Chapter 7: The Path Back to Normal

"That's right. We're here to talk about the drug that can turn you back into a guy."

Hearing those words made my ears perk up and my heart race with excitement. Wait, what? There's actually a way to go back to my original self?

"Are you serious? You mean… there's a chance I can go back to normal?"

"Oh, absolutely. Though, considering your current form, calling yourself 'I' or 'me' might be a bit too stiff. How about trying 'little ol' me' or…"

*Thwack!*

The assistant—Eve, as I now knew her—smacked the chairman on the head with the file she was holding. Her glare was sharp enough to pierce through steel.

"Chairman, now isn't the time for jokes, is it?"

Her icy tone sent shivers down my spine. But the chairman simply laughed it off, rubbing the back of his head like nothing had happened.

"Geez, Eve, lighten up a little. I was just trying to ease the tension," he said with a sheepish grin.

"If that was a joke, it was awful," she replied curtly, her expression unchanging.

"You're so harsh," he muttered under his breath.

So, her name's Eve, huh? She looked to be in her late twenties, with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. Her black hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail, giving off an aura of professionalism. If the chairman was a walking circus, she was definitely the ringmaster keeping things under control.

"Anyway," the chairman continued, "back to business. Yes, as I said, there is a way for you to return to your original form."

"Really? Can we do it right now?" I asked eagerly.

He shook his head, his grin fading. "Here's the bad news: both the formula and the scientist who developed it… have disappeared."

"Disappeared? How? Don't you have a copy of the formula?"

"Unfortunately, no. The scientist erased all the data before leaving. Took the formula and the experimental drug with her, too," he explained, sighing deeply.

"Wait, she ran away? Hold on, your company isn't doing anything shady, is it?"

I squinted at him suspiciously. The idea of a top drug researcher vanishing with sensitive materials sounded… sketchy. Really sketchy.

"Shady? Us? Absolutely not! We're just a normal, law-abiding pharmaceutical company. This isn't some superhero movie where we're secretly building a death ray," he said defensively.

"Then why would she run?" I pressed.

"That's the mystery we're still trying to solve," Eve chimed in. "She had a good position, consistent funding, and no unreasonable deadlines. Yet, for some reason, she left. It's caused a massive headache for the company."

The chairman gestured to Eve, who opened a file and handed me a photo. It showed a young woman with black hair, brown eyes, and a friendly smile. She was dressed in a white lab coat and looked more approachable than I expected.

"This is Dr. Wiraya—we called her Dr. Frey. She's the one who holds the key to your cure," he said.

"Okay… but why are you telling me all this? What can I even do about it?" I asked, feeling overwhelmed.

"Because," he said, his grin returning, "you're in Vorapittaya Academy."

"And that matters because…?"

"It matters a lot. The last place Frey was seen before she disappeared was at that school," Eve said, flipping to another page in the file. It was a security camera image showing Dr. Frey driving into the school grounds. "It's also her alma mater. We believe she's hiding there."

"So, you enrolled me there because…"

"Exactly. The school's security is tight, and only students and staff have access. You're the perfect person for the job because she wouldn't recognize you," the chairman explained.

"Makes sense… I guess."

Now it all clicked. They'd invested so much into enrolling me in one of the country's top private schools because they had no other way of getting to Frey. The pressure was on. My only shot at returning to normal rested on finding her.

"Alright," I said with a resigned sigh. "I'll do my best."

"Excellent! Eve, I'll leave the rest to you," the chairman said, clapping his hands.

Eve nodded and turned to me. "From now on, I'll be staying here to oversee your safety and well-being. Consider me your new big sister."

"What?!" I blurted out, completely caught off guard.

"Yes. As part of the company's responsibility, I'll be moving into this house to ensure your health and safety," she said matter-of-factly.

"Wait, isn't that… I don't know… invasive?" I stammered.

"Not at all. This is purely professional. I have extensive experience managing personal health and wellness. You'll be in good hands," she said, her tone calm but firm.

"But I'm a guy!" I protested weakly.

"Currently, you're a girl," she replied, her piercing gaze shutting down any further argument.

"Still, it's… uncomfortable," I mumbled.

"You'll adjust," she said with a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Think of it this way: I'll treat you like my own little doll."

That should've sounded endearing, but her robotic delivery made it unsettling.

The chairman chuckled. "See? Having a family member around makes it easier to explain your background. If anyone asks, you have a guardian to vouch for you. It's perfect."

"I guess… that makes sense," I admitted reluctantly.

"Good. Now, let's get along, little sister," Eve said, her tone almost playful.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I muttered.

"Not at all. This is purely professional," she replied, though the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth suggested otherwise.

"Fine," I said with a sigh. "Nice to meet you, big sis… I guess."

"And remember," she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, "a proper young lady always ends her sentences with 'okay?'"

"O-okay… big sis," I said, cringing internally.

"Good girl," she said with a nod.

And so, my chaotic life as a "cute little girl" continued. Maybe tomorrow would bring some peace. One could hope.