I discussed Shimon and the train with him. (This episode includes some mature content. If you’re not comfortable with it, you can skip it as it won’t significantly impact the story’s progression.)
I have to admit, those siblings do have a strong bond. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say they care deeply for each other. As I settled back into bed, I heard a knock at the door.
“Excuse me, it’s me, Clarissa.”
Oh, what perfect timing. They really are in sync. I never expected her to show up right after her brother. “Please, come in,” I replied. She entered the room, looking a bit embarrassed.
“How are you feeling?”
“Thanks to you, I’m alright. But will I ever return to normal?”
Clarissa placed a hand on her chin, pondering. “Well, about that. I believe I’ve dispelled the curse. However, your body won’t return to its original state immediately. As you probably know, it won’t happen overnight.”
That’s right, all I can do is wait. Still, she seemed to have something more to say, fidgeting a bit. Was there something difficult she needed to tell me?
“Um, is there something you wanted to tell me?”
“Ah, well, yes. If… if you’d allow it, would you let me try to treat you? I don’t know if it will work, but…”
A treatment? Of course, I’d accept! It’s an honor that a Sage would offer this.
“Please, I’d be delighted! It’s alright even if it doesn’t work. Just try your best.”
She beamed with joy upon hearing my answer. She’s so much like Shimon in that regard.
“Really?! Then, then may I touch you?”
“Go ahead, do as you please.”
She immediately crouched down beside the bed. Her upper body was that of a slender woman, but her lower half was that of a horse, making her quite large. Her white tail swished gently.
“Um, is it okay if I lift your clothes?”
She practically had to ask for permission with those big eyes. I shifted closer to make it easier for her. She clasped her hands together, looking flustered. Why was she so nervous? She must have dispelled curses many times before.
“Please, go ahead.”
“R-right. Then, … um, is it okay to lift my shirt too?”
Ah, so she’s going to use her hands. I lifted the shirt I was wearing. Clarissa gently touched my abdomen with trembling fingertips. It was quite ticklish.
“Your pelvis is female? No, it’s closer to male… Are the bones changing too?”
She muttered to herself as her hand moved to my waist. She felt around, checking the protruding bones. I recalled that male and female bones are shaped differently. Would those also change?
Her slender fingers probed my bones. Then, her hand moved up my sides, tracing my waist. She grasped my hips with both her arms and traced up to my navel.
“Based on your symptoms, your internal organs may have already changed.”
“Um, does that mean I have a uterus? But I’m a man, and it just suddenly appeared…”
That’s what anyone would normally think, but this is a world of magic. It wouldn’t be strange for different organs to suddenly appear.
“…Actually, men also have a uterus. Well, this is getting into complex anatomical terms, but in the womb, everyone starts as female.”
I’d heard that before. We’re born female and then develop into males. But that’s different from changing gender now.
“If one has formed here…”
Her fingertips circled my abdomen and pressed down firmly near my lower half. If one had formed…? Would I not be able to return?
“H-ah!”
What was that?! I reflexively covered my mouth. Was that my voice? I glanced at Clarissa, and she was looking at me, concerned.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Alright then, I’ll continue.”
If I stop here, I won’t be able to go back. I have to concentrate. I’m going to return to being a man. Assuming there’s an organ in my abdomen that men don’t have… I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly. With each pass of her fingers over my lower abdomen, that area grew warmer.
My entire body felt damp. A gentle warmth spread from there to my fingertips, and sweat beaded on my skin. My breathing naturally quickened.
“To think it’s actually there, this is fascinating. What a powerful spell, to reshape a person’s body.”
I heard Clarissa swallow. The spot she was touching grew intensely hot, and then I felt a sharp, stinging pain.
“Ah, n-no, what is this?!”
*Kyunn kyunn gyuu*
It felt like the pain I get when I’m sick, but this was different.
“Please bear with it a little longer.”
“A little longer? This feels dangerous, ahh!”
She stopped her hovering hand, but my body wouldn’t obey. It was hot and painful, but strangely, I wasn’t struggling to breathe.
“Wh-what, a-ah, w-wait!”
“No! Don’t move!”
What was I supposed to do? My body twitched uncontrollably, against my will.
“Ngh, ah, it’s getting weird! Hah, i-n, i-i…!!”
*Doro*
Ah.
“–Iah! Hyu…”
My throat constricted, and my vision flickered. My muscles stiffened, and my back arched. My consciousness soared to a high place, unable to descend.
“…Are you alright? Hey, snap out of it.”
Hah, I lost consciousness? When I opened my eyes, Clarissa was looking down at me with a worried expression.
“W-what, what happened? N-no, what?”
“Ah, well, I’ve treated you, so you might return to normal.”
Clarissa left the room with an apologetic look. Losing consciousness… that was incredibly powerful magic. Still, my whole body felt limp. I must have expended a lot of stamina, so I should rest.
I pulled the sheets up again and closed my eyes.
I tried to ignore the lingering desire by closing my eyes.
