Henry lifted Shirley into the cockpit of the mecha. For the first time, he experienced a desire so fierce it bordered on losing control.

His hand slid to her waist, where the once-neat uniform now hung loosely, the neckline slipping to reveal the faint curve of her collarbone.

Earlier that afternoon, Shirley had regained her memory. With it came the return of her former awareness and dissatisfaction with her current figure.

Now, as Henry’s hand moved with increasing boldness and intent, she caught his wrist. “Too fast,” she said calmly.

Henry paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he looked up. He wanted to respect Vivianus’ wishes, but restraint was proving difficult.

Holding her close, he murmured, “Then help me.” His voice was low, almost pleading. “I can help you too.”

Shirley didn’t refuse. “Fine. But not so close.”

He shifted back slightly.

She reached for his collar with one hand, the other wandering lower. Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “Henry, are you sure you used to be… frigid?”

Henry stiffened. “I just realized I’m not.”

But perhaps because it was his first time in such a situation, his body wasn’t fully responsive, overwhelmed by unfamiliar sensations. The moment became slightly awkward.

Shirley arched an eyebrow, her grin deepening. “Not a great showing, Henry.”

A flush crept up his neck. Embarrassed and a bit flustered by her expression, he narrowed his eyes and kissed her again, harder this time.

At least, he thought, he could feel something. That alone was a small victory.

Still, the speed of it all left him somewhat abashed as a man.

Thankfully, after a deep, heated kiss, he seemed to recover.

It was, at least, enough to salvage a bit of pride.

Inside the mecha, Shirley wiped her hands clean.

Henry slid his arms around her from behind, his voice rough with exhaustion. “Sure you don’t want my help?”

Shirley hesitated. She was debating whether to tell him the truth. If she kept it from him now, it might hurt more later. After all, she’d already concealed enough.

And Henry, after all his inner conflict, had still chosen to stay, even when he thought she was a man. He had confessed his feelings without reservation.

After a moment, Shirley replied, “If it’s the same kind of help as before, probably not.”

“Then I’ll just lie back. You can do whatever you want,” he offered, half-serious.

Shirley had already finished wiping her hands. She smiled. “Still won’t work.”

“Why not?” Henry asked, genuinely puzzled.

She took his hand and guided it downward.

Henry’s expression shifted. Something about what he didn’t feel struck him.

He thought, ‘Wait… Vivianus doesn’t have a penis! Did he lose it in an accident?’

But then Henry said lightly, “It’s fine. Doesn’t matter. I’m basically asexual anyway. Kissing’s enough. We can be… platonic.”

Shirley couldn’t help laughing. “Henry, I’m a woman.”

She laid it out plainly. “But, I still get to be on top.”

Henry was stunned. He had just mentally prepared himself for a same-sex relationship and even convinced himself he was ready. And then she dropped that on him.

For a moment, his thoughts went blank. And yet, a small part of him was relieved.

He looked at her, exasperated and amused. “So you’ve been lying to me all along.”

He honestly wanted to give her a piece of his mind. But no matter how irritated he was, it wasn’t enough to make him walk away.

Now that he knew she was a woman, he felt a little foolish. How had he not noticed all this time?

Shirley explained, “I didn’t mean to hide it. After I lost my memory, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. Later, when the person treating me spent a fortune on my recovery, I pretended to be a man, to pay the debt.”

“You’ve regained your memory now?”

She nodded. “Yes, most of it.”

“That’s good,” Henry said. He didn’t ask about her past identity, though he had his suspicions.

Shirley didn’t offer more. Instead, she asked, “You’re not angry?”

“Of course I’m angry,” he said bluntly.

After all, he had wrestled with himself for a long time.

Still, he had no intention of holding it against her. There were other ways to get back at her, for example, her claim about being on top.

He decided he would agree to it. In words, at least. After all, in reality, there was only one person who’d be taking the lead, and that was him.

Henry took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “It’s not a big deal. Not something worth fighting over.”

Shirley studied him for a moment, then said calmly, “Then what if I told you… I’m Shirley. The real one.”

He didn’t flinch. His expression remained steady, eyes fixed on hers.

He had suspected it, perhaps even known it. But hearing her confirm it still carried weight.

His hand tightened slightly around hers. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been there, when it all happened.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Shirley said gently. “If it weren’t for what happened, you might never have fallen for me, as the queen.”

Back then, wearing the crown meant carrying constant restraint. She’d rarely let down her guard, except in front of Shermaine. Only then could she drop the formalities and be herself.

Even now, with her memories returned, she found she preferred this version of herself, unburdened and unguarded.

And she believed she could stay that way.

Henry shook his head. “If I could fall for you when you were in disguise, why wouldn’t I love you as you truly are? Maybe it wouldn’t have happened as fast, but it would’ve happened.”

From the start, he’d been drawn to her. That part had never changed.

He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. “I’m glad it was you I met on the battlefield.”

He liked this version of Shirley, honest, self-assured, and unguarded. And he hoped she’d stay that way with him.

Shirley smiled, something soft in her eyes. “I didn’t think I’d fall for you. But after spending time with you… you got under my skin.”

Their feelings had always been moving toward the same point.

Henry let out a quiet laugh. “So before the memory loss, you were already planning to come after me?”

She nodded. “I was.”

His grin widened. “That’s why you gave me those sapphire cufflinks?”

She nodded again. The gift hadn’t been casual. They both knew that.

Henry kissed her again, this time with more intensity. Normally reserved, he burned with quiet fire once emotion took hold.

The night deepened, wind stirring through the edges of the training field.

Unseen, a shadow moved in the distance, silent and watchful.

It was Edison. He had followed.

And now, the truth lay before him. The supposed stand-in for Shirley was, in fact, Shirley herself.