Chapter Text
"You're looking beautiful, my dear boy!" I allow myself to smile a little at these words, careful not to move my facial muscles too much and waste hours of preparation and effort. Sitting in a chair for hours staring at my reflection in the mirror is a pretty tedious task, after all...and I didn't want my father's hard work to go to waste.
"Just a few more touch-ups, and that's it! What do you think?"
I open my eyes after hearing this, finally laying eyes on the makeup my father had carefully applied to me over the past few hours. Once-unfamiliar green eyes stare back at me, a sight that has become increasingly familiar over the years. Ear-length black hair, carefully combed so that not a single strand was out of place. A face with delicate features and carefully aligned eyelashes—all of this made me look more like a woman than a man.
...That is, if we were to go by the standards of my old world. It had been two decades since I'd ended up here, in the body of a small child who'd just emerged from a coma caused by a serious car accident. It wasn't a very pleasant awakening, you could say. At first, I thought this world was like the one in my past life, that I had somehow been given a second chance to right all the wrongs I had done in my short life. But over time, I realized that wasn't quite the case.
The world might be the same, but society was...inverted. The fragile gender role was the expected behavior of men in this world, in professions that aimed to educate or care for people, such as teachers and nurses. Men here were generally smaller and more delicate than their female counterparts, who assumed the role of provider and sexual dominance. Don't ask me how this worked biologically; I was never a big fan of biology class, something to do with the hormones progesterone and testosterone having different functions than I remembered.
I admit I started to realize this when I saw the Titanic version of this reality with my father, when the old lady shouted, "Men and children first!" Until then, I just assumed he was a man who leaned more toward the effeminate side, especially when he burst into tears in the movie's final scene, hugging me tightly. It turns out he was a very affectionate person, a stark contrast to my biological father from my past life, something that took some time getting used to. The comforting words, warm smiles, and sudden hugs brought me completely different feelings than the cold stares, angry shouts, and the disappointment that accompanied them.
We live in a humble house that"s also a bakery. Dad is a skilled pastry chef. I wake up every morning to the smell of fresh bread, baked cakes, and fresh pies for breakfast, and he always made a point of gently waking me with a kiss on the forehead. It came as no surprise to me that I became deeply attached to him with so many displays of affection, and I wouldn't rest until I reciprocated in some way.
So, I always helped him with everything around the house. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, and even sewing, something he said every well-behaved boy should know how to do. It took a while to get used to these new expectations, but they were surprisingly lighter than those of my old life. My father worked hard to give me the best life possible, so it was only fair that I be the best son I could be for him, behaving like a model child so he never had to burden himself any more than he already was.
After all, it was just me and him.
Remember that car accident I mentioned earlier? Yeah, it turns out my biological mother was with me when it happened, and unlike me, she unfortunately didn't survive.
My father was inconsolable for a long time, I could tell they truly loved each other. I lost count of how many times he cried softly while he thought I was sleeping, always trying to make me think everything was okay while he suffered in silence, doing his best to carry on for me, for his beloved son. So, I would do my best, for him.
Which brings us to the current situation, the beginning of my acting career. I wasn't exceptional academically and couldn't rely on my knowledge of the future, since it was a parallel reality. So I decided to invest in something I'd always wanted to try in my old life: theater. After all, I'd always had a flair for the dramatic.
In this world, a man's appearance was crucial if we wanted to attract the attention of talent scouts. Some people might say that beauty doesn't matter in this regard; I've lost count of the number of times I've heard that in celebrity interviews on television. But one thing they all had in common was that they were attractive.
I was blessed with good genetics in that department, inheriting my mother's eyes and my father's physical appearance, although I'm a bit taller than him, standing at 5'4 and he at 5'3. It was much shorter than I was used to, but I didn't really care about my height, after all, my current goal was to look as cute and handsome as possible for women, to give my father the life he deserves with the fruits of my labor. In school, I used to participate in plays, being chosen for the lead roles almost every time. Most men would balk at the things I decided to do, uncomfortable with the mere idea of wearing feminine clothes and makeup, but honestly, I like to look cute. It's quite flattering to be complimented on my appearance not gonna lie, I can see the appeal.
Despite being considered popular at school, I couldn't really get close to many people, so I never had a relationship, despite countless attempts from girls to ask me out, I was too focused on planning my future and certain events in my past life made me averse to the idea of intimacy.
I only have one friend now, Jake, to whom I owe this opportunity of an audition, and for that I will be eternally grateful that he used his connections to recommend me. This was my big chance, and I wasn't going to waste it.
"Son, is everything okay?"
My father's voice pulled me out of my reverie, and I blinked a few times to refocus on my surroundings. With a smile, I looked at my father and said,
"Sorry, Dad, I was just admiring your work. You really outdid yourself this time."
My attempt to change the subject was met with a raised eyebrow from him, clearly expressing his doubt on his face, so similar to mine, except with brown eyes and longer, shoulder-length hair, where I could already see the appearance of a few gray strands, making it clear that age was starting to take its toll on my father, with the expression lines and wrinkles he hid with makeup.
"Oh, honey, it's normal to be nervous at a time like this. I completely understand you! I felt the same way when I married your mother!"
Carefully cupping my face with both hands, my father smiled at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears, clearly moved.
"Regardless of what happens today, I'm so proud of you and the beautiful young man you've become...and I'm sure your mother would be too, so go in there and do your best. I believe in you, my little ray of sunshine."
I had to blink a few times to contain the urge to cry that washed over me for a few moments. I really didn't want to ruin the makeup my father had spent the last few hours applying to me. Declarations of affection like that still surprised me sometimes.
"Oh, c'mon Dad! I'm taller than you now!"
My indignant words only made him laugh before he pulled me into a tight hug, which I happily returned.
"That may be true, but you'll always be my little baby."
I rolled my eyes with a smile, classic words from a loving father, but they meant the world to me in this new life.
"Thank you, Dad...for everything."
We broke away from the hug, with him giving my shoulders a few more encouraging squeezes just as we heard my name being called.
"Next contestant, Hanzel Williams!"
I took a deep breath to calm the nervousness in my chest; it was now or never. I nodded to my father, indicating I was ready, and he released me with a smile, making a heart with his hands and wishing me good luck. With my head held high, confident and straight, I walked toward the stage, ready to show everyone my talent.
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August 4, 20XX
Dear Diary, My darling prince was adorable today, as always! His hair, his face, his voice, and his eyes—everything about him screamed perfection! Oh, how I wish I could get a little closer just to smell the perfume he wore! But...not yet, I can't reveal myself to him like this. A prince like him deserves the most beautiful and perfect princess, a brave woman who can defend him from any and all harm, someone who will hold him in her arms and tell him everything will be okay...someone who is nothing like me...
Even so, I won't give up! I'll make him love me, even if I have to completely change who I am, to be worthy of walking beside him, no matter the cost.
I had to physically restrain myself from going up to those BITCHES from the drama club, clearly trying to take advantage of my prince's sweet innocence! I ended up hurting my hands by clenching my fists hard enough for my nails to pierce my skin...but that pain is a small price to pay; my prince isn't ready to see that side of me yet...but he will be, someday. And when that day comes, we'll live happily ever after, just like in a fairy tale! With a happy and loving family, we'll be the best parents for our children! A stable family that will never be separated! EVER!!!!!