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“Hey! There’s something I want to buy, let’s go out together!”

On this rare weekend, Anne’s cheerful voice filled the room as always.

“Should we? I don’t have anything to do anyway, so let’s go.”

“Yup! I’ve already got everything ready, so let me know when you’re set!”

So that was why she had been busy washing up and picking out her clothes earlier.

It’s unusual for Anne to be up early and ready to go out on a weekend.

But if that’s the case, she should have told me earlier.

“Oh? Aren’t Selian and Yuli coming with us?”

“Haha… I have something else to do…”

“Me too, I can’t go. You two take your time and enjoy yourselves.”

Normally, Anne would have suggested this to Selian and Yuli first, but since they were quiet, I asked the two of them and it seemed they both had other matters to attend to.

“Really? Should I pick something up on my way back?”

“No, it’s fine. Just come back.”

“Hmm… Got it.”

I thought about bringing back a slice of cake or something, but they didn’t seem too interested.

Leaving Anne, who was sitting on the bed swinging her legs while waiting for me, I entered the bathroom.

Every morning when I wash, I feel that TS magic is truly amazing.

Even with a quick wash, cleanliness is maintained; if only it could remove the symptoms of gender reversal, TS wizards would likely be swimming in gold.

All the noblewomen would be throwing money at him for magic.

Pushing aside unnecessary thoughts, I rubbed my still-spotless eyes and washed my face.

I was already haphazard before when I was a guy, and now I’m even more so, but indeed, magic is incredible.

After applying just a bit of lotion that isn’t even necessary, my preparations for going out were complete.

Looking in the mirror, I saw a face that was unrecognizable as someone who had just woken up.

“That’s definitely Elysia!”

As I opened the bathroom door, Anne got up from the bed and said so as if it were second nature.

At first, Yuli and Anne had been nearly shocked when they saw me wash up, but now both seemed accustomed to it.

“Well, shall we go?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, then we’ll be off. See you later!”

As Anne and I stepped out, I waved goodbye to Yuli and Selian.

“Yeah, have a good time.”

“Since it’s been a while for you and Anne to go out together, enjoy yourselves!”

Leaving Selian and Yuli in the room, Anne and I set off for the city.

—

The street we hadn’t been out on for a while looked the same.

I saw women bargaining fiercely, a blacksmith sweating as he sharpened a sword, and children running about laughing—always the street scenes I was familiar with.

“Hey… do you like anything, Elysia?”

While walking side by side through the familiar street, Anne suddenly asked me.

“Hmm? I like delicious food, reading novels, and swinging swords, if I had to choose… I guess I like a bit of everything.”

It was much better than before, for sure. Previously, it had been a luxury to even have likes or dislikes.

I remember the only thing I liked in those meager conditions was when I occasionally got to eat some cheap meat in rations.

Back then, all I knew was to eat. Thank goodness I didn’t turn into a pig.

“Hmm… since I always eat delicious food, and Selian knows novels well, we’ve already trained together…”

“And you can’t forget… about our Anne!”

I said while pulling a lost-in-thought Anne into a hug.

Um… every time I give her a hug, I feel like I’m just hugging a large doll since Anne is so small.

Anne often comes over to hug first, and when I initiate the hug, it’s amusing to see her get bashful.

“But where are we going?”

I asked, looking at Anne, who was standing silently after I let her go, and she shook her head before finally speaking.

“Huh? I was following you, Elysia?”

“I was following you!”

Both of us cocked our heads in confusion.

Wait, didn’t Anne say she had something to do when she came out?

“If that’s the case… don’t you have anywhere you want to go?”

“Not particularly. I didn’t actually plan to go out today.”

“Hmm… that’s not good…”

“What was it you said you had to do? Can’t we just go there directly?”

Maybe the habits of being lazy during vacation hadn’t faded completely, considering I really didn’t have anything to do, and all I wanted was to finish whatever it was quickly and get back to rest.

However, our Anne didn’t seem willing to let me off the hook easily.

“No way! I… I need to wait until before lunch…”

“I thought you were in a rush since you were ready early! Should we just go hang out at a café instead?”

“Y-yeah! Let’s hurry!”

—

“Shall we head back to the dorm now?”

“What about your business? You said you had something to do during lunch, right?”

“Hehe… Thinking back, it doesn’t seem like today! Let’s just go back!”

Heck, she was in such a hurry to bring me to the café, but now, as lunch was approaching, she was apologizing for getting it wrong.

I didn’t plan to blame her.

I actually welcomed any excuse to move, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to shake off my lazy habits if I didn’t force myself to go out.

I thought about picking up a slice of cake for Yuli and Selian on the way back, but recalling how they turned it down earlier, I decided against it.

Anne seemed cheerful all the way back to the dorm, smiling widely.

“Did something good happen?”

“Hmm? No, nothing! Hehehe…”

Anne couldn’t contain her laughter, and while there was something clumsy about her, her youthful appearance and personality made it unawkward.

“Wonder if Yuli and Selian have had lunch yet? Let’s hurry back before they eat.”

“Yeah! Quick, quick! Come on!”

“Is there really a need to run like that?”

“Ugh!”

Anne, who had rushed ahead, noticed I wasn’t sprinting but rather walking quickly, so she grabbed my hand and started running.

“Okay, let’s go in!”

“Huh?”

Earlier, she was in a rush to go back, but now at the door, she took a step back behind me.

Today, I thought it was strange how Anne was acting as I entered the room.

“I’m back…”

“Happy Birthday!”

“Happy Birthday!”

Boom, boom!

The small firecracker sound surprised me as the two cheered.

As I stood there in confusion, Anne took a step back and hugged me from behind, confirming once again.

“Happy Birthday, Elysia!”

Right. Today was Elysia Frentz’s birthday.

I hadn’t told my friends specifically, but Yuli, who was my close friend, probably remembered and planned this event.

I stood there with wide eyes as if I hadn’t expected it, covering my mouth with my hand and not saying a word.

I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

Selian approached, carefully removing the remnants of the firecrackers from my hair and spoke.

“Today is Elysia, Elysia Frentz’s birthday. Don’t forget it from now on.”

“Got it. I won’t forget.”

“Now, now. Don’t just stand there blankly, blow out the birthday candles!”

As Anne pushed me into the room and pulled the curtains closed, she turned off the lights.

In the dark room, only the flames from the candles on the cake faintly illuminated the surroundings.

I slowly approached and blew out the candles, and my three friends clapped in applause instead of showing fireworks.

“We have a present for you, but… first, take this!”

As the curtains were pulled back, and the room was bright again, Yuli held something out to me.

As I opened a tiny box that fit in the palm of my hand, I found a ring inside.

“Ta-da!”

Anne stretched out her hand, and Yuli and Selian also raised their hands to show me.

Each of them had a ring on their fingers that matched the design I held in my hand.

I raised my left hand and slid the ring slowly onto my index finger, and it fit perfectly.

“Hehehe!”

As soon as I put on the ring, Anne grabbed my left hand and started fidgeting with it.

Even though I didn’t know much about accessories, it wasn’t difficult to understand the meaning of having matching rings.

They were showing me trust and friendship.

I was extremely grateful, happy, and felt sorry.

—

Later that night, as everyone slept, I found myself fiddling with the ring on my finger under the blankets.

The ring fit snugly, not moving since it was the right size, and instead of the coldness typical of metal, I felt warmth.

I wasn’t sure if the warmth came from my body heat or if it was the warmth of their kindness in matching the rings.

Over that warmth, I felt a hint of chill.

I set aside my emotions for a moment and replayed the day in my head.

Was the surprised expression on my face when I walked into the room natural?

Did the tears I shed flow at the right time, not excessively?

Was my expression of happiness awkward?

Did I successfully deceive my friends?

Did my friends see through it?

Was I wrong?

Was I mistaken?

I don’t know.

There’s no way I could forget Elysia Frentz’s birthday.

Before getting involved in this mission, I memorized the particulars of Elysia Frentz’s life so thoroughly, I could recite them even in my sleep.

Even though several months have passed, since I made the decision to truly become Elysia Frentz, I kept reflecting on her life to avoid forgetting anything.

So, even when I went out with Anne alone this morning, was dragged around the streets as she kept holding onto me, or when we were hurrying back to the dorm, or even when she stepped back from the door, I already knew.

I just pretended not to know to act more convincingly.

Having never received birthday wishes myself, I didn’t know that feeling, and even my actual birthday, which I’ll never know due to this life, is only Elysia Frentz’s birthday.

That’s why I figured I could just act as usual, but useless thoughts were stirring in my mind.

The fact that I must wear a mask of personality due to their genuine feelings.

I had resolved to become Elysia, yet I had never expected that one simple ring could shake the very determination I forged.

I replayed my weakness from today and hoped that tomorrow I could move one step closer to becoming Elysia Frentz.