A/N: My pathetic attempt to continue this oneshot. I just feel this chapter 2 will kinda ruin everything. Just a warning for anyone reading this. Things sounded pretty weird as I wrote this. Sorry if it sucks :( Probably will end the story here in twoshots (unless you guys want more).

She stared at the mirror, her eyes delving intently into the image reflected. It was not just a simple reflection of a girl, but of something more. There were remnants, disjunctive chunks of memories that might sound meaningless at this point. There was no use recalling something traumatizing, something that would not recur. Fascinatingly, every morning when she woke up, she found herself dashing into the bathroom and unconsciously looking into the mirror. And then, when she saw a girl, she felt relieved. She ought to be ashamed, really. She used to be a boy and she seemed to have lost the essential pride of being one.

The alarm clock went buzzing in the bedroom. Shifty still didn't take her eyes off the mirror. She stood motionless before the sink, her eyes roaming over her naked reflection. Everything was lain bare in sight. Everything seemed so incredible, so phenomenal, so enthralling but at the same time so surreal.

How long have I been a girl? She asked.

Two months. Her mind answered her.

She often marveled at her ability to adapt to such radical changes. The transformation from a boy to a girl was an excruciating one, extremely gruesome if she had to describe it in one word. But then, again, human minds are full of contradictions. As much as she deemed it despicable, she also found it painfully gorgeous.

She used to be a notorious thief, a wanted criminal in much need of penalty and atonement. And now, she was a girl, just a girl with the wrong identity, the wrong past. Everything started anew. She was taken in by a man, loved, cherished, and spoiled-rotten. Nothing alike had ever happened to her before when she was a "he".

Why is being a girl so much different from being a boy?

Shifty wondered, and this time, her mind couldn't justify the claim.

When she was still a guy, Splendont loathed him to an extent of almost slaying him.

But now, he loved her so much he was ready to die for her.

What the hell is with that twisted attitude?

Shifty cussed.

Do I even adore him the slightest?

No way...

She snorted. She lied, indeed, about falling heads over heels for him.

In no way would she appreciate someone, or something other than money, affluence, wealth, or just whatever that is linked to riches.

I am only using you.

This is what girls do best.

They take guys for granted.

Shifty didn't know form where this prejudice came. It's a morbid stereotype that explained years of her solitude. Perhaps she was once deceived by some girl. It was so long ago that she had almost sealed this fragment of memory forever. When people said she was incapable of treasuring a heart, simply because she used to belittle Lifty and exploit her precious sibling to the fullest, what they never cared to know was the fact that she did try to love someone wholeheartedly once. She used to believe in true love, but that was way before she turned into a runaway criminal.

Lifty knew what happened, but of course, this little "brother" never dared to bring the subject up again.

It was a tragedy, seriously.

If it didn't remind her of the way she was using Splendont, she wouldn't even try to remember it.

As a boy, he fell in love once, only once.

And then, and then, there was no more.

Like a fool, he was tricked and robbed of his fortune.

When that valuable heart strayed away from him, Shifty decided that it was time to get practical, to stop chasing impossible dreams.

Only money speaks the truth.

Everyone is after money.

Girls love money.

My ex left me because she found a richer man.

Now that he had turned into a girl, he seemed to be able to comprehend what rang in his ex-lover's mind.

Because, literally, she was doing the very same thing to Splendont right now.

Just as the hero was uncontrollably, wholly indulging in her, she was taking advantages of him, purging him of his properties.

She couldn't deny, though, that she did feel something towards him. It was neither affection nor love, but rather, empathy.

If he knows that I'm only after his fortune, will he kill me?

Shifty thought, just as a pair of arms enclasped her from behind.

"So, my doll left my bed. I was wondering what she's up to this early in the morning." The redhead cooed, his lips trailing along the crook of his partner's neck.

Shifty didn't answer. She kept gazing into the mirror.

It's real. I'm still a girl.

As long as I'm one, he will keep me.

He will never dispose of me…right?

She looked pathetic, only then did she realize.

She was craving for attention, for love.

But at the same time, she was afraid to love, yet again.

What bothered her more was the fear that one day, out of the blue, she might suddenly turn back into a boy.

And when that happened, this hero's obsession with her might as well just end.

She would return to being a boy, a boy despised and scorned by many, an unsuccessful, warped boy with no prospect whatsoever.

At least, at the moment, she could still call herself a beautiful lady, someone worthy of love.

"I didn't know I left so many marks on you." Splendont whispered. Their eyes met in the mirror. There was a smile on his face, a smile filled with bliss and respect.

Shifty saw the marks then, the marks the hero had engraved on her body the previous night. They had vigorous sex almost every night. It seemed to have become much of a routine. As a guy, Shifty went clubbing and hunting girls occasionally but things usually blundered when Lifty tagged along. As for now, she had to admit she had never enjoyed sex this much before she started living together with Splendont.

"Have you ever done it with some girl when you were a guy?" The redhead asked, more like interrogating.

"No." Normally, Shifty would think it was degrading to confess something so shameful, but this time, she would let it pass. She was prepared to accept teasing from Splendont, or provocative comments on how useless she had been when she was a man.

However, those irritating remarks did never come.

The hero only hugged her tighter.

"I'm glad. Just saying, I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, I'll feel jealous if you've done it with someone."

Shifty widened her eyes. Somehow, it was hard to believe that Splendont cared about her so much that his jealousy could amount to abominating some random person that had ever touched her physically.

"I was pathetic, I know." Shifty shoved away Splendont's arms and climbed into the bathtub. "I'm going to shower."

"I'll make breakfast."

"Could you fetch some new clothes for me?"

"Sure thing. But I need a kiss."

Shifty sighed and drew the shower curtains. The redhead smirked and bent down to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"It's a wonderful day. I'll be out in some business though. Don't just stay in this house with those jewelries. Someday, you're gonna rot in boredom." The redhead joked.

"I don't feel like going out." Shifty said nonchalantly. "I'm pleased just staying with the money."

"Sometimes, I really don't get you. I give you money to spend and I thought you would really spend it like water. But you've never used it once. How come?"

"You need an explanation?" Shifty snickered.

"I'm just curious." The redhead claimed. "Because you're my wife, I want to understand you more."

The girl blushed and closed the shower curtains swiftly. "I'll tell you this only. I love money but I never said I love spending it."

"That's um…a rather strange hobby."

"Shut up. You don't know anything."

"Okay, okay. I'll know more if only you would tell me more. I'll wait downstairs, darling. And don't make me wait too long."

"Just get out of here already. I need privacy!"

"Yes, dear."

And the day proceeded as usual. Splendont left the house promptly after finishing breakfast. They chatted. They joked. They conversed. They maintained normal interactions as those between ordinary couples. Something was missing though. Something fundamental and significant was missing.

She could sense all his love.

But she was unable to return any.

Another thing that troubled her was the loss of meanings of life.

In the past, she was a severe kleptomaniac.

But now, she seemed to have lost all desires to steal and rob.

Every day, she stayed at home and beside Splendont just like how an obedient, committed wife would be.

He had got her cars, diamonds, jewelries, gold, money and everything that could delight her.

She had got the life she had been painstakingly pursuing, the life of a noble, of an elegant middle-class member.

Nonetheless, her life was as monotonous and tedious as ever.

It's my fault.

Shifty thought.

I should love him more.

I shouldn't be so cold to him.

Splendont had made it specifically clear that he didn't really mind her impassiveness. He had said so mirthfully that, "only being able to hold you at night, to fondle and kiss you, and if only you vow to stay with me forever, I don't care about anything else. I love you and that's all that matters. I've been missing you for so long I'm not going to let you go this time, ever."

Did he use to like me when I was a boy?

Shifty doubted.

No way. He was always so hostile and imprudent to me when I was a guy.

He must have only fallen for me after I became a girl.

He likes chicks anyway, pretty ones at that.

After lunch, Shifty followed her regularity and checked the exclusive chamber Splendont built for her just to contain her valuables. When she confirmed that nothing, not even a single coin was missing, she locked the room and returned to the gigantic, king-sized bed they shared. She slumbered for a while and at three, she started cleaning the house. Everything was so carefree, so leisure, so relaxing when she was a girl. She was a wife, a madam, a lady of the house, nothing more.

Do other girls in the town actually live like this?

No wonder all of them have so much time to gossip and shop.

On top of that, she had a husband that was a renowned superhero, who could protect and look after her for all eternity.

As long as…

That is. As long as I'm a girl.

Damn it.

Shifty dropped the vacuum cleaner and darted out of the house.

She needed someone to talk to urgently; someone to seek solace from.

"Lifty!"

She spotted her sister, "brother" in the past, in no time.

Lifty was in the park feeding birds with some superfluous bread Splendid had baked the other day. She quickly glanced up at her sister and waved with an energetic smile. "Oh hey, bro."

"You mean, sis."

"Oh yea." Lifty chuckled. "Damn it, I just can't get over that bro-sis thing. Pardon me."

"Lifty, are you free now? Are you?"

"Well, kinda, just feeding the birds. Splendid asked me to feed the birds with this bread he made. He wanted to use them as guinea pigs to test out his new recipes."

"You're living with Splendid? Since when have you two gotten so close to each other? Where is he now?"

"Woah, hold on a second, don't just bombard me with so many questions. Take a seat, sis, on that bench. Let's talk things over."

The twins settled down on the bench next to each other.

"Lifty, stop feeding the birds. I need your attention!"

"Okay, okay." Lifty laughed and stopped feeding the small creatures. She turned to ogle her sister, waiting in patience for her to begin their conversation.

"Like I said, what's your relationship with Splendid now?"

"Does it matter? You never care about my relationships with anyone." Lifty sniggered.

"Well, that…." Shifty sighed. "I'm sorry I've been so negligent! But I do care about you since you're my only family!"

"Calm down, Shift. I was just kidding." Lifty laughed. "You're so flustered. Whatever has happened to you, tell me. I'm pretty much an imbecile though, like you always say. My advice might not be of much use but just let me hear it."

"I don't know what's gotten into me. These days, I'm feeling really queer. I don't know what to do anymore."

"You still haven't gotten accustomed to your new body?"

"No, not that. It's just…"

"Well, you're married. I'm still single. I'm not living with Splendid, although he did ask me numerous times to move in with him. I drop by frequently but I'm still keeping an eye on our apartment. There are so many amazing memories I really don't wish to abandon. And I always reminisce about the time we spent living together. But now you have Splendont. You should be happy because he seems to be very fond of you."

"How long have we been separated?"

"Like two weeks? I haven't seen you lately. I ask about you but Splendont told me not to worry. He said you didn't feel like going out recently."

"That's true."

"Then what brought you here today? It's got to be something imperative, right?"

"Lifty, I'm just wondering, are you still mad at me?"

"For?"

"For getting us into this shit in the first place, for always doublecrossing you, for leaving you so suddenly and resorting to Splendont, our past nemesis."

"No." The younger twin shook her head almost instantly. "Why would I be mad at you for doing something so…predictable, haha."

"What?"

"I understand you too much so I never blame you for the choices you made, even if they always plunge us into adversity. You're my brother, I mean, sister, so I confide in you. I don't believe that anything you did is out of pure malice. Sometimes out of deliberation maybe. But mostly, you're just trying to save yourself. That's pretty understandable. There's always something we have to sacrifice in order to attain bigger things."

"So, you never hate me for abandoning you?"

"You always came back, didn't you?" Lifty smiled.

"The marriage…you know the reason why I married him?"

"You want to rip him of his wealth?"

"You really…understand me so well."

"Geez, I've been following you for like, what, twenty years. How could I not understand all your motives? But is that really true? Is that really what you're aiming for? Only his fortune?"

"I don't know! I'm confused."

"Like I was, a few days ago."

"What? What happened?"

"I know after turning into girls, we seem to have lost our kleptomaniac traits. I don't find money as appealing as before these days. It's actually a relief, to be honest. I'm sure it's a pre-determined fate that we end up like this. Our illness has been cured and I'm finally able to lead a normal life. I did ask myself a couple of times though. If now, what I want isn't money, what is it that I yearn for?"

"What is it then!" Shifty cried.

"Aren't you being a bit too agitated?" Lifty tittered. "Well, who knows? I was just thinking that maybe…love? It could be, right? Like, we've never genuinely experienced this sort of things in the past. The only love I can recall is my love for you as a brother, but nothing more. I've never dated someone. We've been so into stealing that we've neglected something so tremendously important in our life. But now that everything's changed, it's coming back to us. I'm feeling it right at this instant, that the beauty of life isn't something concrete like money can qualify, but rather, the inner gratification one feels after obtaining something intrinsically stimulating."

"What…What do you mean?"

"To put it simply. In the past, we kept stealing and the more we stole, the more we desired. A man's greed is ceaseless. We keep chasing after something that would never end, something that would only taint our life more, something that would never offer us any security and adequate satisfaction. We have been too oblivious to other things around us. We used to see only money, but now, we see a host of different things. It's not because we've turned into girls, but because our transformation has somehow gotten rid of our sickening traits. We are now freed from the cage the pursuit of money has been confining us to. We're now free to live, to love, to enjoy life as plainly as it is."

"I can't…I can't disagree with you, even though I still prefer money to man."

"Well, you've found someone to love already, haven't you?"

"What? Nonsense! I told you I would never fall in love again after that contemptible chick left me!"

"Aren't you just trapping yourself in your own past? We have to move on, Shifty. I don't want to regret anything anymore. I want to live a life appreciating things, not destroying them. I want to live a life loving someone, not betraying him."

"So, you're saying that you're now in love with someone? Is that Splendid?"

"Maybe." Lifty chortled. "He's pretty suave."

"Every day, I wake up and the first thing I do is stare into the mirror. I'm scared, Lifty. I'm afraid that one day we'll turn back into guys. Why is that? Why?"

"Because you're afraid of losing Splendont." Lifty pinpointed. "Isn't that obvious? You're afraid that if you were a guy, he wouldn't love you anymore."

"He wouldn't."

"Wrong. I've always seen how he watched you. He's a hypocrite, just like you, Shifty. Even if he realized that you probably wouldn't return the money to him, he still lent you so much just to feed your gambling addiction. No one in their right mind would have done that knowing what a huge traitor and liar we were. But Splendont did. Even when he said he wanted to enslave us, he was just trying to daunt us. He never meant it that way. In fact, the form of enslavement he talked about only means imprisoning you forever, with his love. Isn't that right, Shift? You know that too, eh? That's why you're puzzled."

"It couldn't be. It's ridiculous. He couldn't have felt anything for me in the past. It doesn't sound logical at all!"

"You're too cynical. Precisely because you're rejecting his feelings that you're so tormented. You never open your heart to anyone else but me. It's time you change that attitude of yours. I'm sure he doesn't just like you because you're a girl. He has had it planned for a long time. We turning into girls was just a beautiful set-up for him to impress you. How does that sound now? More believable?"

"Guess so."

"You're lovelorn. That is." Lifty concluded.

"S-Shut up."

"You're blushing."

"You shut up. I'm still in charge. I'm your-"

"Older sister, I know." Lifty laughed. "I'll never forget that fact."

"You…You always make me feel guilty all over."

"That's my specialty." Lifty sneered. "I just saw a beam of red light flashing across the sky. Aren't you supposed to go back now? He might be worrying."

"How about you? Didn't Splendid ask you to feed the birds?"

"Oh shoot! I completely forgot about it. Gotta go back feeding the ducks. See ya later, Shift." Lifty spun up and scuttled to the pond.

Shifty walked back to the house, the villa Splendont had bought her.

Everything seemed so vague now.

The truth seemed to be untangled but the feelings still made her heart flutter.

After talking to Lifty, she felt more incentive to carry on.

She had always known Lifty was something different.

And that's why we're twins. Telepathy is just powerful.

Shifty murmured to herself.

As she entered the house, a pair of arms dragged her into a tight embrace. She gawked at the slightly shuddering hero and was astounded to hear him sob. It was so unlikely for Splendont to even produce such mournful sounds.

She wanted to believe it was a dream, but it was real as hell.

He was there. This man whom she had been acquainted with since she was a kid. They had been enemies constantly getting at each other. He had once been her creditor and threatened to enslave her. But now, he was the man that loved her the most in this world.

"Where've you been? You said you weren't going out, so I came home early. I thought you got into an accident or something. You've me worrying sick." The redhead croaked, his complexions full of grievance and angst.

That was when she realized that everything was true.

Everything is real. This love, this feeling, this ache in the heart.

"Splendont, if I turn back into a boy, will you still love me?" Shifty finally mustered up the courage to ask.

"Of course." The redhead, almost without hesitation, replied. "Why do you think I would pick on you in the first place! Damn it, is this what you've been spacing out for all this time? Because you're worried that I'll dump you if you turn back into a guy? It's not like it's going to happen though. Sniffles said your change is permanent, didn't he? But even so, I will never let go of you just because you've changed your gender! You're still enslaved by me, remember? You owe me so many debts that you have to pay me for the rest of your life. Anything but you, I can't accept losing it. Do you get it now? So, don't make me worry so much about you. I'm the one feeling insecure here."

"Even if you knew that I didn't actually love you, you still took me in. Are you an idiot?"

"I told you, your presence here is enough. If I lose you, I'll weep to death. Right now, I might only have your body, but I'll make sure that you hand over your heart to me willingly in the future. Just, tell me what I have to do to make you mine!"

"You don't…have to do anything." Shifty smiled.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Because I've already decided." Shifty tittered. "I'll give it a shot. My body and my heart are both yours from now on."

With that, she grabbed the hero's cheeks and kissed him passionately.

~xXx~

"That mouthful just now makes you look like a gorilla." Splendid mocked, propping his head in his hands. He was always distracted by the way Lifty ate like an aggressive refuge having starved for days. It was an adorable moment to relish in. And the more he stared at her, the more enticing he found her to be.

He had never fallen for someone so devotedly as if her past sins never mattered at all.

He had condoned all her crimes, indeed.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

It's incidental, absurd, incomprehensible.

The most irrational, yet dazzling thing was to fall for someone he used to overlook.

"Your stares are giving me creeps." Lifty pouted, poking the tiramisu cake with her fork. "Are you sure you're not using me as a guinea pig like those birds?"

"Why would I do that?" Splendid yelped. "This is the best cake I've ever baked for anyone! And yet, you suspect me!"

"Well, you're famous for your inconsideration and irresponsibility, Mr. Blue Hero. What do you expect?" Lifty smirked.

"Even so, I wouldn't coax you into consuming something poisonous. I'm not that low." The hero folded his arms glumly.

"Sorry. I just don't feel like trusting anyone." Lifty admitted. "No one's ever been this subtle."

"Not even Shifty, I know." Splendid mused. "She used to ditch you midway through the heist."

"That was in the past. She's still my family."

"Just why wouldn't you open your heart for me?"

"Huh?" Lify gaped at the hero quizzically. "What are you talking about?"

"Your reticence. Your doubts. I don't seem to get through it."

"Then quit trying."

"I don't want to give up on you." The hero confessed. "If that bastard brother of mine could court someone, I don't want to lose to him."

"So you're doing this simply to compete with him? That's childish."

"No! You got it all wrong. It's not like I want to surpass him or anything. I'm…I'm…" Splendid bit his lips sullenly and muttered. "I'm jealous, okay?"

"Of who?"

"Of them."

"Why?"

"Because I want to stay beside you too."

"Well, we're together, aren't we?"

"Not all the time. I want us to live together."

"That's…" Lifty sighed. "I can't leave that apartment. It's the last trace of something priceless for me. Shifty and I used to share that place so…I can't just forsake it and move in with you."

"Then, why don't I move into that apartment! It's not like my house is any bigger than your flat!"

"You're kidding, right?" Lifty laughed.

"I'm serious! I love you!"

"What?"

"I said- I love you. And I wish you could accept me." Splendid blushed. "I'm not as well off as Splendont though. I…can't probably lavish so many luxuries on you, but…still, I want to stay close to you. I'll do anything I can."

"You must have forgotten that I was once a guy, and a criminal as well."

"How could I ever forget your true identity?" Splendid retorted. "In no way would I forget your tarnished past, but it's the present you that I'm in love with. I don't care what happened before because it wouldn't change my perception of you from this point onwards."

"And if one day my kleptomania relapses?"

"I'll hunt you down myself. I'll still imprison you and restore justice. But, I'll still love you."

"And if I go back being a boy by any chance?"

"I don't care."

"By that saying, you should've felt something for me long ago when I was a boy and a thief."

"I did…" Splendid smiled sheepishly. "Just not as much as now. I've always found you cute, even though you were such a troublemaker and a leech."

"Your words are so unconvincing." Lifty frowned. "So bittersweet."

"Then, will you try believing them?"

"Maybe."

"I take that as a 'yes'."

"You're so crafty."

"Not as much as you and Shifty."

"Hypocrite."

"Aren't we a perfect pair?" The hero tittered.

"Guess it can't be helped."

"Kiss me."

"Beg for it."

"You're so vain, but I'll bear with it." Splendid stood up from the table and bent over, crushing his lips against Lifty's. "For now."

"Better forever." Lifty taunted and kissed him back.

It's gonna be a long night.