Name’s Kim Ruru. Age? I never really counted, so I dunnooooo. It’s been a while since I adopted this persona. And currently, I attend school and works as the Magical Girl 『Pure Rodeo』! But my true identity is ⋯⋯!
Ruru, the Commander of the Capital Knight Order who was responsible for safeguarding the Imperial Capital, Crown Hall!
After losing a very close battle to the Purple Tower Master, Ruru concluded that her defeat was because she didn't have enough mana. Determined to overcome this, she doubled her food intake, much to the despair of the Capital Knight Order’s cook, who groaned every night.
As a result, Ruru somehow gained the ability to enter another world through her dreams!
At first, she thought she was just having a fun dream, but when she told her aide about it, he made a lot of commotion and said, It's most likely Dimensional Magic.
When Ruru asked for an explanation, the aide was about to explain the history of dimensional magic research but ⋯⋯ quickly decided to simplify it.
While checking Ruru’s vital signs as she lay naked on the operating table, he said.
“Captain, you don't have the imagination to think of such a world because your head is so empty.”
“Hey, I am smart!”
“What’s 5 times 7.”"21⋯⋯ no, I misspoke. 30⋯⋯ plus 5⋯⋯? You caught me off guard. Who could answer that without being mentally unprepared?!”
Despite the slander of the evil aide, Ruru had never experienced such dreams before.
I see, I went to another world in my dream! She was convinced.
Taptap. The aide flicked the syringe.
"It's time for your regular stabilization, Captain. So, sleep well. And if you go to another world again, absorb as much knowledge as you can, come back, and explain it to me."
“Euh, I hate shots.”
"This isn’t the first time you’ve had one, but I’m serious. And these aren’t empty words! Gather as much knowledge as possible! If you bring me something useful, I might even be able establish a new imperial department."
Greed flashed behind the aide’s glasses. Though his tone was slightly playful, he was serious. He didn't even pay attention to the story of her making friends in the dream⋯⋯.
Soon, the needle pierced her vein, and Ruru's consciousness drifted into deep sleep. As her body, a walking mana reactor, was being delicately recalibrated, Ruru began to dream again.
And what she said after opening her eyes in about three days was…
“The crepe was soo good.”
“What's crepe?”
“It’s delicious⋯⋯ whipped cream with⋯⋯ fruits⋯⋯ something like that!”
After this exchange of questions and answers repeated about three times, the aide looked resigned. He merely said, “Enjoy yourself. If you’re going to cause any trouble, do it over there and then come back.'
It was best to let go of some things sooner rather than later.
It was somewhat disappointing that she couldn’t use the enormous amount of mana she wielded as the Commander of the Capital Knight Order in her dreams. But instead, here she had a new power as a 『Magical Girl』.
The world of her dreams was very generous.
How was it outside? Confined to the headquarters building, she was cautioned against using her powers of sublimation recklessly and scolded for fighting. She was frequently scolded about the costs for repairing collapsed buildings and other damages.
She wouldn’t be this bored if Gramps had been next to her. Her body itched during business trips like these.
Even when she returned injured, the first thing she got was a scolding. They blamed her for causing another disaster, like when the forest was ground to dust. No matter how much she loved fighting, couldn’t they have at least asked if she was okay after coming back with a broken arm?
Yeah, when was the last time she was treated like a human? She was just a walking bomb. It had been a long time since she had given up.
But this place was different.
Here, if she fought frequently, people cheered for her, and she was praised. Her mana also increased at the same time. In the infinitely virtuous cycle, Kim Ruru even found herself wondering if she could really be this happy.
She was enjoying her dream without hearing any scoldings when—
"I told you to use your fists properly!! Where did all the things I taught you go!"
“Ah!! Shush, Oh Dae-Soo!!”
There was now a nagger in her dream.
Her name was Oh Dae-Soo. She was a pretty girl with orange hair, a bit like a fox. His chest was just big enough to fit in Ruru’s hand.
If you’re wondering how she knew his chest size, it’s because Oh Dae-Soo had offered to teach Ruru how to fight. She followed his instructions, tried out various moves, and then tripped and fell.
Oh Dae-soo was so annoying. He was way too meticulous, just like the aide.
Whenever they fought together, he’d raise his voice and constantly give her unsolicited advice, calling her an idiot whenever she messed up. If he was so frustrated, why couldn't he just do it himself instead of constantly interfering?
Still, when she saw him wiping whipped cream off her mouth with a handkerchief and tying her loose shoelaces⋯⋯. He wasn’t that annoying, but more…
Perhaps it’s closer to tiresome⋯⋯?
Since they were both Magical Girls, Ruru tried to get along with him. She figured she might get less scolding if she got closer to him. So, she made up her mind and decided to shower him with compliments.
“Hey, Oh Dae-soo, you look a bit pretty today. It looks like you’re going to get ten love letters.”
“Are you picking a fight first thing in the damn morning?!”
“Geez, you’re complaining, even when I compliment you-!!"
Like that.
What was he thinking⋯⋯ getting angry just because I said he was pretty? Does he mean he’s not just pretty but incredibly pretty? It was something that she couldn't understand.
That’s why today, she came prepared, fully determined to handle whatever scolding came her way. Behold, she was secretly wearing earplugs.
When she transformed into a Magical Girl and rushed to the scene after getting the signal about a monstrous-human appearing, 『Pure Knight』, who had already transformed, was busy evacuating the citizens.
A girl with a large cone-shaped hat appeared as the enemy.
She looked terribly hunched, yet something about her stance reminded Ruru of a cat ready to pounce.
At first glance, she might have seemed like a civilian rather than a monstrous-human, but the purple tips of her hair and the magical hand extending from under her cone hat made her look like someone from the Organization of Evil.
"⋯⋯⋯, ⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
Oh Dae-soo pointed at Kim Ruru and said something, but thanks to the earplugs, she couldn’t hear a thing. Still, she thought she knew what she meant—it must be the signal to attack!
“Okay, charge!!”
"⋯⋯, ⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
Oh Dae-soo motioned for her to stop and come back immediately, but she ignored him. The enemy didn't look that strong, so Ruru figured she could just charge at her, punch her in the head, and win.
At that moment, all of Kim Ruru's instincts screamed in alarm.
What? Why am I suddenly scared?
She thought about it as she ran. This, this monstrous-human⋯⋯ doesn’t she seem familiar? Maybe not? Why does this feel so dangerous?
"Aeit, don't be scared! There’s no way I can be scared when it’s this──"
"⋯⋯⋯, ⋯⋯『⋯⋯⋯⋯』."
Kiiiiiing──!!
A blinding flash shot from the monstrous-human’s fingertip, accompanied by a piercing, high-frequency sound that even penetrated the earplugs. Kim Ruru summed up her current feelings with a sophisticated expression that she had learned in the dream world.
“We’re fucked”
"⋯⋯, ⋯⋯⋯⋯?!"
Swiiiish──!
Just before the devastating beam could hit her directly, Oh Dae-Soo tackled her, pulling her away to avoid the attack.
The destructive beam struck right behind them, causing a heart-shaped explosion. The impact sent Oh Dae-Soo and Kim Ruru tumbling across the asphalt, causing one of her earplugs to fall out and roll away.
As the ringing in her ears subsided, Oh Dae-soo grabbed Kim Ruru by the collar and shouted.
“What are you doing!!”
"⋯⋯Ah, I'm sorryyy.”
“Please, if you have any sense, think before you act! If you’d been caught in that, you wouldn’t have just gotten away with a few scratches. Stop acting like you're an Iron Golem⋯⋯!!”
"No, I know what I’m doing! And if you don’t want to see it so badly, then don’t you just you leave me alone in the first plaaaace⋯⋯?!"
Huh?
His eyes were different. It wasn't a gaze of blame for causing trouble again. It was, a little warm perhaps. Not enough to burn though.
Something about it… It was a look she had seen before. Kim Ruru frowned, trying to jog her memory. Come on, stupid brain, remember already.
Then, something clicked in her mind, and Kim Ruru asked.
"⋯⋯Wait, are you being worried about me by any chance?”
Roderus, still gripping Kim Ruru's collar, pulled her closer and shouted, his voice filled with frustration and anger.
“Yes, I'm worried about you, idiot!!”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
"If you end up injured and hospitalized when you promised Oh Hye-in you’d play badminton with her tomorrow, won’t that be fun. Don't you think?! Stop talking nonsense and move!!"
What? He pretended not to care about the people around him, but he was actually paying attention. Not only that, but he remembered something even though it wasn’t his business.
This feels strange... someone worrying about me.
No one had ever worried about me before.
When Kim Ruru was lost in thought, Oh Dae-soo made a serious face as he touched her forehead with his hand.
"⋯⋯You, are you injured? Damn it, just hold it together. I'll distract the monstrous-human, so contact Oh Hye-in and get out of here."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Um, well. This is just a dream. I’m actually really strong, Oh-Dae-soo.
And I'm not hurt. You blocked it with your body⋯⋯ you, you’re the one who’s really hurt. There’s no need...
Thump.
Thump thump.
Kim Ruru's heart started pounding hard. Her face heated up, a mix of excitement and confusion washing over her. For some reason, it became difficult to look Oh Dae-soo in the eye.
This was a completely new feeling.
Oh Dae-soo hid Kim Ruru in an alleyway before returning to the fight against the monstrous-human. Somehow, the world looked different, as if a layer had been peeled away or a new one had been added to her vision.
She watched as he fought desperately, trying to move the battle away from the alley. The blue aura left by Oh Dae-soo…
The serious face that he was making right now…
It was really⋯⋯ really strange. Really.
The battle took about ten minutes to end. Was that destructive beam her special move? The monstrous-human seemed distracted, eventually retreating first.
"J-Just y-you wait and s-see, Magic, Ma-Magical, Girl! I, 『Being of Infinite Void... Yunaris』! I will return a-again! I am i-infinite. And void⋯⋯!!"
“Fuck off!”
"⋯⋯Uh, h-have a great, uh, lovely time! I don’t know!”
“FUCK OFF-!!"
Oh Dae-soo raised his middle finger and flipped off the monstrous-human as it disappeared into the air. Then Oh Dae-soo approached her, that alone tickled her.
Kim Ruru unconsciously clasped her hands together and sat quietly.
She could feel her heart beating uncontrollably. It was intense!
"⋯⋯Hey, Kim Ruru. Are you okay?”
Kim Ruru looked up at Oh Dae-soo and quickly organized her thoughts. This, she recognized this feeling.
It was her first time experiencing it, but it wasn’t like she didn't know. She knew what this symptom of her heart pounding and her face becoming hot was—she had seen it in dramas. She was not a fool!
This symptom, the one even the male protagonists in dramas complained about, was⋯⋯!!
"⋯⋯Dae-Soo, I think I have heart failure.”
“What are you talking about?”
"I shouldn't have been picky and eaten my vegetables well⋯⋯!"
That day, Kim Ruru scheduled an appointment at the university hospital.
===============================================================
After her check-up, Kim Ruru’s behavior began to change.
Usually, she would greet everyone with a "Hi-tackle!" and throw herself at them in a tight hug. While Oh Hye-in would accept it, Roderus would push her away in annoyance.
Now, when she saw Roderus, she would charge at him like a bull, but then…
“Hi-tackle⋯⋯ N-no. Hi.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
She would suddenly stop just short of him, hesitate, and then greet him awkwardly.
She also kept a subtle distance. If he so much as tried to lay a finger on her, she would dart away like a cat that had fallen into water. The overall physical contact between them had noticeably decreased.
While Roderus initially thought it was a relief because she was being less annoying, a small part of him felt a bit sad. Did she really hate being scolded that much?
Oh Hye-in and Munggae watched the situation quietly, coming to a realization as they chatted among themselves. Originally, it was Oh Hye-in who was supposed to take the position of the heroine according to the plan.
"So this is how it’s going to turn out like⋯⋯?"
“Oh Hye-in, what do you mean?”
"No, uh⋯⋯ I’m doing a crossword puzzle, but the words are connecting in unexpected ways, right? Munggae?"
"That's right, mong. Should I say it was unexpected? Something like that, mong!"
They were speaking nonsense. Roderus clicked his tongue as he skillfully straightened his wrinkled school uniform skirt, fixing his tie. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror above the sink.
By now, he could look at the unfamiliar girl’s face with only a slight frown. As expected, humans were creatures of adaptation.
Quite some time had passed. He had gone back and forth between dreams and reality twice.
He had also become somewhat accustomed to modern culture. He now knew how to use computers and smartphones with ease, and he could vaguely understand why Oh Hye-in was so obsessed with Malatang.
He had even picked up a new hobby. After school, he would stop by the internet cafe with Kim Ruru and play a ranked game. After a series of duels on the battlefield for his family's honor, he earned a gold rank.
Oh Hye-in (Platinum) advised, "Don't think about winning everything by yourself. This is a team game." But what did those mop-mouthed peasants know, anyway?
In history class, he learned that the noble lineage of this country had become diluted over time through the buying and selling of titles during turbulent periods. So, that meant most of the people he met online were potential shitbags.
Thus, the noble’s judgment was clear.
Playing as Vayne OTP (He chose her because he was a noble) became Oh Dae-soo’s steadfast approach.
And he⋯⋯ started planning things. That was the biggest change.
He circled dates on a calendar, wishing for better luck next time. School trips, preparations for Oh Hye-in's birthday party, or climbing to Platinum before the end of the season⋯⋯.
Also, things like trying out all the restaurants in the alley one by one. Or finally defeating that damn 『Yuri Frostlover』 someday. He had to settle the score over the tentacle incident. Or…
“Ehhh? Scuba diving?”
"⋯⋯Don't peek at my phone!"
"What's the big deal! Do you have lewd pictures hidden on there or som—ow! Auh, don't pull on my cheek⋯⋯!"
Roderus had a bucket list.
The ocean decorated with all sorts of coral reefs, and pictures of people swimming through the ocean and exploring it. That one picture he had seen wandering on the internet⋯⋯ it planted a small dream in Roderus.
He wanted to experience the ocean.
So much so that he even considered getting a part-time job at a convenience store. He planned to save up money by working night shifts and eventually buy scuba diving equipment. It was still just a dream, but ⋯⋯.
It was something that he could do if he had the time.
When the lunchtime bell rang at school, the Magical Girls made their way to the rooftop as if on cue. Sharing snacks together on the rooftop had become a daily ritual.
Roderus sat down with the group and took a bite of his crepe. The sweetness made his tongue numb, and it naturally made him pumped. He hummed.
“But Dae-soo.”
“What is it, Hye-in?”
"Well⋯⋯ I'm a bit hesitant to bring this up, but… haven't you become… a bit more feminine?"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Drop.
Strength left from Roderus' hands, and the crepe fell to the floor.
He looked down with trembling eyes. His legs were positioned together, and his body was tilted sideways in a way that seemed to keep his underwear hidden—very femininely.
Since⋯⋯ since when?
Was it when his sensitive chest began rubbing against his T-shirt, causing discomfort until he finally agreed with Oh Hye-in to buy a bra?
Or was it when Kim Ruru had said, If you sit like that, everybody can see your panties! Boys can see it too! forcing him to confront an uncomfortable truth?
Or since when spicy hot pot started tasting good⋯⋯?
Oh Dae-soo burst out the rooftop door with a pale face. He dashed out of the school, ran through the main gate, and left to Oh Hye-in’s house, bursting through the front door.
“COME OUT, MUNGGAE-!!”
It was a crisis of masculinity.
===============================================================
Oh Dae-soo was on the verge of screaming.
“When is the repair going to be done?! No, I mean, are we cooked?!”
"Calm down first, mong. Take a deep breath and have a glass of water."
“Water isn’t the issue right now. Do… do you know what I have turned into⋯⋯"
“It’s got 5 days left, mong.”
Uh.
Oh Dae-soo’s suddenly froze.
“W-What⋯⋯?”
"I said it's got 5 days left, mong. That's why I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Unless a year passes like this, in just 5 days⋯⋯ you will return to your male body."
“5 days… 5 days, huh⋯⋯."
Thank—Thank god.
Oh Dae-soo was genuinely relieved. If his body and mind had been completely transformed into that of a woman⋯⋯ it… it would have been really weird. But now, there was a clear schedule.
In just 5 days, he would be able to return to his male body.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
So, he should be relieved, but…
Why did his heart feel so heavy? Why was there a creeping sense of disappointment spreading from somewhere deep in his mind? Returning to being male was something he had hoped for.
While Oh Dae-soo was still in a state of chaos, Munggae clarified.
"That's right, mong. Since you won’t have to work as a Magical Girl anymore, you’ll be free, mong!"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯Freedom.”
It was only then that Roderus realized the source of his disappointment.
Yes.
He would revert from Oh Dae-soo back to Roderus. He wouldn’t be a Magical Girl anymore. That… that was fine. Roderus wasn't a battle maniac who enjoyed fighting.
In fact, rather than fighting⋯⋯ eating tasty snacks, going to the internet cafe with Kim Ruru, or chatting with Oh Hye-in. Those things were better.
But now, it was coming to an end.
Oh Hye-in would get her Transformation Device back. Once that happened, Roderus would lose his reason to stay at Oh Hye-in's house. He wouldn’t be able to attend school anymore either.
And Kim Ruru⋯⋯ she didn’t even know that Roderus was a male in the first place. When the truth came out, she might think Roderus had cheated her, or she might despise him.
Everything Roderus thought he had... belonged to Oh Dae-soo. And in the end, Oh Dae-soo wasn’t really Roderus.
Roderus muttered.
"⋯⋯Freedom, yes. Freedom is good.”
"I'm glad you seem happy, mong!"
Roderus wiped his pale face with his hand, and staggered against the doorframe of his room. Without turning around, he said to Munggae.
"⋯⋯Uh, I'm a little, sick today. I'll be in my room, so don't come looking for me."
“Okay, mong.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Slam.
The door slammed shut.
===============================================================
Roderus, wrapped in his blanket, felt an ominous sensation. He got up and walked over to the window.
Kuooooo.
The weather was unusual. Dark clouds gathered, and the wind swirled in a menacing spiral. Despite it being daylight, the world outside was grey.
It looked like a storm was brewing.
Kim Ruru and Oh Hye-in should still be at school right now. Should he go out to pick them with an umbrella?
But, facing them now was⋯⋯.
“Roderus-!!”
"⋯⋯Munggae?”
Roll roll roll.
Mascot Munggae hurried in as it came in almost rolling. He definitely warned it not to come in.
He tried to give a word of warning, but the expression of Munggae seemed too urgent. Munggae glanced at the vortex outside the window, then said.
“We got a declaration, mong. From the Organization Of Evil!”
"⋯⋯What do you mean by that?”
“A message arrived, saying that in six days... they’ll launch an all-out attack that will determine everything. They dared us to stop them if we can, mong⋯⋯!!”
“Suddenly, what⋯⋯!!"
At that moment, both Roderus and Munggae realized the same thing. The conversation was cut off as their thoughts aligned, and a cold silence fell over the room.
The all-out attack was in six days.
But Roderus' Transformation Device would be repaired in five days.
A one-day difference.
On the day of the attack, Roderus wouldn’t be a Magical Girl anymore.
After a period of silence, Munggae awkwardly concluded.
"⋯⋯Just forget about it, mong.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Munggae trotted out the room, and skillfully closed the door with its tail.
Drip, d-drip. Thin raindrops began to patter against the window.
The storm was coming—in his reality, in his dreams, and within his mind.