“The rain’s stopped.”
Luo Xinyu put down the comic book she’d asked a courier to bring, looking out the window with a delighted expression.
“Want to go out for a walk?”
She wondered if the weather gods had seen their earlier incomplete swap and, worried they’d hurt people’s eyes, had deliberately arranged for it to rain heavily for a few days, trapping them indoors.
But now, it was all good. Xia Xi and Luo Xinyu’s bodies had completely swapped over.
Looking at Luo Xinyu, who now inhabited the female body, Xia Xi couldn’t shake a certain illusion: it seemed like the other person suited that form better than she ever did, as if it was always meant to be hers.
Some of Luo Xinyu’s naturally feminine habits and movements, now housed in that body, actually seemed perfectly reasonable.
But for some reason, using this male body felt a bit awkward to Xia Xi. Yet, beneath that awkwardness, there was a strange sense of familiarity, as if she’d inhabited this form for many years.
But how could that be? In her memory, she’d been a young lady for over a decade. Why would she feel familiar with a boy’s body?
Xia Xi didn’t understand, and she didn’t want to think about it.
During these days of heavy rain, she’d been sleeping in every day at the inn. Whenever she fell asleep, fragments of various memories would pop into her head.
Could it be… she had been a boy in a past life?
“Mm-hmm, there’s one last place I really want to go!”
Luo Xinyu said enthusiastically.
Skillfully, she put on her miko outfit and applied some light, pretty makeup.
This made Xia Xi seriously suspect that this senior had wanted to do this for a long time, but was previously constrained by his male identity, afraid to wear makeup in public and risk being called effeminate. Otherwise, why would she be so skilled at it?
Xia Xi didn’t believe these were things you could just pick up without practice. She herself, after all, still couldn’t do makeup or styling.
“Let’s go then.”
Xia Xi picked up the clean, dried men’s clothes and easily slipped them on.
She had to admit, men’s clothes were indeed much simpler, not as fancy and complicated as women’s wear.
“Mm… not bad, not bad, very handsome.”
“Since when did you get so narcissistic, senior?”
…
Sitting in the taxi, they held hands, leaning against each other.
They’d initially thought about renting a small car and driving to their destination, but then remembered they were both still students without driver’s licenses, so they’d hailed a taxi instead.
Getting out of the car, the two headed towards the so-called largest shrine in Sakura Province – Meiji Jingu.
“I’m very sorry, but we’re closed to the public today.”
That’s what the staff member told them.
Xia Xi looked disappointed. She’d actually been quite curious to see what made this “largest shrine” special, but since they were closed today, they’d just have to forget it.
It didn’t matter much anyway; they weren’t in a hurry. For some reason, the school hadn’t urged them to return, and no one from home had called either. It was as if the world had forgotten about them.
“Really closed to the public? But we have a reservation for today.”
Reservation? What reservation?
Xia Xi was confused.
Luo Xinyu hadn’t mentioned booking this place. And during their days at the inn, she’d either been on her phone watching videos or reading comics and light novels. When would she have made a reservation?
Upon hearing Luo Xinyu’s words, the staff member looked momentarily dazed, then pulled out his phone as if checking some information.
A moment later, he bowed to them with a full, apologetic smile.
“My sincere apologies, honored guests. You do indeed have a reservation. Please, come in.”
Luo Xinyu linked her arm through Xia Xi’s and led her into the shrine.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“Nothing much. I was just wondering if you used some kind of mind-bending magic again.”
On a whim, Xia Xi reached out and gently tapped Luo Xinyu’s nose.
Strange.
Why would I make such a doting, boyfriend-like gesture? And so naturally…
This scene of tapping someone’s nose felt familiar to Xia Xi, and her body’s movement was incredibly smooth, as if she’d practiced it countless times before.
“How could that be? I really do have a reservation.”
Luo Xinyu pretended to be upset, her cheeks puffing out slightly as if annoyed by the distrust.
But even as she said this, she still couldn’t produce any evidence of a reservation.
Which was normal, really, considering even the staff member hadn’t asked to see their booking confirmation or verified their identities.
Xia Xi was sure that Luo Xinyu must have used some kind of magic to make the man so compliant.
But it didn’t matter.
In fact, the current situation was perfect.
Because it was closed to the public, the entire Meiji Jingu was empty, save for the two of them strolling arm-in-arm through the shrine, still hazy and misty after the recent rain.
“Why haven’t the bride and groom arrived yet?”
“No idea.”
“Maybe something delayed them…”
Murmured voices came from the direction of the main hall, suggesting a wedding was taking place there.
This was even stranger. The staff member had clearly said they were closed today, so how could there be a wedding here?
What Xia Xi didn’t notice was Luo Xinyu covering her mouth with a smile beside her, her eyes full of anticipation.
This wedding was also something she’d pre-arranged. As soon as they stepped into the shrine, a bunch of NPC-like people would appear and start pretending to hold a ceremony.
“It sounds lively over there. Let’s go check it out.”
Without waiting for Xia Xi’s response, Luo Xinyu tugged her towards the direction of the wedding.
“That might not be appropriate. We haven’t been invited.”
Xia Xi was reluctant. After all, she didn’t know the bride and groom at all; crashing their wedding felt incredibly rude.
“It’s fine, you’ll understand when we get there.”
Luo Xinyu was using her real, original appearance, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons when she smiled. She looked stunning, far more beautiful than when Xia Xi had inhabited that same body with her cold, distant expression.
Seeing her like this, Xia Xi’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.
Why would a dignified young lady feel her heart race at the sight of her own face? Could she be a narcissist?
Xia Xi shook her head, dismissing the rapid heartbeat as a figment of her imagination.
…
“Look, look, here they come!”
“Oh, they make such a lovely couple!”
“But why aren’t they wearing formal attire?”
“What are you talking about? They’re dressed perfectly fine.”
Our timid young lady and her mischievous senior stepped hand-in-hand into the wedding venue.
Xia Xi saw a flash of white light, and before she knew it, her casual clothes had transformed into a set of exquisite, expensive-looking formal attire. Beside her, Luo Xinyu was now wearing a beautiful white wedding dress.
So the ones getting married were actually them?
Ha. Probably just another one of this mischievous senior’s magical tricks.
“Xia Xi.”
“Hmm?”
“I love rainy days the most. Do you know why?”
