The walk back to my apartment felt longer than usual, though that might have had something to do with the fact that my legs already felt... shorter.
Sakura kept glancing at me, biting her lip in that nervous way she did when she was calculating something complicated in her head.
"You're awfully quiet," she finally said, her voice soft as we crossed a nearly empty street.
I tugged at the sleeve of my jacket – or, more accurately, my oversized jacket. I could already feel it hanging lower than it had this morning. "I think it's hitting me," I admitted. "The fact that this is really happening."
Sakura nodded solemnly, her twin-tails bouncing with each step. "It's a lot to take in. I mean, it's not every day you realize you're going to wake up looking like a middle school girl."
I winced. "When you put it like that..."
She waved her hands in a panic. "No, no, I didn't mean it as a bad thing! Just... well, you'll be cute. Super cute! Not that you aren't already, but—"
I raised an eyebrow, and she abruptly stopped talking, her face practically glowing pink.
A breeze passed, making me shiver. "Anyway," I said, deciding to let her off the hook, "it's not just the physical part. It's everything. How do I explain this to people? I can't exactly show up to class next week as a totally different person."
Sakura's expression softened as she slowed her pace to walk beside me. "I've been thinking about that. We can keep it simple. The story about you being my cousin could work for a while, at least until I figure out a reversal formula."
"And if that takes months?"
She hesitated. "Then... we'll figure something else out together."
I wasn't sure if that was comforting or terrifying. Maybe a little of both.
By the time we reached my building, I could feel my sneakers slipping as I walked. That tingling sensation had settled into something stranger – a lightness, as if gravity had started treating me differently.
"I'm going to outgrow... or, I guess, under-grow my clothes by tomorrow, aren't I?" I asked, holding the apartment door open for her.
Sakura ducked inside, brushing by me with a faint floral scent. "Most likely. We should pick up some essentials tonight."
As we made our way to my unit, I couldn't shake the growing nervousness in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't ready to face this alone.
So when Sakura blurted out, "Mind if I stay over tonight? Just to monitor the changes!" I almost felt relieved.
"Sure," I replied, before I could overthink it. "I'd probably feel better with someone around, anyway."
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One convenience store trip later…
The sight of Sakura holding up a pack of pastel pajamas in the women's section of the store had to be the strangest part of my day.
"These should be comfortable for when you shrink down," she said, examining the size chart on the back. "I know they're… frilly, but they stretch!"
I wasn't sure how to respond, so I just sighed. "At this point, frills are the least of my worries."
Sakura smiled, grabbing a matching set in soft blue. "They'll suit you."
The clerk gave me an odd look as I placed the pajamas, some toiletries, and a packet of hair ties on the counter. I kept my head down, pretending this was the most normal shopping trip ever.
Once we returned to my apartment, I changed into the loose-fitting pajamas, already feeling ridiculous about how baggy they were. By morning, I had a feeling they'd fit perfectly – and that thought made my stomach churn.
Sakura sat cross-legged on the floor, scribbling furiously in a notebook. "I'll sleep here," she said without looking up. "I need to record the changes overnight. The bed is all yours."
"You sure? The couch isn't exactly comfortable."
She smiled up at me, her violet eyes catching the dim light of the room. "I'm fine. You're the one undergoing magical girl transformations. You deserve the bed."
I rolled my eyes but didn't argue.
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I woke up to a world that just felt… larger.
Blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, I sat up – and immediately noticed something was wrong.
My pajamas, which had hung loosely the night before, now fit snugly around my smaller frame.
I scrambled to the mirror by my desk.
There, staring back at me, was… me. Only shorter.
My features were noticeably softer, my hair a touch longer, and my hands, gripping the edge of the desk, were daintier than I remembered.
A soft gasp came from behind me.
Sakura had woken up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. When she saw me standing there in front of the mirror, her jaw dropped.
"It really started," she whispered, stepping closer.
I turned to face her fully, awkwardly holding the hem of the pajama top. "Is it that obvious?"
She nodded slowly, her eyes flickering across every change like she was mentally cataloging it. "You're at least six centimeters shorter. And your face…"
I swallowed. "It's not over, is it?"
"No. But this is just the beginning."
Despite her attempt to sound scientific, I noticed the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
"...What?"
She hesitated, then shook her head. "It's just… you really are cute, Yuki."
My face burned, and I tugged the pajama collar up to hide it.
This was going to be a long week.