Qu Yi is sitting in the padded chair in front of the vanity desk mirror in her dorm room. She stares into the mirror with a look of bewilderment. Looking back at her is the face she has seen in the mirror for the last week; however all the hair that once was down her back has somehow been bundled into a large round poof on the top of her head.

  “So…?” Yan Liang inquires standing behind her. She shifts left and right in anticipation. “What do you think?”

  Qu Yi blinks, continuing to examine her reflection. She pokes at the nape of her neck. While she was beginning to get used to the feeling of having hair brushing her neck all the time, now, the feeling has left her in its entirety. It is the familiar feeling of not having any long hair touching her neck, but there is a cost. Her pupils raise to focus on the reflection of the bun. She now has a big smooth and puffy bunny tail on top of her head. She slowly pokes it, causing it to push in one direction before returning to the center of her head. “It’s… odd?” She tilts her head one way, then the other, watching it move very slightly in the reflection. Quickly she realizes that calling it odd may be considered a slight. “It’s not bad though!” she lets out quickly, turning to Yan Liang. “If anything, it reminds me of my hair before I came to this school.” She smiles to Yan Liang.

  “Hmm?” Yan Liang’s face turns curious. “How was your hair like before you came?” She inquires as she unintentionally closes the distance between her face and Qu Yi’s.

  Qu Yi jumps slightly at the realization. Crap! She didn’t mean to say that out loud. No one can learn she was a boy! “W-Well, I-I just mean- I used to not, notice it on my neck that much?” She technically wasn’t lying, right?

  Yan Liang nods. “Oh! I guess it makes sense. With your mom styling your hair daily, she probably did it like this a lot!” Her finger goes to her chin in confusion, “Wait. but how did you not know what having your hair up felt like?”

  Qu Yi’s mind races. Just get out of the situation! Amongst the raving worry in her brain a single phrase grows powerful: “Change the subject!” She smiles, speaking up, “U-Um, r-regardless! I like it a bunch, Liang!” She quickly stands up and turns, smiling at her friend. “I-I think it makes me look a bit taller.” She pats the top of her bun, feeling the sponginess push down and spring back up.

  Yan Liang twiddles her fingers shyly. “Aw! I’m so glad you like it!” She snickers before whispering, “It’s also adorable that you care about your height.”

  Qu Yi’s ears perk up. “H-Hey! I-I don’t care about it that much!”

  Yan Liang smiles. “Of course not. Of course not, but keep in mind, with your bun you’re about my height now!” She giggles covering her mouth.

  Qu Yi frowns and folds her arms, blushing. Inside she knows she is taller than both her roommates, had she not been changed into a girl!

  Yan Liang chuckles, but rests her face towards Wen Chou who is sprawled out on her bed in the corner of their room. Her bedhead currently causing her teal neck-length hair to stretch out in all directions. “Now if only we could do something about Chou’s awful hair.”

  Wen Chou opens an eye to peek at Yan Liang. “You touch it, you’ll regret it.”

  Yan Liang frowns. As she begins gathering loose bobby pins on the vanity into the box they came from. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to really touch saliva ridden hair unless she washed it first.” She sighs. “Anyway, Chou, you should really start getting ready. Yuan Shao said she’s going to be here by 10:30, and we still need breakfast. Do you even have an outfit picked out? You can’t just cheat and wear your uniform, you know!”

  Wen Chou yawns, then slowly rolls her way out of bed. She opens her wardrobe and quickly throws the first four things she sees on her bed: a dark green T-shirt with white sleeves, a tight pair of denim shorts, a black baseball cap, and a pair of white socks. “Outfit decided.” She nods to Yan Liang before jumping back on her bed, ready to continue resting her eyes.

  Yan Liang rolls her own eyes in response. “Ugh, she may as well be a boy the way she chooses her outfits.”

  Qu Yi can’t help but blush at her friend’s comment. She shyly scratches her cheek, unable to deny that she would do that back at home as a boy. “Um, do you have your outfit planned?”

  Yan Liang beams in response. “Of course!” She runs over to her wardrobe. It stands on the right side of her bed as the door to the hall sit on the left side. She pulls out a cyan sleeveless blouse with a white Peter Pan collar, followed by a pastel yellow knee length skirt and white leggings. “Ta-dah!” she cheers, looking at Qu Yi’s face.

  “Oh, that will look good on you.” Qu Yi smiles slightly. “Sorry, I really don’t know much about fashion, but I think you’ll look cute in it.”

  Yan Liang blushes as she beams. “Aw, thanks Yi! I bet you’ll look adorable in whatever you pick also!”

  Qu Yi’s smile stays but Yan Liang’s words pierce through her like an arrow. Her poor masculinity suffering from the supposed “compliments.”. “R-Right,” is all she gets out of her mouth, before turning to her wardrobe.

  She never actually spent much time paying attention to the outfits she had come with in her transformed suitcase. Sure, when she was a boy, she packed a bunch of jeans and T-shirts of different types including some nicer ones with buttons. Her mind kept worrying about what clothes she actually has if she were to look through them. With a uniform required every day, worrying about clothes wasn’t something she needed to fret about. Despite how much she was embarrassed to wear the fluffy “royal” Yuan Shao uniform, it was helpful in keeping her lack of knowledge in fashion as hidden as possible.

  Qu Yi takes a deep breath, bracing herself before opening the wardrobe. Unfortunately for her, with what awaited inside, it seems the jeans she used to wear daily are becoming a far-off dream. She sees skirts of all kinds hung upon the lower racks, on the top, many different blouses. Her face shifts to frustration as she looks through the wardrobe. Was this some kind of cruel trick Yu Ji had pulled on her? Girls are allowed to wear pants. It wasn’t the 1950s! She peeks over at Wen Chou’s bed. Her eyes stared longingly at the T-shirt and shorts she picked for herself.

  Qu Yi’s mind begins racing as she thinks to herself, “Huh, maybe this shopping trip may come in handy, after all? I’m sure I can buy a few pairs of jeans at the mall Yuan Shao is taking us to.” She pats her cheeks trying to get focused. “Yeah. Yeah. This will work out. Watch, you’ll get good old pants to wear again!” Her body shifts to stand up straighter, “Now, the hurdle I have to get through at the moment… What on earth am I supposed to wear?” She thoroughly begins rubbing her chin as her thoughts run rapidly through her mind, “I know nothing about women’s fashion! Heck, I know nothing about men’s fashion! I just wore t shirts with logos I liked and jeans every day at my old school!”

  Qu Yi’s eyes opened in shock and realization, “Not to mention! I’ve only gone shopping with my mom before! Is there a difference between what you wear shopping with friends and parents? This is the first time I’m going… anywhere with friends!” Her breathing increases its pace, as worry rears its ugly head into her heart. “What if I embarrass myself? What if I say something stupid?!” Her hands go to the side of her head. “Ahhh! So much to worry about! Lei Bo was right! School and what we learn is the easy part! Social stuff is the real challenge!”

  Yan Liang watches as Qu Yi’s emotions and body language change rapidly, as she stares blankly into her wardrobe. Yan Liang smiles as she stifles a chuckle, approaching the girl. “Hey Qu Yi?”

  “Eeep!” Qu Yi chirps out as she turns around.

  Yan Liang can’t help but cover her mouth. “From how you’re acting, and how you’ve been with other stuff, would it be wrong if I assume your mom picked out your clothes for you daily as well?”

  Qu Yi looks down to her feet, “Well… um…” It was a lie, however, it kept up with her not knowing how to “girl” appropriately. “Y-Yeah… I-I don’t really know how to match stuff…” She twiddles her fingers awkwardly, blush spreading on her face.

  Yan Liang returns a comforting smile. “Can I help you? I wouldn’t mind teaching you this either.”

  Qu Yi nods while quietly muttering, “Yes please.”

  Yan Liang chuckles. “I spent a lot of time studying this kind of stuff, when, um… when...” Her finger goes to her chin in confusion. “Um, well I can’t remember exactly when I did. But I did!” Yan Liang begins moving some hangers around. “So, let’s see what you have here... I remember seeing a cute combination when I helped you unpack.” Moving through the wardrobe her eyes scan rapidly, “Ah-hah!” she cheers, pulling out three articles of clothing for Qu Yi to look at: a sky blue long sleeve cardigan, a white camisole and a plaid sky blue and white knee length skirt.

  Qu Yi blinks, staring at the three articles of clothing. “Um… isn’t that shirt a little exposed?” She points to the camisole.

  Yan Liang looks to it and chuckles, “Well, it’s a camisole silly. You wear the cardigan over it.” She shows what Qu Yi would describe as a “Mini sweater.”

  “O-Oh! Right!” She blushes brightly and then nods rapidly “I think that will do!”

  Yan Liang looked up from behind the clothes, with a look of slight disappointment. “Wha? The first pick?”

  Qu Yi begins twiddling her fingers. “Yeah! I-I, um, I guess I just fell in love with it!” She fakes a smile. In reality, she simply doesn’t want to make a fool out of herself further.

  Yan Liang grins. “Awesome!” She checks the time. “We should get ready. We want to make sure we eat breakfast before we go!”

  Wen Chou jumps up as if on cue. “All right!” She grabs the tank top she is currently wearing. “Strip!” she says throwing it in the air.

  “A-A-A-AHHH!” Yan Liang gasps, quickly covering Qu Yi’s eyes. “H-Here, Qu Yi you take the bathroom this time!” In an instant Qu Yi is pushed into the bathroom, clothes in hand and the door slams behind her. She stares in the bathroom mirror trying to process what had just transpired, as the sound of her roommates is heard on the other side of the door.

  “WEN CHOU! YOU PIG HEADED FARMHAND! WHERE IS YOUR BRA?!”

  “Eh? That thing is a pain to sleep in! Who even sleeps in it?!”

  “YOU HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO GO TO THE BATHROOM TO PUT IT ON! Qu Yi is very sensitive! I don’t want her to see any of that!”

  “Ugh! As I keep saying, we’re ALL GIRLS HERE! Nothing she hasn’t seen before!”

  As the two continued to argue, Qu Yi’s mind went back to what her classmate, Ju Shou, had said yesterday. “Transparency is the key to friendship.”

  “… Even if that is true… I think I need to take the fact that I’m a boy to my grave.”

  Within a few minutes, Qu Yi is staring at herself in the mirror in her sky-blue outfit. After the practice she had with her classroom uniform, this is much easier to put on. However, as she continues to study her reflection, she can’t say she prefers this over her regular uniform. Her uniform was much snugger, and she couldn’t help but feel less exposed in it. She finds herself subconsciously pushing her skirt down, not liking the feeling of her exposed legs. She also can’t help but push the bun on her head down, watching it spring back up.

  Qu Yi steps out of the restroom to see both Yan Liang and Wen Chou in their outfits. “Hey Newbie!” Wen Chou waves her hand up. “You were taking so long I might have barged in again!” She smirks, making a joke.

  Yan Liang is brushing her hair as she sat in front of the vanity. “Don’t even joke about that Wen Chou!” She frowns, looking at Wen Chou’s reflection. “You’ve done it more than enough to last her entire time at this school!” she sighs, finishing the tips of her hair with her usual flip style.

  Wen Chou scoffs. “I was just joking!” Her stomach can’t help but gurgle. “Well, speaking of that. I think it’s time to head for breakfast!” She gives a cheery smile to the two girls in skirts from across the room.

  Yan Liang stands up. “Well, I’m ready if you two are.” She is still staring at her reflection, making sure the ends of her hair stay upturned as she moves.

  Qu Yi looks down at her outfit. For some reason, it feels like it is her first day coming out with her uniform again. She has the same pit in her stomach when looking down at her outfit. While she has gotten used to the uniform, she feels like she is going to draw attention in this. She tries to understand what makes it feel so different. They are both skirts, right?

  “Qu Yi?” Yan Liang asks, snapping Qu Yi back to reality. “Hey, are you ready for breakfast?”

  “U-Uh. Right.” She rubs her left arm with her right one. “I-I suppose I am. Just a little worried for some reason.”

  Before Yan Liang can ask why, a loud cheer comes from Wen Chou. “All right! Let’s go, Newbie!” She puts her arm around Qu Yi as she leads her out of the room.

  This was Qu Yi’s first time seeing the school grounds when it isn’t a school day, and to say the environment is different is an understatement. Instead of the single-colored uniforms she is used to seeing from the different classes, all the girls are dressed up in whatever they want. It makes the place feel more crowded to her, but soon enough the three have get their breakfast and sit down in the usual spot.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Huh.” Qu Yi thinks aloud, looking around the cafeteria building. “It’s a lot emptier today than usual.”

  Yan Liang smiles. “Well it makes sense. Since we all don’t have to do our regular class schedules, people can come and eat or sleep in today.”

  Qu Yi quickly checks her phone. “Yeah, seems like that’s what the twins are doing.”

  You: You two still good for coming to our room later to finish up the packet? 8:18

  Lu Kuang: Why are you up so late at night? 8:19

  You: Night? 8:19

  Lu Kuang: Uh oh. 8:20

  Lu Kuang: Can we study on Sunday instead? 8:20

  “Of sorts,” Qu Yi adds seeing the latest texts.

  Wen Chou is already making short work of her breakfast, having no time to add to the conversation.

  A commanding voice speaks up from behind Qu Yi. “Well, I see you don’t have bad taste in clothing, unlike certain members of your classroom.”

  Qu Yi sighs, recognizing the voice. She turns to face it, viewing a girl a few inches shorter than herself, dark brown hair styled meticulously in a bun on her head. Her brown piercing eyes stare at Qu Yi, as if looking at a prize she longs to catch. She wears her class uniform, a blue long sleeve button up shirt with a white sweater vest on the outside and a long-pleated skirt down to her shins covers up her legs. “Cao Cao?” Qu Yi asks, puzzled to see her here, although still self-conscious about her current attire.

  Cao Cao is president of a rivaling class who considers her class the best in the school. She seeks perfection and has a talent of scouting promising students into her own classroom. She nods to Qu Yi’s question. “Yes, it is I.”

  Wen Chou rolls her eyes and goes back to focusing on her food, but is clearly annoyed at Cao Cao’s presence. Yan Liang frowns but makes sure to watch how Qu Yi is handling things from her, ready to intervene at anytime.

  Qu Yi lets out a sigh. Anytime Cao Cao has contacted her, it seems that she is trying to convince her to join her class. “Look, Cao Cao, I still don’t want to join your class.”

  “Perish the thought.” Cao Cao waves her hand next to her face. “You made your stance clear last time. I don’t plan to bother you with it anymore.” She gives a smile towards Qu Yi. “Although, I’m honored that you appear to be imitating success.” She smiles as she fluffs the bun on her head for emphasis, clearly proud of Qu Yi’s hairstyle emulating her own.”

  Wen Chou decides to speak up at that. “Well, what’s up with you and wearing your uniform? I wouldn’t bother talking about ‘bad taste in clothing’ while you’re out here in uniform on a Saturday.”

  Cao Cao turns her eyes to Wen Chou, her own eyes visibly show they are much less interested in Wen Chou than Qu Yi. “Actually, my class has volunteered to help clean up the mess around the Yellow Scarves’ pavilion to help with preparations for their new portable.” She smirks smugly. “So it only makes sense for us to wear our uniforms since we’re doing work towards the school.”

  “Ehh?” Wen Chou stands up. “You’re only doing it for your class’s reputation!”

  Cao Cao shrugs unenthusiastically at Wen Chou. “Believe what you like.” She turns back to Qu Yi as she focuses again. “And what are you three planning to do today?”

  Qu Yi blushes. “O-Oh, right. Yuan Shao is taking us to the mall. She wants me to…” she sighs, “try on outfits and stuff.”

  Cao Cao nods. “Yeah, that sure sounds like her. Something about the ‘royal name of the Yuan family’ I assume?”

  Qu Yi looks a bit surprised to Cao Cao. “H-How did you know?”

  “Well, other than her constantly going on about that. We used to be friends before we were accepted here. She did a similar thing with me back then. Anyway, it’s been a pleasure, but I have work I need to do.” She waves specifically to Qu Yi.

  Qu Yi smiles and waves back. “Okay talk to you later.”

  Cao Cao takes a few steps, before stopping and turning her head. “Oh, you may want to look out for her little sister.” She then continues on her way.

  “Huh, wonder what she means by that…” Qu Yi asks as she turns herself back to her roommates.

  “I don’t know, but even though you want to be friends with her, I still can’t stand her.” Wen Chou adds as she stands up, “I’m going to get seconds.”

  Yan Liang smiles, “Well, if anyone can be friends with her, you can.” She nods supportively before taking a drink from her orange juice carton. After the three finish their meal and return their plates, they begin their trip back to their dorm room.

  Qu Yi can’t help but fidget with her skirt and jacket as the three ride the elevator. “Are you okay Qu Yi?” Yan Liang asks with concern.

  Qu Yi quickly stops. “O-Oh don’t worry! I’m fine. I-I guess I’m just not used to wearing, um, regular clothes after a week in my uniform.” She smiles, trying to laugh it off. In reality, she feels extremely uncomfortable, but she can’t give Yan Liang any reason to doubt that these are, in fact, her clothes. After all, they are from her suitcase.

  Wen Chou, however, takes notice of Qu Yi’s laughter, giving her a concerned look.

  Qu Yi’s eyes lower back to the ground, as she begins fidgeting with her fingers.

  “Qu Yi, you’re not normally like this,” Wen Chou adds. “Sure, I mean you are around other people, but not around us.”

  “I-I guess I’m just nervous about going out someplace!” She tries to fake a laugh, “I’ve never gone out with friends before!”

  Wen Chou gives Qu Yi an unconvinced look as the elevator dings and opens. The group turns right as other girls pour into the elevator. After unlocking their door, they enter. Yan Liang sits on her bed with her hands in her lap bed excitedly. “Ahhh, this is so exciting! I can’t remember last time I’ve been out with friends!”

  Wen Chou looks to her confused. “We just did it a week ago? The movie theater!”

  “Huh… Did we?” She scratches her head thinking. “I’m having trouble remembering it…”

  Wen Chou sighs. “I swear, ever since Qu Yi came, your memory has been failing you.”

  Qu Yi can’t help but sigh, taking the chance as the girls speak to look at Wen Chou’s outfit with jealousy. She’d, for the most part, gotten used to a skirt since her stay, but the idea of a t-shirt instead of wearing some knit jacket over a revealing top is getting to her. “I wonder if I can buy regular T-shirts when we’re at the mall…” she wonders aloud.

  Wen Chou looks a little confused at Qu Yi, “Well, yeah, I mean it’s a mall, they have all kinds of stores.” She then raises an eyebrow. “Huh? Now that I think about it, you really didn’t have any T-Shirts in your wardrobe.” Her eyes widen suddenly. “OHHH! I get it!” She snaps her fingers in realization.

  “Huh?” Both Yan Liang and Qu Yi raise an eyebrow as they look to Wen Chou.

  Wen Chou clenches her fist as her eyes fill with tears. “Qu Yi! I understand what’s going on!” She runs up to Qu Yi and puts her hands on her shoulders.

  “Chou? Understanding something?” Yan Liang snickers sarcastically.

  Wen Chou ignores her comment. “You were indeed a mama’s girl!” Wen Chou jumps back, beginning to count on her fingers with each comment. “Don’t know how to get dressed! No idea how to dry your long hair! Scared to ask for help! No knowledge about the hairdos you’re used to! Having trouble picking out your clothes! Wanting T-shirts despite not having any! I’ve even noticed you eyeing my shorts! You aren’t any ordinary mama’s girl!”

  Qu Yi eyes widen, as her thoughts start to work in overtime. “Eh? Wen Chou? Do you actually know what’s going on?!” Sweat pours down her face rapidly, but she needs to act clueless until the end. She can’t admit she was born a boy! “W-What are you talking about, W-Wen Chou?” she manages to get out.

  Yan Liang turns to Wen Chou, now somewhat curious. “Well, I think we kind of gathered she was a mother’s girl. That’s not some big new thing-”

  “No, Yan Liang!” Wen Chou shouts as she clenches her fist. “Newbie! Er, I mean Yi I understand!” She puts her left hand on Qu Yi’s shoulder and gives her a thumbs up. “This is your time… to have the freedom you didn’t have at home!” The room falls silent after these words.

  After a bit of a pause, Qu Yi manages to mutter out, “Eh?”

  “You don’t need to tell me! Your dislike for pink despite all your bags and suitcases being pink! You were… raised by a mother who didn’t let you pick what you want to wear! You were taught to be helpless and were given only the feminine standards!”

  Yan Liang stands up from her stool. “Um, but Chou, we met Mrs. Qu on the video call on Tuesday. She didn’t seem like someone who would force their daughter to be girly. She seems really nice…”

  Wen Chou turns to Yan Liang. “You can be a nice parent while still expecting femininity from your child!” She pulls Qu Yi into a hug, “This is all she knows! It’s why she shows curiosity in other attire! She never got the chance to discover who she is with an overbearing mother!” Wen Chou backs up and puts her hands on both sides of Qu Yi’s face. “Newbie! This is the time for yourself! You will discover who you are, and you must become your own woman!”

  Qu Yi’s mind struggles to comprehend all of it. It did strangely make sense, being taught learned helplessness while not being able to be who she is on the inside. At least it made sense from an outside perspective. In reality, Qu Yi doesn’t know anything about being a girl because she was an only child and a boy. As for wanting to wear T-shirts, shorts and the like, that is because she is used to wearing them. Part of her still feels a sense of self-consciousness and shame when wearing skirts. Even though it appears normal on the outside, she feels she shouldn’t know what skirts feel like as a boy who is completely content in her old gender. She shouldn’t have to experience it.

  Yan Liang looks more convinced by Wen Chou’s argument now. “Q-Qu Yi? Is that true?”

  Well, she supposes it couldn’t hurt to bite into it. “Um… Kinda?” She looks at Yan Liang with her eyes, her face still in between Wen Chou’s hands.

  Yan Liang gasps. “T-That makes a lot of sense…” She looked at Qu Yi’s outfit. “It also would explain why you said okay at the first outfit I picked!”

  Wen Chou turns around quickly and darts to her opened wardrobe. “That’s it, Newbie! I am going to help you!” Clothes start flying out of her wardrobe onto her bed as if she is looking for something specific.

  “H-Hey! Chou!” Yan Liang shouts, with a tone of confusion in her voice.

  “Found it!” Wen Chou cheered as she turns around. She’s holding up a pair of worn skinny jeans. “Now, um, these were mine from a while ago… I know you’re much shorter than I am.” She approaches Qu Yi, trying to size her up from sight. “I think you should take them!”

  Yan Liang stands up from her bed. “W-Wha? But Wen Chou, Yuan Shao is going to be here in a few minutes!”

  “Then we have no time to lose!” She turns to Yan Liang determined. “Liang! Grab one of her tops that will go well with jeans!”

  “H-Huh? But-” Yan Liang tries to get a word in edgewise.

  “Eh?” Wen Chou interrupts. “I thought you were a fashion one. I don’t know how to pick one out! Only you can do this!”

  Yan Liang looks at Wen Chou for a bit before getting a determined look on her face. “R-Right!” She runs to Qu Yi’s wardrobe.

  Qu Yi is still looking around in shock, trying to keep up. “W-Wha? W-Wha?”

  Wen Chou turns back to Qu Yi, “Newbie! Tell me honestly! Do you want to wear pants?”

  “Um, I mean…”

  “It’s a yes or no question!” Wen Chou repeats. “Do you want to wear pants!?”

  Qu Yi jumps back, surprised how abrasive Wen Chou was being. “Y-Yes Ma’am!”

  Wen Chou gets a determined smirk. “All right! Then you need to do what I say right now!”

  Qu Yi nods, “I-I will!”

  Wen Chou takes a deep breath in, before shouting, “All right! STRIP!”

  Qu Yi mouth is agape in disbelief. Before her eyes widen and a large blush spread brightly over her cheeks. “Eh…? E-EHHHHHH?!?!”

  Within five minutes Qu Yi has a new outfit on. And the familiar sensation of denim jeans has returned. Yan Liang found a white blouse with a yellow lacey trim at the top.

  “So?” Wen Chou asks from Qu Yi’s bed, watching her movements.

  Qu Yi couldn’t help but smile. Sure, the jeans were much tighter than the ones she is used to, but having a familiar texture covering her legs helps her to feel more at ease.

  Yan Liang is smiling, watching from her bed. “I have to say Wen Chou, maybe you were on to something.” She grins watching Qu Yi’s face. “You seem to really like those.”

  Qu Yi blushes, noticing both roommates watching her. “A-Ah, well it’s just. It feels, less exposed…” She twiddles her fingers looking down. “With skirts, I guess, it feels like I’m not covered up?” She made sure to add the s at the end of skirt, even though the only one that had her feel that way was the one this morning. “I guess. the uniforms help me feel covered, because, they have the fluffy stuff inside the skirt and the long socks with it.”

  Yan Liang giggles to herself. “You not knowing the names of things is a cute trait of yours.”

  Qu Yi frowns a bit. “H-Hey, I’m not that cute, right?” Now that she is in pants, her masculinity points had to have been raised, right?

  A knock at the door interrupts their conversation. “Oh, that must be Yuan Shao.” Yan Liang stands up and quickly opens the door.

  Yuan Shao walks in wearing a pastel yellow long-sleeved blouse with fluffy shoulders and a long yellow skirt that almost goes down to her feet. Her hair is in the usual fluffy and long ringlets that bounce gracefully with each of her steps. Behind her Shen Pei follows, her dark blue hair in the usual braid on her shoulder. She is wearing a long-sleeved cream colored blouse with a yellow handkerchief to the collar and a pale yellow pencil skirt. In her arms she holds an electronic tablet.

  “Ohohohoho!” Yuan Shao greets as she walks into the room. “I have come as promised! You get to have the honor of going shopping with your class president!” She fluffs her hair with the back of her hand. “I know, I know, you all must be very excited, so I will not permit you to wait any longer!”

  Wen Chou sighs as she stands up. “Guess we really need to go,” she mutters to herself.

  Yan Liang is clapping excitedly. “I can’t wait! This will be so much fun!”

  Qu Yi blushes, standing up. “I-I hope you don’t feel obligated to get me clothes though… It doesn’t really seem fair-”

  “I shall not hear such nonsense,” Yuan Shao interrupts smiling at Qu Yi, “I have taken you on as my personal project! I will cure you of your ignorance and have you the truth revealed to your heart about the true noblewoman you are in on the inside! I consider it an investment for both the future of the Yuan family’s class, as well as the future of nobility in the world!” She puts her hand to her left cheek as she lets out another, “Ohohoho! Just imagine someday when you are a bride on your big day. You will look back at this experience as the first step in true grace and poise that led you to such a life!”

  Qu Yi blushes, hearing one of her classmates already imagining her as a bride. “L-Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.” Originally, she would be fine stalling, but hearing the thoughts of Yuan Shao imagining her future made her want to get out of this situation as quick as possible. “A-Anyway, I-I sure can’t wait? Should we get going?”

  Yuan Shao beams. “Of course! Of course! I can see anticipation is already getting too much for you! Let us be off!”

  The group of five girls leave the dorms and follow the trail towards the front gate of the school grounds. Yuan Shao prattles on, with Yan Liang entertaining her. Qu Yi’s mind fills with worry and anticipation. It is her first time going to hang out with friends, but buying clothes seems to be a waste on her, as she doesn’t have much actual interest in them. As she passes the large fence, she recognizes the parking lot for buses. She has only been down here once, and that was on the fateful day when Yu Ji and I brought her here. Her eyes catch onto the bus she came in, covered with paint of all different colors. If she had known what she knows now about the school, perhaps she would have been more prepared for getting on such a strange-looking bus, heading out of state on a free scholarship.

  “However…” She smiles, looking up to the sky full of blue and serene. She has friends now, and that is worth everything, even a hiccup with her gender.

  “There it is, the family limo!” Yuan Shao grins as the group exit the school grounds to a drop off area. Several students already form a circle around it gossiping about who it belongs to. A man awaits them, standing outside the passenger door and opening it for Yuan Shao.

  “Here you go, Madame, for you and your friends.”

  Qu Yi blinks a few times. “I gathered she was influential, but… it’s still weird to see for myself.”

  Wen Chou laughs to Qu Yi. “Yeah, I was the same way the first time I actually saw her show up in one after a trip.”

  Each member of the party gets them in the limo, with Wen Chou allowing Qu Yi in before her. As Qu Yi gets in, she feels the eyes of the crowd around her staring at her. It makes her sweat as she gets in. “I-I really wouldn’t have minded walking…” she mutters.

  “Ohohoho! Qu Yi, Qu Yi, Qu Yi.” Yuan Shao smiles at her. “You are not simply a student of my classroom anymore. You are my personal project, as such-” Yuan Shao grabs Qu Yi’s hands into her own. For a second Qu Yi feels a hot glare on her, quickly causing her to look to Shen Pei, who is adjusting her glasses and composing herself. “As such, it is only proper that I spoil you as I teach you the important lessons of being an upstanding member of nobility!”

  Qu Yi quickly returns her hands to her lap, partly due because she feels Shen Pei staring at her, and also because she doesn’t feel comfortable being touched so suddenly by Yuan Shao. With Wen Chou getting in, the driver closes the door behind them and hurries to his seat. As he enters, he turned around to look through the little window separating him from the guests. “Where to, Madame?”

  “Fallo Mall!” Yuan Shao cheers.

  The driver nods in return. “Of course, Madame.”

  Unbeknownst to them, a few meters back lay the Yuan’s back up Limo in wait. “Where to, Madame?” asks the driver of that limo.

  A small girl with light blonde hair in two curled twintails, grins hearing the question. “Follow my sister’s limo!” Yuan Shu smirks to herself. “Trying to take your new student to the mall to buy her affection, huh, sis? Well, I’ll win her over there and she’ll want to join my class instead! Then you will finally admit I am the superior member of the Yuan Family!” Yuan Shu smirks, her left hand going to her right cheek, “Oohoohoohoohoo!”