Even though within the series her focus on appearance seems to be just a plot gimmick, from an outside perspective I've been seeing a lot of dysphoria from the MC. Some of it seems to stem from a need to prove that she's as capable as men are, some of course to waking up and finding out your face and body are completely different. But (even though I feel like the plot will probably go a romance/accept-this-appearance route) the MC definitely has some issues with being afab and desires a more masculine appearance/to be treated as male!