“Absolutely never follow strangers, got it? Even if they offer you candy.”
“Do you think I’m some kind of lover? I know everything now.”
“Do you have any idea how uneasy I get just watching you? You go shouting around in public.”
“That’s because I was a kid back then, right?”
“Anyway, be careful, that’s what I’m saying.”
Bellver stopped Bellatrix who was earnestly reciting the cautionary notes.
No matter how much they always stuck together, he didn’t expect her to worry this much.
He remembered their first meeting up until number five, so he listened patiently.
After five, even Bellver with all his patience found it hard to take.
I can feel bl**d coming out of my ears.
For Bellatrix who kept lecturing, his self-assured demeanor doubled her unease.
To her, Bellver seemed like someone with seven screws loose.
When they first met, he was yelling at nothing like a madman, and when their bodies swapped, he was way too innocent and mentally young to be a twenty-year-old man.
Now, he looked like a newly turned twenty-year-old girl.
Still, the uneasiness remained the same.
“Just cheer me on and tell me to have fun.”
“Alright. Have fun and come back safe.”
“I’ll be back!”
She also thought it was excessive enough, so she tapped his head a few times and ended it there.
Bellver only departed after Bellatrix went back into the dormitory building.
Today was practically the first day he ventured out alone since their bodies switched.
Until now, he had always been with either Roho or Bellatrix.
The feeling of being completely alone was incredibly strange.
The reason for deciding to go out alone was simple.
He didn’t want to rely too much on Bellatrix.
As he gradually gained common sense and experience, Bellver realized his condition.
He was overly fixated on and dependent on Bellatrix.
Because she was the first person he knew in a world where he knew no one else.
It was like a newborn recognizing the first person they see as their parent.
Bellatrix would definitely stay by his side if he wanted her to.
She was kind, after all.
However, they couldn’t be together forever.
He needed to learn to stand on his own, just like a bird learning to fly.
“The streets are so wide.”
Walking alone on the festival-filled streets made him realize how spacious they felt.
Even though the streets were packed with people enjoying the festival, it was because Bellatrix, who always erased the distance beside him, wasn’t there.
Just being briefly separated from someone who was always by his side made even the familiar streets seem new.
“Maybe I’ll just walk around all day today.”
“Bellatrix?”
Turning at the now-familiar voice calling his name, Bellver saw a man standing there whose presence seemed out of place.
Why was Joseph, Bellatrix’s older brother, here?
While Bellver was puzzled, Joseph approached his long-lost sister to confirm the rumors.
He originally planned to call her later since he hadn’t visited the academy himself, but considered it lucky to meet her quickly.
“Little sister. Long time no see.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Bellver hesitated.
He didn’t know about the relationship between Bellatrix and Joseph.
From the original story, he only knew that things were bad between them after Bellatrix died.
Though she unilaterally disliked him, there was some backstory involved this time.
So, how exactly did Bellatrix refer to Joseph?
She certainly wouldn’t use something affectionate like “big brother,” but maybe she called him “brother” while still showing disrespect.
That meant Bellver should address Joseph as “brother.”
Thus, after much deliberation, Bellver simply stared at Joseph.
Joseph, receiving this awkward gaze, was greatly surprised.
His little sister was actually speaking to him and making eye contact!
She usually ignored him completely without even uttering a word.
Could this finally be the moment to mend their relationship?
“Why the long face? Is there something you want to say?”
“No, it’s not that. Uh… Big… Brother.”
“???”
At the hesitant and shy single word, Joseph’s hair turned pure white.
The relationship that went awry from the very start was finally given its first “brother” call.
In his heart, today had instantly become more important than his birthday.
Bellver immediately realized he’d messed up again upon seeing Joseph clutching his chest and unable to breathe.
What did Bellatrix do to make him react so strongly to just the word “brother”?
Considering she was family to Bellatrix, it must have been something that affected his mental strength.
‘If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have done it. It’s mortifying. But I probably can’t stop doing it now.’
Bellver deeply regretted his choice moments ago.
Thanks to that, he was now obligated to keep calling him “brother.”
Just saying it once was driving him crazy, and having to continue was truly horrifying.
Each time he said “brother,” he felt chunks of his masculinity being chipped away.
“Say it one more time.”
“What?”
“Say ‘brother’ again.”
“No way! Why are you even here?”
How starved for his sister’s affection was Joseph that madness gleamed in his eyes?
Bellver quickly changed the subject to avoid further trouble.
If he let this continue, Joseph would likely cling on indefinitely.
Joseph quickly regained his composure after hearing Bellver’s question.
He wasn’t usually an easily excitable person, but the shock was too great.
“I came to check if the rumors about my little sister dating were true. Seems like they were.”
“Dating? Oh…”
“Our little sister showing such expressions and speaking like this… I don’t really want to thank the thief, but…”
“Since you’ve confirmed, just go back now.”
Upon hearing “thief,” Bellver flinched inwardly.
Technically, he was the thief who stole Bellatrix’s body.
Knowing he’d just tire her out eventually, he wanted to send Joseph away immediately.
Even if Joseph claimed he wanted to meet Bellatrix, he’d likely refuse straight away.
“Since my sister told me to leave, I should listen. However, I’ll be staying during the festival period.”
“Do as you please.”
“And one more thing: bring your lover home during the break. Father is curious.”
“Why?”
“Is there a father who wouldn’t want to check out their daughter’s boyfriend?”
Faced with this reasonable argument, Bellver was speechless.
There was no reason why a father, especially one who appeared strict but loved his family deeply like Bellatrix’s father, wouldn’t be curious.
Naturally, this was bad news for Bellver.
He deeply regretted going out today.
He should have just stayed in the library researching soul-switching magic.
Joseph said he’d understand, but in reality, he desperately wanted to meet his sister’s lover right away.
He restrained himself because he didn’t want to lose the rare opportunity to reconnect with his sister.
The reason he planned to stay during the festival was to increase the chances of accidental meetings.
If he didn’t encounter anyone, he’d quietly leave.
“Go play by yourself. I need to take a walk too.”
“Alright. See you next time at home.”
Bellver sighed heavily as Joseph left.
He had no idea how to report this to Bellatrix.
If he told her he called Joseph “brother,” would she ever agree to switch bodies back?
Though he just started searching, the future after finding a solution became uncertain.
*
After sending off his sister, Joseph began wandering around the academy grounds again.
It was immediately clear what a wonderful place it was.
The students walking around with both dark circles and smiles suggested both professors and students were happy here.
Especially his sister, who used to seem filled with coldness due to him and their father, now appeared so gentle.
“Maybe I should try being a temporary professor before becoming the master of the Yellow Tower?”
He’d heard the successor of the Yellow Tower was entering the academy as an assistant professor before taking over.
Would adding one more successor to the Blue Tower cause any problems?
Joseph resolved to arrange a meeting with the dean as soon as the festival ended.
Now that he had the chance, he needed to find out what kind of guy this person was who took his sister.
If he turned out to be trash, he’d drop him immediately.
“Since I’ll visit home anyway, I can keep my promise to leave after the festival ends.”
Joseph strolled around the festival grounds, planning things that would make Bellver faint in shock if he heard them.
Thanks to this, although unintended by Bellver, excessive power began gathering at the academy.
Whether Bellver would cry or laugh upon hearing this news remained to be seen.
At the very least, it was now certain that Bellatrix desperately desired Bellver.
