“…Haa.”
Yawns.
“Nyam.”
Nom nom…
“Huuh…”
Whew…
“…?”
Nagisa is letting out strange sighs. I really have no idea what’s going on with her…
I even went out of my way to get her medicine to help me drink, and this is the response I get? It’s a little painful for me, too.
In times like this, there’s a standard line, right?
“Nagisa, did I do something wrong…?”
“Ah, n-no…!? No! It’s nothing, Mika! No, Mika…? Uh, ueeh?”
Oh no, Nagisa seems to have malfunctioned. It’s been a while since I’ve used her.
By the way… I casually tilted my eyes and added some guilt-inducing lines, and look what happened! I never expected Nagisa would break down so helplessly.
This might be a bit amusing, huh.
It’s no wonder Shuerin keeps saying she wants to remain a child. Kids are unbeatable like that.
“Hmm. Mika, are the pancakes okay…?”
“Yep! Nagisa makes the best ones!”
“Th-that makes me happy… fufu.”
Ah, this is healing. Seeing Nagisa so purely happy makes me feel that the effort to give her that rejuvenation potion was worth it.
“But Mika, why did you take that medicine…?”
“Ehhehe, that’s… well, I thought Nagisa would like it?”
“Hmm. Be honest with me, Mika. How much of it is just because you wanted to enjoy your youthful self?”
“Ah! Really, Nagisa! You’re supposed to overlook things like that as common decency.”
“You really are incorrigible…”
Nagisa shakes her head and rests her chin in her hand, staring at me. It makes me feel like I might choke, so I put down my fork.
“…”
“Hey, I’m concerned…”
“Don’t worry about it, Mika. I’m harmless.”
“…?”
No, Nagisa-chan, that look is quite harmful.
“By the way, today and perhaps tomorrow, I need to remain in this form. Do you have a name in mind? If not…”
“Heueng…? Why do I need a name?”
“Huh?”
“I don’t really have a reason to keep it a secret. Frankly, hiding my identity or whatever is just bothersome. Ah, but maybe I should keep it a secret from Seiya? Hehe.”
“Hmm. I can’t understand why you’re specifically trying to keep it from Seiya. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to hide your identity rather than explaining the complicated circumstances? Pretend the real Mika is away on a business trip or something…”
“But with this appearance, I doubt Seiya would run away, right? It’s been hard to see her head lately. I only need to explain it to close older sisters!”
I definitely don’t need to explain to someone I’ve never met or normal students that I’m Misono Mika, the Student Council President, who just took a juvenile potion.
Just a casual excuse that I’m Mika’s younger cousin would suffice.
Except for my sisters. Yep, showing Nagisa this would be unfair!
Ah, speaking of which…
“Eh?”
What’s this? Is my phone lock not coming off…?
“Nagisa…”
“Yes, Mika.”
“My fingers are too small for the fingerprint recognition to work… Huh. Can you unlock it for me?”
“How would I… And didn’t you set it up with a password?”
“I forgot, okay? Just unlock it for me.”
“…Honestly, I can’t deal with you.”
Shaking her head, Nagisa takes the phone to try and unlock it with the password, and I decide to slip in a little comment.
“You could just unlock it with your fingerprint.”
“…With my fingerprint? How does that even work…? Wait, when did you…?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Whistles innocently.
As I innocently wave my hands, Nagisa stares at me in disbelief, bringing her finger closer.
And just like that, the screen unlocks itself effortlessly.
“Mika, why are you trying to expose your privacy to me? And when did you register my fingerprint?”
“But you’re super precious and special to me☆”
The password is even your birthday, you know. Hmph, it’s not like it’s anything surprising.
“And… woah, way too big.”
Holding the phone in one hand with my shrunk fingers is trickier than I thought. This youthful body isn’t all good, after all… Being much shorter is a downside too.
Anyway. I turn on the camera and switch it to selfie mode, then drag the milk glass closer in front of me. After propping the phone upside down to take a somewhat clumsy but decent selfie…
“…I’ll just take the picture for you.”
“Ahh…!”
Ugh, Nagisa is so mean! Why is she messing with my phone like that!?
…But as a kindhearted person, I decided to let it slide.
I naturally strike a flower pose for the camera, which makes Nagisa flinch cutely. If she’s reacting like this, the other sisters should like it too. Yep.
Should I add that charming wink I used the last time it was well received?
“Ugh…”
Ah… Nagisa is such a fool. What if she drops the phone there!?
*
[Haruna, the Head♥︎]
[…?!?!?!?]
[What’s this? An old picture?]
[Suddenly, thank you!]
[Totally artistic…♡]
[7:20 AM] [I just took this☆]
[Wait? Is this one taken today…?]
[Huh?]
[???]
[I’m coming right away!]
*
[Noaa♥︎]
[Mika, is this the picture you just took?]
[7:23 AM] [Huh? How did you know?]
[In Mika’s childhood photos, there’s no Shushu.]
[I don’t know the exact situation, but I’m sure I’ll know when I get there.]
*
[Husband♥︎]
[7:25 AM] [This is a keepsake☆]
*
The world has become so much larger. I never thought the world would look this different just because I shrunk a little over a head’s height…
I can’t say I was even tall to begin with, but at this rate, I feel even shorter than Hina.
“Welcome, Nagisa. But who is that kid next to you…?”
“Today, I promised to take care of this kid. Her name is…”
“Good morning, sis! I’m Miko!”
“Oh my… Good morning, Miko. You’re polite and cute… but somehow, you seem a bit like Mika…”
“Fufu… That’s the first thought I had when I saw her too. I hope you have a peaceful day today.”
As soon as we entered the T-party building, Nagisa led me not to my office, but to the terrace.
Since the first sister to inquire about my identity, no one has really questioned my existence, perhaps thanks to the trust in Nagisa. Yep.
Upon arriving at the terrace, absurdly, I found Seiya there.
With cute little cat ears on her head, she seemed to be quietly sipping tea, looking like she was meditating.
“Hello, Seiya.”
“Good morning, Nagisa. But who is that kid beside you…?”
Seeing Seiya get defensive as soon as she laid eyes on me, I have a feeling I’m about to be exposed… Hmm. I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Wow… so cute!”
“…Mmf?!”
I rushed over and hugged Seiya. She looked confused and started shaking, clearly taken aback.
The little cat that had flown just below me calmly settled onto my shoulders. Wow, that’s incredibly cute too…
“N-Nagisa. I demand an explanation—— Huh?!”
“Hey, hey, what’s your name? I’m Miko☆”
“Yurizono Seiya, but can you let go of me? I… I can’t breathe…”
Oh no. I forgot I’m not quite good at controlling my strength since I’ve shrunk. This might be too much for Seiya…
“I’m sorry…”
“Ugh. How strong…”
“Wow, fox ears…! Eheh.”
“Wait a moment. What are you doing… Huh?! This feels oddly familiar… Huaa…”
It looks like Seiya is starting to melt under my touch, and it seems she’s beginning to figure out who I am. It makes sense; there’s no way she wouldn’t notice at this point… but I wish I could’ve kept this going a little longer.
“M-Mika. What’s going on? I don’t understand, but can you let go of me for a bit? I’m begging you.”
“Heeening. Seiya, you’re being too cold…”
“…I’m only giving you one minute, Huh. Just one more minute.”
Well, even if my original self was still here, I would have been allowed to indulge, so it probably has nothing to do with me shrinking.
After thoroughly using that minute to turn Seiya into a veritable puddle, I take my seat, shoving a slice of roll cake that Nagisa had specially cut for me into my mouth.
It tastes amazing, but the downside is my stomach feels full, so I won’t be able to eat much…
In the meantime, the two sisters nearby started their conversation.
“So, Nagisa. I need an explanation for what is going on. Why is Mika like that…?”
“Are you saying she’s become cute?”
“Th-that’s not wrong, but… No, what I meant is, what happened that made her look this young? We need to know if this is temporary or permanent.”
“Ah, yes. It’s certainly a temporary phenomenon. The effects of the potion last only about 36 hours.”
“…A potion? Why would you even go and get something like that? Where did you find such a thing, Mika?”
“I only wanted to ask her to drink it once, but when I woke up, Mika had already taken it…”
“…Haa. At least it’s fortunate that you had the rationality to drink it on the weekend.”
“Huh? I just thought it looked delicious, so I drank it… Did I do something wrong…?”
“That’s not what I meant… Hmm. Nagisa, I have to ask. The potion wasn’t just about making you younger, was it?”
“There might be minor side effects of regressive baby behavior…”
“…Trinity has no future.”
Wha, huh…? Is that really something coming from the one who threw the host spot onto me…?
I never asked to be a host, okay…?
This is just way too frustrating…
Just who do you think is still suffering because of you…?
“W-wwuu…”
“M-Mika?!”
“…D-Don’t mess with me. This isn’t funny at all.”
“Hic… Nagisa… I want to quit T-party…”
“…Seiya, apologize for this! Right now!”
“W-what…? Nagisa, you too!”
It was only a casual comment from Seiya, but suddenly, the floodgates of my sorrow burst open.
