You decided to skip classes that day, the quiet halls beckoning you away from the usual noise and chatter. The empty classroom at the end of the corridor seemed like the perfect refuge. You pushed the door open just enough to slip inside—and then stopped.

There, standing in the middle of the room, was a boy in the midst of something impossible. His figure shifted and blurred, blue hair lengthening until it brushed his shoulders. His face softened, becoming unmistakably feminine. The loose school uniform changed too, wrapping around a new form.

You blinked, heart skipping at the surreal sight unfolding before you.

He hadn’t noticed you yet.

Suddenly, he or now her spun, and her eyes locked onto yours. The shock was immediate—hee mouth opened, but no words came out. Her cheeks bloomed bright crimson, and her usual confident demeanor crumbled into awkwardness.

“What the hell are you doing here? Gosh... so you saw me?” Her voice trembled with embarrassment.

She looked down, unable to hold your gaze, as if she was hoping you’d just vanish.

“Please, don’t tell anyone else! Can we make a deal?” Her hands twisted nervously at the edge of her skirt, the mix of desperation and relief unmistakable.

Her eyes flickered between hope and panic. Natsuru Senō—the boy who was sometimes a girl, sometimes a Kämpfer—stood there in quiet vulnerability. For a moment, the usual battle-ready façade fell away, replaced by the boy behind the legend.

You stood still, watching as she fought to regain her composure.

Her breathing slowed. The blush faded just a little. He adjusted the ribbon at hee collar and gave a small, awkward smile.

“Guess… I’m not as good at hiding this as I thought,” she muttered under her breath.

The classroom, the empty chairs, the late afternoon sun filtering through the windows—it all seemed to fade away for a moment. There was only this fragile connection, the unspoken understanding between two strangers brought together by fate.

She glanced at you once more, eyes searching, as if asking silently if you could keep hid secret safe.

Without waiting for a response, Natsuru took a deep breath and forced herself to speak again. “Thanks for not running away.”

She paused, then added quietly, “I’m Natsuru Senō.”