Hello everyone...?

"Ugh...! What happened...? Why does my head feel like it's being split in two?!"

(Slap!)

"Aaawww! What was that for, Echidna?!"

"For all the trouble you caused last night"

"Last night...?"

"Yes, that's right, so before you get lost in your thoughts, remember well what happened"

... Well, this isn't how I thought my morning would start. I mean, not only do I wake up with a headache and nausea, but I also get a slap from Echidna before I can even utter the legendary cliché phrase: "An unfamiliar ceiling...?", only to then realize it was just my ceiling!

Ha... But oh well, enough with escaping reality, because after all, Echidna is looking at me with terrifying intensity, so let's try to remember!

Let's see, going over the events I still remember chronologically, they were:

1) I was unconsciously watching Innocently  (spying on) a couple's romantic relationship on the school roof.

Isn't that stalking?

Well, don't worry, dear reader, because I was actually there before they arrived!

Why were you there?

To hide, and you don't even need to ask what I'm hiding from, because you should already know the answer!

... I'm hiding from the damned confessions of my male classmates... Remembering that made me depressed...

(Slap!)

"Stop being depressed and keep remembering!"

"Yes, boss!"

It's scary how Echidna is now capable of knowing roughly what I'm thinking through my actions.

But oh well, let's continue with the memories!

2) I left school satisfied, desperately ignoring the obsessive stares people gave me (seeing the stupid maid outfit) on my way home.

3) I was kidnapped.

4) Used to it, I took out my books and started studying.

Why did you do that in prison?

Excellent question, dear reader! And let me tell you that the best place to do my homework is actually in a prison.

Why the hell?!

I know that will be your reaction, but let me explain! You see, this might not surprise you, but my daily schedule is extremely, truly extremely packed with everything I normally have to do, leaving me very little time for things like homework, which is why I must strictly manage my time and schedule!

And that is precisely the reason why I looked for a place to study or work on my school duties! This seemed easy to achieve, right...? Well, guess what? It wasn't!

"Ha... Back then it was really difficult to find a place..."

However! Fortunately, I discovered how in a prison I had everything I needed! Silence, peace, tranquility, and a low chance of being bothered, plus when I finished, mom (possessed) would come to pick me up just in time!

It has everything!

(Slap!)

"No, concentrate, me!"

... That was close... I almost got carried away... Besides, by Echidna's expression, I was close to getting a beating... I must concentrate!

"Let's see... I transformed... I was seen... I hit the "protagonist" and... I... ¡¡KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

"I see you finally remember..."

What did I do?! Why the hell did I behave like that?! I want to die!

"Why did I behave like that?!"

"You should already know the answer... It's because you couldn't resist that treat, despite my warnings!"

"Uuuuuuu.... Sniff... Dammit!... Sniff..."

("We are experiencing technical difficulties, please wait a moment")

"Well? Did you calm down?"

"........"

At this point, I don't even want to talk. After all, this must be a dream.

"Are you ignoring me?"

That's right. Everything that happened in that place was a dream, and I'm actually still sleeping...

"Hey, stop staring into space"

Now that I know everything is a dream, many things make sense. For example, Goldie talking to an encapsulated brain makes sense because it's a dream.

"..."

The fact that there's now another naked woman tied to a chain in Darcy's doghouse with a stupid expression is also because this is a dream.

"..."

And since everything is a dream, it means all my embarrassing behavior never happened!

(¡¡Slap!!)

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!"

"REACT!!"

("We are experiencing technical difficulties, we apologize for the inconvenience")

"... So... it wasn't a dream... was it?"

"I'm afraid not."

After calming down and reluctantly accepting that this is reality, I decided to gather my courage to ask Echidna the most important question...

"Okay... Good... Ugh!... How bad did it end up this time?"

... The damage report.

"Before that, I need to know how much you remember."

"Not much, to be honest... Except that I called everyone... And something about riding a horse..."

"I see. Well, for starters, you damaged the veil barrier again."

"Ugh..."

"You used that human as a slave in ways that are better not to remember."

"..."

"You stole that container you're holding from that organization."

"... I was holding this the whole time?"

"That's right, although the biggest damage was the great beacon of power you released at the end, which attracted the attention of all beings in the veil."

"...I guess going to the veil won't be possible for now, right?"

"That's right."

"..."

"..."

Yep, I have no face to show after all this... Honestly, I deserve it... Because, after all, if they gave me a choco bomb again, I'd eat it again!

Are you an idiot?

I don't want them to say that without having tasted it first! Besides, finding a choco bomb is infernally difficult! After all, no matter how much I search, I never find one, almost as if the universe is refusing to give it to me.

So if they serve it to me on a silver platter... I'LL OBVIOUSLY EAT IT!

"That expression of satisfaction irritates me."

"I DON'T REGRET ANYTHING!"

"Not even that your behavior was seen?"

"Buargh!"

Correction, now I regret it after hearing Echidna's reminder, which made me vomit blood kneeling on the floor.

I can't let this topic continue!

"A-ah... Changing the subject, Echidna, what's in this container...?"

"..."

Yes, you don't need to tell me it was too abrupt because I know it myself, but I don't care as long as I can get out of this hellish atmosphere! Or rather... Did you also see my behavior? Because if you did, there's only one thing left for me to tell you... please, forget about it! Nothing that happened that night is real and it was all caused by your imagination!

"Okay."

"You really believe me?!"

(Slap!)

"Focus, I was talking about the container."

"Ah, right... That's true."

"Stop looking disappointed and open it already."

Well, it's unusual for Echidna to look so excited about the contents of something that isn't desserts.

"You seem very excited, didn't you see what was inside while I was sleeping?"

"Don't be ridiculous, it's more interesting when we see it together, partner."

"Hehehe... I guess you're right!"

Well, even though I know I suggested this to escape the pressure an irritated Echidna was emitting and to change the conversation, now I'm genuinely curious to see what's inside! Isn't that dangerous? Under normal circumstances, it definitely would be, but in this room there are thousands of straw dolls, plus both Goldie and Silver are present, and even Echidna is motivated!

With all this, whatever this container holds shouldn't be a problem!

So let's open it!

(Plop!)

"?!"

"Ooh, how interesting."

... But I never expected what came bouncing out of the container. Are you wondering what it was...?

("Hiss")

Well, the answer is what I can only describe as a kind of metallic slime...

"What is this?"

"Really interesting, so this is what it became."

While Echidna was analyzing this kind of "slime," I was frozen after it jumped right into my lap as if it were a cat, and I know how cats react thanks to Lysandra! Although I must admit that it surprised me that cats knew how to use human toilets so naturally. What's more, at first I thought Lysandra was more than a simple little cat, but since everyone acted normally about it, I decided to accept it as something natural. (escapism)

("Click/Clack")

"Wow, it also makes gear sounds!"

"Fascinating... I believe this creature is capable of creating a resonance."

"What?!"

"As I expected, it seems that it is indeed also linked to your soul."

"Wait, wait, wait one damn second!"

"Huh?"

"No, no, no, don't give me that confused expression and explain in detail!"

"Haa... Okay... Although doing so makes it less interesting..."

"......."

"I'll explain, so put down that frying pan!"

After "incentivizing" Echidna with my good friend Antonio (frying pan), she finally decided to become cooperative to talk, starting to explain:

"Let's see, let's start with the basics so you can understand. As you'll recall, our existences are irrevocably united after we linked when you became my divine vessel."

"At that moment, I'm sure you went and did it without permission, right?"

"I'll ignore that, so let's continue. However, your soul turned out to be an anomaly by being so fragmented and shattered to such an extreme degree, that it even surprised me after I took my time to analyze it."

"Was it really that bad?"

"Currently it has improved, however, back then it was at a level where it defied the logic of existence, how you could maintain yourself in it without your soul and being ceasing to exist."

".................."

"Well, let's get back to the topic. The point is that our souls are so united that, in essence, we are two halves of the same being. I am a part of your being, and you are a part of mine. This explains why the phenomenon of resonance is possible and why it is so unpredictable."

—So... is resonance an ability?—

"Incorrect. Resonance is not an ability, but a cosmic phenomenon that unites us and manifests when you link with other beings like Goldie or Silver."

"Wait a second! Under that logic, doesn't that mean Silver and Goldie are also a part of me?!"

"In simple terms, yes."

"But they both have a physical form!"

"This is because they were already material life forms before they became part of your being, so, although they are part of your existence, their situation is a bit more complicated and, in fact, you wouldn't understand it even if I explained it."

"....."

After hearing Echidna's explanation, I was in shock for a while, not knowing what to say. Or rather, wasn't I in a lot of danger if I hadn't found Echidna?! Now I really think I was lucky back then!

"Wait a minute!!"

"Hmm...? What's wrong?"

"Could the reason why, despite my efforts, my appearance isn't masculine be because of this?!"

"Oohh, you figured it out, huh? Yes, it's as you imagine. Your soul has become more feminine due to the influence of my soul."

"........................................................................................................................................................................................."

So this was the reason why, despite my efforts, exercises, and even growth hormones, my appearance has remained androgynous... Ahahahahaha... That means no matter how I try... I'll never be a burly man with iron muscles...

(Slap!)

"No, I can't give up! Even with Echidna's influence, I should still be able to gain muscles if I put in the effort."

There must still be hope!

"Echidna, what's the gender percentage of my soul!!"

"I'd say 80/20 at present."

"GOOD!! That means I have an 80 percent chance of becoming more masculine!"

Those words gave hope to me, who had lost faith in fulfilling my dream...

"What are you talking about?"

"Huh...?"

... However, just as suddenly as it came, it also left, through the brutal and cruel truth:

"Your soul is 80 feminine and 20 masculine."

(Thwaaapp!)

Before those despair-inducing words, the only thing I could do was fall...