By Decchi San (でっち); Translation by Sayori Met Sione

"We will be landing shortly."

An announcement echoed through the cabin. Below her, the runway—floating on a blue sea—came into view.
From the lower hatch, the landing gear deployed while the wing flaps eased the aircraft’s speed. The nose was aligned with the runway and its angle finely adjusted. She responded faithfully to the pilot's controls, steadily preparing for landing.

Gradually, the runway drew nearer. Though the speed was considerable, there was no fear. From takeoff, she had vowed to entrust her entire being to the pilot. Her body belonged to them; no matter what, she would obey the controls.
With a slight jolt, her three “legs” firmly touched the asphalt. She continued down the runway, gradually reducing speed.

Following the taxi instructions, she came to a stop. A jet bridge was quickly attached, and passengers began disembarking from her door one after another.
Outside the airport windows, several people gathered, looking down with interest at her—a striking, unfamiliar emerald-colored airliner.
This was Tsukumo Airlines’ state-of-the-art "Tsukumo 405", affectionately nicknamed "Island Green". Her maiden flight had been an unqualified success.
After all the passengers had disembarked, only the cabin attendants remained aboard the Island Green. As the final touch to her flight duties, a young cabin attendant who had inspected every seat finally finished her work.

"Haa… it's over…!"

New cabin attendant Tsubasa Amamiya had managed to complete her first assignment, despite a few shaky moments. Before takeoff, she’d done a quick check of the doors and equipment; during the flight, she served food and beverages to the passengers; and even after they disembarked, she had to inspect every seat for forgotten items or dangerous objects—all as quickly as possible. Even after rigorous training, her first real assignment had been a continuous test of nerves.

"Tsubasa-chan, are you done?"
"Y-yes! I'm finished!"

At the call of her name, Tsubasa hurried over to where a senior attendant was waiting at the door. In the tightly scheduled world of aviation, not a single moment could be wasted.

"Great job on your first flight."
"Ehehe, thank you. I might have shown a few unsightly things, though…"
"No, you did well for your first time. You nailed the basics. With that, your next assignment should go smoothly!"
"Nex… yes! I'll do my best next time too! Ahaha…"

Even as she laughed, Tsubasa’s face betrayed a hint of melancholy. Noticing this, her senior looked at her with concern.

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
"Eh? N-no! Nothing at all!"

Tsubasa shook her head—almost exaggeratedly so. Her senior gave her a puzzled look but, sensing something amiss, simply said, "If you ever need to talk, just let me know," before departing.

"…There are so many things I want to discuss, but… haa."

Tsubasa sighed. The exhilaration of her first flight had faded, leaving her heart heavy with an indescribable anxiety. If her next assignment were just another routine flight, she’d probably feel at ease by now. But the job she had been assigned was anything but ordinary.

― "Special Duty"

All she had been told was that cryptic term. It was described as an ultra-secret mission, and the details of the work weren’t revealed until just before it began.

"What exactly am I going to be made to do…?"

Since it was a task given to a newcomer, it shouldn’t be too difficult, she tried to reassure herself. But the word “secret” still nagged at her. It might be dangerous. What if it turns out to be something unsavory? With no idea of the content, she had no way to prepare or brace herself. Because it was classified, she couldn’t discuss it with anyone, leaving Tsubasa alone with her growing anxiety.

Tsubasa disembarked the jet bridge and glanced back at the passenger aircraft with which she had shared her first job. In stark contrast to her downcast mood, the refreshing emerald color with its graceful gradient dazzled her eyes. Tsukumo 405, commonly known as Island Green.

"Great job on your first flight…"

Tsubasa murmured softly, half speaking to herself.

"I, too, had my first flight. I’m glad everything went well for both of us… But I have no idea if my next assignment will go well. They haven’t told me anything."

Her unspoken feelings slipped out in words, even though no one was around to hear except for that single small passenger aircraft.

"…I'm so anxious. I’m incredibly uneasy not knowing what will happen. I wish they'd at least share a little about what’s coming. sniff… But there's no point in saying this to you, is there?"

Tsubasa laughed self-mockingly. Confiding her worries to an airplane—it struck her as unusually weak. Yet when she looked at Island Green, her heart naturally calmed, and she felt as if she could say anything. Even though it was her first time flying on it, the aircraft felt like an old friend she’d known forever. There was a mysterious charm about it.

"You’re so cool—so confident, and you handle your duties flawlessly. And, you look so beautiful too."

The aircraft boasted an elegant, streamlined body with sharp wings and a tail. Its nose was slightly more rounded than other planes, giving it an almost dolphin-like, cute appearance. And then there was its livery—unusual for an airplane—a green scheme with a base of emerald overlaid with a beautiful gradient. Tsubasa wasn’t well-versed in aircraft design, but she simply thought it was gorgeous.

"I wish I could be like you."
"Tsubasa-chan! Hurry up and come down—you’re in the way!"

Called back by her senior, Tsubasa snapped back to reality and quickly descended the jet bridge. As she entered the airport building and looked back one last time, she saw that Island Green was already preparing to depart.

"Well then, good luck on your next flight."

Tsubasa waved a small goodbye to the receding aircraft. She found herself wishing she could gaze at its beautiful departing silhouette forever.
"Ahhhhhh! Excuse me!"
"Y-Yes!? What is it?"
Suddenly, someone called out from behind, and Tsubasa was so startled that she nearly felt her heart burst out of her chest. When she turned around, she saw a boy—about high school age—standing there, breathless. He looked familiar; she remembered him as one of the passengers on the Island Green.
"Um, um, um… I think I may have left something on that airplane…"
"What!?"
Instinctively, Tsubasa glanced toward the Island Green, which was already disappearing into a distant hangar.
"And what is it that you left behind?"
"My wallet!"
"Wallet!?"
"Without it, I can’t catch the bus or get on the train in time! I’m running out of time…"
"Are you in a hurry?"
"I—I only have 30 minutes! If I miss my stop, I—I…"
Flustered by this sudden situation, Tsubasa desperately tried to recall the manual—what should be done in such cases, and who is responsible.
"I—I… what should I do?!"
The boy, clearly in a dire situation, looked utterly exhausted and on the verge of tears. There was no time to hesitate, and Tsubasa steeled herself.
"Understood. I’ll go search for it."
The boy’s eyes lit up with hope.
"Really!?"
"It should be within 30 minutes. I’ll search here and return. Please wait for me in the lobby."
"Yes! Thank you very much!"
After asking him for detailed descriptions of the wallet and the seat where he might have left it, Tsubasa dashed off toward the hangar where the Island Green was located. Although she briefly regretted having taken on the task so impulsively, she wasn’t without confidence. Tsukumo Airlines’ hangar was the closest one from here—it was connected to the main terminal by a skybridge. Running there would take no more than five minutes. Besides, if she finished within 30 minutes, she would still make it to the special assignment meeting on time.
Just as she had estimated, Tsubasa reached the hangar door in about four minutes. All that remained was to somehow persuade someone to let her search inside the aircraft. Since it was a small passenger plane, the search shouldn’t take long.
Tsubasa passed the staff’s retinal authentication and, with determined force, swung open the large door emblazoned with:
  "STRICTLY NO ENTRY EXCEPT FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL"
A vast hangar spread out before her. There were no windows at all, and now the shutters were closed; only dim electric lights illuminated the interior. Here and there, the TAL (Tsukumo Air Line) logo was painted, making it clear that this was indeed the hangar she had been seeking. But…

"………Eh?"

Tsubasa gasped in astonishment. Her eyes widened as she scanned the entire hangar, and once again, confusedly, she murmured,

"Eh?"

There was nothing. The Island Green, which should have just entered the hangar, was nowhere to be seen. Had it already been serviced? That was preposterous. Unable to believe the reality before her, Tsubasa looked around in bewilderment several times.

"Hey! Where did you come in from?!"

A voice of anger rang out from beside her. When Tsubasa looked over, she became even more puzzled at the sight before her: a woman wearing glasses dressed in a white kosode and red hakama—a traditional miko outfit. It was an outfit utterly out of place in an aircraft hangar.

"Eh!? I-I'm sorry for intruding—um, you are…"
"This area is off limits to anyone but authorized personnel!"
"I’m a staff member of Tsukumo Airlines!"
"No, you must not! This is a ‘special’ area! Ordinary staff are not allowed in!"

The miko, her glasses glinting, tried to push Tsubasa away, but the desperate Tsubasa couldn’t simply back off, and soon the two women found themselves locked in a struggle.

"Please, wait! The customer—his forgotten item—is… just listen!"
"No questions allowed! For reasons of top secrecy, no one is permitted in here…!"

"Don't worry, mechanic-san. That kid’s on 'special duty' too."

A composed female voice cut into their quarrel. Tsubasa felt an unexpected, nostalgic warmth in that voice. The miko abruptly ceased her movements and her eyes grew wide.

"Ah, is that so?"
"Yes, it is. It’s part of the special duty…"
"Eh!? I’m so sorry, please forgive my rudeness! In that case, we can talk."

The miko quickly apologized, abandoning her earlier forcefulness, and hurried away.

Left standing, still in a daze, Tsubasa saw a woman clad entirely in a black coat step into view. Her face was hidden beneath a hood, making her eyes hard to discern; her mouth was set in a firm line, giving her a strikingly dignified appearance.

“What brings you here?”

It was the same voice that had just ended the quarrel—low for a female voice, oddly masculine in tone. Once again, Tsubasa was overwhelmed by a deep sense of familiarity, as though she had known this person all her life.

"Uh, um… I’m here because a passenger on TL2005 left something behind…"
"A cabin attendant, directly?"
"They said there wasn’t much time…"
"So you ran all the way here?"
"Y-yes…"
"I see… chuckles, hehe."

The woman shrugged and laughed softly.

"Something on your mind…?"
"Hehehe… No, I just thought it was the same as always—always acting without a second thought for someone else."
"……!"

In that moment, Tsubasa was struck with certainty. I know this person—I know her very well. That long-held sense of nostalgia, a name from her youthful days, welled up from deep within her throat.

"Could it be… are you… Midori?"
"Hehe…"

The woman laughed happily as she removed her hood, revealing a berry-short, lively head of brown hair and a cheerful, youthful face.

"Atari. It’s been a long time, Tsubasa."

It was a dazzling smile she hadn’t seen in five years.

Uchigashima Midori had been Tsubasa’s best friend in high school. Their friendship had begun simply because they sat next to each other, and the two had clicked naturally. Before they knew it, they were always together. In the spring of their third year of high school, Midori had transferred away due to family circumstances, and since then, the pressures of exams and university life had made it hard for them to stay in touch. Yet Tsubasa had never forgotten her dear friend.

"Midori…! It’s been so long… I can’t believe we’re working together here!"
"That’s one thing you should have told me when you got a job."
"Uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t keep in touch much and, well, I was a bit… hesitant."
"I missed you, you know? …By the way, you’re here to retrieve a customer’s forgotten item, right?"
"Ah!"

Overwhelmed by nostalgia, Tsubasa almost forgot her mission.

"That’s right—the forgotten item! Hey, Midori! You know about the Island Green, right? That small, green passenger plane… It should have just entered here, but I can’t find it anywhere."
"Island Green, huh. Hehehe, yes—I saw it come in just a while ago."
"Right? Do you know where it went?"
"You mean the forgotten item? Is this it?"

Midori pulled a black, scarred wallet from her pocket. It perfectly matched the description the boy had given.

"Th-that…!"
"It was in seat 15-A—wedged between the seat and the wall. Next time, make sure to check there too."

Midori handed the wallet to Tsubasa. At that moment, Tsubasa noticed Midori’s hand, which had been partially hidden by her sleeve, become briefly exposed—and Tsubasa recoiled slightly.

"Eh? Ah, thank you! Um, Midori, your hand…"
"Tsubasa, isn’t a customer waiting for you? Are you in no rush?"
"Y-yeah, that’s right! See you later!"

Swallowing the words she had begun to say, Tsubasa turned on her heel and passed through the door. Behind her, Midori waved.

"See you later! Let’s do our best on this special duty together."
Tsuzasa ran along the skybridge leading back to the main building, her mind replaying the events in the hangar.
(What a coincidence—to run into Midori here! Fate is truly mysterious.)
Her joy at reuniting with her old friend brought an involuntary smile to her face. Even after all this time, it warmed her heart that Midori still treated her the same way as before.
(…But something about that hangar is off.)
Once her initial delight subsided, the lingering sense of unease she hadn’t felt until now began to resurface—the vanished Island Green, the maintenance technician in a miko outfit (?), and the fact that even ordinary staff weren’t allowed inside, though it seems that those involved in “Special Duty” are permitted.
(So, could that place be a facility related to Special Duty?)
And the most striking detail was the hand Midori had shown when she handed over the wallet.
(What on earth was that?)
Midori’s hand—the one that had passed her the wallet—was silver. It shone with a metallic luster; it wasn’t gloved. The nails, the creases, and even the fine contours stood out clearly, making it look almost like a bare hand. A silver bare hand, as if her skin had been entirely coated in silver plating.
(And why did Midori know I was on Special Duty? I haven’t told anyone. Why does the hangar have no windows? Why is a mechanic dressed as a miko?)
I don’t understand. There are so many unanswered questions. But one thing is clear: all these mysteries are connected to “Special Duty.”
(What is it? What exactly is Special Duty?)
The anxiety she had momentarily forgotten rose again within her. Yet knowing that Midori was there made her feel a little more at ease. To push aside her lingering fears, Tsuzasa focused solely on delivering the forgotten item to that boy as she ran on.
Tsubasa stood hesitantly before the door labeled "Special Waiting Room." This was undoubtedly the designated meeting place for the special assignment. After successfully returning the lost item to the young passenger, she had managed to arrive here without issue. The reason being:

"Isn't this…"

Tsubasa glanced at the large door opposite the waiting room. "Authorized Personnel Only." She recognized the sign. It was the same door to the hangar she had entered earlier in pursuit of the Island Green. The special assignment's waiting room was located right next to it.

Standing before the waiting room, Tsubasa hesitated, recalling the myriad mysteries she had encountered in the hangar: the shrine maiden who claimed to be a mechanic, the vanished airplane, Midori's silver hand. Given that these were related to the special assignment, there was no telling what awaited her inside the waiting room.

(Is it really okay for me to open this?)

She wondered why she was so afraid. After all, it was just a waiting room. What could possibly be inside? Even if there was something, so what? It wasn't the room itself she feared, but the special assignment. Crossing this threshold would make her a participant in a top-secret mission unknown to anyone else, a member of that enigmatic hangar.

(I don't want to run away without even knowing what's involved…! But, I…)

She glanced at her watch. There wasn't much time left. Even so, her legs refused to move, weighed down by the vague fear of the unknown.

Beep. Click.

"Huh?"

The sound of an electronic lock disengaging reached her ears. As Tsubasa stood frozen, the waiting room door opened slightly from the inside. Through the gap, a mischievous smile peeked out. It was Midori.

"Hey, Tsubasa."

A silver hand grasped Tsubasa's slender one. She was gently pulled into the waiting room without resistance.

Inside, the room was furnished with simple chairs and tables, a water dispenser, and a small television. At the back, a curtained area likely served as a changing space. In other words, it was quite ordinary.

"Hehe, welcome. A bit anticlimactic, huh?"

"…Yeah, it's surprisingly normal."

"Well, have a seat. Let's chat until it's time. It's been a while."

Humming a tune, Midori filled a cup from the water dispenser and brought it to Tsubasa, who had seated herself at the table. As she accepted the cup, Tsubasa noticed that Midori's hand was still silver, and her body remained concealed under a black coat, making it difficult to discern any details.

"Still, what are the odds? Running into you at work, and on the same special assignment! Haha."

Seeing Midori's delight, Tsubasa couldn't help but chuckle. Despite the long absence, Midori's friendly demeanor made it feel as though no time had passed. It was just like the old days, easing Tsubasa's tension a bit.

"Really, I never imagined it either. What have you been up to since university?"

"A lot happened."

For a brief time, the two reminisced about the past. They shared stories of their vastly different campus lives, the paths their mutual friends had taken, and how they ended up at this job. When they realized that neither had dated anyone during their four years at university, they burst into laughter together. For a fleeting moment, Tsubasa felt as though she had returned to the past.

At a pause in their conversation, Midori suddenly spoke up.

"What?"

"The special assignment isn't as scary as you think, Tsubasa."

"!"

Feeling as if her inner thoughts had been seen through, Tsubasa was abruptly brought back to reality.

"Midori, have you already done the special assignment?"

"Yeah."

"What exactly is the special assignment? What will I have to do?"

"Well, that's…"

Midori hesitated a bit and then shook her head regretfully.

"…I'll pass. Even if I tell you now, you wouldn't believe it, haha."

"I'd believe anything you say, Midori."

"That's not what I mean. Well, once you experience it, you'll understand. I think you'll be really surprised."

"Hmm…"

Tsubasa fell silent. Judging from Midori's demeanor, it didn't seem like anything dubious. Still, her anxiety wasn't completely alleviated. Midori continued.

"Tsubasa, have you ever wanted to be helpful to someone?"

"Hmm… yeah, I guess. I chose this job partly for that reason…"

"Yeah, yeah. That's right. You've always been like that. Otherwise, you wouldn't run to retrieve forgotten items."

"Does that have something to do with this?"

Midori nodded.

"The 'special assignment' is a job where you can be incredibly helpful to everyone! Maybe even more than anyone else at this airport."

Tsubasa made a bitter face.

"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

"It's not an exaggeration! Just with the job I did earlier… hehe, I was really… helpful."

For some reason, Midori blushed and seemed a bit restless. Was she recalling the 'earlier job'?

"Really, what kind of work is it?"

"I told you I can't say yet, right? But at least I think it was really good to be chosen for the special assignment."

…"

There was not a hint of doubt in Midori's eyes. It was hard to believe there was any falsehood in her words.

"To be honest… I'm glad you came. It's a bit of a special job, so I couldn't talk to anyone nearby about it, and I felt a bit lonely. So, when I found out you were also on the special assignment, I was really happy and relieved…"

Tsubasa was taken aback. It was the same. Midori was also feeling lonely. Suddenly being assigned an unknown task, unable to talk to anyone about it, unable to consult with anyone, unable to share joys or sorrows. All alone.

Before she knew it, Tsubasa had taken Midori's hand. The silver hand felt metallic, but it had a definite human warmth.

"Tsubasa…?"

Midori raised her downcast face. Their eyes met.

"I'll do it. I'll try the special assignment."

Tsubasa declared. She hadn't intended to run away, but now, for the first time, she decided to face it head-on. Midori's face brightened.

"It's not that I'm without anxiety… but I want to try the work you're doing, Midori. And with you by my side, I feel reassured."

"Tsubasa…!"

Midori stood up and hugged Tsubasa. As Tsubasa hugged her back, she recalled that they often did this in high school.

"Alright!"
"Kyah!?"
Suddenly, Midori's loud voice pierced Tsubasa's ear.
"Don't shout loudly right next to my ear…"
"Haha, sorry, sorry. Well, since you're motivated, I thought I'd show you this."
Saying so, Midori cheerfully walked to the back of the room and swiftly drew a large curtain. Revealed behind it was a big hanger rack with numerous garments hanging.
"What's this?"
Following Midori, Tsubasa examined the clothes on the rack. There wasn't a single ordinary outfit. Each one was a thick, full-body suit with the upper and lower parts integrated.
"What is this?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's work attire."
"This is!?"
Tsubasa picked up one of the suits and stared at it intently. At first glance, it looked like a rubber suit, but the surface was covered with a glossy metallic sheen, and the texture felt like touching the body of a car or motorcycle. The base color was white with red patterns. On closer inspection, other suits had unique colorful designs in red, blue, pink, and other colors.
"By the way, mine looks like this!"
For the first time, Midori removed the large coat that had been hiding her body. Her entire figure was revealed. It wasn't just her hands that were silver. Both arms were entirely silver, and furthermore, like overalls, the front of her torso and both legs were covered in a silver metallic sheen. However, what surprised Tsubasa the most was how tightly the suit clung to her body. The contours of her plump breasts, the wrinkles at her joints like her armpits, and even the clearly defined outline of her crotch were all prominently visible, making Tsubasa instinctively want to avert her eyes. It looked more like her skin itself than a suit adhering to her body. At first glance, it appeared she was completely naked.
"U… wow…"
"Isn't it beautiful? Look, check out the back too!"
Without any sign of embarrassment about her appearance, she spun around. Her back was a striking emerald color, contrasting with her front. The vivid gradient was stunning. Tsubasa felt she had seen this pattern somewhere before.
"I'm proud of my design. Even the customers said it was beautiful!"
"Huh? They… see it? The customers?"
"Yeah. I was really happy to be complimented. You also said it, didn't you? That I looked 'cool'."
"When did I say that? …I mean, do I… have to wear that too?"
"Of course!"
Midori nodded with an unreserved smile. Her glossy breasts swayed as she proudly displayed her metallic body. Tsubasa blushed and looked away. Her newfound resolve was already wavering.
"Your suit should be ready too. Oh! Here it is!"
Ignoring Tsubasa's agitation, Midori took a black full-body suit from the hanger. The tag bore the name 'Tsubasa Amamiya'. It seemed there was no escape.
"Um, Midori? Don't you feel embarrassed… wearing that?"
"Huh?"
"Because it looks almost like you're naked…"
Midori stood still, looking puzzled. Then, as if remembering, she blushed.
"Oh, right… if a human wore something like this, it would be a bit embarrassing… I forgot, haha…"
It seemed she had only now realized that her appearance might be embarrassing. Unbelievable.
"But it's fine, this body. I was embarrassed at first too… but after finishing, it became normal…"
"Hey, is this job really…"
"Well! Anyway, try it on! You'll get used to it in no time!"
"…Ugh…"
Holding the suit that was forcibly handed to her, Tsubasa entered the changing space. Her face, now as red as a tomato, she removed her uniform, shirt, skirt, and tights.
"Can I… keep my underwear on…?"
"No. You have to wear it completely naked; otherwise, it defeats the purpose."
"Eek…"
Her bra and panties slipped to the floor. Now completely naked, she took the black full-body suit in her hands and swallowed hard.
(I have no choice! I decided to do this!)
Tsubasa unzipped the suit and slipped her legs inside. She endured the sensation of the material clinging tightly to her bare skin as she settled her legs in place, then inserted her arms into the sleeves. For the final touch, she pulled the zipper on the back of the suit from her lower back up to her nape. Suddenly, a sense of unease crossed her mind.

(Did Midori's suit have a zipper?)

The moment she realized this coincided almost exactly with the zipper closing completely. And at that very moment, something strange began happening to her body.

"Nngh, ah…!"

Suddenly, the suit started constricting her entire body. It clung to her, contracting as if pressing inward, forcing a strangled cry from Tsubasa's throat. She strained to move her compressed hands and reached for the zipper on her back.

"No… why…?"

There was nothing there. The place where the zipper should have been was smooth. Desperately groping her back, she felt only her own slick skin.

"Ugh… no…!"

The suit adhered to her skin without even a 0.1-millimeter gap and, unsatisfied, began to seep into her very body. From between her fingers, the fine lines on her hands and feet, even her buttocks and groin—every part of her skin was invaded, until she could no longer clearly distinguish between her own flesh and the suit.

"Midori! What's happening…?"

"It's okay. It's a bit uncomfortable, but you'll feel better soon."

"No, this… ah…"

Her entire body felt as if it were burning. Her skin tingled, melted, and merged with the dissolving suit.

"Hah, hah…"

The heat assaulting her body subsided, and gradually, Tsubasa regained her composure. Feeling drained, she collapsed on the spot.

Timing it just right, Midori peeked out from behind the curtain.

"Are you okay?"

"Hah, hah… probably…"

Tsubasa took Midori's offered hand and stood up. Her body felt strangely light. Moreover, she felt more sensitive. Even through the suit, it was as if the air was touching her skin directly. It felt as if she were naked.

"Eek!"

She caught sight of herself in a mirror. She looked like a black, glistening nude statue. The suit clung to her skin so tightly that it emphasized her small breasts, soft waist, and plump thighs.

"Th-this is embarrassing…!"

Tsubasa blushed, feeling as if she were a naked woman painted in black, like some kind of exhibitionist.

"Midori, can I take this off? I want to remove it for now…"

"Yes, there's a proper way to do it."

"Tell me! This feels like I'm naked…"

"Alright, then…"

At that moment, there was a knock on the dressing room door, and without waiting for a response, the door opened. A petite woman in a shrine maiden outfit appeared. It was a different person from the mechanic she had met in the hangar earlier.

"I'm a special technician from Tsukumo Aviation. Is Miss Tsubasa Amamiya here?"

"Ah… yes, that's me."

"It seems you've already donned your uniform. Your promptness is appreciated. We'll begin the special operation now, so please follow me. Also, we're running slightly behind schedule, so I'll provide guidance as we move."

"Uh…"

"Please, this way."

The shrine maiden, who claimed to be a technician, spoke rapidly and gestured toward the door, urging her to hurry. Tsubasa exchanged glances with Midori.

"It's time. Go ahead."

"In this outfit?"

"Yes."

"We're behind schedule, so please hurry."

It seemed there was no time for hesitation. Tsubasa nodded to Midori and stepped into the hallway, following the shrine maiden.

"I'll join you later."

With those final words, Midori saw her off.

"The official name for Special Operations is the Tsukumo Aviation Artifact Possession Division.”

As she unlocked the hangar, the shrine maiden explained in a rapid, almost scripted manner.

"This division applies the core technology of the Tsukumo Group— Kibutsu-fu —to aviation. This technique allows shrine maidens to become possessed by the spirits of lingering artifacts, transforming into the form of those artifacts. With the establishment of this method, Tsukumo Aviation was born."**

("H-heh…")

The explanation went on, but Tsubasa couldn't keep up. The rapid speech, combined with the unfamiliar terminology, left her completely lost. Regardless, the shrine maiden continued speaking as they moved forward.

"Special Operations personnel like Amamiya-san were selected from within our staff based on their innate talent as shrine maidens. However, since you are an untrained civilian, we have preemptively applied a bodily assimilation process using a clothing-type materialized artifact spirit. That is what you are currently wearing."

Passing through the doors, the two stepped into a massive hangar—large enough to house a jumbo jet. As they walked toward the center, Tsubasa noticed multiple white lines running across the concrete floor, forming a giant circular emblem. It was strange, but by this point, nothing here could truly surprise her. This was a place where conventional logic no longer applied.

"Your primary duty is to transport airline passengers after undergoing transformation via Kibutsu-fu. Follow our instructions during the possession procedure. Pilots will handle takeoff and landing, so you only need to act in accordance with your instincts throughout the process. Other than that, follow the guidance of our staff. Understood? Good. Now, let’s begin the Kibutsu-fu procedure."

Without waiting for a response, the shrine maiden positioned Tsubasa in the center of the emblem and left. Suddenly, she found herself standing there, unoccupied. Now that her attention wasn’t focused elsewhere, an odd sensation began creeping back into her awareness.

("This outfit… the air feels like it’s touching my skin directly…")

Despite its metallic texture, her skin remained hypersensitive to the air around her. It was distracting—almost unbearable. She wanted to start the operation as soon as possible, just to take her mind off it.

That’s when it happened.

"Kya!?"

A sudden flash of light filled her vision, blinding her. As her eyes adjusted, she realized the emblem on the floor was glowing. Then, the shrine maiden’s voice rang out over the hangar’s speaker system.

"Alright, we’re starting. Don’t be alarmed."

"—!"

A shiver ran down her spine as an overwhelming sensation enveloped her entire body. The suit, fused to her skin, began shifting—moving—as if attempting to seep deeper inside her.

"Haa… haa… it’s… hot…"

A heat welled up from deep within her core, making her breath ragged. The suit infiltrated her body, spreading through her arms, legs, abdomen—until it finally reached her chest.

"Ah…"

At that moment, something—no, someone—merged with her mind. In an instant, their essence intertwined with hers, flooding her soul with foreign emotions.

"Ah… ah, ah…!"

Tsubasa clutched her head, enduring the agony of her soul being forcibly intertwined with another. But eventually, the pain settled. Now, with this unknown presence residing within her, her consciousness realigned itself. It didn’t feel too different from before—yet…

"Haa… haa… haa…"

The presence inside her pulsed with an intense heat, radiating from within.

"It’s… so hot…"

Her thoughts grew hazy. From deep inside, an overwhelming energy surged forth, expanding within her, pushing outward—stretching her to her limits.

"Haa… haa… aah… it's… coming… out…!"

And then—something inside her finally burst.
"Agh…!"

Heat drained from her body, and she collapsed onto the spot. A creaking sound echoed as her body groaned under invisible strain. There was no pain—just an uncontrollable tremor as her flesh began to transform.

"Ah… haa…"

Creak. Groan.

Tsubasa suddenly realized her line of sight was rising. No—it wasn’t the hangar shrinking.

"Ah… nngh…! I-I'm… growing…!"

Her body had already doubled in size, and with each resonating creak, she swelled even further. Before she could fully grasp the situation, her head was nearly touching the hangar’s ceiling.

"Ah—!"

A tingling pain shot through her toes, creeping up her legs and surging toward her abdomen. The moment it reached her core, she understood.

"M-my color…!"

Her dark, metallic body was fading, replaced by an unblemished white. The transformation surged up her torso, consuming her neck, until her entire suit gleamed in pristine ivory. But it didn’t stop there.

"Eh…?"

The prickling sensation didn’t halt at her suit. It spread upward, engulfing her bare neck, her chin, her ears—her nose, even her hair. Everything turned into smooth, white metal.

Now, she resembled a towering, porcelain-like doll.

"Haa… haa… haah… ngh…!"

Just as she was taking in her transformed body, a sudden itch crawled through her, making her gasp. Her heart pounded violently, her mind growing feverish. Something else was beginning. But this time, it was beyond what she had imagined.

"…? Nngh, nn…!"

Her nose twitched. Then—

"Nngh—ah! Ahhh!"

Crack. Creak.

Without warning, her nose jutted forward, her face stretching outward. The tip of her nose flattened and widened, her mouth shifting downward. The contours of her face became sleek, streamlined—like that of a dolphin.

"Haa… haa… ah, ahh…!"

And the changes didn’t stop there. Her arms, once human, began to flatten, thinning unnaturally.

"Guh…!"

Intense heat gathered at her elbows, solidifying and pushing downward—forming new extensions. They expanded, grew, reshaped. She looked down, dazed, only to recognize them instantly.

She had seen them countless times before.

"A-an airplane… engine…?"

And then—she understood.

What was happening to her. What she was becoming.

"I-I'm… turning into… an airplane!?"

Her newly streamlined head. Her flattened arms, now unmistakably wings, bearing twin jet engines. Her upper body was caught in a metamorphosis, neither fully human nor fully aircraft. And the transformation wasn’t over.

"Ugh… nnngh…!"

A sensation flared at her lower back, stretching backward. The tip of it split, extending sideways, fanning out into a familiar structure.

She didn’t need to look.

She felt what it was.

A tail fin—a crucial part of any aircraft.

For now, the transformation paused.

"Haa……"

Dazed by the heat of the transformation, Tsubasa looked down at her body. Though her torso and legs remained human, her physique had grown dozens of times larger, and her arms had transformed into primary wings. In the lower part of her vision, her elongated, white nose always dominated her view. When she glanced over her shoulder, a long tail and tail fin were sprouting continuously from her spine—the tail fin bearing a decal of the TAL logo.

"Thus far, the transformation has proceeded smoothly. We will continue, so please lie prone, Amamiya-san."
"Understood…"

Following the instructions, Tsubasa slowly collapsed her enormous body into a prone position. Then, almost instinctively, she stretched both arms diagonally backward and turned her face forward. She was puzzled by the posture she had unconsciously assumed, yet it felt as if this were the "correct form" for her.

"…"

Creak. Creak.
The transformation resumed. Her rather large pelvis contracted tightly, and the uneven contours around her waist disappeared, reforming into a simple cylinder. Similar changes occurred at her waist—and even her chest—as her female form became like a single tube. In succession, her slender neck rapidly increased in girth until it matched the thickness of her torso. At that point, the boundary between her head and torso vanished, and her entire body became a smooth, streamlined shape. Her hair melted away into her body, disappearing completely.

"Haa, haa, haa…"

With a series of snapping sounds, her primary wings took shape as they hardened. They formed into triangular wings designed to balance increased lift with structural strength. The hands remaining at the tips stiffened and pointed upward, forming wing tips.

"Oh…"

Trembling uncontrollably, her legs began to shrink. Once plump and healthy, Tsubasa’s legs were now becoming unfit for their former purpose. They needed to change into a form appropriate for what lay ahead—becoming suitable for flying and for transporting people and cargo. Her legs shrank to a size disproportionate to her enormous body and shifted downward beneath her torso. At the same time, their strength increased as a complex mechanism formed, complete with wheels. Though small, these new legs—the landing gear—were robust enough to support her several-hundred-ton frame.

"Guh, gah, mmmph…"

At the same time, her mouth sealed shut, rendering her voice silent. Inside, however, strange sounds—squelching and creaking—indicated that further mutation was taking place. Before long, from what had become a hatch-like mouth, instead of a tongue, the front wheel of the transformed landing gear emerged, supporting her enormous body.

(Wheee… this feels kind of strange…)

She was, in effect, supporting herself on her two legs and her tongue—a sensation that, in human terms, felt odd. Yet, more than that, the fact that she now stood firmly on three landing gears felt entirely fitting for her new state, and inexplicably, it didn’t feel unpleasant at all.

"……!……❤️"

Suddenly, a cavity formed in her torso and expanded with a series of snapping, creaking sounds. For some reason, this expansion was accompanied by a surge of intense pleasure.

(It feels so good…❤️ My insides… they’re changing…❤️)

Within her body, her interior expanded and her flesh was gradually replaced with artificial structures. In that cavity, a cargo hold, a galley (kitchen), and passenger compartments were formed—arranged so that she could fulfill their functions. Countless openings appeared along the sides of her body, forming glass windows. As her interior was completed, the feelings of pleasure and happiness steadily grew.

(Even though I'm human… I'm really becoming an airplane…❤️ Aaaaaah!)

That transformation finally extended to her head.

(Kaaaaa…❤️❤️❤️)

An overwhelming pleasure invaded her mind—as if her thoughts were being stirred up with a flood of blissful chemicals. In an instant, she abandoned all rational thought, intoxicated by the ecstasy of having her head remodeled.
It was coming together: Countless indicators and computers formed, and networks resembling nerves—hydraulic systems and electrical circuits—spread from a control stick throughout her entire body. Her head was being completed as a control unit, as a cockpit.

(It feels so good…)

As soon as the cockpit was finished, both of her eyes vanished, replaced by a windshield—a space designated as the primary cockpit for the pilot.

(Auuu…❤️)

And for the final touch, various blue lines of differing sizes streaked from her back to her abdomen, adorning her white body.

(Haa, haa, haa…❤️)

The whirlwind of pleasure brought on by the transformation gradually subsided, and Tsubasa regained her composure.

(I…)

She couldn’t exactly see her own body, but through pure sensation she was certain that she had become an airplane incarnate. In her head—now transformed into a control computer—information about her body continuously streamed in. From her head out to the tips of her primary wings and tail fin, every nerve was attuned; she could feel in her very skin that this mechanical body was truly her.

She tested her new form by moving, and at her command the flaps of her wings and tail began to move, and the turbines of her engines started to spin.

A large jet airliner. That was her current form. A magnificent airliner, comparable even to those of other companies lined up at the airport—and no one would ever suspect that this was once Tsubasa Amamiya.

(I… I’ve become an airplane…)

At that moment she understood the meaning behind the “special operations.” It meant that she herself was to become an airplane. As Midori had said, no one would ever believe such a story—and she herself had never believed it. But now, the undeniable fact was that Tsubasa had indeed become an airplane.

“Shape change complete. That was faster than expected. As always, excellent work, Amamiya-san. Now, we will perform the final adjustments in preparation for takeoff.”

At the sound of the word “takeoff,” Tsubasa’s heart began to flutter. It was a word of irresistible allure for an airplane.

Before she knew it, workers appeared all at once from somewhere and began inspecting her body. It tickled, yet she felt no displeasure whatsoever. Her mind was gradually being drawn into the values of an airplane.

(Ah—! Wh-what? Something’s going inside…)

They began by probing around her right elbow, and then a sensation followed as if something was being inserted. The same happened at her left elbow. And from the point of insertion, a hot liquid flowed into her wing—it was fuel.

“Although, in theory, vehicles transformed by the Artifact Possession Ritual do not require fuel, we are deliberately treating you like a conventional airplane so that you may fully embrace your identity as one.”

(So… that’s it… Even if you say it’s about having the awareness of being an airplane, I can clearly see I’m an airplane… Hyaa!?)

At that moment, her lower rear underside—the equivalent of a groin in human terms—was being prodded.

(W-wait, where are you touching…? No…❤️)

A heavy cover was removed, exposing that opening to the outside air. Instantly, she knew by instinct that this was the third fuel port. She also remembered what that area had been when she was still human.

(Wha? Wha—? Wa-wait, stop, don’t touch that…)

That was the most sensitive, delicate part of Tsubasa as a woman—a part that no one had ever been allowed to touch.

(No, stop it, don’t… not there, please, not there…❤️)

Tsubasa tried to resist, but her body—now made of metal—could not move properly without active control. And what terrified her even more was that she felt an inner yearning, a desire for fuel to be supplied through that very spot. Even as she tried to reject it, deep down she was secretly anticipating it.

(Stop it, stop, help me, nooooo!)

Before she could muster any resistance, a thick fueling nozzle designed for aircraft was thrust into the fuel port.

(Ah!❤️)

Without any hesitation, the nozzle advanced relentlessly deep inside her, invading her most delicate area.

(Ah, ah, aahhhhhh❤️❤️❤️ No, stop❤️ It feels so good…❤️❤️ Oh…❤️)

Gagon. The nozzle reached all the way to the very back, and then a massive volume of fuel was pumped into her.

(…❤️ Ah…❤️ Yes, it’s coming…❤️ Into me…❤️)

The nozzle filled the fuel port completely. The fuel pouring in brought with it an intense surge of pleasure and joy. Even though she should have been overwhelmed with revulsion, she found herself secretly rejoicing at being violated in this way.

(Why, why…❤️ Even though I hate it, I want more… I want more…❤️)

Why was it that, even though she was being forcibly violated, she could not help but feel ecstatic? Why did merely having fuel pumped into her make her head go numb and her body surge with energy? It felt so incredibly good. Even as these sensations took over, the feeling of joy began to dominate her heart.

(I see…❤️ I see…❤️)

And then, in time, she understood the reason behind these emotions.

(That’s right… that’s right, because I’m an airplane…❤️)

Because she was an airplane. As an airplane, it was only natural that she should feel delighted when a nozzle was thrust inside her and she was refueled. There was nothing abnormal about these feelings.

(That’s it! Ahaha, I get it now, I get it! I’m an airplane! I’m a Tsukumo Aviation airplane being refueled right now!)

In that moment, her entire world changed. She transformed from a once-violated human into an airplane being refueled. The intimate part that no one had ever been allowed to touch had become nothing more than a fuel port.

The last remnants of her shame faded away. After all, what was there to be ashamed of? An airplane being refueled—nothing more, nothing less.

(Ehehe… It feels so good…❤️)

Tsubasa gazed dreamily as bliss filled her tank with fuel. In that moment, she was completely—and utterly—in body and soul, nothing other than an airplane.

(Ah…❤️)

Once refueling was finished, the nozzle was withdrawn. With a faint aftertaste of lingering pleasure, her head felt pleasantly light.

"Maintenance complete. How do you feel, Amamiya-san?"
(Mmm… It felt so incredibly good. And—there’s also this heart-pounding excitement…❤️)

Tsubasa couldn’t settle down. Her engines were buzzing with restless energy; she longed to burst onto the runway at any moment. The mere thought of someone grasping her control stick and taking her soaring into the sky drove her nearly mad with anticipation.

(Ah…❤️ Take the controls… Someone, please pilot me, and carry me into the sky…! I want to be flown…!)

All the anxiety and shame she’d felt until moments ago had vanished. In this moment, she was nothing more than a brand-new airplane, her heart alight with excitement for her inaugural flight.

"Based on our maintenance and inspection, we have determined that you are flight-ready. Please proceed onto the runway."

With a deep, rumbling sound, the massive hangar shutter slowly lifted, allowing beams of outside light to stream in.

"Before you proceed, we bestow upon you a new name as an aircraft."

Soon the light coalesced into a form, and Tsubasa’s view filled with the sprawling airfield, where various airplanes and special vehicles crisscrossed in motion.

"Your name is… Tsukumo 406. In short, Blue Line."
(Tsukumo 406, Blue Line…!)

Her heart trembled with emotion. The thought of her body of steel—powered by jet thrust and wing lift, capable of flying endlessly—filled her with immense pride.

(I am Tsukumo 406, Blue Line…! A passenger aircraft of Tsukumo Aviation!)

Receiving not only her formal aircraft designation but also a cherished nickname, she could no longer contain the surge of elation within her. “Blue Line, Blue Line” she repeated over and over in her mind, until not a trace of the name “Tsubasa Amamiya” remained. Even the fact that she had once been human no longer mattered. Now, she was a newly built passenger airplane.

(I want to fly…! I—I can’t wait to carry people inside me and take off…!)

Her very being was dominated by the instinct of an aircraft, the engines on her primary wings pulsing with irresistible energy. And yet, she did not move of her own accord. For she was merely a vehicle—a machine that must not possess free will, but instead await the hand that would pilot her. Even though she was new, Blue Line fully understood her role.

Transported by a specialized vehicle, she was carried out onto the vast airfield. The spring sunlight reflected off her proud, gleaming white and blue body.

Next to her, an escalator was brought alongside, and two men ascended. As Blue Line’s boarding door opened, she welcomed her very first pilots.

(These people… they’re my pilots…❤️)

The two men stepped into the cockpit and conducted a brief inspection and check.

"This is our new model, huh? Let’s see if she can really fly."
(Hehe…❤️ Don’t worry, I’ll do my very best…❤️)

Though they had just met, Blue Line felt an overwhelming affection for these two pilots. The thought of them controlling her made her head spin with delight. She longed to give herself completely to them—a primal sentiment every aircraft feels for its pilot.

From the terminal, a jet bridge extended and aligned with another door on her side. First to enter were the cabin attendants. They efficiently performed the pre-boarding inspections, though one of them—perhaps a newcomer—moved a bit awkwardly.

(Hehe, how cute… Why are cabin attendants always so adorable? So small and earnest… I wonder if Island Green used to look at me like this…)

And then, at last, passengers began to stream along the jet bridge.

(Ah, they’re… here…❤️ Ah, oh…)

Blue Line rejoiced at the long-awaited moment. Some passengers strolled in leisurely while others hurried aboard, filling seat after seat that had never before been occupied.

(Mmm, ah…❤️ They’re all boarding… I’m carrying passengers… Everyone’s riding on me…❤️)

That happiness was beyond description. To transport passengers was her very mission—to give meaning to her existence as a vehicle. Fulfilled in that purpose, how could she not be utterly delighted? As a passenger aircraft, she was savoring the highest honor and bliss imaginable.

(Is everyone aboard now…?)

After communicating with the control tower, the pilot advanced Blue Line.

Contine reading…