I Ended Up Cross-Dressing, My Secret Relationship with a Handsome Guy (BL) - Chapter 4

On the rare days when there wasn’t one of Kiryu’s perverted photoshoots—which could happen up to three times a week—my after-school hours were blissfully peaceful.

Sure, my life had been interrupted by a thick, murky mess of absurdity, but aside from that, my daily routine was incredibly quiet.

The number of people who voluntarily spoke to me at school could be counted on one hand, and since I wasn’t in any clubs or student committees, the only irregularity in my schedule was the occasional duty rotation.

I was the type who felt more comfortable being alone, and eating by myself never really bothered me.

Even during PE or group assignments, I maintained just enough interaction with my classmates to avoid standing out.

Thanks to that, I had never really felt isolated.

Honestly, I thought I was doing pretty well for myself.

I didn’t want to go home early, but I also didn’t have any particular hobbies.

So, I filled my time with studying, reading, and listening to music—though I wasn’t particularly outstanding at any of them.

I scored above average on tests, but only in the upper-mid range.

If there was ever an ideal example of an ordinary person, I was probably it.

Today, it wasn’t raining.

By the time July’s evening sky began to settle, the outside world was still bright, and the warm orange hues stretching across the horizon were beautiful.

The library, almost empty by now, held only students like me, quietly studying, and a few library committee members finishing up their duties.

I liked this space.

Even with people present, the library’s very nature ensured it remained quiet, creating a soundscape of whispers and rustling pages.

The scratching of pens against paper, the soft flutter of turning pages, the gentle swaying of curtains as wind drifted through an open window.

The distant echoes of brass instruments from the music club, the voices of athletes calling to one another, the occasional dramatic projection from the drama club, and the murmurs of students heading home.

It was a quiet place, yet filled with so many sounds.

And I loved it.

The library door slid open with a quiet creak.

It was already evening, and at this hour, new visitors were rare.

Maybe a teacher?

Or a friend coming to pick someone up?

The most likely possibility was that a club activity had just ended, and someone had come to walk home together.

As I absentmindedly flipped through my textbook, a shadow fell over my page.

“Studying?”

“!”

That voice—one I knew all too well—made me look up in shock.

My eyes widened.

“Wow, that surprised you? I sent you a message, didn’t I? Didn’t you check your phone?”

Kiryu tilted his head, causing his soft brown hair to gently sway.

Not a single strand out of place.

Even under the harsh fluorescent lights, he somehow managed to exude effortless charm.

My brows furrowed deeply in irritation.

“I don’t check my phone every second. What do you—”

The fact that Kiryu had shown up was so unexpected that I answered instinctively, my voice at its normal volume—only to abruptly cut myself off.

A moment of clarity struck, and I instantly regretted speaking so loudly.

Even though nobody openly stared, I could feel their attention shift toward us.

I had the overwhelming urge to rake my hands through my hair in frustration.

“Let’s go, Kiryu.”

“What about your studying?”

“I’m done for today.”

Even though the other students still appeared focused on their notebooks, I could tell their attention was still on us.

I refused to stay in the library any longer while talking to a walking billboard like Kiryu.

Quickly but silently, I shoved my books into my bag, stood up, and walked toward the exit.

As I left the library, I could still feel the curious gazes on my back.

It wasn’t paranoia.

Ever since I had realized I was gay, I had spent my life meticulously ensuring I didn’t stand out.

Every word, every movement—I had spent years calculating how to be “normal.”

And that’s exactly why I knew.

A nobody like Yukiho Saito, standing next to someone as shiny and enviable as Sora Kiryu, was an anomaly.

People noticed anomalies.

Once we were far enough away from the library that the halls had emptied, I stopped walking and turned to face Kiryu.

I let out a sigh, my shoulders dropping.

“…I told you not to talk to me at school.”

Kiryu tilted his head, looking at me like I had just said something ridiculous.

That completely unconcerned expression annoyed me even more.

I inhaled deeply, trying to keep my patience.

“Kiryu, you’re flashy. If people see me with you, it draws attention. I hate attention. That’s why I told you to keep your distance. Are we clear?”

“Yeah, I get it, but… that’s just your problem. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, right?”

“…Are you a dictator? I’m saying I don’t like it. Accept it.”

“Why don’t you like it?”

“I just told you—I don’t want to stand out. Do your ears even work?”

“But I want to talk to you at school.”

For a second, my throat tightened.

At the same time, my heart pounded painfully against my ribs.

I hated that feeling.

I hated how pathetic it made me feel.

“…Kiryu, you have plenty of people to talk to. It doesn’t have to be me.”

“But I want to talk to you.”

“…Well, I don’t. Stop forcing your opinion on me.”

“You’re doing the same thing, though. It wouldn’t be fair if I only listened to what you wanted.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

His logic was sound.

I felt my brows furrow deeply, my lips pressing into a tight frown.

Kiryu, as usual, looked entirely unbothered—if anything, he seemed to be enjoying this.

That annoying, laid-back confidence was infuriating.

But I couldn’t afford to make a scene.

And I knew that pushing back any further would make me look even more unnatural.

“…Fine. Just don’t talk to me in public. If you need something, text me. I’ll try to check my messages more often.”

“Okay, that works for me.”

Kiryu smiled, clearly pleased with the compromise.

I looked away from his stupidly handsome face and started walking again.

“Saito, what’s your best subject? I don’t really have a strong suit—I’m more of an all-rounder.”

“…Literature, I guess.”

“Huh. You wear glasses, but you’re a humanities guy?”

“Glasses aren’t exclusive to science majors. Stop stereotyping.”

“Fair. Sugamichi-sensei from Classical Japanese wears glasses too.”

At that, I finally let out a small sigh of exasperation.

This guy really didn’t change.

The empty hallway was bathed in the warm orange light of the setting sun.

Freshly waxed floors gleamed, reflecting both the light and our figures as we walked.

I moved with quick, impatient strides, while Kiryu, in contrast, walked with an almost leisurely elegance.

And yet—despite my pace—the distance between us only grew smaller.

I clenched my teeth in frustration, realizing that no matter how much I tried to pull ahead, Kiryu’s longer stride allowed him to catch up effortlessly.

Before I knew it, we had already reached the shoe lockers at the school’s entrance.

Unlike the empty hallways, there were still a few lingering students here and there, which made me sigh again as I cast a glance over my shoulder.

“…You’re not seriously going to say we should walk home together, right?”

“Huh? But we came this far, so obviously we should.”

“Kiryu, your definition of ‘obvious’ and mine are completely different. I told you not to talk to me when people are around—that’s non-negotiable.”

“……Ehh….”

“No more photoshoots.”

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

Kiryu’s displeased expression vanished instantly, replaced by an immediate agreement.

I rubbed my temple with my fingers, feeling both relieved and exasperated at his unwavering obsession with cross-dressing photoshoots.

Then, just before heading to my locker, a thought occurred to me, and I turned back to ask:

“How did you even know I was in the library?”

“Huh? You weren’t in the classroom.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

His answer wasn’t exactly satisfying, but questioning it any further felt pointless.

So instead, I just muttered “bye” and started walking away.

“Saito.”

Just as I was swapping my indoor shoes for my regular ones, Kiryu called out to me again.

With an irritated frown, I turned to glare at him—only to be caught off guard.

He was smiling.

“See you tomorrow.”

It was the kind of bright, effortless smile that suited descriptions like refreshing or beautiful.

Raising one hand in a casual wave, he looked so picturesque it was almost as if he had stepped right out of a TV drama.

It was in moments like these that I was reminded—he really lived in a different world.

Honestly, I’d have an easier time believing that those perverted cross-dressing photoshoots were just a dream.

But I had long since accepted that they weren’t.

“…Tomorrow’s a day off, you idiot.”

I didn’t wave back.

I didn’t bother replying with the same energy, either.

Instead, I turned my back to him and hurried away, practically fleeing from the school.

As I walked, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Pulling it out, I saw a new message from Kiryu.

A single phrase, short enough to fit in the notification preview:

“See you Monday.”

That was all.

And yet—

I felt my heart skip a beat.

I pretended not to notice.

Quietly, I put my phone back in my pocket.

I didn’t bother replying.