The curse wore off slowly, but not without leaving behind consequences no one had prepared for.
Vario was restocking the drinks when he suddenly froze. Something felt… wrong. Not dangerous. Just unfamiliar. Uncomfortable in a way he couldn't quite explain. He shifted his weight, frowned, then leaned on the counter.
"Why do I feel like I got hit by invisible damage?" he muttered.
Nyx looked up immediately. Her smile vanished. "Wait. No. Don't tell me."
Bella, sensing trouble as usual, glanced over. "Tell you what?"
Vario hesitated. "I feel weak. And annoyed. And weirdly emotional. And my stomach hurts."
Nyx slowly lowered her camera. "Oh no."
Bella's eyes narrowed. "Nyx. What did you forget to mention?"
Nyx raised a finger. "In my defense—this has never happened before."
Vario squinted. "Happened what?"
Bella stepped closer, observing him carefully, then sighed as realization hit. "Vario… I think this is a leftover effect from the genderbend."
Silence.
"…Leftover?" Vario asked.
Nyx nodded slowly. "Temporary biological echo."
"…Explain in idiot terms."
Bella rubbed her temples. "You're experiencing menstruation."
The store went dead quiet.
The monkey stopped moving.
Vario blinked once. Twice.
"…I want a refund on this body," he said flatly.
Nyx immediately started laughing. "I can't believe this actually triggered— acknowledging— cycle mechanics!"
"This is not funny!" Vario snapped, then paused. "…Why am I angry?"
Bella handed him a chair. "Sit. Breathe. Do not panic. You are not dying."
Vario collapsed onto the chair. "I feel like I am."
Nyx tried to help. "Okay, good news: it's temporary. Bad news: you're going to be very grumpy."
"That explains everything," Bella muttered.
Vario looked up. "How long does this last?"
Nyx thought. "A day. Maybe two."
Vario groaned loudly. "I am never mocking Bella again."
Bella crossed her arms. "You're learning empathy the hard way."
Nyx leaned in, whispering dramatically, "Welcome to character development."
Vario glared at her, then slumped back. "I hate this store."
The monkey squeaked in agreement.
And for once, the chaos wasn't explosions, curses, or villains—just a painfully human lesson that Vario would never forget.