I didn’t have a proper chabudai. No, it's not a cardboard box. It's a small folding table meant for children.

“... Are you insulting me?”

“What? No, one of the other tenants was throwing it out when I got here yesterday.”

Before putting a kettle on the stove, I passed her a pillow to use as a zabuton. I had some green tea smuggled from china that a cousin got me recently. Would a kid like tea?

I looked back at her. Her hair made her look like she might be Korean or Japanese… Am I assuming too much? Should I prepare her strawberry milk instead? I guess I’ll set out some rice crackers for now.

“So you do have manners. I was starting to think my destined one was some washed-up has-been.”

“Please don’t call me that. I don’t want people getting the wrong idea.” the last thing I need is to end up on a watch list.

“I don’t see why it would bother you. Anyone thinking we were in any kind of relationship beyond what was conspired by higher beings eons ago is a fool. Who would want to date you anyway?”

“Ya’know, that sassy tone might come off as cute in an anime, but it's rude to go insulating someone like that.”

She held a napkin under her chin as she bit into the cracker, careful to keep crumbs off herself. That reminds me, can you vacuum tatami?

“Heed me, mortal. Regardless of how you might feel, I and reality as we know it has great need of you.”

“You can say that. And while the magic, light-absorbing sword makes me think you’re not delusional, you think that maybe you have the wrong person?”

“I know it is you. I can sense her heart inside you—the Crystal Heart of the magical girl who cast the first spell and severed fate. She who sealed me away and put a stop to the song of oblivion.”

“Do you have to talk like that? Doesn’t it feel kind of embarrassing?”

“Sometimes, especially when I lapse back to my old self in front of normies.”

I let out a deep sigh. “So, what do you want from me? I’m not exactly a magical girl. Neither magical nor girl.”

“Yes, I was quite perplexed when I first saw you. Your soul looks similar, however.”

“My soul. So I’m some magical girl who was reincarnated into the man I am now. And a long time ago, I saved all of reality by defeating and sealing you away. Now that you’ve awakened again, you’re here to have me stop the coming oblivion that would destroy all of humankind. Is that the delusion you’re going with?”

“Pff, Hahahahahaha! Where do you humans come up with these narratives? No, you’re not a reincarnation—”

WHIIIEEE!!!

I quickly turned the stove off and removed the spout cover from the kettle. I sat an FGO and a ToX mug onto the table and attached the green tea bags to their handles. Before I could pour the water, Bridget stopped me.

“What do you think you’re doing! That water is clearly too hot. You will end up ruining the tea. Here, let me.” She removed the tea bags from the mugs and poured boiling water into both mugs.

“Boiling water is at least two-hundred degrees. The water should be no more than one-hundred-eighty degrees when the tea is brewed.” Waving her hand over the mug, she seemed satisfied with herself and placed the tea bag into the mug.

“If you were going to use magic to adjust the temperature, why did I bother heating the water?”

“What? That wasn't magic. I placed my hand over the mug to see how warm it was. Honestly, A-grade tea like this is wasted on plebs like yourself.”

“Right…” I waited for the water to cool before taking my first sip… Maybe it is wasted on me?

“Now, Lawrence, was it? Whether or not you believe me or want anything to do with this. You are a magical girl and must learn how to use that power soon. The minions of darkness no doubt took notice of you just as I have. They will hunt you down and try to take your Crystal Heart in order to free me from my imprisonment and expunge all life from existence.”

“Couldn’t you, ya know… not do that?”

“I could, but why would I? I have chosen to withhold oblivion. If I am freed, then I might as well see that as a failure of your people. A failure so great, do you even deserve to continue living?”

“Hrmm…” All I could do was grumble.

“For eons have I watch over humankind. And for eons have I found you wanting. All any of you are good for is making the same mistakes over and over again while racing to your damnation.”

“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating just a little?”

“The crystal of light is stained with the sins of your kind. I shall end all of you before I lose the power to clean away the darkness.”

“Why are you being so cryptic? It sounds like you’ve had a lot of time to prepare telling me this. Couldn’t you have made an instructional video, or, ya’know, a PowerPoint?”

She didn’t answer me, and we sat in silence.

Bridget took her time enjoying her tea and crackers. I’m getting pretty tired, though… Should I stay up for another hour or so? Once I start working, I’ll have to be at least able to stay awake until then.

The clock made its first cuckoo since Bridget got here. The blue Starbird was a nice touch. I will continue telling myself it was worth getting commissioned.

“Oh, shoot. The entrance ceremony is starting… I guess I’ll make this quick.”

Bridget pointed her finger at me, and I looked at it for a moment. A moment too long. I had dropped my guard, and a Frost Demon Death Ray fried from her finger and burned through my chest.

“Hopefully, you survive. If you do, you will awaken to your magical girl power.” And just like that, she flickered away. Purple lights fall like embers going out before touching the ground.

“Tele…port…?” I was grasping at my chest. It felt like it was on fire. There was a pressure in my head that was growing. It hurt, all of it hurt. My vision was fading. Darkness started to form around until everything went dark. I felt tired. If I go to sleep, will this pain go away?

Please, don’t leave me like this…

***

“Why do you always play as a girl?”

“Hey, everyone! Lawrence has dreams that he’s a girl!”

“What are you doing with those clothes! Should I tell your father?!”

“I can’t say I understand. But it's okay for you to be who you are.”

When was the last time I remembered such things? Usually, I can barely form the memories. So why is it so clear now?

The sky was so beautiful. A starry sky that was unpolluted by the light below. Seeing the galaxy we lived in—that guiding light that inspired gods and the celestial realm.

I was so taken by the out-of-body experience that I hadn’t realized how my body was different. Not that I ever do when I’m dreaming. I’m always someone else when I’m dreaming.

I seldom dream of Kyrie. My online persona. The bases I use when a video game has a character creator. The person who is genuinely me.

The woman I am now has a cute face and a confident posture. Red hair with pink highlights. Side-swept spiky bangs, a long lock of hair coming down my left shoulder, and a second tail running down my back.

My left eye is red, and my right eye is blue. I think it looks nice. It's grown over the years. It also feels much less chunni when everyone else has unique eyes.

I didn’t realize it at first, but in this form, my irises had changed to resemble a starry night. A bit different from the cat iris I have in-game.

I wasn’t very tall. I usually use the shortest option in video games. Last I checked, I was barely 4’11”. With my bust slider all the way to the right… Please don’t judge me. I was really feeling it right now. Not that I hate it. It's a lot for me to take in.

My body was smaller and lighter overall. Raising my arm in front of me, it felt delightful to see a slender arm and delicate hand than the large forearm I had grown accustomed to.

Even now, as I stand up, taking in the clouds that rolled beneath the floating island I found myself on. I could feel how different my body was.

My clothes had also changed. I wore a sports bra under a sleeveless coat with a strap around my underbust. The rest of the coat flares out, exposing my midriff. The bottom half of my attire is denim shorts over stockings—a set of matching boots and gloves. The gloves were fingerless with oversized cuffs, the boots came up to my ankles, and the heels added a couple of inches to my height.

I also liked the colors. They went well with my hair. Oh, speaking of, where is my large poofy hat. I like that hat.

When was the last time I felt this happy with myself? When was the last time I had this moment? Even if it is a dream.

Turning away from the cliff side and clouds, I looked toward my mind’s palace—the place where I was myself.

In the center of the floating island, surrounded but flowering trees and cherry blossoms is a palace made of rainbow-colored crystal that glimmered with the light of the stars.

I strode through its halls and took in the details normally unafforded to me by a dream, like having a haze lifted from my mind and clarity brought to my vision. I could feel the crystal walls and smell the cool air that carried upon it the flowers from the garden.

“I wish I could stay here forever.”

“You know you can’t do that. Not yet.”

“I know. But can’t I just stay here a little longer?”

I could not see her, but in my mind, I knew she was shaking her head. Her smile was calm, and her eyes had a serene gaze. She was at peace.

“I am your future. You are my past. You will have time in this place. But until then, I will continue waiting for you.”

Everything in my body woke up at the same time. My eyes opened faster than I could take in the light while my heart ran faster than Takumi’s eight-six.

I quickly whipped my hand to where Bridget shot me in my chest only to be met by something soft… and it felt kind of nice, too.

I jolted up and got a good look at myself. My hand squeezing my own soft… round… Don’t panic. Everything will be fine. I just need to take a deep breath, but don’t panic.

I panicked.

***

Pros and cons. Pros… I’m a girl… Is that a pro? I’ve always wanted to be the Kyrie I play in video games, but it's not exactly convenient when I don’t match my state I.D. or passport.

I’m able to purchase a smaller futon. Should I buy a smaller one? What if I’m able to change back? Wait, if I can go back and forth, why wouldn’t I just spend my time at home as a girl. Being a foot shorter certainly makes the small apartment more livable.

“Hello, ma’am. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Oh, yes. I’m looking for a futon. Before, I used to sleep on carpet padding and blankets, but my floor is much harder now.”

“You sleep on the floor?”

“Yes, I like the firmness on my back, especially as I’ve grown older.”

“I-I see. Well, we do have a selection of floor mattresses. Or were you looking for one with an adjustable frame?”

“I don’t need the frame. I need to be able to put it away in my closet when I’m not using it.”

After a rigorous selection process and an awkward exchange with the cashier, Futon Get!

It was kind of expensive, though. Will I be able to show up to my job like this? I could live off my royalties and dividends… but I wouldn’t be able to afford my hobbies anymore. I would be alive but not living.

I had to leave my hat at home, by the way. I love that hat, but when I walked outside, I quickly realized why only fictional characters wear them. It still felt awkward. Walking was weird. I felt like people were judging the way I walked. And I was basically wearing cosplay.

But after a walk and tram ride later, I returned to my apartment.

“Huh?” My door wasn’t locked.

Bracing myself, I quickly opened my door, ready to throw the futon, still in its box, at the first person I saw—it was Bridget. She had made herself at home and took a sip of tea before looking back at me.

I threw the futon at her.