Adjustment period (not really) (Part 10)

What should I wear today?

I stared blankly at the dazzling array of women’s clothes in the wardrobe.

‘Had I really worn all these before?’

It was one thing to have various styles of Lolita dresses, but what was with the numerous types of AA-cup bras?

Did boys genuinely need to wear them?

How had my amnesiac self possibly worn these women’s clothes without shame? I couldn’t recall a single thing!

‘However, since I’ve lived as a girl for over a decade, does that mean I must adapt to wearing these skirts to avoid being discovered?’

Swallowing nervously, I reached for the wardrobe, knowing that moment marked my first step into depravity.

‘Perhaps I should start with the most understated, plain-colored dresses,’ I mused, ‘then gradually progress to lace and various adorable prints, until I eventually transform myself into a living doll.’

‘I’m truly beyond saving.’

As for shame, I reassured myself that it wasn’t the first time.

After all, wasn’t the nightgown I was currently wearing also a dress?

Just as I pulled a black dress from the wardrobe, a knock sounded at the door.

‘Who could it be?’ I wondered. ‘Whoever it is, at least they didn’t knock while I was undressing. If they had burst in without warning and caught me before I could put clothes on, it would have been disastrous.’

“Please, come in,” I called out, instinctively glancing at the wardrobe.

‘Wouldn’t all those embarrassing women’s clothes be on full display?’

As a boy, it was only natural to possess a ‘desire to not let others see me owning so many women’s clothes.’ I swiftly shut the wardrobe doors, concealing everything.

I had expected Luo Bing’ai’er, but to my surprise, Maple entered instead.

Recalling the incident at breakfast, I naturally wasn’t inclined to give him a warm reception.

“Hmph, since you’re here, I might as well ask you then. What do you think of me wearing this dress—”

The moment he stepped in, without a word, he cornered me against the wall!

???

‘What was he trying to do?’ My face was a mask of confusion.

“What’s wrong? Did Fubai drink too much? Feeling energetic? So you want to pick a fight with me?”

However… he seemed to have turned to stone.

He remained motionless in his wall-pinning stance, utterly silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Feigning composure, I asked again, “Then, Prince, what exactly are you trying to do in broad daylight?”

“I…”

…?

After what felt like an eternity of wall-pinning, he finally managed to stammer out, “A martial arts tournament is about to be held. Will you come and watch me compete?”

“I… I’ll consider it.”

“You can’t consider it! You must come!”

His assertive demeanor startled me somewhat. “Alright then…” I replied meekly, “I promise I’ll be there.”

He nodded at me, then turned and left without a backward glance.

Leaving me standing there, utterly bewildered!

‘So he wall-pinned me just to ask that?’

Maple didn’t look back because… her face was burning crimson!

Her heart felt as though it would leap from her chest, and it didn’t fully calm even after she returned to her room.

The moment she pushed open the door, her Maid, Lucia, eagerly inquired, “How did it go, Prince? Did you wall-pin her?”

“I… I did wall-pin her,” she stammered in response.

“What happened next?” Lucia pressed excitedly, relieved that the Prince had finally taken this step!

“I asked her if she wanted to watch me participate in the martial arts tournament.”

“And then?” Lucia asked, brimming with anticipation.

“Then I just… came back.”

?????

Maple sank onto the bed, covering her face in shame. “What could I do? When I wall-pinned her against the wall and stared into her face, my mind just went utterly blank… Even asking about the martial arts tournament was something I only thought of on the spur of the moment…”

“Prince! You must be as brave as you are when you draw your sword!”

“Then I… I’ll go again!” she declared, unwilling to give up.