Let Me Teach You the Language of My Country

"Dea-kun, good news! Your sister seems safe! You'll probably see her the day after tomorrow!"

"R-really!?"

"My bathhouse friend just so happens to be the lord's mother. She said your sister's under protection and on her way home."

"… I'm glad. But… without me?"

Uh-oh, sulking?

As in, 'I was worried sick and sis left without me!?'

"No, no! She didn't abandon you, Dea-kun. They simply had no leads on you, so they had no choice. Honestly, it's my fault for stealing too perfectly… Sorry?"

"No! You did nothing wrong, Karina-neesan!"

Yeah… if I hadn't meddled, they probably would've protected you normally. I might've overdone it a bit.

"Oh, right, Karina-neesan. I found some useful things."

"Ooh? Like what?"

"Evidence of wrongdoing, money… We couldn't move the furniture, but there's quite a bit."

Hmm. I'll gift the evidence to Maria-baachan. She'll use it well.

"There was also a full-length mirror."

"A big one that shows your whole body?"

"Yes. Likely an alchemical luxury."

I haven't really looked closely at myself.

Not since I watched the Goddess assembling my body. From my own viewpoint, my chest blocks the down angle a lot.

"Oh, Dea-kun. Did you see your pretty-girl self? You did, right?"

"Uh… I-I did. Why?"

"Super cute, right!? Didn't you think you were ridiculously cute yourself!?"

"… N-no comment."

His ears went scarlet. He did think so!

"Where was it… Ah, here. Yoink."

Shupon — mirror acquired. Glass with silver backing; nice and clear.

Ooh, I'm very well put together.

This face and body are like what that the Goddess would look like grown up. Seeing myself moving as I want in the mirror really drives it home — this is me now.

Huh? I might be in a situation pretty similar to Dea's.

Male inside, female outside, and thinking 'This is… me?'

Only difference is, I'm fully a girl and can't go back.

Well. We're in this together. May as well make Dea a girl too, right?

"Um… do I still have to dress like this?"

"Yes. You look super cute, so please keep it."

"I-I'm a boy…"

"Fufufu. Let me teach you my homeland's wisdom — repeat after me: Crossdressing is the manliest act only a man can do!"

"C-crossdressing is… the manliest act… only a man… can do!?"

Dea was shocked by a dubious Japanese saying.

Yes! What you're doing is very manly! Be proud! But also feel the shame!

"I'm not falling for that though!?"

"Fair."

It's like saying 'becoming a girl via genderbending is the manliest thing.' I'd punch someone for that.

"Also, having you dress like a girl is… important for the job the Goddess asked of me."

"…! W-what meaning could there be in me dressing like a girl?"

"Can't say. But remember this: your embarrassment is not in vain. Not at all!"

Shame is what the Goddess requested! Don't tough it out — be embarrassed!

Speaking of mirrors…

To stoke his embarrassment — and make him more of a 'trap' — I'll have him do something.

"Dea-kun. Face the mirror and say, 'I'm cute.'"

"W-why would I say that!"

"Please!"

"U-ugh… I-I'm cute…"

He said it, blushing. Adorable.

"Look properly at yourself and say it again. Be confident — Dea-kun is cute."

"I-I'm cute…"

"Keep going."

"C-cu-cute."

"Way cuter than ordinary girls — because you're an elf. No, because you're Dea."

"Cute…"

"You're mesmerizing. That adorable kid is you, Dea-kun. Got it?"

"Uh—"

"Say 'cute.'"

"C-cute."

Humans have a tendency to accept what they say aloud as truth.

Call it the power of words.

So, keep saying 'cute' to the mirror, and Dea-kun will truly believe he's cute—

"Isn't this literally a brainwashing technique!?"

"Oops. You knew that, huh."

"I'm more surprised you knew it! Were you in some intelligence unit!?"

Whoopsies. Tehe!

But seriously, Dea is cute. I think we can make this work… Hm? Has praising him brainwashed me instead?

Eh, it's true anyway. I'd hate it if he turned manly later, but with elves it might be fine. I don't know much about elves; maybe he'll look young till I die!

"Anyway, Dea-kun. We beat the pirates and you'll see your sister soon! Let's celebrate — let's eat out!"

"You blatantly changed the subject! Onee-san!"

"Don't sweat the small stuff! It's fine — I'll treat; we've got pirate money. C'mon, celebration!"

"… Mm. Okay. But we'll talk properly afterward!"

And so I took Dea-kun out to eat.

… He'd forgotten, but he is currently in a very cute one-piece. I, of course, noticed — and kept quiet.