Chapter 4: A turn for the better.

"Ready? "

"Yeah."

"A-Anytime you are."

...The third morning of our body swapping antics.

The three of us currently stood before the school entrance, our original bodies felt stiff as we stare at each other.

After gulping my saliva, I said with a firm voice to my two companions:

"On the count of five, we will all walk together forward in unison, alright? Five, four, three, two,...

-One.

.

"Re..Really?!"

"Oh?"

"What...!"

I let out a tone of amazement as I stare at my now womanly figure.

After the short usual moment of white flashing before us and a slight pain on our head, we became the appearances we had yesterday.

The swapping was a success.

"It was just a hunch but I didn't think it'd be that easy." I said in slight disappointment.

"Hikigaya-kun, here."

"A-Ah, thanks."

"Hikki, you really are more buff than I thought.."

"P-Please don't caress my body like that."

The two girls before me were acting laidback as if nothing of the abnormal was happening to them right now.

If I were to describe the situation right now, it would be.. 'Yuigahama with a gentle smile serving Hikigaya and Yukinoshita tea while Hikigaya was happily caressing his own torso.'

With that, I guess I was the one with the most normal action since I was only reading the book on my hand as I seat at my usual place.

Though I guess I can't really blame them for behaving like that. We felt a huge sense of relief since we had found out the 'trigger' to our swapping after all.

The trigger is when we enter the school premises.

Does it really need us to enter in simultaneously? Or does it just need us to be inside at the same time? Does it need the three of us to be inside at the same time?

...does it need us to be in our uniforms? Does it only occur in weekdays? Does it have a certain time period where it's 'active' and 'inactive'?

Those scenarios I kinda want to test out and answer individually...

Ha. I sounded like a mad scientist just now, didn't I?

"Thank goodness, it's over."

Yukinoshita, who had finished serving the tea and was now seating on her usual chair, said with a relaxed expression. In a reply, I turned to look at her while making an incomprehensible sound that signified I was curious and at the same time confused at what she just muttered.

Seeing my confused state, Yuigahama softly told me with a weak laugh. "By that, she probably meant the situation just this morning where in she was asked to group up and stay with Yumiko's group."

"Oh?"

"Really, it's quite troublesome." Seeing as the conversation had shifted to her favor, Yukinoshita spoke some more. "I know they are worried about Yuigahama-san's state these past few days but they are just way too forceful sometimes, and I just can't understand what they are saying most of the time too."

..I guess she just doesn't know what to do when in such a rowdy bunch. Not that I would know myself.

"Her body wasn't there to snatch her after all." Yuigahama added while giving a glance back at me.

"...my bad." I instinctively answered back at Yukinoshita's direction.

Ah, right.. the usual occurence would be that Yukinoshita herself would grab Yuigahama away at a time like that but seeing as I was the one in command of this body right now, that didn't happen.

As somehow a way to comfort her, I said to Yukinoshita with an amused smile and as a way of apologizing: "Is that so... then, would you like me to grab you away next time?"

Yukinoshita responded with nothing but eyes that said 'Yes, please do.'.

As the conversation settled, Yukinoshita looked at me with anticipating brown eyes.

"So... how's your day?"

The focus shifted to me.

"Eh, not that much eventful either. I acted like you for appearance's sake but other than that, not much happened."

Normally I would stutter or even hesitate to answer her since it was a question about her body and name but just now, I answered her with composure.

I actually did wonderful in my acting if I say so myself. My observant eyes and time spent with Yukinoshita wasn't just for show, you know.

Yukinoshita took time in contemplating my reply as if she was intently listening to every word but she soon answered. "Though I knew you won't do anything, hearing that still takes some of my uneasiness."

"Y-you.."

Even though she probably meant no harm, I still can't help wanting to ask her 'Hey, hey, what type of man do you take me for?'.

Also, why do I get the feeling you're saying that as if Yuigahama's in the clear? She also got a body of the opposite sex, you know.

As the mood inside the clubroom had gotten slightly more solemn, the three of us found the necessity to discuss rules that would benefit... or rather keep one another's name in safety.

The rules we discussed and made state that:

First, we have to act like each other in school, for appearance's sake. That much is a given.

Second and related to the first rule, we must hesistate to tell an outsider of the phenomenon unless discussed by the three of us beforehand. Exception to that rule is when we truly think it is safe and worth it to discuss it with someone else.

Third, drink only when one's self is truly thirsty. We must avoid matters that involve using the bathroom at all costs.

Fourth, also related to the previous rule, we must consume sparingly amounts of food before and during school hours. We are free to do what we want after though.

-An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all.

Fifth, study as much as you can, we cannot trouble one another further, not with grades specifically.

...I think I probably will have the biggest responsibility on that one.

And last, not much of a rule but more of an advice and pretty much a need, we must always find the time to find a solution to rid of this phenomenon.

"Hey, Yukinon, I've always wondered how my body felt from another person's perspective, so like... could you stay still for a momen-..."

"Y-Yuigahama-san, if someone else enters the club, we'll get into trouble."

Right before me, Yuigahama was pleasing herself as she keeps on playing with Yukinoshita's cheeks with her two hands. She really looked ecstatic while doing it too, muttering 'oh!' and 'ah?" with a really satisfied look on her face after every poke.

Seeing them before me like this gave me the impression that they were the most carefree people in the world right now. Where did the serious faces you two had just a few minutes ago when we discussed the what and what not to do? Also, why aren't you fighting back, Yukinoshita-san? In a way, it's me that's touching your face, you know.

Though really, I know we have the right to relax or even celebrate since we enlightened ourselves in our situation but I think this is a bit too much..

Sigh.

If you're this carefree about things, I can't help but feel like one too.

Even though I felt hesitant for moment leaving the two to their own devices, I closed the book I held in my hand and stood up. There I headed to the door.

"Where are you going, Hikki?"

Asked Yuigahama whose index finger was still stuck to Yukinoshita's face as she said that. Yukinoshita, on the other hand, looked at me with curiosity.

I replied to them with haste as if guilty of something. "I'm just going for a walk, that's all. I just need some fresh air, I feel like."

With only hesitant nods as a reply from the two, I proceeded to exit myself from the room.

-Of course, what I said was an excuse.

I started walking along the hallway and before I know it, I was out of the building.

Within a moment's notice, I decided to leave the school premises.

'Ah, crap. My curiosity's getting the better of me right now.' I thought to myself as I take slow steps.

Along with a few people each leaving and entering the campus in the late afternoon, I stood near the entrance.

Just a few moments right now and I'll be officially out of the school zone.

Hey, hey, why is a smile forming in my face now?

Seriously, what's with this feeling like I'm going to do something illegal like a kid drinking alcohol behind his parents' backs?

And why do I feel like I'm okay with it going through?

With my thoughts and heart racing, I started walking again. My pace slowly but surely taking up speed..

Ahhh.. let's just get this over with.

I instinctively closed my eyes as I walked closer and closer towards the edge, indirectly gambling Yukinoshita's face against the ground if ever I trip. The reason perhaps was because I wanted to be surprised with the result.

I walked slowly but surely and soon enough I...

"Oh?"

..I slowly opened my eyes as I stare at my hands that had... stayed the same.

...I was outside the campus but the fact is I was still Yukinoshita Yukino.

Wait... this.. this means...

This must mean we need all three to swap!

I came back to the clubroom a little bit more excited than when I left. Complete with heavy breaths and a sweaty face, I came running to the clubroom.

Of course, this made the two girls wary of me since I can't hide my well-forming smile that much.

"H-H-Hikigaya-kun, w-what did you do?"

What met my eyes was a doubtful and slightly worried Yukinoshita.

"Could you guys come with me for a moment?" I said so with such unusual enthusiasm.

I asked them that but I was already grabbing Yuigahama's hand by the time I said it.

In response, Yuigahama slightly cocked her hand back. Hints of fear can be seen on her eyes.

"H..Hikki, what is it?"

"Let's swap!"

I exclaimed as I drag the two girls outside.

A/N

Chapter 4? More like chapter 3.5.

Also, I decided to go easy on the plot. Whatever that means.