The café Sakura chose was a tiny place tucked away in a side street, with plants hanging in the windows and fairy lights strung across the ceiling. Perfect for someone trying to process the fact that they were about to become a magical girl. Sort of.
"I come here when I need to think," Sakura said, sliding into a booth in the corner. "The owner's used to seeing students having existential crises."
"I'd say this is a bit beyond existential." I picked up the menu, trying to ignore how my fingers had been tingling ever since I woke up. "Though I guess questioning your existence is fair when you're about to become someone else entirely."
Sakura winced. "You'll still be you! Just... more compact."
"You keep using that word."
A waitress came by, and Sakura ordered for both of us – apparently, their strawberry parfait was "scientifically proven to make everything better." I didn't have the heart to tell her I usually avoided sweet things.
"So," I said after the waitress left, "you mentioned the changes would start tonight?"
Sakura pulled out her tablet again – did she take it everywhere? – and pulled up what looked like a simulation. "Based on the formula's absorption rate and your current metrics..." She paused, blushing slightly. "Um, how tall are you?"
"173 centimeters."
Her fingers flew across the screen. "Okay, so you should lose about four or five centimeters tonight, mainly while you sleep. Your metabolism will increase to facilitate the changes, which is why I ordered you the parfait. You'll need the energy."
As if on cue, the waitress returned with our orders. The parfait was a towering creation of pink and white, topped with fresh strawberries and what looked like edible glitter.
"It's pretty," I admitted, picking up my spoon.
"Like you'll be!" Sakura blurted out, then immediately covered her face with her hands. "I mean... that is... oh god, I'm making this worse, aren't I?"
I should have been offended. Instead, I found myself laughing. There was something endearing about how she bounced between brilliant scientist and complete disaster.
"It's fine," I said, trying a bite of the parfait. It was actually really good. "Better than being told I'll turn into an ugly loli, right?"
She peeked through her fingers, a small smile forming. "You're taking this surprisingly well."
I shrugged, though my heart wasn't quite as calm as I was pretending to be. "Panicking won't change anything. Besides..." I hesitated, then decided honesty was probably important when someone was accidentally turning you into a girl. "You seem like you'll be good company for this weird journey."
Her hands dropped, and that blush returned. "I... thank you. Though you might not think that when the changes really start."
"Speaking of which..." I shifted in my seat. "I should probably get some... preparations done. Before things get too different."
"Oh! Right!" Sakura dug through her bag and pulled out a small notebook. "I made a list while you were unconscious. We need to get you some clothes that will fit as you change, and probably some basic makeup – though we can work on that later – and..." She flipped through pages of neat handwriting. "Well, there's a lot we need to cover."
"You really did think of everything."
She looked up, determination burning in those violet eyes. "Of course! This is my responsibility. I'm going to make sure you have everything you need."
"Sakura-san..."
"Just Sakura is fine! We're going to be spending a lot of time together, after all."
I felt my face heat up. "Then... just Yuki is fine too."
We fell into a comfortable silence, sharing the parfait. It was strange – here I was, about to undergo a complete physical transformation, sitting with a girl I barely knew but who had literally changed my life, and somehow it felt... right?
Then I felt it. A weird sensation, like my whole body was filled with fizzy soda.
"Um, Sakura?"
She looked up from where she'd been studying her notes. "Yes?"
"I think it's starting."
Her eyes widened. She reached across the table and grabbed my hand, then pulled out a small measuring tape from her bag. "May I?"
I nodded, watching as she measured my fingers. Her touch was gentle, scientific, but my heart was racing anyway.
"Just as I thought," she said, comparing measurements to her notes. "Your hands are already slightly smaller. The formula's working faster than I calculated." She bit her lip. "We should probably get you home before—"
I stood up too quickly, and the world spun. Sakura was at my side in an instant, supporting me.
"Careful! Your center of gravity is going to be shifting."
She was so close I could smell her shampoo – something floral and sweet. Between that and the dizziness, I felt my knees go weak.
"Sorry," I mumbled, leaning on her more than I wanted to admit. "This is kind of overwhelming."
"Don't apologize!" She helped me steady myself. "Come on, I'll walk you home. We can stop at a convenience store on the way – you'll need some pajamas that'll fit by morning."
As we left the café, me still slightly wobbly and Sakura keeping a protective hand on my arm, I had a ridiculous thought: if someone had told me this morning that I'd end up shopping for girls' clothes with the cute pink-haired girl I'd been watching from afar, I'd have said they were crazy.
But then again, I was about to become a loli. Maybe crazy was my new normal.
At least I wasn't facing it alone.