BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The alarm was blaring so loud that I nearly fell off my bed. I groggily reached out and smacked the clock to silence it. My eyes squinted at the glowing red numbers-Oh crap, I'm late!

Panic surged through me as I leaped out of bed. No time for breakfast, no time for thinking-I barely had time to shower before I sprinted out of the apartment.

As I dashed through the streets, my heart pounded-not just from running, but from fear. If Keiko finds out I'm late again, I'm dead.

---

Somehow, I arrived at Manna's Kitchen a minute late. The other employees were already lined up, preparing for the day. I bent over, panting, sweat dripping down my forehead.

"I-I'm here...! I made it!" I gasped.

The other employees just sighed, I could practically hear their thoughts: This idiot is late again... While apologizing, I quickly made my way to the staff room.

Still catching my breath, I rushed into the staff room to change into my uniform. But just as I started buttoning up my shirt-

Click.

The sound of a lock turning made me freeze.

I turned my head and saw Keiko standing at the door. She had just locked it.

"Keiko? Aren't you supposed to be at the front?" I asked nervously.

She didn't answer. Instead, she took slow, deliberate steps toward me.

"Ryuko... you've been late five times this month."

I swallowed hard. Welp, I'm doomed.

"I-I'm really sorry," I stammered.

She stopped in front of me, her intense eyes locking onto mine. I closed my eyes, ready to get punched or something.

Then-

She suddenly grabbed me and pulled me in for a kiss.

My brain shut down. Error. 404. Brain not found.

I felt her soft, warm lips pressing against mine. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might actually explode on the spot.

"W-what are you doing, K-Keiko?!" I gasped when she pulled away.

She tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"This is your punishment. You don't like it?"

Like it? LIKE IT?! I LOVE IT! But I couldn't just scream that in her face!

"I-I like it," I whispered shyly.

"Good."

She smirked and pushed me against the locker. Before I could react, she **kissed me again-**this time deeper, more intense.

I felt like my whole body was melting. Keiko is kissing me. KEIKO IS KISSING ME.

Her hands traveled down to my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel the heat radiating from her body, and I couldn't stop myself-I started unbuttoning her shirt.

She let out a soft chuckle. "You're impatient, huh?"

I blushed but didn't stop. My hands worked on their own, leaving her in just her bra. Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and I nearly fainted.

Keiko... embarrassed? That was rare.

"You're still the same as before," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. "So eager."

I was dizzy from excitement. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

I reached for my pants, ready to take them off-

-AND THEN I FROZE.

Something was missing.

Something important.

SOMETHING I'VE HAD ALL MY LIFE.

MY MANHOOD.

I screamed.

"WHERE IS IT?!"

I looked down, my hands frantically searching. It was gone. COMPLETELY GONE.

Keiko tilted her head in confusion. "...Ryuko?"

I WAILED.

"WHERE IS IT?! WHERE DID IT GO?! WHO STOLE IT?! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!!!"

Then-

I woke up.

GASP.

I shot up in bed, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding like crazy.

It was just a dream.

Just. A. Dream.

I sat there, breathing heavily, face burning from embarrassment.

"WHAT KIND OF DREAM WAS THAT?!" I screamed into my pillow.

It was so real. I could still feel Keiko's warmth, taste her lips, see her teasing smile

"GAHHH!" I buried my face into my hands. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!

I felt a cold wetness down below.

Oh.

OH.

NO.

I jumped out of bed, horrified. "NONONONO! NOT A WET DREAM! I'M A GIRL NOW! HOW DOES THIS EVEN WORK?!"

I paced back and forth, grabbing my head. This was a disaster. This was the worst morning of my life.

It must be because I've been thinking too much about the series of events that happened with Keiko lately.

I needed to calm down. Deep breaths, Ryuko. Deep breaths.

I glanced at my clock.

...AND REALIZED I WAS LATE.

"OH CRAP!"

I rushed into the shower, dressed in record time, skipped breakfast, and ran out the door-all while my brain was still stuck on Keiko's lips.

Damn it, Keiko.

Why did you have to be so hot in my dream?!