My gender identity is male. Yeah, I know my body's female.
It's already been fourteen years since I was reborn into this era. The clothes I wear are men's kimono. My favorite is the deep crimson one. If I'm going to wear something, it has to be a kimono, a yukata, or hakama.
That's why…
I really don't like wearing this.
School uniforms are so constricting. I keep buttoning the blouse wrong, and the ribbon chokes my neck. Why do I have to tie some flimsy string around my throat? The skirt would be tolerable if it were just a little looser.
And then there's the bra and shorts. I hate them. I like trunks, but I'm not allowed to wear them. The one time I tried going to school in trunks, my guardian gave me a terrifying look. Ever since, I've been forced to wear girls' panties. She even makes me take them off every night. …Yeah, I still hate panties. The way they cling to my skin feels gross…
It's already my third year, but I still can't get used to the uniform. I wish there were a high school that let you wear kimono. For middle school… I guess I'll just have to endure it for one more year.
Sigh… It's cold again this morning. The air is freezing. Feels like my cheeks might split open. Even with a duffel coat over the uniform, the chill doesn't go away. The moment I step out of the heated house, my body turns to ice. Should I use Crimson Scale Surge to raise my body temperature? No, using a technique just because it's cold feels like too much trouble. …Guess I have no choice but to endure it. Hurry up and end already, winter. Wouldn't it be fine if the seasons were just spring and autumn?
Oh, and summer—you can disappear right now. It's too damn hot every single year. My brain feels like it's boiling over, seriously.
Anyway. I transferred schools because of the move. Starting today, I'll be attending Orudera Middle School. Changing schools at the end of February in my second year feels… weird. Spring break isn't that far off, is it? Wouldn't it have been fine to start in the new term? Especially when it's this cold.
"Enka-chan, did you remember your handkerchief? Tissues? No forgotten items?"
"I've got them. You don't have to worry so much—I can prepare stuff like that by myself."
"What are you saying, you little klutz? It's about time you realized just how hopeless you are, Enka-chan."
"Hey. I'm not a klutz."
I'm not a klutz, okay? It's just that Mom and my guardian handle everything around the house, so I don't have to. Lately, though, the second I try to do anything, they jump in to stop me.
Was it really that bad when I filled the washing machine with bubbles?
Or when I spilled sugar all over the floor trying to make cotton candy?
Was it the coffee I knocked over because I was surprised by how bitter and hot it was?
Or are they still mad about that time I didn't come home until morning?
…It doesn't make sense. It really doesn't. Everyone makes mistakes, don't they? Can't they just be a little more understanding?
"Oh, good morning, guardian-chan. And this child is…?"
This morning, my guardian—wearing a deep crimson kimono—took my hand as we left the house. We made eye contact with the person from the house across the street who was taking out the trash. She started talking to us. Come to think of it, this is our first meeting. Since moving here, I've only gone outside at night. I wasn't allowed to join the neighborhood greeting visit because I might get lost. That doesn't make sense either.
…Still, what's with that hairstyle? The sparkle is nice, but why is it so spiky? If a grown woman can wear her hair like that, I should be allowed to style mine however I want. Why don't I have the right to choose my own hairstyle…?
"Good morning! This is Enka-chan. She'll be attending Orudera Middle School starting today."
"Oh, so this is the Enka-chan I've heard about. Mitsuki's told me all sorts of things.
Nice to meet you, Enka-chan. I'm Bakugou from across the street."
"Mm. I'm Edo Michi Enka. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Bakugou."
This is just a hunch, but this woman seems strong-willed. Mom did say she's tough. Compared to my own mother, she looks pretty reliable.
My mother… she faints sometimes. Mostly when she sees cursed spirits. Since we moved here, the number of times she's fainted has gone up. There are still so many around. Right now, there's even a small one perched on the Bakugou family gate. I really need to exorcise them all soon.
By the way, what exactly did she hear from my mother?
"Well then, maybe I should have my kid show her around. It'd be awful if she got lost."
Hey. Don't treat me like a child right after we just met. And why are you nodding, guardian? You said you were going to take me today.
"Hey, Katsuki!! Get out here!!"
"Aaah!? The hell, old hag!? It's too damn early for this crap!!!"
…An unbelievable reply came roaring from inside the house. From the voice, it sounded like a boy. But… "old hag"? Did he just call her "old hag"? No, she doesn't look that old. Still, this neighborhood sure is energetic in the morning…
"The kid from across the street is starting at Orudera today! Show him around and teach him stuff!"
"Why the hell do I have to babysit!? Do it yourself, you shitty hag!!!"
Is this guy crazy…? The guy I knew back then had a pretty weird way of talking too, but he was a good person. When I glanced at my guardian's face, she seemed to be thinking the same thing. Yeah, of course. No one wants to see their neighbor acting like this first thing in the morning.
…Oh, here he comes. So this is Katsuki. Oho, he's wearing those low-slung pants. Definitely needs correcting. Is walking bow-legged really necessary? It looks sloppy. His face… he takes after Lady Bakugou. If he fixed that scowl, he'd probably be pretty good-looking.
Anyway. Bakugou Katsuki, was it? What's with that attitude of yours?
Hm? What is it, guardian? Why are you trying to calm me down? Petting my head won't do anything. Right now, I'm perfectly calm, you know??
"Hey, kid. Isn't that woman your mother?"
"Aaah!? Can't you tell just by looking!?"
"I'm asking you, Bakugou. Is this boy your son?"
"…He's like this, but he's not a bad kid. Could you look after him for a bit? You can treat him however you want."
"Understood."
I slipped free from my guardian's hand and marched straight toward the noisy brat. A kid like this needs a good lesson.
Listen up, brat. A mother is a magnificent being. She works hard every day thinking of her child. She handles all the housework and childcare, you know?
…And you dare call such a wonderful person an "old hag"?
All right. I'll personally teach you exactly what a mother is worth.
Guardian, you stay back. I'm doing this. I can't just let this brat off the hook!!
In front of his parent, I didn't punch him. Violence is wrong, after all. So I just grabbed him by the collar and forced him to crouch down a bit.
After that, I didn't let go. He must have really hated losing to a girl he'd just met in terms of raw strength, or maybe it was completely unexpected. Still, the way he glared back at me while clearly shocked was actually praiseworthy. I like people with spirit. I've taken a liking to him. Until he fixes that attitude and language toward Lady Bakugou, I'll make him my little brother.
Later, both my father and mother got angry with me about this. Why? I didn't even get into a fight…
Come on, I just gave him a little lesson, that's all. Was that so bad? …S-sorry. Guardian, can't you defend me even a little?
I'm not in the wrong, right? See? I'm properly reflecting on it, okay?
…Grr. You're saying it was wrong too…?
But still! That brat called his own mother an "old hag"!?
That's definitely not okay!!!
First time saying this: there's more to come. (Greetings)
I wasn't planning to update today, but I ended up writing it, so here it is. I've actually got one more chapter ready… but I guess that'll be tomorrow.
The story is slowly inching closer to the first chapter of My Hero Academia, but… well, who knows how it'll turn out. I'd be happy if you stick around.