[14] .

"Angel, what's wrong?"

It wasn't long after the rice finished cooking that Angel's mom and dad returned home.

So, she didn't get much time to play or use her phone. And now, she's sitting at the dinner table with her mom, eating some Chooks-to-Go.

"Nothing's wrong, Mama," 

Angel brushed it off with a laugh.

But in truth, she was still feeling stomach cramps. She thought eating would make them go away, but it didn't.

Was this an ulcer? Was she developing ulcers??

Angel's face soured. She didn't wanna die young!! Ahhhhh!

"Well, if you say so."

Angel looked up to see her mother eyeing her suspiciously. She forced a smile and nodded. Meanwhile, her dad was just minding his business, eating.

Figures. There wasn't much to talk about anyway. What would they even say to their NEET daughter?

Much less a father whose son turned into a daughter through purely magical means?

In any case, Angel slowly took another bite.

Even though she was a lazyass, she knew better than to leave food on her plate.

Eventually, she finished eating and even cleaned the dishes—despite the ongoing stomach cramps.

Angel went to the bathroom, clutching her own stomach..its still bareable..yes bareable..

「Totally not afraid, totally not afraid」

Angel repeated those words in her mind as she stared at her own reflection… Her eyes looked unfocused. Weird. Must be the pain.

She gently touched her belly—it was slightly bloated, slightly uncomfortable.

「I'm pretty sure I took a shit...」

She paused, thinking. Then shook her head.

「It might not be shit… something else.」

Out of options, she splashed her face with cold water and rubbed in some soap before drying off.

When she stepped out, she nearly bumped into her mother.

"Oh? Angel? What were you doing?"

"I just washed my face, Ma."

Angel forced another smile.

"Okay… Are you really alright?"

「Tsk… Annoying.」

Wait. What?

Angel blinked, shocked at her own thoughts.

Why was she irritated?

Normally, she was a bit moody, sure, but not this easily pissed off.

Still, she nodded vigorously—only for her stomach cramps to twist just enough to make her wince. A mild dizziness followed.

She shouldn't have done that..

Her mom frowned.

"If you need something, tell me."

Angel just nodded and walked to her room.

She flopped onto her bed and sighed.

"Maybe I should browse through my new account."

Even though she didn't add those 5k friend requests, it was still an ego boost to see those numbers. Maybe she could watch some reels while she was at it.

But the second Angel looked at her phone screen, something snapped inside her.

For some reason, she was annoyed.

「What the heck is wrong with me?!」

Angel gritted her teeth. Her whole body tensed. The frustration felt so irrational, so sudden, she wanted to thrash something—anything.

She glanced at the screen. The brightness was only at 70%.

So why did it feel like it was burning her damn eyeballs?!

「You know what?! Fuck it, I'm going to sleep.」

Angel cursed under her breath as she flicked off the lights and flopped into bed. The electric fan hummed steadily, already doing its part to keep the room cold.

The kind that made her shiver and grumble at the same time.

So, Angel slept like a butterfly in a cocoon, curled tightly around a pillow. Her arms and legs clung to it like it was the last lifeboat on a sinking ship, her stomach pressed firmly against its softness.

...

..

.

At the sound of roosters crowing in the early morning, Angel's eyes shot open. Her once gentle grip on the pillow tightened as a sharp, stabbing pain ripped through her stomach.

"Ow! Oww! Ow ow ow!"

What the hell?! This has to be an ulcer, right? Why does it feel like someone's stabbing her with a hot knife?!

「It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurrrts! Ouch, ouchhh!」

Angel whimpered and whined, her voice barely above a whisper. She wanted to stand up, but her body felt like it was made of lead. Every movement sent fresh waves of pain crashing through her.

"Ouchh... ouchh... guh... sniff..."

Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face. Why did it hurt so much? Why did her stomach feel like it was trying to kill her? What was even happening?

Tears kept falling as she gritted her teeth and tried to push through the pain.

She had to stand up. She had to. Maybe it was serious. Maybe she needed to go to the hospital. But first, she needed to get off this damn bed.

Angel took a few deep breaths, in and out, in and out, before attempting to stand. The first try failed. The second try failed.

And then, the third try—success!

As she stood, she felt something shift in her stomach, a strange sensation, like when you really need to pee but... different?

When Angel looked down, her eyes widened in horror.

"KYAHHHHH!"

Blood!

Blood!

Blood between her legs,

on the floor!

What the hell was this?!

Angel wanted to faint. 

Can she faint?

Everything hurt, and the tears just wouldn't stop. They streamed down her face, hot and relentless, as she stood there feeling utterly overwhelmed.

「Shit, my sundress is white... did I ruin it?」

Her heart sank at the thought.

She glanced at the mirror, twisting awkwardly to check the back of her dress.

Yup... there it was.

A faint red streak, glaringly obvious against the pristine white fabric.

"Nooo... the dress Ma gave me..."

Her voice cracked, and the tears came harder. She clutched the hem of the dress, as if that could somehow undo the damage.

But it was too late.

The evidence was there, and so was the dull ache in her stomach, a constant reminder that something was wrong.

Angel shuffled out of her bedroom, her face a storm cloud of misery.

She dragged herself to the living room, where her mother was still bustling around, prepping for work.

Her dad was already gone—figures, since he left earlier than her mom.

Angel hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously. How was she even supposed to start this conversation?

"M-Ma..."

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but somehow, her mother heard.

She turned, and her eyes went wide at the sight of her daughter—tear-streaked face, trembling lips, and all.

"Oh??! Angel, what's wrong?"

Her mother's voice was laced with concern, and that was all it took for Angel's tears to spill over again.

"Ma... Mamaa!"

Angel wailed, rushing forward and throwing her arms around her mother.

She buried her face in her mom's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Despite the cramps twisting her stomach, the warmth of her mother's embrace brought a tiny flicker of comfort.

"Blood! There's blood... between my legs!"

The words tumbled out in a frantic mess, and Angel cried even harder, shaking with every sob.

"Blood?? Angel, where?"

Her mother knelt down, her hands gently cupping Angel's face as she inspected her. But then, her expression softened, her eyes filling with a kind of gentle understanding.

"Anak, what day is it today?"

Angel sniffled, confused. 

"Uh... April 25?"

"And what do girls experience every month?"

Angel's eyes widened slightly as the realization dawned on her.

"Menstruation?"

Her mother nodded, a small, reassuring smile on her lips.

"Yes, menstruation. I know it's a bit late for a 'first time,' but considering everything, this was bound to happen. It's normal, anak. You're adjusting to your new body—that's all"

Her mother's hand gently stroked her hair, and Angel felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

The fear and confusion began to melt away, replaced by a strange sense of relief. She wasn't broken.

She wasn't dying.

This was just... part of life.