One morning, Gash Bell wakes up to find he has become a girl. He runs around screaming. But it's not just him. Kiyomaro is also a girl, Tio and Umagon have become boys, and Folgore has transformed into a woman of breathtaking beauty.
Due to the battle to decide the king of the demon world, an ancient curse has been triggered. To break the curse, they must find the 'Heart of Truth' within one week. But what is the 'Heart of Truth'? Nobody knows.
Panic erupts. Yet Gash, who can't ignore people i
Zatch Bell!! ~The Cursed Great Reversal!?~ - Big Fight at the Bookstore! The Reason for the Scramble and Jealousy
Since that day, mornings at the Takamine household had become noisy.
Kiyomaro woke up and first looked in the mirror. Reflected there was a beautiful girl with glossy black hair. Narrow, brown eyes stared back, as if bewildered. The girls' uniform of Mochinoki First Middle School clung tightly to their body.
(...So it still isn't a dream.)
Kiyomaro sighed. When they shook their head, the hair tied up in twin tails swayed softly.
"Kiyomarooo! Isn't breakfast ready yet?!"
A slightly high-pitched voice rang out from downstairs. The sound of footsteps clattering up the stairs.
"You're too loud, Gash. I'm coming now."
When Kiyomaro left the room, they almost bumped into Gash in the hallway. Blonde hair fell over their shoulders, and large brown eyes sparkled brightly. The small horn-like protrusions on their head seemed, somehow, more prominent than yesterday.
"Kiyomaro! You're even more girly today!"
"...Mind your own business."
Kiyomaro went down the stairs in a huff. But a sharp pain pricked deep in their chest.
(When Gash says it, it pisses me off for some reason... But no, that's not it.)
It was a feeling they didn't quite understand.
In the living room, Tio and Umagon had already arrived.
Tio leaned against the wall, running a hand through their short-cropped purple hair. Their strong-willed, amethyst eyes lit up intensely as they looked at Gash. Their body, made slightly more muscular by the curse, looked strangely dependable.
"Gash! Did you sleep well? I'll protect you again today!"
"Tio, you've gotten kind of manly!"
"Of course! Because I'm your knight!"
Watching that exchange, Kiyomaro felt another prick in their chest.
(...Why am I bothered by this?)
"Merumeru~"
In the corner of the room, Umagon stretched leisurely. Their fluffy, platinum-white fur swayed softly. Aside from the ribbon perched on the top of their head, they were the same as always. Only their gentle, dark eyes seemed to see through everything.
"...Alright. Today we're going to Tomoe-dou on Sakura Street Shopping District."
Kiyomaro said, as if trying to change their mindset.
"Tomoe-dou? What's that?"
"It's a used bookstore about a ten-minute walk from Hanazono-dai. They might have books on the demon world or ancient curses. We're looking for clues about the 'Heart of Truth.'"
Kiyomaro was thinking back a little.
That was long before the curse activated. Gash suddenly appeared and turned their life upside down. At first, they thought it was annoying. But the pure and straightforward Gash trusted them more than anyone. For Kiyomaro, who was isolated from those around them, they couldn't express how much that had saved them.
(So, this time, it's my turn to protect them.)
That's what they had decided.
And yet, now, far from protecting them, they didn't even understand their own feelings.
"Alright! We're definitely gonna break the curse!"
Gash's energetic voice cut off Kiyomaro's thoughts.
When they left the house, it was a pleasant morning outside. The residential area of Hanazono-dai was quiet, with birds chirping in the distance.
The three of them and one creature started walking towards Sakura Street Shopping District.
Sakura Street Shopping District was an arcade street about three hundred meters long. Forty-five shops lined the street, and even though it was ten in the morning, there was quite a crowd.
Fresh vegetables were displayed in front of the greengrocer, and lively shouts could be heard from the fish shop. As they passed the taiyaki shop "Wakaba," a sweet smell wafted through the air.
"It smells so good! I want to eat taiyaki!"
"Later. First, the bookstore."
Kiyomaro pulled Gash by the collar.
Tomoe-dou was located around the middle of the shopping street. It was an old wooden building, with yellowed books crammed into the show window. The signboard read "Tomoe-dou" in austere calligraphy.
Clink-clank.
When they opened the door, the smell of old paper and ink hit their noses. Inside the dimly lit shop, bookshelves reaching the ceiling were lined up like a maze.
"Whoa... That's a lot of books."
"But they all look like difficult books..."
From the back of the counter, an old man with white hair appeared. His eyes behind round glasses scrutinized the three of them.
"...Welcome. Are you looking for something?"
The shopkeeper, Tomoe Kenichi, was a man in his sixties with a refined air.
"Yes, we're looking for some unusual books. Do you have any documents related to the demon world or ancient curses?"
Kiyomaro said, stepping forward.
"...The demon world, you say?"
Kenichi's eyes seemed to glint sharply.
"Yes. Specifically, do you know anything about the name 'Dimna Zora'?"
"Dimna Zora... It's been a long time since I've heard that name. I'm not well-versed in that story either, but there should be a few books on the occult shelf. Follow me."
Kenichi slowly stood up and walked towards the back of the shop.
"Alright, then I'll look too!"
"You wait here. They're all difficult books; you can't read them anyway."
Kiyomaro stopped Gash.
"Uu... I guess so..."
Gash's shoulders slumped dejectedly.
"It's okay, Gash! I'll stay with you!"
Tio promptly stood beside Gash.
"...I'll be right back."
Kiyomaro glanced at Tio, then disappeared into the maze of bookshelves with Kenichi.
"Now, Gash! While we have the chance, I have something important to talk about!"
Once Kiyomaro was out of sight, Tio pulled Gash firmly by the arm.
"Wah! What is it, Tio?"
Tio led Gash behind a bookshelf in the corner of the shop. No one else was around. It was a dimly lit place where the smell of books felt even stronger.
Tio took a deep breath. Ever since getting a male body, they felt strangely confident. With this body, they could protect Gash.
"Gash, I want you to listen carefully."
Tio placed a hand on Gash's shoulder.
"Y-you're making a really serious face."
"From today on, I will protect Gash. You don't need to think of me as a girl anymore."
Tio stared intently at Gash with serious eyes. Then, they slammed their right hand against the bookshelf next to Gash's head with a thud!
Gash had no escape.
"T-Tio...?"
Gash blinked in confusion. Tio's face was close. Overwhelmed by an unfamiliar intensity, their body wouldn't move.
(Tio seems really cool today, somehow...)
But Gash had absolutely no idea what that meant.
"Tio, you're that worried about me! Thank you!"
Gash smiled with pure, innocent delight.
"Yeah... of course. Because to me, Gash, you're special."
Tio's face turned slightly red.
That was when it happened.
"What the hell are you two doing!!"
A sudden yell.
Kiyomaro stood in the shadow of the bookshelf, holding several books. Their narrow, brown eyes were wide open with anger. One of the books they were holding fell to the floor with a thud.
(Why... why am I so angry?)
Something was swirling violently in Kiyomaro's chest. An intense jealousy they were feeling for the first time. It was a fierce possessiveness, a desire not to let anyone take Gash away.
They didn't want to admit it. But this was definitely jealousy.
"Are you an idiot!? This isn't the time for that!"
Kiyomaro shoved Tio away.
"Hey, what are you doing all of a sudden!? Can you not interfere?"
Tio glared back at Kiyomaro, not backing down.
"Interfere? I'm Gash's partner. Don't you go fooling around in a place like this!"
"Fooling around!? I'm seriously trying to protect Gash! I'm not handing them over to you!"
"I'm the one who protects Gash! You have no business meddling with them!"
The two started arguing loudly inside the bookstore.
(Why is this happening... Gash is my...)
Kiyomaro was intensely shaken inside by their own words. These weren't words you directed at a friend. Then, what were they?
Meanwhile, Tio's protective instincts, strengthened by their male body, ignited a competitive spirit against Kiyomaro.
"This is a love war! You're the one who should back off!"
"Hah!? Love or whatever, who cares! I can't leave Gash to someone like you!"
The argument escalated more and more.
That was when it happened.
"Kiyomaro! Tio!"
Gash suddenly jumped between the two with a smile.
"When did you two become such good friends! You make a great combo!"
Kiyomaro and Tio's movements stopped dead.
""...Huh?""
Both of them fell over in shock at the same time.
(This guy... doesn't get it at all...)
Kiyomaro slumped down on the spot, drained.
Tio also hung their head, leaning a hand against the wall.
"There's a limit to being an airhead..."
"Why are you both sitting on the floor? Are you tired?"
Gash looked utterly puzzled.
"Merumerumeru~"
Umagon, who had come nearby at some point, yawned. The sound seemed almost like laughter.
Just then,
"BE QUIEEEEET!!!!"
A thunderous yell echoed throughout the shop.
Kenichi stood there with a demonic expression.
"If you're not going to read, get out!!! This isn't a library!!"
"""Eeek!!"""
The three jumped up as if struck by lightning.
"W-we're very sorry..."
Kiyomaro apologized in a small voice.
"Honestly! This is why young people these days!! Now, I must ask you to leave!"
The three were thrown out of the shop, practically dragged by the collar by Kenichi.
Slam!
The door closed heartlessly.
Outside Tomoe-dou, it had become slightly cloudy before they knew it. The arcade roof hid the sky.
"Sigh... We got kicked out..."
Gash started walking dejectedly. The hem of their blue outfit, which looked like a skirt, swayed sadly. Far from finding clues about the curse, they hadn't found anything.
(Gash...)
Kiyomaro watched that lonely back.
Even though they had been so angry just moments ago, now their chest was filled with a different emotion.
(They're feeling down... I have to comfort them.)
Without thinking, their hand reached out.
Gently, they took Gash's small hand.
"...Kiyomaro?"
Gash turned around.
Thump.
Kiyomaro's heart leaped violently. The hand they held was warm. Gash's body heat transmitted directly to them.
"...!!"
Kiyomaro hurriedly let go. Their face flushed bright red. They didn't even understand what they had just done.
(W-why did I hold their hand!? Me! Am I an idiot!?)
They mentally retorted at themselves. But their pounding heart wouldn't calm down.
"Kiyomaro? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Gash peered worriedly into Kiyomaro's face.
Those innocent eyes were a little painful to see right now.
"...It's nothing. More importantly, the municipal library will have a better collection of materials. We're going to Mochinoki Municipal Library."
Kiyomaro deliberately spoke coldly and started walking quickly.
(What is this feeling?)
As they walked, Kiyomaro questioned themselves.
It's because of the curse. They wanted to think that. But they felt it wasn't. This wasn't the first time they'd felt this emotion. Gash had been special to them for much longer.
(...Isn't it friendship?)
To think they had this kind of possessiveness towards Gash inside them. Being cool was supposed to be their strong point.
They were afraid to put a name to that emotion.
"...Hmph, I see."
Tio, who had been walking a little behind, muttered quietly.
Their amethyst eyes stared intently at Kiyomaro's flustered state.
(As I thought, that's how it is for you too.)
Tio was convinced their intuition was correct.
A formidable love rival was right beside them.
(But I absolutely won't lose!)
Tio clenched their fist tightly. Now that they had a male body, they renewed their determination that they were the only one who could protect Gash.
On the way to the library, a strange atmosphere hung between the three of them.
Only Gash was completely oblivious,
"Umagon! Do you think the library has books about taiyaki too?"
they asked carefreely.
"Meru."
Umagon replied nonchalantly.
Kiyomaro occasionally glanced at Gash, then hurriedly looked away.
Tio stared at Kiyomaro with a sullen glare.
Intense sparks flew between the two.
But the stage of battle had moved to the next location.
The journey to f
Novelia is an AI-powered platform to read original light novels and fan fiction, create your own in just a few taps, and chat with the characters. New, illustrated episodes arrive daily — free to start.