“Writing a name in this notebook turns someone into a girl, and tracing it on the bookmark creates a separate body. And you’re saying the notebook has a will of its own and judges your performance?”

Haitang flipped through the Bishoujo Notebook a couple of times, but it looked completely ordinary.

She frowned. “But this is just a regular notebook, isn’t it?”

“Not at all! No one but me can write in it, and you can’t ruin it with water or fire—it won’t soak or burn. Don’t actually try though, if it gets mad, I’m done for.”

As expected of a divine tool, it immediately drew everyone’s attention. Meow Meow and Sis Xi were already leaning in, and even the usually composed Fei came closer for a look. The timid Cangyu tiptoed around the edge of the group to peek in, while Xiao Lei, who had been sitting next to me, had been unceremoniously shoved aside by Haitang.

“Wait, so divine artifacts look this… normal?” Rinka took the notebook from Haitang and said, “I see… These three names in gold must be the ones you've completed your quota with?”

The three golden names: Lei Kelie, Tan Rinka, and Feng Jingsheng.

“Yup, those are the ones.”

She pointed again. “And the ones in pencil?”

“Temporary. As long as I erase them, they’ll change back.”

As soon as I said that, I felt something soft and round pressing into the back of my neck—Sis Xi had leaned over from behind.

“So… that means I… I can still turn back?”

“Technically, yes…” I glanced helplessly at Meow Meow, who immediately got the hint and looped an arm around Sis Xi’s shoulders, gently coaxing her:
“Come on, Xiao Xi, don’t think about that stuff anymore. Your family’s debts are already taken care of. Wouldn’t it be nice to just stay with me and be my cute little sis?”

Wow, bringing up her debts at a time like this—this woman really is a devil.

Meanwhile, Tangerine had taken the sneaky route and crawled out from under the table, resting her chin on my knee.

“Can’t you make my name turn gold too, onii-chan? I don’t wanna go back to being a cat!”

“Turning animals into humans is kind of against the rules. If I keep doing that, I’ll probably get punished by the heavens… but making it permanent should be fine.”

“Meow~” The white cat spy beside Tangerine dropped its head in what seemed like a very human expression of disappointment. Tangerine stroked its fur gently and translated:

“Xiao Xue¹ says she’s really sad she can’t turn human.”

So it’s called Xiao Xue…

You’ve been sticking close to me all this time, and I still can’t do anything for you… I’m sorry.

“Eh? I was hoping you could turn my dog into a girl too.”

That was Bei Qiaojue’s voice from the TV screen. She and Qianxia were now sitting side-by-side on my bed, watching the stream on her phone—
wait, that means Qianxia heard everything too!

I sighed and explained, “There are a lot of restrictions when using this power. If it’s not for helping someone truly unfortunate, it goes against the heavenly principles. I could get punished… probably.”

“You say that, but didn’t you turn yourself into a girl just because it made moving around easier due to your broken leg? And who exactly was the ‘unfortunate soul’ being saved there?” Rinka threw in her usual snark.

“Getting your leg smashed by a random hanging sign isn’t unfortunate enough?!”

Haitang pointed to the exiled Xiao Lei. “Then what about her? How is she counted as unfortunate?”

“Well, for a girl, having your male counterpart be Zhao Zhao—what could be worse than that?”

“…With that logic, anyone could have a reason to transform.”

…Yeah, kind of true. But in the end, it’s up to the notebook to judge who qualifies.

“You see, even the gods have a bit of flexibility. If the rules were too strict, no one would want the job!”

“Lazy god! Corrupt god! Totally biased god!” Rinka’s triple jab.

“Like I said earlier, even if I’ve kept secrets from you all, I’ve never done anything to hurt you.

I really did want to make you happy… though yeah, I had my own goals too.”

“We never thought you meant harm,” Sis Xi said, letting out a long sigh. Her voice was calm, but tinged with resignation. “But sometimes, I really wish you'd given us a choice.”

“I’m sorry, Sis Xi. Getting this power scared me too. If too many people found out, it’d be dangerous for me. That’s why I came up with something like the Church of Bishoujo and used Xiao Lei as a front. I couldn’t speak honestly… but I really wasn’t trying to deceive you. Please, keep it a secret from now on too.”

I paused, then added, “But Sis Xi, where you’re at now, there’s really no reason to turn back. Why not think about what wishes you still have left… and just accept your new identity? And be one of my future quotas?”

“In your dreams! I’m only staying like this for now because of big sis. But don’t you dare go turning me permanent!”

“Wait, wait, you’re telling me you trusted this idiot Zhao Zhao but never even thought to rely on me?” Haitang raised an eyebrow, grabbed Xiao Lei by the collar, and dragged her back.

She jabbed a finger at her cheek and growled, “Where do you think I’m worse than this idiot? Are you underestimating me or something?”

“Oh my, Haitang, this just means I hold a more special place in our dear Commander’s heart~ Don’t be sad! You might not be as good as me, but we can still… OWW!”

Before she could finish that punchable line, Haitang unleashed a barrage of karate chops onto her skull.

“Besides,” I muttered, “you’re still at least a girl… It felt weird telling you something like turning guys into girls.”

“Oh? I’m surprised. I thought you just saw me as ‘one of the bros.’”

She wasn’t wrong. Our friendship was more “bros” than anything else. The real reason I didn’t tell her was some more of a selfish wish… Well, I’m not gonna bring that up here.

“Alright, I’ve spilled everything. Can I catch a break now?”

Oddly enough, even though I’d been completely exposed, I felt… relieved. Like a burden I’d been carrying forever had finally slipped off.
Rinka slapped the table. “Let you off? Dream on! Thanks to Haitang-chan, we did get some juicy surprises today… but my real objective still hasn’t been fulfilled.”

“…Real objective?”

“That’s right—Kai-chan, transfer to our girls campus! Now that everyone knows your secret, what’s there to worry about?”

“Well, yeah, but you heard what I said, right? If I came to the girls campus, there'd be no one left to take care of my real body. I can’t just leave it home alone without food—it’ll starve!”

“Huh? You could come to the girls’ side even without using your avatar, right?”

She caught me off guard. I immediately argued, “No way! As my real self, there’s no chance I’m going to crossdress!”

“Give it up, Kai-chan. Once you try it once, you’ll never go back. You’ll open up a door to a whole new world!”

“I’m not going through that door!!”

…Though thanks to this whole experience as my female self, that door’s lock might already be busted open.

“Ahem.” Qiaojue’s voice came from the TV again, this time with a more serious tone.

“Sorry to interrupt your little spat, but I just found something, and I think I need to check with the guy.”

“Er… check what?”

Don’t tell me she found some sketchy books under the bed? I’m pretty sure I don’t have any…

“You don’t usually watch yourself sleep, right?”

“Of course not. Why ask?”

The camera shifted upward, focusing on the curtain box above the sliding balcony doors.

Qiaojue zoomed in—there was something dark and boxy tucked up there.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A surveillance camera. Someone’s been watching you. I’ll take it down for you.”

Her words made the hairs on my neck stand up.

“Wh-what?! Uh—thanks…”

On screen, Qiaojue was holding a coin-sized surveillance camera in her palm, with a cigarette-pack-sized power supply attached to it.

She examined it for a moment, then guessed, “The power pack’s only lightly stuck on. Whoever set this up probably comes by every so often to swap out the battery and SD card.”

Someone’s been spying on me? And since it needs to be replaced every so often, it must be someone who can enter my house often as well. But who? My dad? Zhu Beihai? Wu Qinglan? …There’s no way it’s Xiao Lei right?

Rinka muttered, “Wow, Kai-chan, your life really is a nonstop disaster. Got any clue who planted that thing?”

I shook my head. Haitang frowned deeply, her expression turning serious, and she ordered:
“Qiaojue, check the rest of the house. See if there are any more hidden cameras. And bring that one back.”

“Roger!”

…As much as I hate being investigated, right now, Qiaojue might be my only hope.