Asuna climbed out of the pool feeling good, her new body seemed to revel in athleticism and she couldn’t wait to start sparring again to see what she could do going all out. It would have to wait though, she thought until she found somebody in her current weight class. She didn’t want to accidentally injure somebody. She shook her hair out of her eyes and walked over to the other two who were stretched out on nearby deckchairs, “Early wakeup call notwithstanding, I think today is turning out to be a good day.”

“Well I have some news to help that along,” Linda added. “The agency has made sure that the news services believe and say that you are “just” an excellent martial artist and concerned citizen. Zero’s team also reports that nobody who is blogging or reporting seems to think you are a mutant so your cover is safe. No one is looking for “Asuna Hinato - Mutant” as far as we know. Being on the Whateley rolls, and you will be by Monday, will give you some protection in exchange for the major players knowing you exist. Everyone knows not to bother the family members of Whateley students so yours will be safe.” She smiled, “It’s the one thing all Alumni agree on, families are not to be touched. The villains support it as much as the heroes and the faculty looks after the students themselves so you’ll be fine.”

Kim giggles and adds, “So your modesty may be long gone but at least your secret identity is safe!”

“Better than I was expecting,” Asuna replies. “Thank you so much Linda!”

“You only thank her?” Kim says in mock indignation. “What about all I’ve done for you?”

Asuna raises a single red eyebrow, “And what have you done for me?” She smiles as she says it.

“I’ve given you excellent fashion advice, let you see my boobs, and of course the incalculable value of my company,” Kim replies. She pouts and continues, “I was even going to make sure you put on sunscreen but now that you’re being so mean I should just let you burn.”

Asuna caves and apologizes profusely while blushing.

Kim tries to keep her pout going until Asuna is done but halfway she starts laughing until she falls off her chair. “Oh wow!” She says breathlessly. “You’re even more fun to tease than Lindsay!” After she gets more breath back she adds, “I flashed you remember? And I’m trading my highly valuable fashion advice for cool clothes and the promise of mall shopping in the future.” She winks, “You do remember promising to buy me a few things right Sue?” Giggling again at Asuna’s face she holds up two sunscreen bottles, “You do need sunscreen though, otherwise you’ll burn and it would be a shame to ruin your first real tanning session that way. Although watching you squirm as I rub in the burn cream everywhere would be fun I am not that mean.”

Asuna takes a bottle and pours some out but Kim stops her before she puts it on her face, “No that one is for the body, the other one is for the face.”

“What? Why?” Asuna asks.

“To keep you from breaking out,” Kim replies. “Well I dunno if superheroes get zits but I sure do if I use anything heavy on my face. The stuff in the other bottle is more expensive and I don’t think it covers as well but it doesn’t make me break out. Most girls do the same.”

Linda nods, “Consider it part of your cover. I doubt you’d break out and truthfully I’m not even sure you can get sunburn since you’re nearly an EX four but you are a fair skinned redhead so you might and other girls will notice if you don’t use any and don’t burn. They might just think you are lucky but you don’t need the hassle either way.”

Asuna nods and starts doing her legs and feet.

“I’ll assume you don’t need any help rubbing your front,” Kim starts giggling at Asuna’s reaction. “But after you’re done with that we can do each other!”

“Oh gods,” Asuna said. “Is it possible to die of embarrassment?”

“If it is,” Linda said. “You might find out this summer.”

Asuna lay back after she was finished with both lotions and sighed, “Sometimes I think I’m adjusting too well to all this stuff.”

“What do you mean?” Kim asked.

“Well Iris said that exemplars have this template thing, a blueprint that determines what they end up looking like and that it helps you deal with the new body. You get used to the new height or arm length and don’t have to relearn things like playing an instrument, or painting and she suspects it may help those who swap genders get used to that as well as the rest.” She sighs again, “I hope so, because otherwise I guess it means I was always a girl inside and never knew and I'm not sure I could take that. It might be one shock too many.”

Kim hugged Asuna, “I’m sure you were very manly before. I’m thinking this is a good thing though. If you are adjusting well that has better than being a basket case right?”

“Thanks!,” Asuna hugged back, “That does make me feel better.”

“Hugs are strong medicine,” Kim replied. “I might tease but I really do like you and I’m sure as I get to know you better we’ll become BFFs.”

“I think I’d like that Kim,” Sue replied smiling. At least until Kim asked, “So do you think you could rub lotion into my back without molesting me or should I be ready to defend my honor?” She sputtered and turned red, “What?”

Giggling Kim said, “You are really far too easy to tease!” She rolled over and untied the straps of her top, “You do my back and I’ll do yours agreed?”

Asuna shrugged, “Sure.” She grabbed the bottle with the body lotion and started rubbing it being careful of her new strength and of where she put her hands. Once she was done with Kim’s back she started on her feet and massaged lotion into them.

Kim groaned, “Linda you have got to feel this!” She turned her head, “You are really good at massage Sue! I can hardly wait for you to do my calves, they’ve been tight.”

Asuna took that as a hint and moved up to them, “Okay, just let me know if I start rubbing too hard ok?”

“Sure!” Kim replied seemingly lost in bliss.

Saturday passed in sunshine and smalltalk, eventually they went in for lunch and then dinner. Afterward they watched a dvd and Asuna asked if there were any shops nearby for anime or manga.

Kim nodded, “Yup, they are in the mall I'm taking to you to tomorrow, so we can get some while shop for other stuff.” She giggled, “I guess once a geek always a geek?”

“Yup!” Asuna replied. “It's in the bone, or maybe deeper.”