[Blurb]
When Tomioka was little, he had a playmate, a girl as explosive as a firecracker.
She loved fiercely and hated fiercely, with a sharp-edged personality. She was competitive and never backed down. The adults often said that compared to Egawa Xuezhi, who spent all day running around, leaping about, and roughhousing, Tomioka was the one who acted more like a girl.
But that was fine. Though one was lively and the other quiet, they still got along wonderfully.
For example, when the neighbor's dog chased him and tried to bite his backside, she would step up like a hero and chase it off, then bend over with her hands on her knees and laugh loudly at him.
"Hahahaha! How can you be scared of such a tiny dog? What a wimp!"
But then, later...
**
Xuezhi had been clever from a young age, and was determined to become the greatest mechanic in the country. If this were a materialist world, she might actually have achieved her dream.
Unfortunately, fate probably thought she was too arrogant and decided to teach her a harsh lesson.
After stumbling upon a murder scene, she woke up one day to find that even her species had changed. From then on, she was cut off from sunlight and could only skulk in the shadows.
And that's not all. Her old friends, whom she hadn't seen in ages, had ended up on the opposing side. They were all formidable, wielding their swords with incredible skill.
Xuezhi immediately switched sides, resolved to make the culprit pay, and volunteered to go undercover.
Later, surrounded by colleagues who wielded swords, knives, fans, and even their fists, she pulled a handgun from her left hand and hoisted a cannon over her right shoulder. Her sunglasses flashed coldly as she gave a wicked smile.
"The times have changed."
[Little Scene: Marriage]
One day, Sister Tsutako teased Xuezhi, saying that when she grew up, she should marry Giyu. Xuezhi shook her head like a rattle drum.
"No, no. Giyu should marry me!"
"Boys can't marry girls!" Giyu's eyes widened.
"But you're not as strong as me, and you're not as smart. You'll have to rely on me to support the family, so what's wrong with you marrying me?" Xuezhi argued persuasively.
Sister Tsutako nodded, delighted. "Xuezhi has a point!"
"...All right, then," Giyu agreed, looking terribly aggrieved.
[Blurb revised July 21, 2026]
·Please Read Before Starting·
The entire story is complete.
Pairing: Fugui Yuyu, with other unrequited crushes (?)
Melodrama warning, out-of-character characterization warning
Theme: You don't have to be perfect, but you do have to be brave.
