*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
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ENJOY~ PYUUN~
*****
The FALL Harvest Festival (8)
So far, every plan I’ve made has gone slightly awry.
Well, I’m not exactly the type to rely on intricate strategies. Park Sihoo would come up with the plans, and I would execute them.
After enough mishaps, it became standard for me to prepare a Plan B and C.
The cross-dressing contest was Plan C, and naturally, I’d prepared for it.
“You seem… confident?”
“And why shouldn’t I be?”
“Because you’re famous.”
Senior Shana at the registration desk looked at me with an expression that suggested she was surprised to see me here.
“How many contestants are there so far?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Okay, the competition’s not too bad.”
Indeed, even last time, the turnout was modest. I can win this.
“Hey, isn’t that Korin Lork?”
“He’s entering the cross-dressing contest? Seriously?”
“Oh my gosh~ Korin’s joining the cross-dressing contest!”
“That’s amazing.”
People around me began to recognize me, and all eyes turned toward me.
“If you’d like, we can keep your identity anonymous.”
“Haha, no need, senior. Did you know?”
I have no shame! And why is that?
“Cross-dressing is the most manly thing only a true man can do!”
“…Because it’s cross-dressing?”
“Let’s enjoy this to the fullest!”
“Oh…”
Though she voiced her admiration, I could see the strange look she was giving me.
But honestly, is it so strange to enter a cross-dressing contest? Every guy dresses up at some point in life, right?
The embarrassment is fleeting. This will just become another memory.
After confidently registering like a true man, I immediately went to find a third-year senior.
“Elza-senpai! I need clothes! And makeup!”
“Oh my gosh! You’re really doing it? Good decision! I know the perfect outfit for you!”
A cross-dressing contest isn’t as embarrassing or shameful as one might think.
After all, no matter how much effort guys put into it, they all end up looking similar, and most of the time, it’s just an impromptu event for people who enjoy a bit of fun or a playful bet.
“Man… life is rough.”
Jaeger Hinzpeter.
The second-year guardian with the shaved head furrowed his already stern brows.
“Hold still. I’ll make you pretty.”
“Shut up, Lark!”
“Oh~ I wish Korin could see this.”
The reason Jaeger and Lark were here was simple.
After the shocking aftermath of working the Magic Fair, the second-year guardians decided to have a little drink together, and then a crazy idea came up.
“Hey, want to bet? Loser enters the cross-dressing contest?”
It was Jaeger, known for his mischievous pranks, who suggested it. And since everyone was a bit tipsy, they weren’t thinking straight.
– Uh… sure?
– But if you lose, you’re really entering, right?
In every culture, men have a tendency to do stupid things just because they think they’re fun, which might explain why they often die younger than women.
Of course, the shame that comes as a consequence is theirs to bear…
“Sigh~ The makeup is done.”
Who knows how long Jaeger had to endure Lark’s clumsy attempt at makeup? The result was—
“…”
“…Pfft!”
“Don’t laugh.”
At Lark’s blatant reaction, Germain furrowed his brows.
“So… dressing up doesn’t suddenly make someone pretty, huh~”
“You knew that already!!”
“Well, it’s funny, so… Hahahaha!”
Seeing how the result of sitting still for an hour was just ridiculous, Jaeger couldn’t help but feel indignant.
The only consolation was that everyone else looked just as silly.
“Look, you’re not the only one doing this. Everyone’s just having fun.”
The thought of showing up in front of a crowd in a cross-dress was embarrassing, but knowing that he wasn’t alone in this humiliation provided some comfort.
Apparently, there were quite a few people crazy enough to participate in this bizarre contest.
Embarrassment is lessened when shared with others. Jaeger was still at an age where he could easily be swept up by such herd mentality.
“Sigh…”
“Why did I…”
Of course, most of the participants were lamenting their fate. Many were half-forced into the contest after losing a bet.
They sighed deeply, clutching their heads, clearly struggling to accept the situation.
Among them was one ridiculous case—a giant over two meters tall, wearing a floral polka-dot dress.
“Damn it…”
It was unbearable. As ridiculous as Jaeger looked, he couldn’t stand witnessing the absurdity of the scene around him.
“I should’ve done this with Korin…”
“He probably would’ve just done it for fun, if he weren’t so busy this time.”
The second-year guardians often hung out together, but Korin was particularly easy-going.
He had that “we’re only young once” attitude, always ready to jump into things without hesitation.
He might have balked at the idea of cross-dressing initially, but once he did it, he’d go all-in and have a blast.
It’s that mindset that led to him playing heavy metal harmonica while headbanging as Immotan.
“This is like a punishment game.”
“Seems like a lot of people had the same thought, huh?”
When men cross-dress, they all end up looking more or less the same.
You can’t expect any surprises.
As I’ve said before, the cross-dressing contest is more of a punishment game.
This means that more people enter it to mock the participants than to see something spectacular.
– Wow! Bongpal, you’re so pretty!
– So. Sexy!
– Did you record this? Gotta show it to your future sister-in-law!
“Damn… these bastards…”
In this oddball contest, filled with quirky contestants and spectators, the auditorium wasn’t filled with jeers but rather thunderous applause.
“Sigh…”
Watching the contestants before him get utterly destroyed, Jaeger could only laugh bitterly.
It was indeed funny. Seeing a bunch of strapping young men, barely out of their teens, awkwardly caked in makeup and dressed in ridiculous outfits was amusing. As long as you weren’t one of the contestants, that is.
“Ugh… those guys who came with a theme at least did better.”
Some contestants were strategic about their approach, knowing full well how absurd they looked.
Some showed off surprisingly good singing skills, while others displayed well-practiced dance routines.
They were trying to score points during the self-introduction and appeal time.
“Maybe I should’ve prepared something too.”
That would’ve been better. Everyone looked equally ridiculous, so the only way to stand out was to do something special and earn points.
If you’re going to create a black mark on your history, you might as well get something out of it. It’s a reasonable approach.
– Hahahaha! Look at that!
– Wow! So sexy! Kyaaah!
“Ugh… why are there so many girls here? Isn’t this supposed to be a guys-only contest?”
It wasn’t just their friends who came to watch the boys create a live-streaming embarrassment. The auditorium was packed with female students and city residents alike.
This was strange.
Even though the contest was known to be unusual, it wasn’t the kind of event to draw such a crowd.
– They say he’s really participating…
– Yeah… because of the ribbons… I feel bad about it.
– The boss asked us to cheer him on.
“Hmm?”
Among the sea of spectators, Jaeger noticed some particularly striking figures.
They were prominent individuals known not only in the academy but throughout the kingdom. It was hard to believe that they were fellow students, and yet, they had come to watch this contest.
Something was off. Why would such distinguished people come to watch a cross-dressing contest? With each of them having such distinct personalities, what would bring them together here, unless…
“…No way.”
It could only be him, right? As Jaeger was beginning to suspect the worst—
– Next up, contestant number 17! Wow~ I never expected this friend to enter this contest!
The announcer’s tone was high with excitement. Jaeger turned his head toward the stage and frowned in confusion.
“What?”
The person on stage looked strangely familiar.
The sharp, wild aura they exuded couldn’t be imitated. But despite that, Jaeger couldn’t be sure because, oddly enough, the cross-dressing suited them.
– It’s Korin Lork! Yes! It’s really Korin Lork! Give him a big round of applause!
As contestant number 17, Korin Lork stepped onto the stage. Instead of the usual ridiculous cheers, a round of genuine applause erupted.
– Oh…
– Is that Korin? He looks…
– Not bad, actually?
Korin entered the stage with his signature confident expression. He wasn’t someone you could casually call “pretty.”
His strong build and muscular frame didn’t suit cross-dressing at all.
But he overcame that with makeup and styling.
His robust muscles were concealed under a tailored outfit that didn’t overly emphasize curves, and though he wore a skirt and stockings to maintain the cross-dressing theme, the dark, high-denier fabric hid the muscles beneath.
Of course, even with all that, he couldn’t completely mask his masculinity, but the carefully applied makeup made his face appear more refined, and his confident expression showed not a hint of shame, setting him apart from the other contestants.
“Kyaaaaaah! Korin, you look so pretty! You’re awesome! You’re handsome! Waaaaah—!”
Estelle screamed and clapped wildly at the sight of Korin on stage.
It was behavior unbecoming of a royal princess and a religious leader revered by millions of believers, but these days, the image of the Saintess was more akin to that of an unruly older sister.
– Oh… she looks like an older sister.
– Is this what they call girl crush? She’s cool.
The reaction to Korin’s cross-dressing was not bad.
Thanks to his good physique, his cross-dressing wasn’t ridiculous but rather highlighted a certain androgynous charm.
– Korin Lork is a second-year guardian student, right?
– Yes.
– Wow~ this is better than expected. Don’t get me wrong. Compared to the other contestants, “she” stands out.
– Isn’t “she” handsome?
– Haha! Are you saying that about yourself?
– You can call me big sister.
Korin’s words brought laughter from the audience. His approach was clearly different from the other contestants, who had been shyly hiding their legs under their skirts.
– Your makeup is really well done. I didn’t recognize you at first.
– Right? Honestly, I think I’m prettier than most girls.
Hahahahahaha!
The audience couldn’t stop laughing.
Usually, when someone enters a contest like this, they get nervous or embarrassed and end up stumbling over their words. But Korin stood there with a confident expression, showing no signs of shame.
Korin Lork.
Former member of a university band back on Earth.
His natural sociability and friendliness shone through even in a contest like this.
If you’re going to do something, you might as well win.
If you’re going to do something, you might as well enjoy it.
If you’re going to do something, you might as well have fun!
At school festivals, Korin was the type to step up and liven up the atmosphere. He was always willing to sacrifice himself to raise the spirits of others.
– So, Korin, do you have anything prepared?
– Of course. I’m going to play an instrument and dance.
– Ooh~ an instrument and dance? I can’t wait to see what you’ll do.
The host was clearly excited about Korin’s talent show. He knew from experience that people like Korin were perfect for raising the energy of an event.
To meet those expectations, Korin put on sunglasses—
– Ora! Wardne!
With a shout, a harp flew in from the distance.
The treasure of Danan Dagda, the Giant-Slaying Harp Wardne.
This divine artifact could soar through the air and land precisely before its master whenever summoned, tearing through the sky to reach Korin.
Without even holding the harp, Korin flashed a grin.
“You want music?”
– Pardon?
“If you want it, clap! Shout your cheers!”
– Oh… everyone, clap!
– Waaaaahhhh—!
The audience cheered as Korin and the host urged them on. Korin strummed the harp strings of Wardne as if playing a guitar.
“Listen to my music! Feel the beat of my rock ‘n roll!”
– Twang~!
Korin set down Wardne. Then, something incredible happened. The harp began playing by itself, as if by magic.
“Let’s begin. The celestial demon, Ickle Jackson. Billie Jean.”
– Thump! Thump!
Many other contestants had prepared songs and dances. But with Wardne playing on its own, Korin instantly captivated everyone’s attention.
And then he began to perform one of the most iconic songs in Earth’s pop culture history, a legacy of the great musician.
– Oh…
– This is good.
The style of music was unfamiliar to this world, but its unique, infectious rhythm drew everyone in.
However, what made this song truly legendary was its dance performance.
As the song progressed, with its perfectly synchronized beats and rhythm, its sensational choreography began to unfold.
When Korin snapped his head to the side, the cheers from the crowd died down. They sensed something incredible was coming.
– Swish
And then, as if defying gravity, Korin began to perform the iconic dance move… the Moonwalk.
“What?”
“What’s that…”
“Is that person walking backward?!”
“Mom! Is that person walking backward?!”
The Moonwalk lasted only a brief moment. As Korin spun around and struck a pose facing the audience, they erupted into cheers.
“Whaaaahhh!!”
“Kyaaaaaaah! Sis, look at this!”
“Oaaaaah! What did I just seeeee!!!”
“Immotan! It’s really Immotan!!”
Just like when the Moonwalk was first shown on Earth… no, in this world, it was even more of a fresh, shocking experience.
A cultural earthquake.
The song and dance performed at this small cross-dressing contest made the front page of the local newspaper the next day.
*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
*****
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