The next morning, Angel woke up. She stretched her limbs like a cat, then stood up and—like always—never bothered to tidy up her bed.
She scratched her head as she walked to the mirror, and instantly her drowsiness seemed to vanish.
"Good morning beautiful~"
Angel grinned and finger-gunned her reflection, who did the exact same thing back at her… of course it would, it's her reflection!
In any case, the reason she was happy was simple.
I'm going to show Maria my lightnovel!
Angel nodded to herself. They're both girls so… nothing's wrong with that!
It was also surprising how she managed to write a whole chapter yesterday. If only she had that kind of energy every day. But if she forced herself to write now, she'd probably burn out.
They say an artist and writer should write even if they don't feel like it—well screw them! I write only when I feel like it!
There was definitely something wrong with Angel. A screw loose. But was she normal in the first place? Nah…
In any case, Angel couldn't sulk forever. Nothing comes from sulking all the time. She's a beautiful young woman now. It's unfair to see herself cry. Even she thinks so…
No matter how much her chest hurts.
───
After taking a bath, eating breakfast, and doing chores, Angel was now picking her clothes.
"An off-shoulder seems nice…"
Angel tilted her head.
If possible, she wanted to show a bit more of her alluring side… no reason at all… just that some people think collarbones are hot—again, no reason at all.
Another option was a miniskirt. It looked cute, and it hugged her figure pretty well…
What's wrong with dressing up? As for panties—she made sure to pick the cutest ones… pink, with ribbons.
Don't ask me how I bought it, I bought it legally okay?! Of course there's no reason not to! Cute pantsu is good pantsu!
As if she'd won an argument with someone, Angel raised her chin, smirking as she went to her phone.
[Angel]: Ate, are you up?
She sent the message. It's Monday, right? Maria should be in college. Hopefully she had some free time… hopefully she didn't have classes today…
The message was sent 5 mins ago…
Angel stared at her screen. Was she being troublesome?
The last time she talked to Maria was a few days ago…
Then—
ding
A message!
Angel hurriedly grabbed her phone, eyes sparkling the moment she saw Maria's notification.
[Maria]: I'm up, what's up dearie?
Angel squealed, immediately covering her mouth in fear of annoying her parents, then started typing.
[Angel]: I wanted to show you something, I made something so… I wanted your opinion
[Maria]: Oh???? Ohh?? What is it? music? drawing? writing?
[Angel]: Uhm writing, I kinda idolize my big bro so… but I'm not as good as him!
[Maria]: Pfft, please. I'll be the judge of that~
Maria started typing again.
[Maria]: Wanna come to my house?
Angel's eyes sparkled and she nodded before replying instantly.
[Angel]: Please! I was just about to ask
[Maria]: Okay okay~ my mom is out so we're all alone wwww
Alone?
Angel tilted her head. What was wrong with that?
She couldn't quite wrap her head around it, but ignored it anyway and typed back.
[Angel]: I'm heading there now~
[Maria]: 👍✨
"Alrighty! Done informing Maria—now it's time to actually go!"
───
On a fine Monday morning, birds flew and chirped as they passed electric wires. Trees swayed back and forth with subtle grace.
No children played on the road today—they were off to school. Instead, people walked toward the karinderya, heading out for breakfast. Usual tambays drank alcohol with their buddies like it was just another normal day.
It was a nice day. A normal day.
But as if it couldn't have gone any better…
"Pare…"
One of the tambays tapped his friend, who looked at him annoyed.
"What?!—oh…"
In front of them, a beautiful young woman walked past.
When a day is already perfect, it's usually topped off by a beautiful young woman, right??
Angel thinks so too.
"Sandalii na langg~ maaari bang pag bigyann~?"
She sang in the lowest volume she could, skipping her way toward Maria's place.
The reason she was happy was simple.
I forgot Maria was my very first reader~ how could I have forgotten…
Angel almost wanted to be mad at herself. She might not have views online, but it didn't mean she had no reader.
She had Maria.
That's why for now… let her troubles be troubles. She should just show her story to Maria.
Eventually, Angel reached Maria's house.
I'm finally here.
She tapped the doorbell. Soon after, footsteps rushed inside, and the door swung open.
"Angel!!"
Maria waved, already in slippers.
As always, Maria was simply dressed—a long floral dress, light and thin. Her dark brown hair as beautiful as ever.
"Come on inn~"
Maria opened the gate, and Angel stepped inside.
"Thank you for having me, ate…"
Angel smiled lightly.
"Oh you, it's nothing! Just a house visit. No issue, no issue at all!"
Come to think of it, the last time Angel was inside Maria's house was back when they were kids… yet somehow, the moment she stepped in—
"Woahhh…"
Her eyes widened.
The floor was tiled. The couch looked fluffier, brand new. A flat screen TV? When did they get that?!
Is that a fucking Xbox—
"Gueh!"
Angel immediately grabbed her head.
Karate chopped!
She got karate chopped!
"Stop gawking around, dummy."
Maria laughed.
"But I suppose it's fine… first time mo pumunta sa bahay, right?"
Maria smirked, crossing her arms.
"Mhm."
Angel nodded, still rubbing the spot.
"Silly. But you aren't here for the house."
"I know but—"
"No buts~ I'll give you a tour next time! Just… not right now since I barely cleaned the place."
Angel went blank as she stared at the seemingly spotless floor and furniture.
This is barely cleaned?!
But… that wasn't what she came here for.
"Uhm… this."
Maria took Angel's phone.
"This is??"
Maria looked at the screen. A website… WordPress, huh?
[Turned Into a Beautiful Girl in the Philippines?! My New Life as a Shut-In NEET and Aspiring Writer!]
0 views, 0 comments…
It was saddening… was it that bad?
The title was very generic light-novel-ish. So what went wrong?
Maria began reading.
And surprisingly… she enjoyed it.
A genderbender story set in the Philippines?
She was somewhat familiar with the trope, but usually it was Japan, or murim, or isekai. Never the Philippines.
So this felt new.
More than that, the voice felt real. Lived-in.
"You wrote this?"
Maria asked, looking at Angel—who was fiddling with her fingers, a bead of sweat on her cheek.
"Uhm… yes."
"Huh… guess nag mana ka talaga sa kuya mo."
Maria couldn't help but feel proud. Does writing run in the family?
As she continued reading, Maria suddenly clutched her chest.
"This… it's so good. Angel, I love this!"
The drama, the voice… everything felt familiar in a way she couldn't quite explain.
She kept reading, unable to stop.
It wasn't just good writing. The voice itself felt unique—resonating. As if it had lived through it.
Something about it felt… deeply personal.
So personal it was hard to believe Angel had simply "written" it like fiction alone.
But should she say that out loud?
Maria didn't know.
What she did know was this:
The story didn't feel entirely fictional.
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Chapter Title Uncovered
[45]Oh Angel, I love it!