over and watched intently. Eventually, she said with admiration.

  "Qi is really convenient, huh. I'm thoroughly impressed just from today. Maybe I should learn from Inea-san too!"

  My eyes were drawn to her enthusiastic right arm. It was still wrapped in bandages, looking painful. She had already been treated by a healer and I heard it would heal completely, so I didn't do anything extra.

  But if I had known such an incident would occur, I thought Alice should have asked Sensei to heal it quickly too. Although, that wouldn't have restored her Magic Power any faster, so she still wouldn't have been able to use magic. Still, escaping should have been somewhat easier.

  While continuing my treatment, Sensei told Alice with a sympathetic face.

  "Unfortunately, it's probably impossible for you. The more Magic Power one has, the more difficult it becomes to master Qi."

  Flatly denied, Alice pouted slightly in frustration. It seemed she had optimistically hoped she could do it too.

  "Ehh. Is that so."

  Then, seeming to wonder about something, she tilted her head.

  "But, wait? Then why can Yu use Qi?"

  I see. From Alice's perspective, I was a human with 10,000 Magic Power. Yet I was using Qi freely, so it was no wonder she found it strange. While I was hesitating on how to explain, Sensei answered simply.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Ah. This guy is the only exception. Would you understand if I said he's on the side that can use Qi?"

  With that, the perceptive Alice seemed to understand.

  "Ah. I see. I kinda get it."

  Then, Argus, who had been watching silently until now, interrupted.

  "Hey. You've been saying 'Yu' since a while ago, but who are you talking about? Don't tell me, it's this guy?"

  He pointed at me. Before I could say yes, Milia answered immediately.

  "That's right. This man's name is also Yu. And, it's Yu Hoshimi, right?"

  As usual, she glared at me with cute, staring eyes. There was an intensity within the cuteness.

  "Ah. Is that so. Geez, having the same name is confusing. It's not like it's such a common name."

  Milia, still staring, turned her face toward Alice.

  "Or rather, even Alice. You look like you know something. Am I the only one left out?"

  Milia seemed displeased that she was the only one not informed. Pressured by her gaze, even Alice could only smile wryly.

  "Ahaha. I kinda found out by chance, you could say."

  Alice directed a stiff smile at me.

  "Hoh. By chance, is it."

  Milia, glaring at me again, seemed to emit a dark aura like Gogogo. I was overwhelmed by the pressure.

  "Wait, Milia. C-calm down. Of course, I'll tell you too, okay?"

  "No thanks. I decided to wait until the girl Yu tells me."

  Although she said that, she clearly looked unconvinced.

  "In that case, I think there's no problem hearing it from him."

  "Alice. What does that mean?"

  "Umm..."

  Perhaps having trouble explaining when asked in a harsh tone, Alice pleaded with her eyes, 'You say it.' Thrown the baton, I was also a bit troubled about what to say. If I just stated my true identity bluntly, the conversation would be over, but there were strangers here too. As long as there was a possibility of being overheard, I couldn't do that.

  After thinking a little, I decided to state it this way.

  "I have permission from her to tell you at my timing."

  Alice backed me up immediately.

  "Yeah. That's right! I heard that too!"

  But this casual remark was fatally bad. Alice couldn't help it since she didn't know about the promise I made with Milia in the morning bath... Hearing it from "me (her)" was bad!

  "Is that so. She told Alice, huh. Even though I was put off when I asked..."

  As expected, her impression of "me (her)" was getting worse and worse. Thinking this was bad, I instantly threw in a follow-up for myself.

  "No, wait! When she told either Alice or Milia, she told me to tell the other one immediately too! That's why!"

  "Fufu. That's right. There's no way only I would be left out. Right?"

  Her smile was scary.

  "Y-yeah. Yeah. That's not the case, so rest assured!"

  Hearing that, she finally sheathed her blade.

  "Understood. Then, I will hear it from you."

  With the danger passing for now, I sighed in relief. Milia seemed likely to become a big figure in the future. Just then, Sensei started treating my back. The warmth seeped into my aching body and my heart, which was aching in a different sense. I turned only my head back and asked Sensei.

  "Sensei. After the treatment is done, can we all go to the dojo? Including about me, there are various things I want to talk about."

  Various things became clear during this Stardust Festival. There was also the incident. I wanted to have a thorough discussion and organize the information.

  "I don't mind."

  "Thank you."

  Then I invited Argus too.

  "I want Argus to come too. There's something I want to talk about."

  "Sorry, but I refuse. I plan to search for Yu. The girl one. I'll feel bad if I don't confirm she's safe."

  I thought he would say that given his personality. But I would be troubled if he went, since I am that Yu.

  "The Yu Argus is looking for will also come there."

  When I told him that, he took the bait.

  "Is that true? You're not lying, are you?"

  "Of course it's true."

  "Yeah. I guarantee she will come too."

  Sensei also backed me up. After thinking a little, he agreed.

  "Then I'll go. It's not like I have a clue where she is."

  After the treatment was finished, we moved to Inea-sensei's dojo. Here, there was no worry of being overheard or seen by unrelated people.

  We sat lined up in the middle of the spacious hall. From my perspective, Alice and Milia sat on both sides, and Argus and Inea-sensei sat in the back left and right respectively. Alice and Milia were waiting with bated breath for me to open my mouth. Inea-sensei, who already knew the circumstances, was calm, and Argus, who didn't seem that interested in the story so far, looked as usual.

  I let out a breath and decided to start talking.

  "Where should I start—right. First, I'll talk about the secret of this body."

  "The secret, of the body?"

  Perhaps because it was an unexpected opening, Milia tilted her head slightly.

  "Actually, the girl Yu and I are one and the same body, or rather... she is another form of mine, something like that."

  Sensei and Alice, who already knew this, said nothing. On the other hand, Milia stiffened her expression, and Argus showed a suspicious reaction.

  "No way..."

  "Hey. What kind of joke is that?"

  "Well, you'd think that. It's faster to show than tell."

  I stood up.

  "I have a little transformation ability. There's only one thing I can change into, though."

  Focusing my mind, with the usual sensation of electricity flowing, my body and clothes changed instantly.

  My height decreased slightly, and my whole body became rounder. My hair became glossier and longer, my Adam's apple disappeared, my shoulders became slightly narrower, and my limbs became white and slender. My buttocks became fuller, my waist curved, and my chest swelled and perked up. My genitalia also changed, reconfiguring from male to female.

  "Like this. I can become a woman."

  Becoming the girl in the skirt everyone here knew well, I said in a voice higher than when I was a man, a clear female voice.

  Sensei, who was used to seeing this change, remained calm, but Alice, for whom it was still the few-th time, seemed a bit resistant and froze slightly. As for Milia and Argus, their jaws dropped as if they had seen something impossible.

  "As I thought, it's surprising no matter how many times I see it..." Alice muttered.

  Milia and Argus, who had been dumbfounded for a while as if they lost themselves, finally opened their mouths.

  "I... assumed about ten possibilities... but the most impossible one came..."

  So it was within your assumptions, huh.

  "Oi oi... What kind of magic is that..."

  "It's not magic. It's a special ability I have. And."

  I performed the reverse change of when I became a woman. Everyone except Inea-sensei widened their eyes again.

  "I can also become a man again. I have two bodies, a man and a woman, and can switch instantly."

  Saying that much, I transformed back into a woman again and sat down.

  "I think everyone is more used to seeing this one, so I'll talk as 'me (Watashi)' from here."

  Milia and Argus still had their eyes wide open.

  "To think, the same person..."

  "Anyway, it's good to know you're safe, but..."

  Beside the two who looked like they didn't know what to say, Alice raised her hand energetically.

  "Yes! Question!"

  "What is it? Alice."

  "Which one is your true form?"

  Ugh. As expected, that question came. "That is important," Milia followed. Strong pressure to answer came from the two. That made sense. The person they thought was a female friend and interacted with as a woman turned out to be also a man.

  Prepared for this to happen once my identity was revealed, I decided to answer honestly.

  "Originally, I was a man. I became able to transform like this on my sixteenth birthday. Until then, this body was sleeping and never came to the surface. But now, I don't feel like either is the 'true' one. I feel like 'myself' includes both bodies together."

  Hearing my reply, the two didn't get angry or upset, but said quietly, yet with a thorny tone.

  "Hmm. Regardless of now, you were originally a man. Is that so."

  "Is that so?"

  "Yes..."

  "......"

  "......"

  Silent gazes pierced me as I nodded feeling small. It was painful, like being tortured. I'd rather you just got angry at me...

  I'm sorry. I'm really sorry I couldn't say such an important thing until now. I was wrong. So please say something.

  In this atmosphere that was worst for me, the first one to speak was Argus.

  "I finally get it. Because you were a man all along. No wonder I thought you were weirdly frank for a woman, or rather, defenseless."

  "Right. If the story is true, you were a man for most of your life until now. No wonder you didn't know anything about female common sense."

  Alice also nodded in understanding. Her gaze remained piercingly cold as usual.

  "Can I ask an additional question too?"

  "Yes... Go ahead..."

  Feeling like crying, I urged Milia.

  "You refer to yourself as 'Ore' when you are a man and 'Watashi' when you are a woman. Why is that? Are you perhaps a dual personality or something?"

  "Ah, now that you mention it! If that's the case, then..."

  I shook my head honestly.

  "No, my heart is strictly one... I think. My consciousness is continuous, and my memories aren't divided. It's just that it feels more natural to say 'Watashi' when I'm this way, and 'Ore' when I'm a man. That's the only reason."

  "Hmm. So, you remember this and that with me even when you're a man."

  "Also this and that with me, right? Not only that, but with other people too."

  "Yes... That... would be the case..."

  Against the two glaring at me with scornful eyes, I could only reply with a voice that seemed about to disappear. Just as my heart was about to break, Argus delivered the finishing blow.

  "This is quite the pervert."

  Ah. Finally. Finally, it was said clearly...

  I slumped my head in defeat. Unexpectedly, the ones who extended a helping hand were Alice and Milia, who should have been the biggest victims.

  "I'll listen to your excuse. There's some reason, right?"

  "You... always tried to avoid physical contact. Given your personality, I don't think it was for a trivial purpose."

  "Well. If you say so, that's true but..."

  "There was a reason you wanted to attend school even by becoming a girl, right? In fact, you were so desperate to train magic."

  "That's right, but..."

  Their expressions were unusually serious. Rather than pursuing the sin, they wanted to know the truth. I could feel such thoughts keenly.

  "Please. I want you to tell us carefully from the beginning. Everything you can tell."

  "You said you would forgive anything, didn't you? Please, from me too."

  Here, Sensei, who had been watching the course of events, interjected.

  "This guy's truth is probably beyond your imagination. Enough to make the flow up to here seem trivial."

  "Even so, I want to know. Because Yu is my best friend!"

  I was moved by Alice saying clearly that we were best friends even after such a fact was revealed.

  "He's an idiot who exposed his identity risking his life to save me! There aren't many idiots like this!"

  "Yes. A big idiot, indeed."

  "Really an idiot... but an irreplaceable friend. I thought so again. Appearance doesn't matter!"

  She looked like she was about to cry.

  "Such a Yu is troubled by circumstances he can't say. He always looks somewhat in pain. Honestly, I can't watch it. I've always wanted to help if I could!"

  "Alice..."

  "Yu, please! Is it something you absolutely can't say? Can't I be of help!?"

  Her feelings were conveyed painfully. I was happy and felt like crying again. But this time, I didn't shed tears.

  "Thank you. Alice. And Milia too."

  "I'm the one who wants to say thanks."

  "Same here."

  No, I'm the one who should say thanks.

  "No. I was an idiot. I tried to shoulder everything alone. Even though there were people so close who would help me. I was unnecessarily afraid and held back."

  But, from now on, it's different.

  "But, I understand. I won't shoulder it alone anymore."

  "Then."

  Looking properly at Alice, whose face brightened, I said.

  "I'll tell you properly. The history until now, and... about the future too."

  Let's talk much deeper than I initially planned. I thought so. In the future, a situation might come that I can't handle with my power alone. For that time too.

  Taking a deep breath, I calmed my feelings. Determining my resolve again, I began to speak.

  "You might not believe me but... I am not a human of this world. I came from a different star called Earth."

  "Ehhhhhhhhhhh!?"

  "What!?"

  "Haa!?"

  The three voices of surprise shook the dojo to its fullest.