The match had ended.
Almost before the audience had even left their seats—
Haruto spotted a petite figure in a baseball cap rushing out from the backstage area toward him.
Amidst a wave of gasps, that figure threw herself into Haruto's arms. Then, grabbing his hand, she quickly pulled him away in a certain direction.
Many spectators who hadn't yet left the venue were completely stunned by the scene.
They all looked at each other in disbelief.
They were thinking the exact same thing:
"That's Hoshino Ai, right? That's definitely Hoshino Ai!"
Clearly, just swapping into casual clothes and wearing a baseball cap wasn't enough to disguise herself.
After all, Hoshino Ai was now a true national idol—loved across all age groups.
She had far too strong a presence in everyone's mind.
It was hard not to notice her.
Luckily, Haruto's current appearance looked like a beautiful woman.
If he were a guy—
Even without photos, just the description alone would've been enough to rocket the story to the top of the trending list.
And just as everyone was still exchanging shocked looks—another figure burst out from backstage.
Miku had also changed into casual clothes and dashed out.
But unfortunately, she was one step too late. By the time she arrived, the figure she longed for was nowhere to be found.
A deep sense of loss surged within her.
Moreover, she had seen Hoshino Ai rush out just now.
A terrible feeling welled up inside her.
Could it be that Hoshino Ai is involved with the person I've been dreaming of...?
Just the thought of those two being connected—Miku felt her chest tighten to the point where she couldn't breathe.
It wasn't just possessiveness.
Part of it had to do with Hoshino Ai herself.
Hoshino Ai reminded her of a version of herself who had been through hardship, yet continued pushing forward, eventually breaking through the clouds to find light.
And if it was Hoshino Ai who took something from her—
Then it felt like an old wound had been torn open again.
Especially because of that figure...
That flowing black hair like silk, that graceful and beautiful posture, that aloof, untouched-by-the-world elegance...
Miku was certain—she had fallen in love.
But now, it seemed that love had only just begun to sprout—and it had already been NTR'd!
Just the thought of it drove her to the brink of madness.
"Where did the person sitting here just go?"
Miku ignored everything else and directly used her Spirit ability.
Her words carried the power to distort cognition, asking the audience nearby.
With blank looks in their eyes, they pointed in the direction where Hoshino Ai and Haruto had disappeared.
Miku immediately gave chase.
Meanwhile—
"Hey! Why did you drag me in here?!"
Haruto whispered, clearly trying to hold himself together.
He was currently being cornered by Hoshino Ai in a women's restroom stall inside the venue.
And upon hearing Haruto's sweet, feminine voice, a mischievous smile appeared on Hoshino Ai's face.
"Haruto... even your voice... don't tell me you drank a feminization potion? Did you finally realize being a boy has its limits, so you've decided to stop being one?"
Faced with her teasing—
Haruto flicked her on the forehead.
"Don't spout nonsense. It's not a feminization potion, just a temporary disguise. I had to carry out a special containment task. The nature of the anomaly required this disguise. Besides, even if it were a feminization potion, it wouldn't work on me!"
With the Blacklight Virus in his body—If Haruto didn't want to change, no feminization drug could force the effect.
Hearing this, Hoshino Ai blinked a few times.
"I see... then, Haruto... is it all just for show?"
As she spoke, her mischievous little hand reached downward.
Haruto: !
But Haruto had only altered his appearance—his face, Adam's apple, and height.
His body remained unchanged.
So Hoshino Ai's wicked hand landed squarely on the legendary sacred sword.
Instantly, her mouth formed an "O" shape, her face a mask of shock.
Then her whole face blushed a deep red, like a burning sunset. Steam practically poured from her head.
Haruto's lips twitched as he quickly pulled her hand away.
And gave her a sharp flick on the forehead.
"You've gone way too far!"
But in Hoshino Ai's eyes, a sly glint flickered.
Clearly—her so-called accident had been entirely on purpose.
She had wanted to do that for a long time.
But due to Haruto's previous stance, she had never made any progress. Over their time together, she gradually realized—Haruto was hesitant because of her age.
But it's been two years. She's no longer that naive little girl.
It's time.
Although—what she felt in her hand just now...
Hoshino Ai couldn't help but use her hands to measure something in the air.
Could she even... fit that?
It's way beyond what the internet says is normal...
What if... Haruto ends up hating her because of it...?
Seeing her unconsciously measuring with her hands— Haruto really couldn't hold it in anymore.
He grabbed her cheeks and rubbed them hard.
"What are you thinking, you little rascal?"
Hoshino Ai snapped out of her thoughts and let out a silly giggle. After being teased for a while, she suddenly pointed at Haruto's chest in curiosity.
"Wait, if that didn't change, then why do you have breasts? I thought..."
Haruto directly pulled something out from under his clothes and shoved it into her hands.
A steamed bun.
Even Hoshino Ai was left dumbfounded, holding the bun in silence.
Speechless.
Haruto rolled his eyes.
"If you like it so much, I'll give you another one."
Hoshino Ai quickly waved her hands and handed it back.
Too weird!
And Haruto still hadn't realized Hoshino Ai's deeper intentions. He simply thought she was being playful and curious—unaware that he'd just fallen for her well-laid trap.
"So, what was the anomaly you mentioned earlier? Was it in the venue just now?"
Hoshino Ai quickly changed the subject.
She needed to bide her time. Today had already been a huge success. Pushing things too fast could backfire.
And if there's one thing she excelled at—it was pacing.
Haruto nodded and explained Miku's situation to her.
Spirits were special beings born from transformed humans, each possessing unique abilities.
Their powers were manifested through their "Astral Dress" and "Angel"—like shield and spear. They could wield incredible strength—miraculous, tangible powers.
The one who appeared earlier—Miku—was one such Spirit.
Known as the "Diva."
The cognitive distortion she used earlier was just a glimpse of her Angel's power.
If she fully unleashed it—she could transform her voice into a tangible force, control life on a massive scale, or cause widespread destruction.
She was incredibly powerful.
After hearing Haruto's explanation—Hoshino Ai nodded thoughtfully. She had felt something strange about Miku's voice earlier.
A special sensation.
But thanks to her occasional use of W-Class memory boosters, she had some resistance to cognitive distortion.
That's why she didn't fall victim to the effect.
"You really work so hard, Haruto. Poor thing, poor thing~"
Hoshino Ai said, standing on her toes to pat his head gently.
A classic reverse headpat from a girl.
Haruto didn't actually mind.
But he knew this girl—Hoshino Ai—definitely wasn't so simple.
"You better not spread a word about today."
Haruto warned seriously.
If pictures of him in women's clothes made it back to the apartment—he'd be finished.
Hoshino Ai smiled slyly.
"Eh? Really? I guess I could keep quiet, but you know how careless I am sometimes~. If only there were some way to shut Ai's mouth... then she definitely wouldn't say a thing."
As she spoke, her pale pink fingertip traced her lips.
She hadn't removed her stage makeup—her lips still shone a glossy red, glistening and inviting.
The hint was far too obvious.
Almost a direct request.
Haruto didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Still, Hoshino Ai had confessed her feelings two years ago. And now, after two years, she'd clearly grown more mature—but her feelings hadn't changed.
So—maybe it's time to respond.
Haruto leaned down toward her.
Their lips met—soft, moist, and warm...
Only after a long moment did Haruto finally let go of Ai.
Ai's eyes had grown moist and sparkly, and it seemed as if even the stars in them had turned into pink hearts.
"Does that count as shutting you up?" Haruto asked with a chuckle.
Ai nodded immediately.
"Shut tight! Completely shut!"
Meanwhile, Miku, who was still frantically searching around the venue outside, only felt even more furious inside.