My Brother, My Spouse

Chapter 5 A Shocking Secret

Brian had somewhat adjusted to his new identity and replied, "I was just worried about my coming-of-age ceremony. Will it be unbearably painful?"

Since Sylvia was only seventeen, she still had a few months before her ceremony.

"Don't worry. Your mom and I will be there to help. We'll be right by your side," Arthur reassured him.

"Yes, my dear," Zola chimed in, carrying a glass of milk. She leaned over to kiss Brian on the top of his head.

Unable to dodge, Brian stiffly responded, "Thank you, Mom."

He quickly looked down, focusing on his breakfast, hoping to make a swift exit from the house. Perhaps it would increase his chances of survival.

"Sylvia, aren't you drinking your milk today?" Zola asked, noticing the break in Sylvia's usual routine.

Brian hesitated, unsure how to answer, and blurted out, "I just... I just feel like drinking milk every day is cruel to cows."

"Really?" Zola gave him a doubtful look.

"Yes, really," Brian answered, forcing himself to sound confident.

Sylvia, observing Brian's struggle, couldn't help but laugh—until she got a taste of her own medicine.

"Brian, why aren't you drinking alcohol?" Zola asked.

Sylvia froze. Brian was known for having a glass of strong liquor with breakfast every morning.

Brian's expression turned smug as he watched her squirm.

"I... I..." Sylvia stammered, then resolved to get her revenge, "I've decided to quit drinking. Honestly, a glass of liquor every morning is a terrible habit! I'm even planning to donate all my alcohol as proof of my commitment. Mom—Zola, could you sell it all for me?"

"No way!" Brian immediately shouted, slamming the table.

Arthur and Zola looked at the two of them in shock.

Brian was quitting drinking?

And Sylvia didn't agree?

Now that was a groundbreaking revelation!

"What's going on between you two?" Arthur asked, his curiosity piqued.

Sylvia forced a smile, trying to laugh it off. "Nothing, really... Oh no, look at the time! We're going to be late for school. Gotta go!"

Arthur glanced at his watch. "If Brian takes you on his motorcycle, you'll have plenty of time."

"No thanks, walking's... better for exercise! Gotta run!" Sylvia replied hastily, grabbing Brian's arm and dragging him out the door.

Arthur and Zola watched them leave, exchanging puzzled looks. "Those two sure seem to be getting along well, don't they?" Arthur commented.

Zola, however, eyed the remnants of their breakfast thoughtfully...

Brian and Sylvia were still bickering as they walked to school.

"Why did you volunteer to sell all my liquor?" Brian complained, "You have no idea how much that collection cost!"

Sylvia shot back, "And what was I supposed to say? That I pity the poor grains that are turned into booze? Wait—I think I forgot something."

"Oh, please tell me you're thinking about how decent that excuse actually was," Brian replied with a mocking tone.

"Damn it! I forgot we have a test today. It's in Ms. Grace's class. I'm doomed! She'll tear me apart if I'm late!" Sylvia groaned, clearly distressed.

Brian snorted. "Well, too bad for me. In case you forgot, I'm the one who'll be taking that test."

Sylvia fell speechless.

By the time they arrived in the classroom, the bell had already rung.

Claudia Grace gave Brian a pointed look as he took his seat and handed him a test paper. "I expect you won't disappoint me."

"I'll do my best," Brian replied.

The moment he looked at the test, he knew there was no way he was escaping Claudia's scorn.

While she was out of the room, Sandy tapped Brian on the shoulder, whispering, "Sylvia, let me see your answers."

Brian brushed him off. "Not a chance. And stop tapping me."

Sandy grew more insistent, even giving Brian a push. "Come on, it's just a test. Don't be so uptight!"

Brian stood up, his gaze landing on the rather pudgy boy behind him.

"Listen up, kid. If you touch me again, I'll gladly plaster this test on your face and let everyone know your... assets are as small as your brain. Got it?"

With that, Brian slapped the test onto the teacher's desk, grabbed his bag, and walked out.

Selina ran after him, exclaiming, "That was incredible! But... what about your test?"

"I didn't do it," Brian replied nonchalantly.

Selina gasped, "You didn't? My god, are you really Sylvia?"

Brian hesitated, but before he could think of an excuse, Selina added, "Or are you someone impersonating her?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he replied quickly, trying to cover up, "It's just one test. No big deal."

"That's even weirder!" Selina exclaimed. "Sylvia would never say a test isn't a big deal! I'm telling Luna—this is insane!"

Seeing that Selina was about to rush off to tell Zola, Brian had no choice but to stop her and bring her to Sylvia.

Together, the three of them slipped into a secluded corner to discuss the shocking secret.

"Oh my god, you two switched bodies!" Selina squealed.

Sylvia immediately clamped a hand over Selina's mouth. "Keep it down! I don't want anyone to find out. They'd kick us out of the pack!"

Selina nodded, eyes wide with excitement.

"So... have you figured out a way to switch back?" Selina asked.

"No," Sylvia sighed. "If we had, we'd already be back in our own bodies."

"That's tough." Selina shook her head, then turned to Sylvia with a mischievous grin, "So... how are his abs?"

Sylvia smirked. "Amazing, and his chest hair is something else!"

"Hey! Let's stay on topic, ladies," Brian interrupted, steering the conversation back. "Shouldn't we be figuring out how to swap back? And how to live each other's lives in the meantime?"