Chapter 34

Akira, self-taught regarding makeup, applies it to Kazuki. Kazuki is mild-mannered, and not behaving like his usual bully self.

## Features of This Chapter

### Story Setting

At the drug store, at home, at school during the practice for the school play

### Transition Milestones

Akira considers for herself to begin wearing makeup or not, then decides to put the decision off for a while.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira and Rumi practice makeup techniques on one another in order to learn how to apply makeup properly.

### Lessons Learned

The players learn to trust Akira and Rumi in allowing makeup in the play, and for the two of them to do a good job applying the makeup.

ORE GA WATASHI NI NARU MADE ( UNTIL I BECOME ME )

CHAPTER 34 OF THE MANGA (REVISED ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

(Part 4 of the Class Play for the Autumn Culture Festival Story Arc)

## Previously

The class play for the Cultural Festival this year will be *Cinderella*. Roles have already been assigned, and practice with everyone's script has begun. This version of the story will be a gender reversal play, boys playing girls, and vice versa. Akira has been selected to play the Prince. The school bully, Kazuki, was selected to play Cinderella. Kazuki is always in a foul mood, since he is constantly frustrated, because he secretly wants to present as and be seen as a girl. Akira and Kazuki have, surprisingly, become close and more friendly with one another, after Akira unexpectedly found out that Kazuki might be a girl inside. The two get along well now, and that has gotten noticed by many of the other students. Akira can greatly sympathize with Kazuki's gender concerns, because, although now one suspects or knows, Akira used to be a boy. In fact, two girls begin to gossip that Akira and Kazuki might be romantically linked. That is not the case, but it becomes widely believed by the other students. Akira and Kazuki acting out their parts in the play, including the obvious romantic implications, only adds to the confusion.

## This Chapter's Story

Akira is over at Rumi's house today. The two are in Rumi's bedroom. Rumi has her laptop computer fired up, and is talking to her older sister, Michiru, via Skype. Michiru is away at college, and is telling Rumi and Akira that if they want to be more confident about their looks, why don't the two of them begin using makeup? Both of you are in middle school, for goodness’ sake ! But makeup is banned at our middle school. Michiru suggests that they start wearing makeup outside of school, as well as asking permission to use makeup for the school play. After the Skype session is over, Rumi decides to get a second opinion. Therefore, she sends a text to Erika on her cell phone. Erika gives the 'go ahead' for makeup for the school play, agreeing with Rumi and Akira, so the two friends head on out to the drug store for makeup selections.

Walking through the aisles, Rumi confesses that her makeup purchases will have to be kept away from her mom, lest mom get upset and angry, so Rumi binds Akira to secrecy. There is such a myriad of makeup styles and types. Which ones should they try ? They don't know, so the two decide to buy a variety of makeup items. They then take their largess to the checkout counter. The total was 1944 Yen ($17.67 USD). Outside, Rumi is elated, jumping for joy, but Akria is a bit apprehensive, as she only has tried to use lipstick, nothing more.

Back in Rumi's bedroom, Rumi wants to 'do' Akira, but Akira does not want to be the guinea pig. However, Rumi points out that the two of them need to at least practice with makeup, as they will probably be the ones to execute makeup for the other cast members of the play. Akira tells herself, how can *I* (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) ask the boys to use makeup, if I don't do so myself ? Being congenial, Rumi suggests that Akira practice on her. This Akira agrees to. But then Akira becomes nervous and excitable, being so close to Rumi, and doing something so intimate with her, applying makeup to her. Akira's heart begins to pound away like a drop forge. When done, Rumi looks at herself in a hand mirror. Akria fusses and frets that she got Rumi's eyebrows too thick. Rumi, for her part, admires herself with her new, mature, sexy look. Makeup did the trick ! Akira sees Rumi's new look, despite the eyebrows, and now has a change of heart. Akira wants Rumi to next 'do' her. However, Rumi reminds Akira that it is already 5PM, and Akria had permission to visit today only until 4:30PM. Time to go. Pastime to go, actually, so it will have to be sometime later !

That evening, back in her own bedroom, Akira is mad and frustrated at herself. Rumi was originally wanting to do her, but she was recalcitrant, and blew away her chance. This after she already had bought a supply of makeup for herself. She is laying in her bed, her backside on the sheets, with her butt and legs swinging in the air. After a while in that awkward position, she gets up, and going to her desktop mirror, twists open a lipstick case. The only makeup she has tried so far. She gets as far as holding the lipstick an inch or so from her lips, but can't go any further. Her heart again begins pounding away, and her mind becomes apprehensive, so she tells herself, "Nope, not today!"

The next day, after school classes, the group of students that are producing the school play assemble in the club activities building to begin serious practice for the school play, *Cinderella*. Time is spent with everyone running through their lines for the play. The boys who will be doing the female parts are congratulated for how well they are presenting their characters. Rumi brings up a question for consideration---How does everyone feel about doing the play with proper makeup on ?

Rumi assures the group that using makeup for a play is not weird in any way. Akira and herself have been practicing with applying makeup, and are prepared to do the whole job of makeup for the entire cast of the play.

    Kazuki says that he has no objection, as long as Akira is the one to do his makeup. Shouma pipes up, saying the same thing. Akria thanks them for the vote of confidence. One boy spoofs the idea of makeup, wondering what will happen if he has makeup put on, and he becomes even more beautiful and adorable than the girls ? However, everyone else is willing to give it a try. Kazuki sits down at an empty desk, and asks Akira to begin.

Akira is not all that self-confident, but she begins anyway. She tells herself as she starts that she has to do better than yesterday. As she works, she muses. Kazuki sitting in front of her, completely in her care, is like a completely different person. Mild-mannered and cooperative, and not being his usual bully self. Finally, when Akira is done, Kazuki looks at himself with a compact mirror. He almost looks like a girl (Actually, Kazuki secretly wants to become a girl) ! Kazuki profoundly thanks Akira for her efforts. One by one, Rumi and Akria do the makeup for the other players. Erika remarks that the makeup really looks great ! When all the makeup is done, the students want to resume the practice for the play. This they do. Akira, playing the Prince, and Kazuki, playing Cinderella, run through their parts when they are at the ball together. However, the one boy who has been in a prankster and teasing mood so far, says that the play is too predictable, too boring. He wants to 'add some excitement' to the play.........like what ?

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