After that, my first day at the new school somehow passed without major incident, and now it’s after school. Just as I’d finished cleaning the classroom, got myself ready, and was about to leave, Midori-san, who I thought had already gone, came back.

“Alright, Miki, let’s go home together♪”

“Okay. But are you sure it’s alright?”

After P.E. we’d made plans to go to Midori-san’s house on the way home today.

“Yes, don’t be shy. Come on, this way.”

“This way? But that’s the staff room...”

As Midori-san tugged me along firmly, I saw a pure white Rolls-Royce parked at the main entrance.

“Now, get in.”

Midori said that, and a refined-looking chauffeur opened the door for us.

“Midori, you’re amazing. You always commute by car.”

“Mm. Oh, I know! Shall I come pick you up at your house every morning from now on?”

“Huh? No, th-that’s quite alright.”

I fluttered both hands in a girly manner and politely declined.

The car started moving quietly, and after driving along the coastal road for about twenty minutes...

“Ah, your house is in the opposite direction from mine, huh, Midori?”

I deliberately spoke a bit loudly to emphasize that her house was in the opposite direction from mine. With this, maybe I can avoid being stuck with her during my commute.

“Yes. Still, Miki, you seem oddly happy about it?”

“Wh-what? No, not at all.”

I can’t underestimate this girl’s intuition... Is this the so-called woman’s intuition?

“Look, you can see it over there—that white house, that’s my home.”

“Huh? Where, where?”

“Over there. See?”

In the direction Midori pointed, I could see a white building just like a castle. The Rolls-Royce passed through the obligatory grand gate and pulled up right in front of the entrance’s porte-cochère.

At the same time, a line of butlers and maids came out from inside to greet us.

“Welcome home, young lady.”

Whoa. She really is called “young lady.”

I walked further inside, right through the middle of the maids bowing deeply.

“Now, my room is over there.”

“This is an incredible house, though.”

One step inside from the entrance, we were in a grand hall with a gleaming marble floor.

“You think so? I’ve lived here since I was little, so I don’t think much of it.”

“Is that how it is?”

Even so, it’s the first time I’ve seen a staircase with such a deep tread per step!

“That’s how it is. Look, here it is. Come in♪”

Ah, this is a girl’s room I’ve never once been in before. And it’s a young lady’s room at that. Wait, what am I thinking?

Midori-san’s room wasn’t some tacky rich young lady’s room; it was a room where very simple, functional furniture matched a girlish charm. Her personality shines through even in a place like this.

“I’m going to just go ahead and get changed, if you’ll excuse me.”

With that, Midori-san started boldly taking off her clothes right in front of me.

“Um, Midori...”

“Ahah, sorry. Don’t worry about it. We’re both girls, anyway.”

No, no, we are absolutely not both girls.

Once she was down to just her underwear, Midori-san went into the walk-in closet and came out a short while later, changed.

“Sorry for the wait. I can finally relax in comfy clothes now.”

“Right. Oh, Miki, why don’t you change too, if you don’t mind wearing my clothes? Your uniform will get wrinkled. Come on, do it.”

“Ah, wait a sec—!”

She gave me no time to say anything and started briskly taking off my uniform. In the blink of an eye, I was left in just my bra and panties.

“Hey, Miki...”

“Wh-what? Is something weird?”

My body had become a girl’s so suddenly; I was nervous that maybe something was odd about it.

“No, you have a beautiful body.”

What? Could it be... is Midori-san a lesbian?

For an instant, the blood drained from my face.

“Now, come over here. I’ll pick out some clothes for you.”

“Ah!”

She abruptly pulled me by the hand and led me into the walk-in closet. She really is a young lady who goes at her own pace.

“How about something like this? Yes, it suits you. You should wear this.”

“Uh, yeah...”

Ah, well. Whatever happens, happens.

Knock knock.

Following the knock on the door, a maid came in pushing a cart.

“Lady Midori. I’ve brought your tea.”

“Thank you, Yamamoto-san.”

On the cart were black tea and cake.

“Say, Miki.”

“Y-yes?”

“Will you be my friend?”

“Huh? What’s with the formality all of a sudden?”

“You see, I’m an only child, right? I’ve always wanted a best friend.”

“But don’t you have lots of friends at school?”

“No. Everyone knows I’m the board chairman’s daughter, so none of them really feel like true friends. But you, Miki, there’s something different about you. Tell me... do you dislike me?”

“Not at all. I like you, Midori.”

“Really?”

“Mm.”

“I’m so happy.”

Midori-san squeezed me in a tight hug. A lovely floral scent came from her hair. She’s a lonely person, Midori-san. I’m sure of it.

I also wrapped my arms around Midori-san and hugged her tight.

Smooch.

Suddenly, something soft touched my lips.

“Huh? Wait, Midori!”

“Oh my, it’s a token of gratitude. It’s not weird between us girls, is it?”

“I-is it? I guess.”

Thump-thump.

My heart suddenly started pounding hard.

Whoa, come to think of it, this was my first kiss.

Should I be happy? What a complicated feeling!

“It is. In foreign countries, it’s no big deal.”

“I-is that so. Yeah, you’re right.”

Still, in that kind of situation, was it on the lips? I tried recalling various scenes from TV and movies but couldn’t be sure.

I never imagined at that moment that my friendship with Lady Midori would later lead to such big trouble.