Chapter 1: Lying next to me was my completely naked childhood friend.

First-person pronouns—I think they’re incredibly important in expressing one’s individuality.

Say "ore," and people assume you’re a guy. Say "atashi," and they assume you’re a girl.

Sure, there are guys who say "atashi" and girls who say "ore," and I guess that’s just part of their personality.

But that’s what you’d call a minority. Most people don’t accept it. Only a rare few have the sheer will to stick with it.

That’s why, up until twenty years ago, "ore" was me—but now, I’m not "ore." I’m "atashi."

My reincarnation happened about twenty years ago.

In my past life, I was a man. My pronoun was "ore," and honestly, I was just your average run-of-the-mill otaku guy.

Being reborn as a woman? In fiction, that’s such an overused trope you’d get sick of counting how many times it’s been done.

But well, I never imagined I’d be the one experiencing it.

Of course not. Who’d actually believe reincarnation or gender-swapping could happen?

And even if you knew about the concept of TS (gender transition), whether you could accept it was a personal issue.

At the very least, I couldn’t.

The whole concept of my gender got messed up. Everyone around me kept telling me to act more feminine, but I’d spent way more time as a man than a woman.

My speech was rough, my attitude was anything but ladylike.

The one compromise I made—calling myself "atashi"—was either because I’d caved to societal pressure, or maybe because I’d accepted, at least a little, that I was female now.

But honestly? More than anything, I’d just lost sight of my own gender.

Especially since, in my current profession, gender doesn’t matter. Strength is justice—that’s the world I live in now.

The adventurer trade.

If you get reincarnated into another world—one with swords and magic—this is probably the first thing that comes to mind.

Diving into dungeons, taking on extermination and gathering quests, climbing the ranks.

Eventually, you become an S-rank, the highest-tier adventurer, living the high life with your cheat abilities, flexing how overpowered you are.

It’s cliché as hell, but the world I got reborn into was exactly that kind of world.

Of course, actually becoming an adventurer wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were ups and downs, all sorts of twists and turns, but in the end, here I am—a successful adventurer now.

Maybe it’s the typical reincarnator’s cheat ability, but my talents were ridiculously good. Right now, our party’s A-rank.

In our home city, there’s not a soul who doesn’t know us. We’re the undisputed, unrivaled adventurer party.

About twenty members in total—a decently large party, but not too big.

Men, women, all sorts of races (this world has more than just humans)—we’re a mixed bag of personalities, and we’ve been around for a while.

And well…

A long history means the members have known each other for a long time.

Everyone’s got someone they’re close with, and some are even dating.

In a smaller party, romance could turn into a messy disaster, but with a group this size, it’s just natural.

So when a man and woman are together, people start looking at them that way.

But.

But.

There’s one thing I gotta say.

"I’m tellin’ ya—it’s NOT like that between me and Yous!!"

BAM! I slam my cup down hard on the table.

The liquor inside sloshes violently, spilling a little. Aw, damn. What a waste.

"Seriously, what the hell’s wrong with you guys?! Every damn time Yous and I are together, you start yappin’ about how we’re some kinda married couple or whatever! Hell, just look at him over there—surrounded by girls, gettin’ all the attention!"

Not that my mouth stops just because I’ve said my piece.

The booze won’t let it.

I keep ranting at full volume, but nobody around even glances my way.

At a raucous party like this, shouting like this is just part of the noise.

Our party just finished a huge job.

We cleared an entire dungeon—a ridiculously impressive feat, worthy of celebration.

So now, we’re throwing a massive banquet, a victory party.

Tonight’s a free-for-all. Drink, eat, make as much noise as you want.

And with a whole week off starting tomorrow? No way we wouldn’t go wild.

As for me? Right now, I’m busy tearing into the idiots around me who keep making assumptions.

—I have a childhood friend.

Yousrid. A blond pretty boy who lives up to his name, called "Prince Charming" by the girls—a damn perfect superhuman.

In our party, he’s the undisputed master of the sword, the frontline ace.

And the bastard’s popular. Like, he’s making up for all the lack of popularity "I" had in my past life.

Right now, most of the unattached girls in the party are fawning over him.

The scary part? He handles it flawlessly.

Never shows favoritism, spreads his attention evenly.

I mean, come on. No wonder he’s drowning in it.

God, I’m jealous. If I’d been that smooth in my past life, I’d have been rolling in it too!

"What’s so great about that two-timing bastard anyway…?"

Gulp, gulp. Tonight, the drinks just keep coming.

As I grumble and try to drop the subject, the guys around me shake their heads like "here we go again."

Oh, what now? Still got something to say?

"I mean, just ‘cause me and him are childhood friends doesn’t automatically mean we’re dating or whatever. That’s one hell of a leap."

—This isn’t the first time the party’s teased us like this.

Far from it.

For some reason, ever since Yous and I joined, we’ve been treated like a couple.

Sure, a guy and girl becoming adventurers together as childhood friends? Maybe it’d be weirder if there wasn’t something going on.

But there isn’t, so tough luck.

Actually, forget that—it’s not even possible. I’m not interested in romance to begin with.

"First off, romance requires two people who are into each other—guy and girl, or whatever, doesn’t matter—but they’ve gotta both be into the whole lovey-dovey crap, y’know?"

"And in my case with Yous? First off, I’ve got zero interest in romance."

Maybe it’s because I used to be a guy in my past life, but I just don’t feel that kind of attraction.

And even though I was male before, it’s not like I’m into girls now either—probably because my current body’s female.

Point is, no matter how you slice it, I’m not gonna catch feelings, so there’s no way anything’s happening between me and Yous.

"What about Yous’ feelings?"

Pfft. Like I even need to ask at this point.

"And Yous? Eighteen damn years around me, and nothing. The guy can charm any girl he meets, but with me? Not a hint of that crap. Tells you everything."

Obviously, there’s no chance.

I’ve never asked him directly, but he’s the type who’s nice to any girl.

If he had any interest in me—even a sliver—he’d at least treat me like one once in a while.

…Not that I’d want him to. If he ever tried that shit, I’d kick his ass.

"——Hah? ‘Go mess with him and see’?"

"Quit talkin’ outta your asses like it’s some joke!! …Ugh, fine, fine! If I lose this drinking contest, I’ll go!"

Just as I said that, one of the guys egging me on disappeared—only to come back dragging the party leader with him.

Hey, that’s cheating! Our leader’s got a freaking alcohol immunity! No way I can win this!

C’mon, Leader, say something! These jerks keep disrespecting me!

…Huh? You’ll accept? Wait, what? Our leader? The epitome of fairness and rationality?!

"…………BRING IT THE HELL ON!!"

Backed into a corner with "You gonna run?", I had no choice but to take the challenge.

—And so.

"Heyyy, Yousie-boyyy! What’s with the sweet-talkin’, huh, ya bastard?!"

I was wasted, clinging to Yous like a barnacle.

The girls around us were glaring daggers. Yeah, yeah, not my fault—blame the jerks who got me drunk and sent me over here.

Eh, whatever. I’m buzzed and feelin’ great!

"Surrounded by girls all the damn time—I’m a girl too, y’know?! Gimme some attention, dammit!"

With a triumphant hmph, I plopped myself right into his space.

Man, I’m so drunk. What was I even saying again?

"…You reek of booze, Rina."

The pretty-boy’s usual easygoing smile twisted into pure exasperation.

See?! This is what I mean! He knows how to treat girls—so why’s he always so casual with me?!

"Shut up! That’s no way to talk to a lady!"
"Then act like one once in a while. …Look, you’re making everyone uncomfortable."
"Ohhh, real bold of you to worry about them when I’m the one askin’ for attention!"

Ugh, whatever. My vision’s spinning. I can’t even tell if the face in front of me is Yous or my own.

"Too close. Your breath stinks. And that’s not a cute look for a girl."
"SHUT UUUUP!"
"—Ghk!"

Here’s your damn drink! This guy never drinks more than he can handle.

Mr. "Know Your Limits" needs to loosen up—chug, chug!

"…Tch. Rina, you—"
"Ooooh, mad? Wanna go? I’ll drink you under the table!"

Giggle, giggle.

Hahaha… I don’t even know what’s funny anymore.

This is… fun…

"…Rina? Rina?! Hey, RINA!?"
"Eeek!"

——Thud. Huh? Did someone… catch me?

I was about to faceplant, but… stopped mid-fall?

What’s… happening…?

Ugh… can’t… think…

Goodnight… I’m done…

---

…Fidget, fidget.

My head is killing me. Guess that means I drank myself into oblivion last night.

The fact that I’m in bed means someone carried me back to my room. Leader? Anna? Gotta thank ’em later.

…Wait, my memory’s completely blank after a certain point.

I do remember Leader forcing drink after drink down my throat, though.

…Why did I have to drink so much again?

Eh, whatever. Even though we’re off today, Anna’ll chew me out if I sleep in too late.

Guess I’ll drag myself up for breakfast.

With that thought, I slowly sat up—

—and caught a glimpse of my completely naked self in the mirror at the edge of my vision.

……Huh?

Why am I not wearing anything?

In the mirror, even by my past-life "guy" standards, stares back a drop-dead gorgeous beauty.

Not to brag, but I’m stupidly good-looking—a knockout babe who could give Yous a run for his money.

A little flat-chested, sure, but with a slender, toned figure. My hair’s hacked short haphazardly, yet somehow it still looks artistic.

Thanks to my faint elven blood, my appearance stays permanently peak—a trait the other girls in the party despise me for.

So yeah, today, once again: stunning.

(Though it is kinda annoying that, even at 20, "cute girl" still fits me ’cause I’m so damn petite. But whatever.)

—Anyway, I’m naked.

And… wait, what’s that weird smell?

Not unpleasant, exactly, but… familiar.

Where’ve I—?

Okay, first: clothes. I yanked the covers aside to get up—

—and searing pain shot through my thighs.

————————My brain shut down.

The pain was one thing, but… why were there bloodstains on the sheets?

And when I tore the covers off completely—

—there was Yous, naked, asleep beside me.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

So.

Uh.

This is… that, right?

A "one-night mistake" kinda deal?

…………No freaking way.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…W-well, technically, I am a woman now, so… this was bound to happen eventually.

For now… I need a shower.

With a sigh at my sticky skin, I trudged toward the bathroom attached to the room.