She couldn’t believe that things had already come to this. Was is too fast? She didn’t know what had come over Aiko lately, but he had become strangely cool and intense. To Lana, this dark and moody personality was a major turn-on. However, just because she was getting to finally live out her dreams with her crush didn’t mean she was mentally ready for what was about to happen next.

She was still in the bathroom. She had been in the bathroom for too long at this point. Aiko might start thinking weird or embarrassing things about her if she stayed any longer. She had to walk out there, but how could she walk out there dressed like this?

She had worn the “sexiest” thing that she owned. No, she wasn’t in some kind of alluring nighty or some sexy lingerie. Did they even make such a thing for a girl her size? No, the sexiest thing that Lana had was a pair of soft pajama pants with a certain cartoon character on them, and a white shirt with spaghetti straps that showed far too much cleavage.

He said she should be comfortable, right? Th-this was clothing where it would be easy access… if he wanted to… if she wanted to… her face turned bright red once again. How could she do this? She wasn’t ready yet. Plus, her mom and dad would be home in an hour. Was an hour enough time? It probably was, but she didn’t want to rush it. This was bad. She couldn’t do this.

A light knock on the door caused her to jump. “Are you prepared?”

Her body shook. If she didn’t do this now… then she would lose out. That’s when she remembered what the kind shaman storekeeper had told her. If she didn’t move now, then Aiko would end up with other women. No, he would attract multiple women. Worse, she might even need to share him. How could she allow herself to fall into such a situation?

“Th-that’s right! The potion!” She hissed under her breath.

The shaman had given her a potion. She had hoped she still had time to give it to him, but since their relationship was moving so fast at the moment, she realized there was no time but the present. She opened her medicine cabinet and pulled out the baggy which contained the vial and the instructions. She read through them three times. They were far too particular! Even the wording was much too difficult. She’d need the lady to help her pronounce at least half of these words.

There was no time though. Her precious Aiko was already waiting for her. However, she had to do it. She was just going to wing it and hope it worked. Closing her hands around the vial, she finally unlocked the door, opening the room with a low creak. Aiko was standing there waiting for her. He looked her up and down in an appraising way, and she felt her face burning under his eyes.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” He asked.

It felt like an arrow struck her chest. There was such a thing as being too direct. A maiden couldn’t handle such words.

“I’m sorry, sh-should I have worn less?”

He shrugged. “It’s just after we begin, you’ll likely sweat a lot. Your pants seem a bit thick.”

He pushed a finger against her pants. It was true, they were made out of a thick, soft material that didn’t breathe all that much.

“Oh… I thought… I mean… I’ll take them off… to begin.” She couldn’t believe she had to explain it.

When they were… getting sweaty… she wouldn’t need to wear pants, now would she? Why was he giving her a strange look? Did she say something wrong?

“Then, please sit down.” He pointed to the bed.

She took a breath, and then moved to the bed, lying down on it. She was this far already. This was going to happen. She only had two things she wanted. One… she absolutely couldn’t start crying. If she started crying during it, her life would just be over. Second… the bleeding couldn’t be bad. If it grossed Aiko out, she would die!

“What are you doing?” Aiko asked.

“Eh?”

“I said, sit. You cannot drink it lying down.”

“D-drink…” Her eyes popped open when she understood him.

He wanted her to… with her mouth… on his… Why was she so stupid? She had watched videos before. It always started with that! She had been jumping ahead of herself. Now, she had another thing she wanted. She just prayed she wouldn’t bite, or throw up. That was all she could ask for. She sat back up stiffly.

“Should I get on my knees?” She asked. “You could sit… instead.”

“That won’t be necessary.” He stood in front of her, reaching into his pocket.

This was it! This was the moment. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

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“Drink this.”

“Mm!” Her eyes snapped open to see Aiko holding a vial up to her lips.

It was already pouring out before she realized it. All she could do was drink down the fluid, but as soon as it hit her tongue it was so bitter that she winced. What was he giving her? Was this a potion too? It was so nasty! However, it was Aiko giving it to her, so she had no choice but to keep drinking it down. When she finally forced the last drop down, she felt a cross between wanting to burp and wanting to gag. It was gross.

“There, we should give it a week, and based on the results I’ll be able to understand which direction I should go.” Aiko declared.

While still making a bitter face and licking her lips, she looked up at Aiko. “What was that you gave me?”

“It’s a potion I devised that will help you lose weight.”

“L-lose weight?”

“You seemed to be making an honest effort. I wanted to repay you, so I came up with this method. Unfortunately, I’ve never done something quite like it before, so we’ll have to see the effect.”

“Effect?” Lana was asking questions both to help ignore the taste and also to get over her embarrassment.

Of course, he didn’t come over to have… that! How could she be so foolish? She tried to go back to everything she said and did, trying to make sure she didn’t say anything to embarrass herself. She didn’t know if she was relieved or saddened by the truth. She knew she wasn’t ready, but would it have been so bad to lose it at that moment? She didn’t think so.

Still, since things had ended up like this, she was just going to pretend that mistake never happened. It was just a potion. Wait! Did he give her a potion? She saw an opportunity.

“I-I also have a gift I’d like to give you.” She declared.

“Is that so?” He raised an eyebrow. “I suppose that I have some time. Then, please present it!”

“Ah! I need to prepare it first.” She blushed. “I’ll be right back!”

Lana left the room at full speed and then went down to her kitchen. The potion needed to be brewed in tea. While the tea was being made, there needed to be a spell recanted and various other tasks performed. It even came to the number of revolutions during stirring and in what direction. After they were done… she was planning on coming down and making him drink after, but since that wasn’t happening, she could still deliver the potion and win his heart for good.

Unfolding the crinkled paper, she followed the directions the best she could. Halfway through she heard a rumbling noise. It was coming from her stomach. With a cry, she went to the bathroom. She didn’t know what she had eaten, but it was really bad. Her only consolation was that Aiko was upstairs in her room, and she was downstairs. When she finished and cleaned up, she returned to the tea.

Five minutes later, she was back in the bathroom again. This was terrible! She couldn’t afford it again. When she finally got out, she was horrified to see Aiko coming down. She held up her hands defensively.

“What are you doing?” She cried out.

“It’s been over ten minutes, I was coming to check on you.” Aiko declared.

“I’m fine! Just another five minutes.”

“Are you okay?” He cocked his head. “Oh, I see the sweats are kicking in. Have you been defecating?”

“What? No! Absolutely not!” Lana cried out with a horrified look.

How could he just ask that of a girl? Just because she had an irritable bowel didn’t mean she wanted the guy she had a crush on to know about it. He was looking at her suspiciously though. A moment later, she could smell something whistling.

“The tea!”

She ran off to the kitchen. She could feel her stomach was off, but she forced herself to finish the tea. Aiko was waiting in her living room now, so she whispered when she gave the spell. Just as she was finishing up, she felt like she was about to explode. Pouring out the tea into a cup, she was ready to give it to him.

“Aiko, it’s read-“

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A heavy hand was slamming on the door. It wasn’t the front door though. It was the back door.

“I’ll check it.”

“W-wait…” She tried to stop him, but her stomach groaned and she had to stop herself before she had an accident.

Aiko opened the door. As fast as Lana could scoot over, she did her best. Standing on the other side of the doorway was someone she only vaguely recognized. It was Aiko’s sister, Kio. She had her arms crossed and an angry expression on her face.

“Kio, what do you want?” Aiko asked.

“Hina said she saw you sneak over here.” She narrowed her eyes.

He cocked his head. “Sneak? I was very clear I was going over to the neighbors.”

“Th-that doesn’t mean you can just go to a girl’s house!” She threw her hand out, pointing at Lana accusingly. “Are her parents even home?”

Those words immediately terrified Lana. Her parents were not home, and it was true she couldn’t have a boy over. Given what she was planning to do with Aiko, it was exactly as suspicious as her sister thought! Despite this, Aiko seemed unmoved at all.

“Has Mother asked me to return?” Aiko asked nonchalantly.

“She will once I tell her you’re here alone with a girl!” Kio declared.

“I apologize. I’ll be clearer in the future. Then, I will come home with you.” He turned back to Lana. “I apologize. It looks like we’ll have to exchange gifts at another time.”

“Ah… w-wait… this…” Lana pushed out the cup with the tea in it.

It was done, he just needed to drink it.

“I’m sorry, I’m not thirsty,” Aiko admitted.

“I am.” Kio snatched the drink out of Lana’s hands and immediately downed it.

Lana watched in stunned horror as the tall woman finished off the glass in a few gulps. She made a face before shoving it back into Lana’s hands.

“Is it herbal? It has a weird taste.”

“I-I… sorry…” Lana put her head down defeated.

“Goodbye, Lana. I will come back to check on you next week.” Aiko declared, and then the door shut behind them.

Lana’s head pressed against the door, and she felt like crying. The potion had failed to make it to Aiko’s lips, and she hadn’t… well… she hadn’t gotten anywhere! She could still hear their voices outside as they left for his house.

“Why were you exchanging gifts?” Kio’s voice sounded demanding.

“Because, sometimes, expressing gratitude is advantageous if you want people to like you!” Aiko responded coldly.

Gratitude? That was right! They exchanged gifts because he wanted her to like him, and she wanted him to like her! He just said that. Wasn’t that… like a confession? Kind of? Lana didn’t care! She’d take it.

Before she could grow excited, she felt another stab in her stomach. “Uh oh…”

She raced back to the bathroom. Aiko hadn’t realized how much he had miscalculated the potion. Lana would spend a hellish weekend on that toilet, even forgoing school. When she finally came out though, her transformation would truly cause everyone that knew her great shock.