Listening to Tanaka’s cringey "Moe Moe Kyun" at the maid cafe had sent shivers down my spine, but before I knew it, the call time for the play was drawing near.
"Everyone, please do your best in the afternoon performance as well," Tanaka said.
"A-ah. You too, Tanaka... you know, good luck with... everything."
"Tanaka-chan... I think you might need to settle down a bit?" Airi added.
"Hey, guys?! Why are you looking at me with such disgust!"
We left the maid cafe with Tanaka seeing us off and headed straight for the gymnasium. After receiving our outfits from the girls on the costume team, we once again changed into our respective roles.
I’ve become Snow White yet again...
I stared at my cross-dressed reflection in the restroom mirror for the second time today. A wave of self-loathing washed over me as I realized I was actually getting used to the look.
Well, once this performance is over, I’ll never have to do this again. Just bear with it, I told myself.
When I stepped out of the men’s room, a pitch-black silhouette emerged from the ladies' room next door at the exact same time.
"Oh? Might you be Princess Snow White?"
A Black Knight appeared, clad in jet-black court attire, her black boots clicking sharply against the floor. With a long sword at her waist and a black cape fluttering behind her, she turned toward me.
Her face was small and well-defined—far too beautiful for its own good. Her straight black hair was tied back, and her bangs were swept upward. I felt a chill run down my spine under her sharp eyebrows and a gaze that seemed to see through everything.
So this is... Rui Kuroki’s Prince costume.
The design was the polar opposite of the white outfit Yuria had worn.
"Hehe, Ryouta-kun, you're looking a bit too surprised."
"I mean... your face and style are just too good. Of course I’m surprised."
Kuroki’s waist and thighs were naturally slender, so she didn't look out of place at all in male clothing. It was impressive. This was the Perfect Superhuman—Rui Kuroki.
"Hey, then praise me more."
"More...? You're greedy."
"Because it makes me happy to be praised by a tsundere like Ryouta-kun," Kuroki said with a small giggle.
Come to think of it, she was wearing that special lip balm on her lips, wasn't she? Recalling our conversation from this morning, my gaze drifted toward her mouth.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no, well..."
"By any chance, Ryouta-kun, are you expecting a kiss?"
"Huh?! I-I'm not thinking anything like that!"
"Is that so? Then rest easy, okay? Because I won't do a real kiss."
"O-of course not!"
Yuria’s half-teasing kiss had been an anomaly; there was no way Kuroki would do something like that. Right?
When I stared at her, Kuroki just gave me a small wink.
"Now then, Ryouta-kun, shall we?"
"...Yeah."
The drama stage in the gymnasium had moved into the afternoon block, and the second performance of Snow White was about to begin. Since it was the second time, I wasn't nearly as tense as I had been that morning.
"Hey, Ryouta."
As I was taking deep breaths in the wings, Yuria called out to me from behind.
"How are you holding up? Nervous?"
"I-I'm fine. It's the second time, after all."
"Really? That’s good then... Oh, Ryouta, look over there."
"Hm?"
Looking where Yuria was pointing, I saw Airi in the opposite wings, waving her hand vigorously toward us.
"Miyama really is carefree, isn't she..."
"That’s true, but I think Airi is actually nervous too."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. I mean, Airi always panics whenever she gets called on in class."
I suspected that was just because she didn't know the answer, though.
"Airi and Rui are both giving it their all, so Ryouta, you go out there and give it your best one last time."
"...A-ah."
It would be fine. During the first show, I hadn't missed a single line; it had been perfect. I just had to repeat that. I had nothing to fear.
"Next up is Class 2-B's Gender-Swapped Snow White."
Following the moderator's announcement, I stared toward the stage.
"Yuria... I'm going."
"Yeah, good luck."
I stepped onto the stage and moved to the center. Whether it was because I had more confidence or because I’d finally acclimated to the dress, I felt like my walking posture actually looked the part.
"Long ago—in a castle in a certain kingdom, there lived a beautiful princess with skin as white as snow, named Snow White—"
Just like before, the three spotlights from the second floor illuminated me all at once. The lighting that had bothered me so much at first didn't even phase me now.
The turnout was overwhelmingly larger than the first performance. The seats were full, and there were even students standing in the back to watch.
Is this the Rui Kuroki effect...?
After spreading word of mouth by having Yuria play the Prince in the morning, they brought out Rui Kuroki, the most popular girl in school, for the afternoon. I could see why they wanted to go with a double cast.
The pressure was immense, but I felt strangely calm. The confidence gained from the first success was a big factor. Alright... I can do this.
"Every day in the castle is the same, but I, too, wish to meet a Prince on a White Horse someday."
I was able to deliver the lines in a much calmer tone than the first time. While feeling my own growth, I finished the first two scenes and entered the forest scene.
"The Hunter, ordered by the Queen to kill her, brought Snow White to the forest."
"Alas, what a pitiful Snow White... I shall tell the Queen that you are dead. Please, flee into the forest."
"Yes..."
Snow White walked through the forest, leading into the encounter with the Dwarves led by Airi. When I glanced toward the wings, Airi gave me a firm nod.
"Oh my, oh my—? That beauti—!"
It happened the moment Airi and the six other Dwarves stepped onto the stage.
There was a sharp snap, followed by the sound of plastic rolling across the floor. The sound was likely too quiet for the audience to hear, but everyone on stage realized what had happened immediately.
"Uh... um—"
The second button from the top of the bright Red Dwarf jacket Airi was wearing had popped off.
What are you doing, Airi?!
I’d been worried whether the fabric could withstand her massive chest, but I hadn't expected it to reach its limit now. Her bust was already so huge that the top button wouldn't close, and now, having lost the second button, Airi’s chest was open so wide that her cleavage was on full display.
Usually hidden by her school uniform, her pale, supple, explosive breasts were right there. Because I was so close, I could even catch a glimpse of her white floral-patterned bra. The valley of her chest was so deep I could faintly see the veins; it was exceptionally, undeniably erotic.
I'm glad I'm wearing a skirt today. If I were in pants, I’d be socially dead.
Even the usually dense Airi turned beet red at this. She was as red as her own costume. Normally I’d welcome a lucky pervert moment... but I actually felt sorry for her. At this rate, she wasn't a busty Dwarf; she was a public indecency charge.
When I looked toward the audience, they were clearly agitated.
"Wait, isn't something wrong with Airi-chan's clothes?"
"Isn't her chest, like, really out there?"
"Hey, if the student guidance hag sees that, she’s dead."
"Holy..."
Voices mixed with excitement and confusion drifted from the crowd. I wanted to help her, but there was nothing I could do if we wanted to finish the play.
"Th-that splendid clothing and those handsome features, could you be Snow White—? This is truly a stroke of luck; please, come rest at our Dwarf House—"
Airi’s delivery was completely robotic from the shock, but I felt a strange sense of professionalism from her as she pushed through the scene.
We proceeded into the "Snow White Harem" sequence. Airi, out of sheer embarrassment, was massaging my shoulders while trying to hide her chest with her arms.
"Ryouta... don't look at my chest so much," Airi whispered from behind me.
No matter what you say, I'm definitely looking.
Thanks to Airi’s persistence, the scene finished without a total collapse.
"Well then, Princess Snow White, we are going out to work. Please look after the house."
"I understand... Everyone, please be careful."
My exchange with the Dwarves ended, and the scene moved toward the climax.
"Snow White stayed behind to watch the house... but then, the Queen, who had learned she was still alive, came to visit."
"Excuse me. I've injured myself. Could you help me?"
"A-are you alright?"
"Yes, my back, you see. I'll be fine if you just let me sit for a moment."
Hino, playing the Queen, entered the Dwarf House. Then came the Poison Apple.
If I eat this... then it’s the final scene.
Kuroki, waiting in the wings, was watching with a faint smile. I didn't know what she was thinking, but I had a role to play. I once again pretended to bite the apple, staggered toward the bed, lay down, and closed my eyes.
"Kee-hee-hee! Now Snow White is dead! My poison apple is the greatest in the world!!"
Wait, did his lines change?
As Hino exited, the sound of boots took his place. Click, click—the footsteps approached.
"Uooooooooh!!"
A massive cheer erupted from the audience. I could feel her presence even with my eyes shut. With perfect timing, Rui Kuroki had stepped onto the stage.
"Hmph... I left it to the horse’s whim and ended up in a forest like this, but to think there would be a house in such a place."
Her acting was on a different level. Kuroki was completely in character. This was the performance of a perfectionist. Even with my eyes closed, I was overwhelmed. Compared to her, my own acting felt amateurish.
The acting after this... I'll be okay, right?
I was suddenly worried about the upcoming exchange. I didn't have the confidence to keep up with her.
"Oh? What a beautiful woman in a place like this."
In the darkness, I could tell the sound of her boots was getting closer. H-here she comes. My heart began to race—not just from nerves, but from a sense of impending pressure. Once the kiss was over, it would be my turn.
"What?! She isn't breathing! This is bad, I must perform artificial respiration immediately!"
Kuroki’s scent drew near—a refreshing, crisp fruity fragrance. I opened my eyes just a fraction.
Kuroki was "perfectly" pretending to kiss me. Her face was close, but her lips remained apart. Cries of shock and excitement rose from the audience, but everyone likely realized she was just faking it.
Yes, pretending. She would never break her perfect performance in front of everyone. That was who she was.
Kuroki pulled away. At the same time, I sat up.
"...Are you awake? My Princess?"
Kuroki was a perfectionist through and through. Because she had teased me before the show, I had halfway expected she might actually kiss me for her own reasons. But she prioritized the role over her personal goals. Carrying out an objective with absolute certainty—that was the essence of Rui Kuroki.
"Princess, how are you feeling?"
"..."
I was so overwhelmed by her acting that my mind went blank.
"...Wait."
As I rose from the bed, the line I was supposed to say vanished. I couldn't remember a single word.
"Uh, um."
This is bad. Think, think! If I mess up, I'll ruin her perfect performance! The audience is at a fever pitch because of her—I can't be the one to kill the momentum!
"Ah, er, well..."
No good, I can't remembe—!
It was at that moment, as my face twisted in panic, that everything changed.
"...Eh?"
I felt a sudden push against my shoulders. My vision was jerked upward toward the ceiling.
And then—Kuroki’s beautiful face lunged back into my field of vision.
"Hehe, Ryouta-kun...!"
Once again, Kuroki was pinning me down, looking into my eyes.
What? No, what's happening?! Is she going for a second one?!
"H-hey! Are they going for another kiss?!"
"No way?!"
"They didn't do this in the morning!"
Screams erupted from the audience, but they felt miles away. My head was spinning. Kuroki’s lips were drawing closer and closer to mine...!