"Wada… you… do you perhaps…"
"Perhaps what? Did you really think I didn't recognize you, 'T.M. Opera O'?"
Wada watched "T.M. Opera O's" surprised expression and said with a smile,
"Haven't you looked in a mirror before? You should take a closer look at what kind of changes appear when you control her body."
"Changes? How could it be…"
Both T.M. Opera O and "T.M. Opera O" gradually realized something. "T.M. Opera O" immediately pulled out a small mirror from her pocket.
—This was the mirror T.M. Opera O always carried around, named "Joseph," primarily used to help her admire her beauty anytime, anywhere.
As for combs and such to fix her appearance… as the Overlord, T.M. Opera O was confident she always looked dashing, so she never bothered bringing stuff like that.
Now, as "T.M. Opera O" took out Joseph to examine herself, she didn't immediately notice what had changed. But thankfully, the real T.M. Opera O immediately spotted the anomaly and cried out:
"My eyes! It's the color of my eyes! My eyes are dazzling pink! Yours are chestnut!"
"Aahhhhhhh! You big idiot! Gigantic fool! To be exposed because of this! Complete buffoon!"
"…"
However, after understanding how Wada knew, "T.M. Opera O" automatically ignored the shouts of T.M. Opera O in her mind.
She silently put down the mirror, looked up at Wada, and after a long while, a very gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Wada, so you already knew since the first time we met... But why didn't you tell me?—is it that this Overlord doesn't understand her most loyal subject enough?"
"It's actually quite normal for you to not really understand me much back then, T.M. Opera O."
Wada completely relaxed. In front of "T.M. Opera O," he didn't need to be so cautious. The two conversed like old friends.
It was just that the T.M. Opera O from back then couldn't speak; otherwise, their daily interactions probably wouldn't have been much different from now.
"But I understand you, T.M. Opera O. No matter when or where, what shape you become or what name you have, I'll recognize you at first glance."
"...Heh, you sure have a way with words... I don't doubt you at all."
"T.M. Opera O" also smiled faintly, then very familiarly and intimately linked her arm through Wada's.
A very obvious expression of joy appeared on her face, as she softly said:
"I've wanted to do this for a long time… but I didn't have the chance then."
"I mean, you pulled me over with your mouth quite a bit, T.M. Opera O."
Wada, of course, knew what "T.M. Opera O" meant. Back when he—or was he a she now?
Regardless—back then, T.M. Opera O was a Racehorse, so he couldn't interlink arms like a human.
But since she had a humanoid form now, a Racehorse pulling with their mouth would probably be no different from humans linking arms.
In Wada's impression, every time he visited T.M. Opera O, the horse was very active, eagerly making gestures for Wada to ride on his back. If Wada was unwilling, he would be unhappy.
However, most of the time, T.M. Opera O would only pull Wada's clothes with his mouth, signaling him to get on.
Now, she finally obtained human-like intellect and, temporarily, a humanoid body.
With those memories still intact, "T.M. Opera O" quickly understood her feelings for Wada and how to express her affection.
Perhaps as a former animal, "T.M. Opera O" still retained some of her animalistic instincts, so in terms of being direct, she was much more candid than the T.M. Opera O of this world.
"DON'T LINK ARMS WITH RYUJI! YOU IMPOSTER!!"
"—Don't bother me, other me. You just watch."
However, the strong resistance in her mind made "T.M. Opera O's" mood drop.
Forcing herself to ignore T.M. Opera O's resistance and roars in her head, she focused her attention on Wada.
After T.M. Opera O's resistance proved fruitless, she simply lay in the air helplessly, ruminating on the many questions she quickly gained from this encounter.
For one, why was Wada getting along so well with her other self now? So well, in fact, that T.M. Opera O felt like she was the third wheel.
Not only that, the way they talk and their topics left T.M. Opera O at a loss, completely unable to comprehend.
In the end, she finally decided to temporarily quiet down and listen to what secrets between the two she didn't know.
From T.M. Opera O's perspective, as she watched her imposter intimately link arms with her most loyal subject, openly displaying her affection, even though she was mentally prepared, she still let out a sour, lukewarm hum.
This sound, however, made the smile on "T.M. Opera O's" face deepen when she heard it.
"How did you get here, Wada?"
"That's the question I want to ask you! How did you get here? And why are you inside T.M. Opera O's body?"
Wada, curious, turned to "T.M. Opera O" and asked:
"T.M. Opera O doesn't seem like the type of person to willingly give up her body like this... so I'm assuming you can directly take control of her body? How is T.M. Opera O doing now?"
"She's fine. Right now, she's probably just sitting in her mind space in front of a TV, watching our actions from the other side."
Although "T.M. Opera O" said this, she didn't mind continuing to maintain intimate contact with Wada, as if she was deliberately showing off to T.M. Opera O.
"Speaking of which, Wada, why do you trust that woman so much? You already know she's this world's Yutaka Take, why take such risks?"
"—T.M. Opera O, I know very well why you're so hostile towards Yutaka Take, and you probably also know that my own thoughts towards Miss Nase aren't much more positive than yours."
When "T.M. Opera O" asked this crucial question, Wada took the opportunity to explain his thought process:
"But even so, I chose to trust Miss Nase, because Miss Nase and Yutaka Take… are fundamentally different."
"Perhaps her thoughts, her personality, family backgrounds, and even her past experiences are like his. But after knowing her better, I can confirm that Miss Nase is someone we can trust."
"As long as she's still in our team, as long as she stands with us, she won't betray us, and she won't become the next Yutaka Take."
"T.M. Opera O, can you trust my judgment on this matter?"
After Wada finished speaking, "T.M. Opera O" was silent for a moment. She gazed at the man who had accompanied her throughout her life, a faint glimmer of brilliance in her eyes.
In the past, she had been the one to guide him on the Racecourse, guiding him to victory and honor. And when he cheered, T.M. Opera O would cheer along with him.
And now… having come to this world, the "child" she had watched grow up had matured to the point where he could even educate her.
"T.M. Opera O" didn't feel unhappy; in fact, she felt very proud.
To think she would have such an opportunity to witness this child's growth; for "T.M. Opera O," it was already worth the journey.
"…Since you say so, Wada, then this Overlord will trust you this once."
"In that case, I'll go back, Wada. Get along well with that child."
"Yes, T.M. Opera O. The Kikuka Sho, and you training her… for all you did, I am very grateful."
Wada also smiled and nodded, looking at "T.M. Opera O." She smiled faintly at his words and closed her eyes.
"Between us, there is no need for thanks, Wada."
The next moment, with a moment of disorientation, "T.M. Opera O" willingly returned the body to her other self.
T.M. Opera O, with her pink eyes restored, immediately grabbed Wada's sleeve after recovering and asked:
"Ryuji! What exactly just happened? Why could you see my other self? And, and why do you two know each other?"
"It's a bit complicated to explain, T.M. Opera O, but you have to believe that both I and your other self are working wholeheartedly for you."
Wada didn't offer T.M. Opera O too much explanation. Such things were too complicated; it was better to leave it to the other T.M. Opera O.
"You'll understand in the future. For now, let's go relax a bit before the Kikuka Sho."
"…Relax?"
However, T.M. Opera O tilted her head in confusion at his words. At this moment, it was the first time she had heard the word "relax" from Wada, who had always been so tense.
But the problem was, what should they do to relax?
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Is this technically yaoi?
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.