The next morning, without even touching the breakfast prepared by the butler, Forte grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the mansion.

Sunlight streamed through the trees in the forest, and bluebirds chirped overhead.

I looked at him, pleading with my eyes, "Can’t we just eat first?"

"There’s no way I’m going to accept any more hospitality from that guy. And besides, you’re way too careless. You lack the awareness of a woman. Just thinking about him touching my body makes my skin crawl."

What if he could see through what I was feeling?

"And you," Forte continued, "you fall for guys way too easily. I don’t know how it works, but every time you fall for a guy, your body glows, doesn’t it?"

Oh no, he figured it out. I didn’t want anyone to know, but now it’s out.

"So, let’s hold hands on the way back. That guy’s probably watching us from the window anyway. Let’s give him something to see."

Even though it was supposedly to protect his body, wasn’t this a bit of an overreaction? Ugh, holding hands with Forte like this, while we’re still swapped—it made me feel so aware of my "female" self, and it was embarrassing. But strangely enough, my body didn’t glow this time.

Anyway, we made it back to our hometown village.

"Where have you been?!"

Greeting us at the door was Forte’s mother, Elise. She was a beautiful woman.

"Elise, I’m sorry! Forte dragged me out in the middle of the night for some adventure, so I had no choice. Well, see you!"

With that, Forte pinned the blame on me and bolted without explaining anything about our body swap! So, I was left alone with Elise.

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"Honestly! Forte didn’t even bother to mention the body swap, huh?" she said with her hands on her hips, clearly frustrated but in a familiar, natural way.

How am I supposed to dodge this? Wait... Does she already know about the swap? I was racking my brain for an excuse, but it was pointless—she knew right from the start. Not even a chance to make this into a chess problem!

"Hehe, surprised? I’m a bit of an expert when it comes to body swaps. Oh dear, you’ve been cursed to lose your voice too, haven’t you? Let me lift that for you. Just a moment! HAAAAH! LA! LA! LA! LA! AAAH!"

Elise began a warm-up routine like a Western classical singer from another world, starting with low notes and working her way up through the scales with rhythmic precision. Forte’s mother is incredible. I remember hearing that she once performed in a successful production of The Ugly Duckling. Hearing her voice now, I totally understand why.

"Alright, now I’ll cast the spell to lift the curse on your voice!"

Her high, flowing soprano filled the air. The intense vibrato almost gave me a headache—wasn’t this a bit too loud for the neighbors? But then again, it was already 9:30 in the morning, so I guess it was fine. While I was checking the clock, I realized the tightness in my throat had eased.

"How about now? Can you talk?"

"A-ah, yes, I can speak! Elise, you’re amazing!"

It felt strange hearing Forte’s voice coming from my own mouth.

"Of course! I’m a magic researcher after all. Latest spells and magic studies? No problem!"

"And while you’re at it, the curse that stops me from writing too!"

"Leave it to me!"

Her high-pitched voice rang out again, and I could feel the strength returning to my fingers. I couldn’t believe I’d been playing the saxophone with such cursed hands this whole time.

"That saxophone, it’s the one you found in the shed, right?"

"Uh, yes... Sorry, I had to use it for something important."

"You fought someone, didn’t you?"

Her tone dropped, taking on a stern edge. Oh no, I messed up—I hate how I always let things slip too easily.

"It was the witch from the forest, wasn’t it?"

Gah! She’s figured everything out. Seeing my panicked expression, her kind face grew stern.

"You shouldn’t have gone somewhere so dangerous! Look what happened—cursed! You could have died!"

"I’m sorry."

She was absolutely right. Why had I done something so reckless?

Wait, what’s that? There are men in black suits approaching the house. They’re moving quickly, almost jogging.

"Stay inside!"

Elise quickly opened the door and shoved me inside before closing it again. She was going to fight them to protect me! Elise was in danger! I frantically twisted the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. It was sealed with a magic lock.

After a while, a beautiful sound echoed through the air. I recognized the melody—it was a flute.