The One Being Protected [Magical Girl Urban Fantasy]

Boing boing boing boing…

Ben didn't know what to make of the two heavy lumps bobbing around on his chest. If it weren't for the fact that his hair was longer, he probably would have been unaware that he'd turned into a large chested blonde chick. Still, what was this illusion?

Was this really reality?

He found himself sitting in front of the principal before he knew it. Looking at that tanned Indian face that could only be described as… having a moustache for a personality. He liked this guy. Reminded him of his father. The way he held himself in high regard…

"I am the principal here. My name is Peepli-"

"WHAT UP, MY PEEP?! How long has it been since I saw you? Years? It feels like your facial hair has gone shorter." Ben immediately got close and shook the man's hand. His tone like a delinquent hanging out with another his age. Disregarding the age gap.

SMACK!

Principal Peepli struck his own face with both hands.

"…" An awkward silence engulfed the two of them.

This situation was too crazy.

"Err… Peep? Why are you acting weird?" Ben looked genuinely worried for his principal's sanity. This was the first time he'd seen the haughty and professional man act irrationally. Didn't he look more brighter now than before? He never noticed this liveliness.

Well, that was probably understandable.

If going by the size of that moustache, then this was probably the past. His daughter likely hadn't got into an accident at this point. He didn't know he'd really missed this guy so much. Even to the point of seeing his face in limbo… or whatever place his soul was at.

Everything felt so real.

"…You really are Ben." The principal murmured with a frown.

"Huh?" A weird look was given in response.

What was that reaction supposed to mean?

"Ben…" The student's name was called out, and the blonde 'woman' looked up at him. Principal Peepli felt his head hurting. The things he'd heard from the teacher and students were clear. Peepli decided to just ask: "…Did you notice anything today?"

"That I have big knockers."

"Why, Ben, do you have that appearance?"

"You mean the boobs?"

"…Yes."

"That seems more like a philosophical question." Ben looked out the window. Genuinely finding comfort in this world just like his past. There were no longer battles going on everywhere. No apocalyptic scene of deadly Apparitions roaming the streets unimpeded. 

 "…Did you eat some kind of drug?" Peepli inquired.

"One that completely morphs a person's body into a female's?" Ben was just asking this for clarity, but it seemed like his principal found his now feminine voice to be uncomfortable. Looking up and down his body before holding his nose with a big, long sigh.

"Go home. I'll call your parents first." He requested.

Dialling up a number on his phone.

It was only at this moment did reality sink in. This wasn't some spiritual realm. Everything that had occurred was far too realistic to be an illusion. Even if it was, there was a crucial detail he just realised. A point that Ben had been keeping hidden in his heart.

"Wait, BEN!" The principal called out when the 'young woman' ran.

Completely disregarding the current situation.

There was only one thing on his mind. If it was true that Principal Peepli's daughter was fine, then didn't that mean someone else would be too? Ben ignored the heavy feeling weighing him down (his boobs) and ran towards the class his friend should be attending.

Opening the door to her class abruptly.

Inside was a very organised class that was following their normal routine. They seemed to be learning maths right now, and there was a particularly eye-catching student having difficulties in the back. Her gaze on the paper in front of her was burning hot.

Ben took in a big breath from the sight.

Her eyes… They were a clear aquamarine.

Such a beautiful sight since he'd lost her. It was the first time in so many years that he had seen her original eyes. When she looked up and made a weird expression in his direction, Ben could only find his soul being snatched by that piercing gaze she had.

"The heck…?" Rina reacted like the rest.

To her, it was probably her first time being stared at by someone so… risqué. A blonde 'woman' who was definitely not her age was wearing a male uniform that was too tight. It made the curvatures on her body more eye-catching to her male classmates.

Some had even whistled…

"Rina~!" The blonde woman approached.

Only to be stopped by the math teacher. A man who was the epitome of 'holding a ruler'. He struck his own hand and made such a violent noise that Ben quickly backed up. Turning his gaze to see the man unamused at these antics. His eyes completely cold.

"Go to the principal's office." It didn't seem like the man recognised who had arrived, but if they were wearing a school uniform… Well, things were quickly sorted out. This time, a teacher had escorted him all the way there and didn't let him run around freely.

The math teacher still held his ruler menacingly.

Smacking his hand a few times with composure.

Only to drop it after hearing an absurd statement.

"That woman is Ben." The principal had told him.

The math teacher turned his head silently to look at his student. He didn't say a word, but his gaze held a considerable amount of confusion. Looking at that pretty face and comparing it to the snot-nosed brat that would get on his nerves. He looked very closely.

Seeing the resemblance in the expression Ben had.

That way of acting coy when his pranks had landed.

Rather than staying another second, the math teacher silently left. Not having said a word this entire time. Now that Ben thought about it, he had never heard that math teacher's voice. Even though this person also taught him a few times a week.

"Why can't you sit still?" Peepli looked at the 'boy'.

"…What's going to happen next?" If this really was reality, then things were probably going to go the way reality worked. There was a high chance his situation would become a centre of attraction. He would be on the news as a boy who turned into a girl.

From there, he would probably be forced to leave.

"I've managed to explain to the students that this was a 'prank' of yours. Other than the two teachers you saw, the rest are unaware of your… current circumstances. Don't worry. I won't let anyone bother your normal life." Peepli showed his sincerity.

It was a shocking twist.

Ben couldn't help but look at his former principal. It was then he'd remembered that not every 'hero' wore a battle outfit. Some of them wore suits. This man in particular hadn't fallen into despair like others after losing a loved one. He had always been protective.

Even the boundary between the normal and the supernatural collapsed, Peepli had took out a mop and bucket from the janitor's closet and fought off the creatures of darkness. It didn't end well, but the scene of how he put up a good fight had arisen.

He bit his lips and stopped just as he was told to.

An act that surprised his principal visually.

"Right… You just sit there." Principal Peepli left the room to take care of other business. Closing the door behind him carelessly without taking any further precautions whatsoever. Ben got up exactly when his principal's footsteps faded into the background.

He didn't break the man's trust a second time.

Looking out the window to better see this world.

The sky was blue. A familiar springtime of youth for those unaware of what was happening behind the curtain. He'd once thought that this peaceful life was built on those who protected the boundary. That the only reason people could live well was due to them.

Only now did he realise that he was wrong.

People couldn't live a 'normal life' alone.

It took having people like Principal Peepli around for guys like him to experience this peacefulness. He'd once undermined the principal's sacrifice as 'just a citizen experiencing tragedy'. Unwilling to believe the strength of a common person was important.

"I have to change." Was what he told himself.

He couldn't be the brooding loner anymore that disregarded people for his revenge. He couldn't let himself lose anything this time. If this was really the past before everything happened, then he had to protect the people he cared for the best he could.

Just like Peepli did. Just like he did in the past.

He allowed himself to be taken back home. A car came to pick him up, and his parents found it hard to believe that he was himself. A lot of time was wasted after he was taken to a hospital. His health and current condition kept between close associates.

Eventually, his parents finally looked him in the eye.

One month later in a hospital room, he watched as his parents entered with awkwardness in their eyes for the first time. They'd never looked at him this way even when he was a prankster and class clown getting into trouble at school for his behaviour.

He saw a rare sight of his mother not wearing her favourite apron today. Her hair was let down freely and looked ready to meet people. How long had she been talking to his doctor? Her eyes had dark circles from lack of sleep. Looking at him with worry.

His father simply flipped through a few papers.

"Blood test says he's definitely our son."

"…" His mother glared daggers at the man behind her. He could even sense the bloodthirsty eyes of a serial killer at this point. Even his emotionally ignorant father knew he'd messed up. Trying to calm her down before she started throwing iron hands.

Not underestimating the slap power of a housewife.

"What??? I don't have this 'motherly instinct' you used. Miss- I mean, son… Back me up here." His father looked at him like things were back to normal between them. It must've been hard to accept this sudden change, but he managed to overcome it.

Ben was happy they were back to normal now.

"So my DNA is exactly the same?" It wasn't like Ben was an expert, but he found it interesting. Asking if his blood really changed to suit his appearance. The physical differences had hit hard in this month of adapting, after all. He now had 'periods' in this body.

It was quite painful…

"Different chromosomes. Same person." His father pushed up his glasses intellectually and started to show him all the results. There was no sign of any new disease or mutation. He was just miraculously turned into a female without any explanation.

Even the doctors were confused.

They could see no signs of anything being amiss.

It was as if he was born a woman originally.

Though they could say nothing about his age.

Puberty had already hit, so there was no way to verify if his body had 'gotten older' or not. He was definitely a high schooler on paper, but this body definitely wasn't one. He could pass off as an adult and buy alcohol at a convenience store at this point.

"Enough!" His mother interrupted their banter with a furious expression. She cried pitifully while trying to make them realise the seriousness: "How are you both not worried about this? What if he got some fatal disease? What then? Look at my poor boy…!"

The father-son duo glanced at each other.

"We might have to call you our daughter now." 

"You ain't getting grandchildren." Ben stated.

Quickly understanding what his dad was up to.

"Tsk!" His father didn't pressure him, but did sound disappointed. Understanding that being a girl in body did not mean his son had changed mentally. It was too much to ask him to live as a girl from now on and eventually get married like a 'normal person'.

Where would he find a suitable wife(?) at this point?

Moreover, would his son accept having a husband?

The matter was ended there. He could only lament about how his son had unfortunately gotten into this situation. Pushing up his glasses again with a heavy heart. The 'normal future' he'd envisioned for his son was now further from reach than it had ever been.

"Anyway, don't worry about it. Mom, I'm fine about my… 'changes'. It was hard to adapt, but I feel like I'd be fine returning to school." Ben held her hand and spoke maturely. Showing that what happened to him had changed him for the better. Not worse.

"You're not going back." His father chimed in.

"…What?" Their shared 'understanding' shattered.

"Your father is right. You see… As parents, we have to take responsibility in raising you well. I'm worried about what may happen if you go out right now. You just… have a very worrying appearance." His mother didn't outright say it, but her gaze lingered on him.

Mostly on his chest.

"Well, I guess… I'm quite the bombshell beauty." He accepted his new look pretty easily. In fact, he found it a bit funny when he saw his mother look at his chest in immersion. Showing a different and really protective side to her whenever his boobs bounced.

"Right? Right?!" His mother turned to look at her husband, who watched her in disgust. He didn't know what to say to those innocent eyes that were trying to justify her brazen stare. If he wasn't such a gentleman, he would have called her crazy already.

"Don't ask me if our son is…! Hah… Forget it. Your mother and I don't want you to experience bad things. We can home school you in whatever you want. Game designer? Fine. I'll help you with all the time I have on hand." His father finally gave in.

Ben felt like he was being treated like a patient with cancer at this point. They were being too nice. The offer was definitely something he desired… when he was young. With memories of the future, it became harder for him to sit back and chase his dreams.

There was something that had to be done.

He still had time, so he had to return to school.

"…It's fine." Ben tried to hide it, but he couldn't help but show an emotional look. It'd been a long time since he'd felt his parent's love. This accepting and all-encompassing love that made him weak. Made him feel like he should just accept the arrangements.

What if he just did as he was told?

Moved away and never looked back at this place?

Even compared to his friend, his parents were more important. Compared to the principal, the actions that his parents took when the boundary broke was more etched into his heart. Remembering the scene of his burning home. Their deaths and screams.

Even while being alive, they haunted his psyche.

He'd never forget those sounds.

It took a lot of willpower to bury those memories and leave them as simple 'screams'. Sounds rather than visions. These hallucinations at the back of his mind didn't make him react. His face was smiling at the joyful reunion with his once deceased parents.

"What? You're really refusing this?" His father broke him out of his trance. He returned to ignoring those scars on his psyche. One day, he hoped this feeling of uncertainty and regret would heal... Not today. He had responsibility as someone who knew the future.

Solemnly vowing to do what was only natural.

As the principal did for him, he'd protect their 'lives'.

"I don't want to change schools or anything. Having you two by my side is enough. I promise not to do anything to make you worry anymore." There was a rare seriousness in his expression when holding his mother's hand. Hearing them respect his decision.

"Our child has grown up!"

"If that's what you want."

They barely accepted this outcome. Hoping that he wouldn't be stressed over what he had become.

Unknowing of the trials he was going to face.