I won.
I achieved what I wanted, and everything went as planned, but it felt like my soul was being robbed.
And I realized that focusing solely on the cross-dressing competition itself was a mistake.
Anyway, I had to leave the venue, but there were obviously no troops to escort me. I should've thought about the possibility of lunatics lurking around, trying to catch me as I leave.
But I only thought about winning, not planning a safe route in advance.
A considerable number of the departing audience members were waiting for a chance to approach me.
Seeing the crowd gathered outside the main hall, I couldn't help but sense their intentions.
"..."
It feels like I've become a celebrity.
But what sets me apart from a celebrity is that I'm the winner of a cross-dressing competition. Men and women alike are curious about my identity, swarming around like crazy.
Would you even know if I told you I'm Reinhardt? You wouldn't! Why are you curious about something you wouldn't know even if I told you!
If I go out like this, I'll be caught.
If those people come within my safety zone, I can't guarantee I won't throw a punch.
The other cross-dressing competition participants, seeing me stuck at the exit, left with awkward smiles.
Of course, there was no reason for people to gather around them.
What should I do?
The exit seems to be the only way out.
Should I go through a window?
"Uh... if you're not leaving..."
"?"
As I hesitated near the door, someone spoke to me, seemingly unable to pass by. When I turned around, it was Kono Lint. He had changed his clothes, no longer in a dress, but his makeup made him look quite funny.
Of course, I came here wearing these clothes, so I have nothing else to change into.
I could just let him pass and leave.
"Ah, sorry."
As I stepped aside, he tried to scurry past, looking nervous.
He's scared of me in a different way than when I'm Reinhardt.
Kono Lint, I didn't see what he was up to, but I know something happened.
He managed to teleport things other than himself.
In the original work, the ultimate form of Kono Lint's ability was to teleport himself, including clothes. I don't know what happened, but he gained the ability to move other objects.
I don't know if this is an improvement or not, but it's a fact that Kono Lint's abilities have developed exponentially compared to the original work.
Today, Kono Lint's ability improvement is even more incredible than my 5-point increase in magic power.
Kono Lint keeps glancing at me as he tries to leave through the exit.
Ability improvement.
Teleporting things other than himself.
"Wait, just a moment."
I instinctively grabbed Kono Lint's arm.
"Y-yes?"
Kono Lint's face turned red as I held on, his lips trembling.
A mix of confusion and uncertainty on his face.
That's not the point, you idiot!
There are people surrounding the outside.
"Could you please teleport me outside?"
Kono Lint is the only one who can rescue me right now.
Of course, he was startled.
Kono Lint went on and on explaining that his ability wasn't originally like that, there could be side effects, and I might even end up naked. Of course, that's possible.
Such a thing could happen.
No! It's fine!
I'll use my achievement points!
I've accumulated a whopping 14,000 points from the tournament and the crossdressing contest. Combined with my existing points, I have 18,000.
I can afford to spend this much!
"Even if there are side effects, I'll take the risk. So please do it."
"But, you might see me in a dangerous state…"
Even after I insisted, Kono Lint was still hesitant.
"It's okay. I won't blame you. I'll take responsibility."
He looked at me as if he couldn't understand why I thought being thrown naked far away was better than being caught by the people outside.
It's not like that!
You'll succeed!
Neither of us trusts you, but I trust my achievement points, okay?
After a long struggle, Kono Lint finally nodded hesitantly.
"Alright… I'll give it a try."
Today was the first time Kono Lint successfully teleported an object. Now, he has to succeed in teleporting a person.
Of course, there's a possibility that he will only teleport my clothes.
That's why I'll use my achievement points.
Kono Lint successfully teleported me outside the hall, to a secluded spot. My clothes came along as well.
[100 achievement points are required to trigger this event.]
100 points.
Surprisingly, it was cheaper than I thought. I expected it to cost around 500 points. Has this guy's ability already developed so much?
[You have used 100 achievement points.]
"Please, give me your hand…"
"Ah, sure."
I grabbed the trembling hand Kono Lint held out.
You little…
Don't be so shy, okay? I stared intently at Kono Lint's blushing face as he focused.
"Please don't blame me too much if it doesn't work well."
"It'll be fine."
"…"
He paused his concentration and looked at me.
"Do you trust me?"
No.
What do you want me to do?
Just send me already!
"Of course."
I had no choice but to say that while smiling, hiding my true feelings.
-Pop!
Then, in an instant, the scenery in front of me changed, and it felt like everything went dark.
"Gasp."
I couldn't help but gasp in surprise, as this was my first time experiencing this kind of teleportation.
In a blink of an eye, I was teleported from the hall's outskirts to an open space outside, away from the crowd.
Kono Lint wasn't with me, only I was teleported.
The effect of my achievement points was certain.
Luckily, I was still fully clothed. I just had to change my clothes and return to my original state now that I had safely escaped from people's sight...
At the same time I was thinking that.
-Thunk
"...?"
I saw something falling from thin air.
What is this?
I picked up the fallen item from the ground and examined it under the faint light nearby.
"…Oh no."
The moment I saw it, I realized I had used the withdrawal skill incorrectly.
The clothes that Kono Lint had been wearing just moments ago had fallen.
Kono Lint successfully teleports me to a remote area outside the auditorium, taking his own clothes along.
That kid.
Not only my clothes, but he sent his own clothes as well.
No wonder the price was so cheap.
Could it be that a new penalty has arisen for Kono Lint to send his own clothes along?
Are you still that incompetent?
Should I return this?
No, shouldn't he just come here instead?
Now that the situation has turned out like this, he should come looking for his clothes, right?
But this is a busy street.
It would be too difficult for Kono Lint to appear here wearing only underwear.
People think I'm just a girl wearing a dress.
Should I return this?
"…"
Then what's the point of having escaped?
I feel like I should just take it off.
But I really can't do that.
"Damn it…"
In the end, I had no choice but to trudge back towards the auditorium, still wearing the dress.
Fortunately, I didn't have to go near the people gathered in the auditorium.
A bit further away from them, there were familiar faces sitting on a bench.
Heinrich, Erich, Cayer, and Liana de Grantz were nearby, possibly waiting for Kono Lint to come out soon.
Approaching them is dangerous too.
But I hated being caught by those guys calling me 'brother' or 'older sister' more than death itself.
“Why isn't he coming out?”
“Is he changing clothes?”
Everyone was grumbling because Kono Lint didn't come out quickly, and I approached them. Luckily, the lighting wasn't too bright, so people couldn't easily see me.
"Um, excuse me…"
"…Huh?"
Everyone seemed surprised when the crossdressing contest winner suddenly appeared holding clothes.
"You're a prettier guy than me. What's up? Do you need something?"
Liana looked at me and asked with a smile.
You're really a wicked woman!
All the other guys were frozen, so Liana was the only one I could talk to.
"You're Royal Class… students, right?"
"Yes, but why?"
It wasn't a problem for me to recognize them since they were wearing Royal Class uniforms.
"This is, um, Kono Lint's clothes…"
"…?"
Everyone's expressions turned strange at my words.
"Well, I asked him to teleport me outside… but he sent his own clothes along too… so he might be in trouble… But going back is a bit…."
"Ah, I understand."
Liana raised her hand to stop me from speaking further and snatched Kono Lint's clothes from my hands.
You're really quick-witted when it comes to situations like this.
I had just been thinking of her as a wicked woman moments ago, but my evaluation of her changed instantly. Liana looked at me, grinning, and looked me up and down.
"If you're into this kind of thing, come to the Grantz estate."
"…Excuse me?"
"If you mention my name, Liana de Grantz, they'll let you in. You'll be able to try on all kinds of men's and women's clothes as you please."
She laughed while saying this, clearly making fun of me.
You're really wicked…
Anyway, after returning Kono Lint's clothes to these people, I fled the scene as if escaping.
I've had enough of this embarrassing situation.
Please, let's just return to normal now.
There's no end to humiliating situations.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy to get through this. There's no way this situation, which aims to embarrass me, would let me off the hook easily.
As I tried to leave as quickly as possible, someone who recognized me chased after me.
"Um, I'm not a strange person."
"…"
"I was just wondering how desperate for money you must be to participate in such a contest despite your struggles. Hm."
A middle-aged man with a bald head grabbed me and began his speech. He seemed to have been one of the audience members and was talking about how he wasn't a strange person, how he had a respectable business, and how his children were soon to be admitted to the temple.
"So, if you're having a hard time, I can personally sponsor you."
What is this?
I don't know why it has come to this situation.
In reality, this man might actually want to help me because he thinks I'm in a difficult situation.
But, his gaze is strange, isn't it?
Do you know your eyes look really strange right now, sir?
I felt goosebumps all over my body.
"Of course, I'm saying this to avoid any misunderstandings, but I don't expect anything in return. Just, if there's anything difficult about your life in the temple, we could have various conversations. Um, that's what I mean."
You might say that, but your eyes are really weird, you know?
It's clear he's not a temple student or staff member. Should I just tell him not to babble like a broken record?
But, unfortunately, the festival means that there are people everywhere in the temple. Of course, security is tight.
If I get caught in a fight in an inappropriate place and get taken away by security, that would be even more humiliating. It would naturally reveal that I am Reinhardt.
This is the last test.
If I can't endure this and throw a punch, the rumor of Royal Class Reinhardt winning the cross-dressing contest and getting into a fight with a chatty middle-aged man before being dragged away by security would spread throughout the neighborhood.
That would be a real reason for suicide.
I have to endure it.
I couldn't bear it once and ran into Bertus.
If I can't stand it this time, it's really over.
"Ah, I understand what you're saying, but it's okay."
"Well, you should just accept an adult's offer of help. Let's find a quiet place to talk."
"I'm fine. I have enough prize money, and it's not that difficult."
"Don't think of it as something strange. I'm just trying to help you because you seem to be struggling. Do I look like a weird person?"
"It's not that I think you're weird, I'm just really okay."
"Well then, let's at least have a chat."
Ah, please get away from me, you annoying creep.
I'm getting irritated. I've told him clearly that I'm okay, but he doesn't seem to understand.
He definitely won't let me go.
"Let's find a quiet place to have a cup of tea and talk..."
Just as I was about to say something harsh, someone approached.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
"!"
A deep, resonant voice came from someone approaching.
I turned around and saw a human tank.
Although he wasn't in a dress anymore, it was the human tank, Richard Howlman.
He wasn't alone; he was with a group of people who looked like his classmates.
The middle-aged man froze in front of the even more intimidating human tank.
"What's happening?"
"Ah, I have something to discuss with this student..."
"This student doesn't seem to have anything to discuss with you."
Richard Howlman glanced at me as he said this.
Damn it.
It's a relief that you showed up, even though I feel weird.
Drive him away!
Whether or not he understood my desperate look, the 2-meter-tall human tank stared down at the middle-aged man.
"It seems like you have nothing to say? Huh?"
"But, I'm not a weird person!"
"Grabbing a weak-looking student in the middle of the night and making them uncomfortable, that's what makes you weird. What else is weird? Get lost before I hand you over to the temple guards!"
Weak-looking student, huh?
You're the one who got beaten up by that weak-looking student in the tournament, you jerk.
And you were definitely about to say 'girl'...
"Uh, um... It seems there was a misunderstanding. Sorry."
Eventually, the middle-aged man retreated with his tail between his legs.
“Wow, that was cool, Richard.”
“That was awesome.”
"Ah, can you guys be quiet?!"
A bunch of annoying guys behind me were whistling.
I appreciate that he drove the man away, but it seems like I've attracted an even more annoying group.
"Um, are you alright?"
Richard looked down at me and coughed awkwardly.
I feel like I'm about to give up.
I'm going insane...
No, I'm already insane.
"Ah... Thank you."
Richard's classmates or seniors were whistling away, making my blood pressure rise. They must have come to see Richard's reaction.
I'm not sure why this guy participated in the cross-dressing competition, but anyway.
With a flushed face, Richard speaks without looking directly at me.
"It might lead to misunderstandings, so... It's best if you head back quickly."
"Yes, I should..."
“Hey, are you just letting her go?”
“Ask her to have a meal with us!”
"Ah, enough!"
Richard shouted at the people behind him.
This guy, at least he's acting gentlemanly. I thought he was just an arrogant jerk.
But come to think of it, I was the one who started the conflict during the tournament, not him.
I'm the real trash here. Richard looks at me with a troubled expression.
"Please, hurry back before it gets more awkward..."
"Ah... Yes. Thank you."
In the end, I was able to get rid of the annoying middle-aged man with the unexpected help of Richard Howlman.
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