Chương 27: Chapter 7 An Unexpected Encounter(Part 3)

The family dinner, with everyone together again for the first time in a while, felt warm and lively. To celebrate my discharge, Rina had gone all out, making some of my favorite dishes—fried chicken and toriten. A little alcohol loosened everyone up, and conversation flowed easily.

"By the way, Tsukasa, let me see you naked sometime, okay?" Haruka suddenly said.

"I want to take your measurements and remake the outfit I promised." The promise she referred to was one she'd made when entering university: every year, she'd make me some kind of clothing or accessory. Last year it had been a custom leather key case. This year, apparently, she'd chosen clothing.

"Nayuta already saw me naked," I replied.

"I don't mind. Besides, the hospital already took detailed measurements. Rina has the numbers." Haruka immediately stopped reaching for another piece of fried chicken and turned to Nayuta with the gaze of a predator spotting prey.

"You tried to make a move on a girl that cute? You have Chihiro, don't get confused."

"That's not what happened!" Nayuta protested.

"It was an accident! And Chihiro has nothing to do with this!"

"That's right," Rina added with a grin.

"He just happened to walk into the dressing room right after Tsukasa got out of the bath. His face turned completely red."

"Well, I do look pretty good," I admitted. The meal ended amid laughter and teasing. Realistically, there was no way I could continue working at my old job. The workplace wasn't exactly built to accommodate female employees, and the chaos surrounding the Gates would demand more of my time anyway. While filling out my resignation paperwork, I noticed a missed call from Itsuki. Stepping outside for a cigarette break, I called him back. The neighborhood was dark, and a full moon hung overhead.

"Hello, Itsuki? Kuroe speaking. Any developments?"

"Good timing," he replied.

"Can you come to the station tomorrow morning? I've spoken with my superiors. They agreed we need to hear everything directly from you before making any decisions."

"That's fine. What time?" This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Around ten in the morning. I know you're exhausted, but we'd appreciate your cooperation."

"No problem."

"Oh, one more thing," he added.

"Your license situation should be manageable after tomorrow. Frankly, we're lucky your name is Tsukasa. If your name had been something obviously masculine like Kenji or George, family court would get involved and drag this out even longer." I chuckled.

"Any plans to change your name?" That wasn't even worth considering. Kuroe Tsukasa. My parents had given me that name. I'd lived with it for forty-three years. Even if my appearance had changed completely, changing my name now would feel stranger than becoming a girl.

"No. I'm keeping it. Guess I owe my parents some gratitude."

"Fair enough." We spent a while discussing tomorrow's agenda before ending the call. I lingered outside a little longer, smoking and enjoying the quiet night air. As I headed back toward the house, I happened to spot Yuki Kudo passing by. I gave him a casual wave before stepping inside. It was still too early for bed, so I spent the evening talking with my family until the hour grew late. Eventually everyone turned in for the night. Before sleeping, I stepped outside one last time for a cigarette.

I never smoked indoors. The smell lingered, and it wasn't fair to the family. During winter it meant freezing outside, but in early summer the temperature was pleasant enough.

"Ah..." I clicked my lighter. Nothing. Again. Nothing. The gas was empty. My Zippo had already run out of flint, forcing me to rely on a backup disposable lighter. Now that one was dead too. Funny thing about smoking—you can tolerate cravings when cigarettes are available. The moment they're suddenly unavailable, though, the urge becomes ten times stronger.

"Fire... I need fire..." Then I remembered something. I wasn't just a girl now. I was a Witch and a Sage. I'd done a few tests on my body after transforming, but I'd never actually tested magic. The entity had claimed I'd instinctively understand how to use it, but no such knowledge had appeared in my mind. Maybe entering the Gate again was required? I placed a cigarette between my lips and raised my index finger. Why the dramatic gesture? Because style mattered. I didn't need much fire.

Just enough to light a cigarette.

"If I remember correctly... it was something like..."

"Think. Imagine. Dream. Manipulate. Manifest. Break the laws." I muttered the words aloud. Honestly, most of them made sense. Except for manipulate. That part was completely unclear. In games, magic usually consumed mana or something similar. Maybe I should just picture fire? I kept the cigarette in my mouth and focused. A tiny flame. Nothing more. Just enough to light a cigarette. As soon as the thought solidified, a voice echoed inside my head. > System access confirmed.

Because you have not re-entered a Gate after acquiring your profession, portions of your abilities remain restricted. To remove these restrictions, please enter a Gate as soon as possible. Current request detected: "Fire." Request granted. The announcement vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. At the same moment, the cigarette between my lips ignited. Unfortunately, the flame did not appear dramatically above my raised fingertip. That part was disappointing. Still, the result was undeniable.

I took a deep drag and exhaled a cloud of smoke into the summer night. The world's first magical cigarette lighter. Honestly, it felt absurdly luxurious. Yet all it really did was create another problem. The System's message had confirmed something important. My abilities were still restricted. Which meant there was only one solution. I needed to enter a Gate again. And as soon as possible. The moon hung silently overhead. The smoke drifted into the darkness. Tomorrow I would be meeting the police.

Soon after that, I'd have to convince government officials that monsters, professions, and the end of normal life were all very real. And before long— The Gates would open. I took another drag from my cigarette. The future looked like a complete disaster. But for tonight, at least, the cigarette tasted good.