Chapter 10
Standing in front of the mirror, Belver twisted his whole body and turned his gaze away from his reflection.
No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem like him, but it moved exactly as he did, making him feel awkward, like he could die.
It was very unhealthy for his mental state to suddenly realize he was admiring how pretty he looked while wondering if this was really his body.
Bellatrix, who had created this Belver, nodded with great satisfaction.
"Why are you being shy again?"
"This is too girlish..."
Belver expressed his honest feelings and grabbed the hem of the pure white dress, making it flutter here and there.
The skirt swayed gently like it was flowing in a fairy's breeze.
This appearance that looked pure no matter what he did was too much of an ordeal for him.
To think this was his current appearance.
"I put in some effort. If you went outside now, some people might not even recognize who you are? I styled you completely opposite to how I usually look."
"You didn't have to do that. How does a noble lady know how to do makeup so well..."
"Makeup is a basic requirement for women? I'll teach you soon, so look forward to it."
"I'm a man?! I'm not looking forward to it!"
Bellatrix chuckled, seeing Belver getting worked up, and admiring her work.
Though she knew it was her body, looking at it now made it seem like it wasn't.
Was it because she had dressed him in a pure white innocent dress, unlike her usual comfortable black menswear?
Since it wasn't completely warm yet, she had him wear a light color.
Or was it because she had done light makeup that made his face look bright instead of her usual heavy makeup?
If not that, was it because of Belver's innocent and pure atmosphere?
Whatever the reason, a maiden that would make any man fall in love at first sight had been created.
The kick was how his face was subtly reddening from embarrassment.
Bellatrix grinned and whispered.
"You secretly like it, don't you?"
"Stop teasing me!"
"Don't be like that. It's natural. I did this well because I felt sorry."
Belver hated himself for slightly liking his current appearance, which looked so incredibly pure.
It was even sadder that his inner muscular manly man was comforting him, saying it was okay.
It would have been better if he had gotten angry and asked if he was going to become a girl inside, too.
Finally, Belver rationalized it to himself.
Since this wasn't his but Bellatrix's body, it was natural for a man to like its beautiful appearance.
It was only natural for a man to like pure and beautiful women.
After rationalizing it like this, he felt a bit better.
But as soon as he moved with this thought, the sensations from his chest and hips immediately shattered his rationalization.
"Then you could have given me different underwear..."
"Bear with it. The enchantment on the dress means the underwear won't show through."
"It's a matter of feeling? Anyway, let's go out now. We've imposed for too long."
"Alright. It is about dinner time."
Belver left the store with a sullen face.
Having lived as a woman her whole life, how could Bellatrix be reassured just because an enchantment prevented things from showing through?
From the perspective of wearing it, it felt no different from showing these sexy black undergarments to the outside world.
She seemed too easygoing.
It would be nice if she could empathize with this shameful feeling and get him different underwear.
Even when he gave hints of wanting empathy, Bellatrix didn't understand at all.
If she had been born a man, she clearly wouldn't understand even if a woman openly showed she liked him.
However, there was a truth Belver didn't know.
Namely that Bellatrix had never once worn that sexy underwear and, even more so, had never worn such a fresh dress.
So, she had never once worried about whether sexy underwear would show through a thin dress.
She couldn't empathize because she didn't even know.
"Today, let's walk around outside and eat casually. Since we're at the academy, we should enjoy it in various ways."
"Yes! I'd like that too!"
Bright bright! Belver agreed with a radiant expression that perfectly matched these words.
He wanted to directly experience everything he only knew through knowledge.
Among these, going around street stalls was one of the things he really wanted to try.
Because it was such an everyday and common thing.
He wanted to feel what it was like to walk down the street with a friend, chatting together and sharing food bought from stalls.
Though his relationship with Bellatrix wasn't friendship, it was something similar enough to meet the criteria.
He barely held back from wanting to grab her hand and hurry her along right away.
"Let's go quickly."
"Yes!"
Bellatrix saw right through Belver's urgency.
She couldn't help but notice since he was showing emotions other than his rare anger, feelings of unfairness, and embarrassment.
Though he didn't realize it himself, his feet were even bouncing up and down.
Since he was looking forward to it so purely, it became awkward to tease him.
The fact that there wasn't really anything to tease about also played a part.
"There are a lot of people, so give me your hand."
"Ah, yes. I mean, okay."
"Why? Don't you want to?"
"No... I'm just embarrassed..."
As people gradually increased, Bellatrix matched her speech and became Belver.
Though Belver was quite mischievous and willful, he at least used honorifics.
Belver also noticed and became Bellatrix.
This side was extremely pure and shy but didn't use honorifics.
Holding Bellatrix's hand to avoid getting lost in the crowd, Belver thought.
Was it okay to stay so obviously close like this?
Hadn't she told him just two days ago to act thoroughly for her image?
Perhaps she had given up since even he felt it was too late to maintain Bellatrix's usual image.
Whatever the case, Belver liked this situation.
If he still had the notebook he used on Earth, he would surely have crossed off one line.
"Let's rest a bit."
"Yes!"
After following Belver running around here and there for quite a while, Bellatrix sat on a bench to rest for a moment.
Sitting there watching Belver nibbling on skewered food beside her, she felt curious.
Surely, Belver was a commoner who she thought was vulgar.
But why did he seem to know less about street culture than her?
While she was watching, Belver tilted his head and held out the skewer.
He must have thought she was watching because she wanted some.
Bellatrix moved it back to his mouth.
Then he happily started nibbling again.
"No. I was watching because you look cute eating well."
"I'm not cute! If you're going to compliment me, say I'm cool."
"Alright. Our lady is cool."
Bellatrix couldn't see Belver as an ordinary commoner, no matter how she looked at him.
To begin with, an ordinary commoner would tremble upon hearing her status as a noble lady.
Not boldly demand what they want like that.
Looking at his usual bearing and attitude, he was clearly from a well-off family.
However, it was strange that there were no imperial nobles whom Bellatrix didn't know the names of.
Where on earth had he popped out from?
He clearly seemed to have a story.
Bellatrix held back, feeling it wasn't time to ask yet.
Still, she would have to ask about his circumstances later.
Not to harm him, just because she was curious.
About what kind of person Belver, who had switched bodies with her, had been.
Making this resolution, Bellatrix failed to notice the red gaze intensely observing the two of them from nearby.
***
Roho saw the two of them by chance.
She had come out to try experiencing commoner culture when she saw them holding hands affectionately.
Unable to just pass by, she secretly followed them.
"Is that really Bella? It clearly is, but..."
This was the conclusion Roho reached while following them.
Though it was clearly the Bellatrix she knew, it didn't seem like Bellatrix.
The fundamental atmosphere of the person was different.
Though she thought the reason was absurd, this was the only explanation.
It was the commoner from the rumors that had started circulating about how Bellatrix had suddenly fallen in love with a commoner.
The one still by her side now.
He certainly was extraordinary for a commoner.
To be so relaxed next to the great Bellatrix.
Even drawing out such a girlish side from the great Bellatrix.
Even Roho had failed despite trying everything to get close.
"I'm envious of that guy."
Roho was purely envious of the commoner.
But she also thought it was a good change.
Bellatrix, who had always been sharp, had become very soft thanks to that commoner.
She hadn't ignored Roho in the lecture either.
She could feel the change from then.
She looked forward to the next tea time.
Now that she had softened, they could get closer in various ways.
She had always attended out of obligation, but this was the first time she felt anticipation.
"So you could make such expressions too."
Roho continued observing Bellatrix.
Every single action was strange.
Smiling brightly and sitting modestly like a heavenly maiden, nothing matched with the Bellatrix she knew.
She had known her face was pretty normally too, but it had been closer to cool and alluring - she hadn't known she could make such a pure and cute face.
Her gestures were also so elegant and modest, contrary to her usual efficient and disciplined movements.
"So Bella was a woman after all. Looking so girlish like that. Even better than my acting? This will be a good reference."
Roho continued her observation while muttering words that would have made Belver have a fit if he had heard them.
Then, seeing something, her face reddened.
"And... quite bold..."
Roho was relieved that most people didn't have the eyes she possessed.
And she decided to keep what she had just seen about those black scraps of cloth to herself until tea time.