“—Article Five. Read it, Hinako.”

Maki’s voice was sweet like silk being torn, indulgent yet mercilessly cold.

At a glance, her words were polite. But within them an absolute will that said, ‘I have no intention of giving you any escape.’

Hinako’s fingers trembled unconsciously.

The hand gripping the paper before her was slick with sweat. No one would call her ‘Gō’ anymore. Even the freedom to name herself that way no longer remained to her.

“…Article Five. The obligation to master women’s studies…”

Her slightly hoarse voice echoed through the classroom.

As she read, it did not feel like the words were coming from her own mouth.

The detainee is obligated to study, as theory, the roles, sensibilities and behaviors of women and to complete them into a state reproducible in real life.

This training, regardless of the individual’s internal gender identity, aims at the comprehensive acquisition of ‘the intellect and habits required to live as a woman.’

Each line of the article tightened coldly around Hinako’s body.

This was not ‘acting.’

Nor was it merely ‘being taught.’

It could only be read as saying: ‘Live again, as a woman.’

Shiho who had been hidden to the side, nodded slightly.

Her expression was gentle, but she was not someone simply being swept along.

Knowing Hinako’s suffering, she still did not avert her eyes from the mission of ‘making her a woman’—that firm inner resolve only made it more cruel.

‘…Shiho really believes this. That this is for my sake.’

She wanted to lower her gaze.

But Maki’s stare pierced sharply into her.

“The more you resist ‘yourself as a woman,’ the more it hurts. But once that resistance starts to crumble—see, it gradually begins to feel good.”

Her tone sounded like a joke. Yet behind it lurked the sadism of a ruler who toys with another’s pain.

Fundamentals of Fashion Strategy

Learn the combinations of women’s clothing by season, the compatibility of colors and skin, skirt length, neckline openness and awareness of ‘the male gaze.’

Study the theory of incorporating ‘the effort to be cute as a woman’ into daily life.

‘…The effort to be cute?’

Her throat twitched at those words.

Which skirts ‘suit’ her, which colors ‘men will praise.’

The article demanded, as a matter of course, that she memorize this as ‘classwork.’

‘This has to be a joke…’

But it was not a joke.

“What kind of clothes do you like, Hinako? Hey, don’t you want to be thought of as cute?”

Maki smiled. Her eyes did not require an answer.

Makeup Presentation Theory

Analyze the impressions given by the face and theoretically understand ‘expression control’ of eyebrows, blush, lips and eyes.

Learn, with definitions, how to hide complexes and what constitutes ‘a face that makes others want to protect you.’

‘…My face… a face people want to protect?’

An image suddenly surfaced in her mind: a future self reflected in a mirror, wearing blush, glossy lips drawn in, smiling shyly with downcast eyes.

‘…Who is that?’

That wasn’t her.

And yet—that ‘someone’ would be made.

Shiho’s voice reached her softly.

“It’s okay. Hinako-chan can become very cute… I’m sure you’ll be beautiful.”

That kindness hurt.

A warm voice that did nothing but gently wrap an inescapable reality.

Lingerie Aesthetics

The relationship between materials and skin, the psychology of constriction and release and the staging of fabric texture.

Train, including fitting and presentations in class, the selection of underwear based on the premise of ‘being seen’ and ‘being undressed.’

‘…Think about being undressed?’

It wasn’t just about ‘wearing’ it.

She was being taught to choose ‘to be seen’ and ‘to be undressed.’

Lace underwear, ribbons, thin translucent fabrics.

Those were deemed appropriate for ‘Hinako.’

“No matter how beautiful your skin is, you know, the wrong underwear ruins everything… Men really look at those details.”

Maki’s voice stabbed into her ears.

Hinako’s hand unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.

Romance Studies ‘Socially Adaptive Sexual Expression Training’

Study language, behavior and psychology within ‘heterosexual female roles,’ and train to naturally reproduce ‘being loved’ and ‘gestures that invite affection,’ even while accompanied by embarrassment.

Systematically perform romantic rituals such as Valentine’s Day, first dates and confessions.

‘…Confessions… dates… as the one being courted?’

Her mind felt like it might go blank.

Being told ‘you’re cute’ by a man and thanking him with a smile.

Offering chocolate and looking down shyly.

Practicing how to be loved—as ‘a girl.’

Shiho gently lowered her eyes.

Yet there was no vague hesitation there, only quiet resolve and sorrow for Hinako.

“Even your first love… you need to practice it, too.”

Maki said it deliberately slowly.

“I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of girl you’ll become. ‘Hinako,’ when she falls in love.”

Something inside Hinako slowly collapsed.

There was no escape in this article.

Clothes, face, skin, words.

Everything was being repainted into ‘herself as a woman.’

Along with control borrowed in the name of kindness and a cruel kind of hope and Hinako carved a single certainty into her chest.

‘I am… no longer Gō.’

It was not yet complete acceptance.

But it was a definite collapse.