My name is Fuko Yamagishi (♀). I'm a senior in high school.

  The springtime of my life was nearing its end, and I found myself standing at a major crossroads—time to decide my future.

  I’ve always been good at physics and math, and I was planning to apply to the local national university of technology. But my parents were dead set against it.

  Even in this ever-changing world, they clung to old-fashioned ideas. To them, my options were limited to either finding a job or getting married through an arranged meeting.

  My older brother got into a four-year liberal arts college and spends his days enjoying club activities without studying seriously—yet our parents never say a word against him.

  Apparently, “men and women are different,” or so they say.

  “It’s a woman’s greatest regret to miss her prime marriage age,” is my father’s constant refrain.

  Ah... how many times have I cursed being born a girl?

  I considered moving out and applying for a scholarship.

  But thinking about how science majors often go on to master's or even doctoral programs, the road to repaying those loans seemed like a personal hell.

  How much easier would life have been if I’d been born a boy in a family that actually understood?

  Then, one day, an angel named Chico appeared before me.

  "A body-swapping candy?"

  "That's right. If one person eats the blue candy and another eats the red one, they’ll switch bodies."

  It had the body of a human infant, with wings and a halo above its head.

  It looked like something out of a Renaissance religious painting—and yet there it was in my room, talking. Even I, a staunch atheist, felt tempted to believe.

  "So if we swap bodies, we can't ever go back?"

  "No worries. If you want to switch back, you can do it anytime. I’ll give you two sets—four candies total."

  "Why give something like that to me?"

  "God loves mischief. He gives magical items to people who look like they’ll live interesting lives."

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "So you think I’m that kind of person, huh?"

  "My job is just to explain the item. What you do with it is up to you. I’ll be watching from heaven."

  And with that, the angel soared back into the sky.

  Switch bodies, huh?

  If that’s real, I want to trade places with a boy.

  Preferably one from a well-off family.

  On the day of the first term closing ceremony, I called out to my classmate Junpei Ishikawa (♂) under the cherry tree behind the gym.

  They say he’s kind and secretly popular among the girls, but he’s completely clueless about it. A total airhead.

  "Why'd you call me out to a place like this?"

  "Here, take this candy. Eat it here."

  "What for? It’s not even Valentine’s season."

  "Just eat it already!"

  I shoved the red candy into Junpei’s mouth and popped the blue one into my own.

  My vision blurred, then everything went black.

  When I came to, I was lying on the infirmary bed.

  Looking down at me was a face I knew all too well—my own.

  The body swap had worked.

  Junpei, now in my body, was flustered and confused (which, honestly, made him look adorable). I decided to explain the candy.

  "Why did you make me eat that!? If your explanation is true, then if I eat the other pair, I can go back, right? Where is it? Give it to me now!"

  He was speaking in my body, with that kind of tone—he totally looked like a feisty anime girl.

  "Nope. I finally got the male body I always wanted. I’m not giving it up that easily."

  "You’re not planning to stay like this forever, are you!?"

  "Hmm… maybe if I get bored of being a guy, I’ll consider switching back."

  "We’ve got exams coming up! We can’t waste even a day on this nonsense!"

  "I can still study for exams like this. Worst case, I’ll take the entrance test in your place. Don’t worry—I’m good at studying."

  I managed to convince him, and after exchanging phone numbers, I headed to his house.

  "I'm home!"

  "Welcome back, Junpei."

  Seems like he has a good relationship with his mom.

  The household looked financially stable, too.

  Once in the room, I made sure no one was watching.

  I felt a rush.

  I stared at myself—my new male self—in the mirror.

  "Haah..."

  Ten minutes passed. I’d experienced heaven on earth.

  Boys really have it easy.

  While men get to feel this kind of pleasure, women suffer through menstruation every month.

  How is that fair?

  In that moment, I swore I’d never go back to being a girl.

  From then on, I lived as Junpei, focusing on my studies.

  November 20: mock exam results—B rank!

  My dream school was within reach.

  Money wasn’t an issue.

  His parents promised to support me through grad school if I got in.

  Then, it hit me.

  What was my life as Fuko even for?

  Wouldn’t I be happier continuing life as Junpei?

  So I called out to Fuko—who was once Junpei—under the same cherry tree.

  "You seem to be fitting in with the girls pretty well lately."

  "Don’t joke. Your family can’t even afford cram school. I’m stuck doing chores all day. I want to study properly. Give me the candy."

  "I threw it away."

  "What...?"

  It wasn’t a lie.

  "I’ve decided to live as Junpei Ishikawa. Being a guy suits me better."

  "You can’t just decide that on your own! What about my life!?"

  "Please live as Fuko for me. I know I’m being selfish."

  "This can't be happening..."

  She sat down hard on the ground, tears falling silently.

  "Later."

  I left without looking back.

  I got into my first-choice university, buried myself in studies, and even got a girlfriend.

  I’ve been living a good life.

  As for Fuko Yamagishi—I have no idea what kind of life she ended up with.

  No calls. No texts.

  Being a girl... that’s just a burden I left behind.