Mio's loose sneakers slapped the pavement, all but a blur as she darted between the morning crowd and occasional yokai alike. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each one tasting of the city's exhaust and her own spiraling panic. She didn't spare a glance at the sidelong looks from pedestrians, too fixated on reaching Gentleman's Shield to notice their eyes dipping to her poorly chosen attire. Her nipples were evident through the oversized t-shirt, accentuated by the bouncing of her breasts with each step she took.

"Get a grip," someone muttered as she brushed past. Mio could have cracked a joke, something about free shows on street corners, but her mind was a locked vault of urgency.

She burst into Gentleman's Shield's lobby like a storm. Heads turned, whispers followed. Mio ignored them all and beelined for the elevator. She was out before the doors fully opened on the eighth floor and shouldered through Takashi’s office door with enough force to make it rebound off the wall.

"Explain. Now." Mio's voice cut through the hum of the air conditioning.

Takashi looked up, startled, his pen pausing mid-sentence. His glasses caught a flash of the morning light, momentarily shielding his eyes. Surprise flickered across his face as he took in her disheveled state, then scrunched up in confusion.

“Who…?”

“It’s me! Mio!” She practically exploded, the emotions out of control.

Recognition flashed across his eyes, then his expression smoothed into concern.

"Ms. Kojima-”

“Mr. Kojima,” she corrected with a growl.

“Right, Mr. Kojima, please, take a seat." His hand gestured towards the plush chair across from him, a glass of water already conjured onto his desk as if by magic.

"Cut the crap, Takashi. The choker." Mio jabbed a finger at her neck where the Gentleman's Choker hugged her skin, its emblem mocking her in its stillness.

"Let me see..." Takashi's fingers danced across his tablet, swiping through digital logs with an efficiency that belied his calm exterior. "Ah, here we are."

"Spill it," she said, not sitting.

“This is peculiar,” he muttered, almost to himself. Then he glanced up, adjusting his glasses. "It seems there was a...mix-up. A maid choker instead of a butler's."

"Mix-up?" Mio scoffed, arms crossing over her chest—a move she immediately regretted as it drew more attention to her unintended exhibitionism.

"Indeed." Takashi's voice held a note of apology, though Mio wondered how much was for show. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something off about him.

“How is that even possible?” she demanded. “Your choker can just change someone’s gender just like that? How does that even make any sense?”

Takashi winced, his polished façade cracking. "It's... complicated. The choker adapts to its wearer, but this level of transformation is unprecedented."

"Get this thing off me," Mio demanded, her fingers clawing at the choker as if it were a snake coiling around her neck.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Takashi sighed, clasping his hands on the table. "The choker, Ms. Koji—uh, Mr. Kojima, is bound by contract. To remove it, you'd have to break that bond."

"Fine," Mio growled. "I'll cancel it and get a new one."

"There's a catch," Takashi said, his voice softening. "Once severed, you can't simply tie it back together. The contract is sacred. Irreversible."

Mio froze, her newfound curves suddenly feeling alien again. "So I'm stuck like this?"

Takashi's silence spoke volumes. She didn't need a verbal response to know the answer; his expression said it all.

Mio's heart hammered against her chest, a drumbeat in a war she hadn't planned on fighting. Sayuri's face flashed in her mind—those soft eyes that had seen her through her worst, expecting her to be the shield. Could she let go now? Return to a normalcy that no longer existed?

"Damn it." She slammed her hand down, the sound sharp in the quiet office. Sacrifice or selfishness—some choice.

Takashi's voice was gentle as he spoke. "I understand that this is a tough decision, but we don't have much time on our side. Mio, you need to choose soon. Training starts next week and once you start, you’ll have to stay the whole summer until you’re ready to enroll in Blue Star Academy."

Mio's fists clenched at her sides. "Some choice," she spat. "Be stuck as a girl or abandon Sayuri."

Takashi's lips thinned. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but-"

"Inconvenience?" Mio barked a humorless laugh. "Try identity crisis."

She paced, each step emphasizing her new curves. Her mind raced, weighing options. Cancel the contract, lose Sayuri. Keep it, lose herself.

Or did she?

Mio paused, an idea forming. "What if I find another way to change back?"

Takashi's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure that's possible-"

"But you don't know for certain," Mio pressed.

A beat of silence. Then, "No, I suppose not."

Mio took a moment to process the information. There was a small chance that he could have both options - to be a boy again and also stay by Sayuri's side. He just needed to figure out how to make it happen.

"I need to talk to Sayuri," she said abruptly.

Takashi nodded. "Of course. Take the day. Clear your head."

Mio turned to leave, then paused, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "One more thing. Got any clothes that actually fit?" Mio gestured at her ill-fitting attire.

Takashi's lips twitched, suppressing a smile. He pressed a button on his desk. "Yumi, bring in the spare uniform. Size..." His eyes flicked over Mio's new form, narrowing on her chest. "The biggest one we have."

Minutes later, Mio emerged from Takashi's private bathroom, tugging at the edges of a crisp white button-up shirt and navy circle skirt. The fabric hugged her curves, accentuating her new figure in ways that made her squirm.

The mini skirt was so short that she felt like she was constantly at risk of revealing too much with every step. It barely reached her mid thigh, leaving very little to the imagination. She didn’t know how Sayuri had the confidence to wear something like this.

Mio was relieved that she was still wearing her boxers; she wasn't ready to fully immerse herself and start wearing panties yet. However, she had agreed that a bra was necessary. Her breasts were too large to go without any support, as she learned the hard way on her trek here. They felt like heavy water balloons bouncing against her chest when she ran.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, stumbling slightly in the low heels.

"It's temporary," Takashi reminded her. "Unless you decide otherwise."

Mio shot him a glare that could've curdled milk. "Don't hold your breath."

She left the office, her steps uneven as she adjusted to the unfamiliar heels. The skirt swished against her thighs with each awkward stride. She grimaced. This new body felt like a badly-fitting costume.

The elevator dinged. Mio stepped inside, catching her reflection in the mirrored walls. A stranger stared back - blonde, curvy, decidedly female. She averted her eyes, focusing instead on her phone. Her fingers hovered over Sayuri's name. How do you even start that conversation? "Hey, surprise! I'm a girl now. Wanna grab lunch?"

The lobby bustled with activity as she emerged. A few heads turned, curious glances following her uncertain gait. Mio steeled herself and marched on, ignoring the stares. Let them look. She had bigger problems.

Mio left Gentleman's Shield, wobbling down the sidewalk in her new heels. Each step felt like a tightrope act.

"Screw this," she muttered, kicking off the shoes. The cool pavement under her bare feet was a relief. Out of pure pettiness, she tossed the heels in a nearby trash can, causing a bunch of raccoon-like spirits to scurry away in alarm.

The bus ride back to her neighborhood was uncomfortable. On her way to Gentleman's Shield earlier, she had been in such a rush that she didn't notice the other passengers or how she looked.

Now that she had calmed down and somewhat come to terms with her new reality, she became increasingly aware of the stares from other people. Especially in this short skirt. Were they focused on her legs? On her bare feet? Was that creep who took pictures of Sayuri also on this bus? Was he taking pictures of her now? A million thoughts swirled in her mind, and she felt like she could explode from anxiety. How did Sayuri handle this every day? How did any girl manage it?

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Once she got off at her bus stop, she took a moment to calm herself down so she didn’t have mental breakdown.

"Get a grip, Kojima," she scolded herself, focusing on the path ahead. She needed to talk to Sayuri. She had to meet her in person.

With newfound resolve, she made her way to Sayuri's apartment, psyching herself up. She would see Sayuri, a thought that should have been comforting, but dread gnawed at Mio’s insides. How would Sayuri react? Would she see Mio — the real Mio — beneath this new exterior?

"Stupid choker," she grumbled, touching the sleek band wrapped around her neck.

Mio hesitated at Sayuri's door, fist raised to knock. Her new body felt foreign, curves in all the wrong places. She took a deep breath and rapped on the door. She mentally prayed that Sayuri would answer the door and not someone else in the family.

"Coming!" Sayuri's voice called from inside.

The door swung open. Sayuri's eyes widened, taking in the strange girl before her.

"Can I help you?" she asked hesitantly.

Mio tried to form words, but they caught in her throat. She should have known better; why would Sayuri recognize her? After all, she looked completely unrecognizable now.

"Sayuri, it's me," Mio finally managed, her voice cracking. "It's Mio."

Sayuri's eyes widened further, disbelief etched across her features. She took a step back, her hand gripping the doorframe. "That's... that's not possible."

"I know it sounds crazy, but I swear it's true," Mio pleaded, her voice cracking. "The choker... there was a mix-up. It changed me."

Sayuri's gaze darted to Mio's neck, where the Gentleman's Choker sat snugly against her skin. Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed quickly by shock. Those wide, violet eyes mirrored the shock that twisted in Mio's gut.

"Oh my god," she breathed. "Mio? Is it really you?"

Mio nodded, relief washing over her. "Yeah, it's me.”

Sayuri's hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening. "How? What happened?"

Mio shifted uncomfortably. "Can I come in? This isn't exactly a hallway conversation."

Sayuri nodded dumbly, stepping aside. Mio entered, her bare feet padding across the familiar carpet while the skirt swished against her thighs. She fought the urge to tug it lower. The apartment smelled of jasmine and green tea - so quintessentially Sayuri it made Mio's chest ache.

“No one else home?” Mio asked.

Sayuri shook her head. “Just me.”

An awkward silence fell between them, both unsure of what to say next.

"So," Sayuri began, perching on the edge of the couch. "You're... a girl now?"

"Looks that way," Mio replied dryly. She shifted uncomfortably, hyper-aware of how the skirt rode up her thighs as she sat. "Trust me, I'm as freaked out as you are."

Sayuri's brow furrowed. "But how? Why?"

Mio sighed, running a hand through her short blonde hair. "Long story short? There was a mix-up. I got a maid's choker instead of a butler's. Now I'm... this." She gestured at her body, grimacing.

Sayuri's brow furrowed. "Can't they fix it?"

"Fix" was a funny term for it. As if Mio were some appliance that had short-circuited. But the concern etching Sayuri's features softened Mio's sarcasm.

Mio shook her head, blonde hair swishing. "Not without breaking the contract."

Understanding dawned in Sayuri's eyes. "The contract... our contract?"

Mio nodded grimly. "Yeah. If I cancel it, I can go back to being a guy. But then..."

"You wouldn’t be able to attend Blue Star Academy," Sayuri finished softly.

"Bingo," Mio said, forcing a weak smile.

A heavy silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken implications. Mio fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, hyperaware of how exposed she felt. Sayuri's gaze flicked over Mio's new form, a mix of curiosity and concern in her violet eyes.

"We should cancel it," Sayuri said suddenly. "You can't stay like this because of me."

Mio's heart clenched. "I'm not leaving you," she said fiercely. "I made a promise."

Sayuri bit her lip. "Mio, you can't sacrifice yourself like this. Not for me."

"Watch me," Mio retorted, crossing her arms. The action pushed up her breasts, drawing both their gazes. Mio quickly uncrossed them, face flushing.

"This is insane," Sayuri murmured. "There has to be another way."

Mio leaned forward, determination blazing in her mismatched eyes. "That's what I'm counting on. I'll find a way to change back without breaking the contract. I swear I will.”

Sayuri's expression was troubled and unconvinced. Mio didn't like seeing her friend in such a state; she needed to cheer her up and turn that frown upside down.

Mio sprung to her feet, a grin tugging at her lips. "You worry too much. I've made my choice. Besides, who wouldn't want a kick-ass guardian angel like me?"

"Kick-ass" wasn't exactly how she felt, more like "kicked around." But Sayuri needed reassurance, not the truth in all its messy glory.

"Always my guardian," Sayuri murmured, a small smile breaking through.

"Forever and always," Mio replied, her heart steadying. This was why she'd done it, why she'd endure a thousand stares and whispers.

"Come on," she said, grabbing Sayuri's hand. "Let's walk. I don’t know if the shirt is too tight or my boobs are too big, but I feel kind of stuffy in here."

Sayuri let out a snort but allowed Mio to pull her outside. She didn't even bother slipping on shoes, choosing to go barefoot like Mio.

As they walked around Sayuri’s quiet neighborhood, Sayuri's gaze lingered on Mio, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. She understood now, the gravity of what Mio had done for her. "I can't believe you'd do this... for me," she whispered, voice laced with awe and a newfound resolve.

"Believe it," Mio said, with a half-cocked grin. "Besides, who knows? Maybe having an extra pair of these," she motioned to her chest, "will come in handy."

"Idiot," Sayuri chided softly, but her violet eyes sparkled with gratitude.

Without warning, Sayuri pulled her into a tight embrace. Mio was initially tense, but she slowly relaxed as Sayuri's embrace became tighter. The familiar scent of Sayuri's shampoo, a mix of jasmine and vanilla, filled Mio's nostrils as their bodies pressed closer. The warmth of her embrace was a solid promise against Mio's whirlwind of emotions.

They stood in that moment, at peace in their own private storm.

"Your heart," Sayuri whispered, her breath tickling Mio's ear, "is too big for any body, isn't it?"

"Comes with the territory," Mio quipped, her voice muffled by Sayuri's hair.

A moment passed—maybe it was eternity shrunk down to size—before Sayuri's hands began to wander, fingers tracing the contours of Mio's new form with curious intent. Her hands cradled Mio's round breasts with tender care, her fingers gently pressing into the soft mounds, causing the fabric of Mio's shirt to be pulled taut over them.

"They're... really big… a lot bigger than mine," she said, a mix of wonder and something else—a tease, perhaps—in her tone. The faint scent of Mio's shampoo, a mix of lavender and coconut, wafted up as Sayuri leaned in closer, her nose grazing the top of Mio's chest where the fabric of her shirt met bare skin.

"Hey!" Mio's protest came out more squeak than snark, her face lighting up with a blush that could rival the setting sun. She squirmed in Sayuri's grip, trying to escape the invasive hands.

The weight of Sayuri's hands on her chest sent a shiver through Mio's body. They were warm and soft, the gentle pressure of her fingertips sparking a tingling sensation that spread across her skin. "Cut it out! Personal space, remember?"

"Right, sorry." Sayuri stepped back, but mischief danced in her eyes. "Just taking notes—for science."

"Science, huh?" Mio scoffed, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest, preventing any attempts to grope her once more. Though relief did course through her at the return to familiar banter. "I'll show you science."

"Promises, promises." Sayuri's smile turned gentle once more, grounding Mio in the storm of change.

"Let's just walk, okay?" Mio suggested, eager for the distraction.

"Lead the way, guardian angel." Sayuri grabbed Mio's arm and linked it with hers, causing Mio to blush at the unexpected contact. She could distinctly feel her arm being pressed against Sayuri’s breast, but she tried her best to ignore it. She reminded herself that it wasn't on purpose and tried to act casual about it.

A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued their walk, looping around Sayuri’s house.

Mio's gaze dropped to the gravel path beneath their naked feet, her voice catching in the cool evening air. "I start training on Monday."

"Training?" Sayuri's arm stiffened against hers.

"Yep." Mio resisted the urge to kick a pebble, lest she hurt her toes. "At Gentleman's Shield. It's an all-summer gig—boot camp for butlers... or maids, as fate would have it. Takashi said I would have to stay there full-time."

"Until September?" Sayuri's words trembled like leaves in a hesitant breeze.

"Until we step through Blue Star Academy's hallowed gates." Mio glanced sideways, her attempt at humor falling flat. "You won't get rid of me that easily."

"Every day," Sayuri declared, her voice a sudden fortress. "We'll call every day."

"Better upgrade your phone plan." Mio smirked, but there was a tightness behind her sarcasm, a thread pulling at the edges of her resolve.

"Consider it done." Sayuri's smile, though wistful, carried a spark of defiance against the looming separation.

And just like that, they fell into step beside each other, Mio's fears dissolving with every stride. Because no matter the shape or form, she was Mio Kojima—Sayuri's protector, until the end of time.

———————————————-

After walking Sayuri back to her house, Mio made her own way back home. She was so lost in thought that she waltzed through the front door and almost gave her grandfather a heart attack.

He was in the living room, sipping on his tea, when his eyes grew wide as saucers at the sight of Mio’s new female form and he almost choked on his drink.

Mio froze in the doorway, suddenly remembering her transformed state. Her grandfather's shocked expression said it all.

"Uh, hey Gramps," Mio said, forcing a casual tone. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"

Her grandfather set down his tea with a shaky hand. "Mio? Is that... you?"

"In the flesh," Mio replied, wincing at her choice of words. "Well, new flesh, I guess."

"What in the name of all the spirits happened to you?" His voice wavered between concern and disbelief.

Mio sighed, closing the door behind her. "Long story short: magic choker, gender swap, don't ask."

Yoshiro’s bushy eyebrows shot up. “So you’re a-”

"A girl, yeah. Temporary situation." Mio waved her hand dismissively. "Probably."

"Probably?" Yoshiro echoed, his wrinkled face a map of confusion.

Mio flopped onto the tatami floor, her skirt riding up dangerously. She tugged it down, scowling. “Look, it’s complicated. I’m still me, just… curvier.”

Yoshiro's eyes narrowed, his weathered hands gripping his teacup. "Mio, what have you gotten yourself into?"

Mio sighed, running a hand through her short blonde hair. Despite not wanting to go into detail, she did owe her grandfather an explanation. "It's the Gentleman's Shield contract. There was a mix-up with the choker. Now I'm... this." She gestured at her new body.

"And you can't simply remove it?" Yoshiro asked, his voice stern.

"Not without breaking the contract," Mio replied. "And if I do that, I’ll lose my spiritual energy."

Understanding dawned in Yoshiro's eyes. He set down his cup, fixing Mio with a piercing gaze. "So you chose to remain like this? For that Izumi girl?"

Mio nodded, chin raised defiantly. "I made a promise."

A heavy silence fell between them. Yoshiro’s gaze was piercing, as if he could see right through Mio's new form to the core of who she was.

Finally, he sighed. "Your heart was always too big for your own good."

"Runs in the family," Mio quipped, managing a weak smile.

Yoshiro's weathered face softened. "That it does." He paused, studying Mio's new form. "Well, I suppose we'll need to get you some proper clothes. Unless you’re planning on wearing the same outfit for the rest of summer."

Mio glanced down at her clothes; likely the only outfit that would fit her in this new body. "Yeah, probably a good idea."

"And perhaps some... undergarments?" Yoshiro suggested delicately, his cheeks coloring slightly.

Mio felt her own face heat up. "Gramps!"

"What? It's a practical concern," he huffed, crossing his arms. "A young maiden such as yourself shouldn’t run around so shamelessly."

Mio groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is not a conversation I ever thought I'd be having with you."

Yoshiro chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “And yet, here we are. Life has a way of surprising us, doesn't it?"

Listening to his nonchalant attitude, she lifted her head and asked hesitantly, "You're... okay with this?"

"Okay?" Yoshiro barked a laugh. "Hardly. But you're still my grandchild, no matter what form you take. And if this is what you've chosen, then we'll face it together."

Relief washed over Mio, her shoulders sagging. "Thanks, Gramps."

"Don't thank me yet," Yoshiro grumbled, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "You still have to explain this to your mother."

Mio groaned, flopping onto her back. “Can’t you do it? I’m scared of what she might do.”

"Nice try," Yoshiro chuckled. "But this is your mess, kiddo."

She sighed, “Great. This is going to be a long summer.”