Chapter 315: Reflex

Ahem. "Sorry for losing composure earlier. Please forgive me."

Rinji, now back in his male Shuchiin uniform, sat on the sofa and cleared his throat while addressing the student council.

After that wild scene, everyone's reactions were mixed.

Shirogane had just barely calmed down. Iino looked on with curiosity. Fujiwara was brimming with interest. Ishigami looked nonchalant but was silently giving a thumbs-up.

As for Kaguya... she was still staring into space, clearly traumatized.

"It's fine, Rinji-kun, no need to apologize~" Fujiwara grinned. "In fact, I kinda want to see it again."

"No way."

Iino said, "Rinji-kun is better in his usual look, though the personality could use some adjusting."

"I agree. My normal self is fine."

"I think—" Ishigami started.

"Shut it."

"..."

"You think I turned out like this for no reason?" Rinji growled. "You were laughing at me on purpose, weren't you?"

"No, I was admiring your beauty."

"Shut up."

"Okay."

Rinji sighed and looked around at everyone.

"We all work together in the student council, so please don't bring this up again. The crossdressing was just for the cheer team. It's not a personal hobby, so please treat it casually."

Everyone: "Got it."

"Also, delete any photos you took with your phones."

Everyone: "..."

Fujiwara, Iino, and Ishigami froze.

Did he notice!? x3

"You think I didn't see you sneaking pictures during the chaos?" Rinji said coolly. "For the sake of future harmony, delete them now."

"..."

"Huh, those looks on your faces. Don't tell me you're thinking of refusing?"

Rinji clenched his fists, bones cracking audibly.

"Are you trying to make me smash your phones?"

"Ugh… Rinji-kun is so violent. He was way easier to get along with while crossdressing," Fujiwara muttered softly.

Ishigami raised his hand weakly. "Rinji… there's something I'd like to bring up."

"Permission granted."

"The cheer team performance will be in front of the entire school. There's no way to stop people from taking photos," Ishigami explained. "So even if we delete our photos, it's pointless."

"Yeah yeah, Ishigami makes sense," Fujiwara quickly added.

"Tch. Then why the hell am I stuck in this damn cheer squad in the first place?" Rinji clicked his tongue.

Thinking back, it all started with Ishigami tricking him into joining, though it wasn't really Ishigami's fault—he hadn't known the team planned a costume-swapping stunt. It was the first time they'd done anything like that.

When Rinji wanted to back out, his classmate Onodera goaded him with a few provoking words, and Rinji, flaring up, ended up accepting.

Of course, he had his own reasons—he wanted to prove his growth and overcome the past.

"Forget it, fine, I won't make you delete them."

Rinji gave up and got up to leave the student council room.

He needed a smoke to clear his head.

Once he left, the room fell quiet.

"You know, there's something I still don't get," Shirogane suddenly spoke. "Why does Rinji's whole personality change when he crossdresses—and why use a fake voice?"

It wasn't just him. The others had the same question.

Normally, Rinji was a foul-mouthed, temperamental teen, but once in girl's clothes, he suddenly became graceful and radiated gentle femininity. The contrast was just too extreme.

"Does anyone know what Rinji's been through?"

"Oh! I think he told me once," said Fujiwara. "When we were rehearsing for the musical performance, he mentioned something. It had to do with his grandmother."

"Rinji's grandma?"

Click.

Just then, the door to the student council room opened.

Sagara Kaname stepped inside and walked up to Shirogane.

"Sagara-sensei?"

"Mm, Shirogane. I came to get the finalized event plan for the sports festival."

"I have it ready."

"Nicely done."

Sagara accepted the file from Shirogane and skimmed through it on the spot.

Fujiwara suddenly asked, "Sagara-sensei, have you known Rinji-kun for a long time?"

"I suppose. I've known him since he was little."

"Then do you know what happened to him?"

"Huh?"

Sagara looked puzzled, so Fujiwara recounted everything they'd just seen.

After a moment—

"...So you've all seen it already," Sagara sighed. "That kid's personality really does change quite a bit when he crossdresses."

"Do you know why, sensei?"

"I only found out today."

Sagara knew because she had received a file from Rinji's grandmother.

"Rinji started staying at his grandparents' house regularly from the age of five. His grandma had… a very strange hobby. She liked dressing him up in girl's clothes. From a young age, he was made to wear all kinds of frilly dresses and skirts for photos."

"That's…"

"Rinji was quite filial. Even though he didn't like it, he put up with it to please his grandma. But she'd always make him pose in certain ways during the photoshoots, so the young Rinji, feeling helpless, would just follow along. Over time, it became something like a conditioned reflex."

"Huh?"

"In other words, once Rinji puts on a girl's outfit, he subconsciously slips into a role. It's what actors call 'immersing in character,' and in his case, it happens reflexively. That's why his personality shifts so drastically."

"..."

Everyone was stunned by this revelation.

"And I also received a full psychological report from his grandmother."

Sagara pulled out her phone and opened the document.

"Apparently, depending on the outfit, Rinji exhibits different personalities—noble lady, poetic bookworm, delinquent girl, emotionless goth… over thirty different types. It's unconscious. He can't control it."

As soon as she said that, the entire room went silent in shock.

Especially Fujiwara—her face was practically glowing. She clearly had some dangerous ideas forming.