Chapter 25

Akira begins to make an earnest effort to repair the damage to her friendship with Rumi, however, Rumi seems to be not interested in any reconciliation.

## Features of This Chapter

### Story Setting

At school, first at the beginning of classes, then at the end of the school day.

### Transition Milestones

Akira is now operating in uncharted waters and a completely new territory with regard to friendship. She is trying to repair and restore her friendship, instead of screwing around with people, like she did when she was a bratty boy.

### Relationship Evolution

The relationship at this point between Akira and Rumi is at its lowest ebb, either badly cracked, or outright broken.

### Lessons Learned

Friendship can be lost in an instant, but may take a lot of time to be repaired and restored.

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

CHAPTER 25 OF THE MANGA (REVISED ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

(Part 5 of the Friendship Lost to Friendship Regained Story Arc)

## Previously

At the beginning of the new school year, Akira makes a new, additional female friend, Aoi Fujiki. But Rumi becomes extremely jealous, and a rift occurs between Rumi and Akira. This is so plainly shown to Akira when she gets an unjustified smackdown in the girl's restroom at school, by Rumi and a few other girls. Akira is devastated, and that evening ends up at the house of the local hairdresser, Junko. Shouma comes by, and offers to help Akira regain her friendship with Rumi. He calls upon Erika to help. Erika cuts a private deal with Akira---that Erika will help reconcile Akira to Rumi, but Akira has to swear off any intentions on Ekira's perspective boyfriend, Shouma. A powwow session is held, as a battle plan is crafted. Later, Erika and Akira 'clear the air' as to the feelings between them. The project will begin on the next school day.

## This Chapter's Story

During the evening of the day that Akira undeservedly received a smackdown from Rumi and a few other girls at school, this evening finds Akira and Erika talking outside the home of Junko, the hairdresser. The two girls are not on very good terms with one another. Erika is pressing Akira for an answer to a question that Erika has posed, namely, what personal secret is Akira hiding ? Akira admits that she is, indeed, hiding something about herself from Rumi, but does not say what that is.

Thankfully, Erika changes the subject to tell Akira that she, Erika, never did like Akira all that much. Ever since way back when, at the time Akira first entered school (see Chapter 2 when Akira and Erika first met), Akira seemed to be avoiding any and all the girls in class. Rumors floated around Akira that she disliked making friends with and getting along with the other girls, for some unknown reason. Erika continues, saying that it was Rumi that broke the social isolation of Akira. Rumi never paid much attention to the rumors, and began regularly talking to Akira. Erika now turns to being a consort, telling Akira that because she, Akira, befriended Aoi Fujiki, that may have confused and upset Rumi. So, Akira should approach Rumi privately, telling Rumi that, honestly, how valuable a friend she is to Akira, and how much she means to Akira. Erika again shifts gears, becoming investigative. Erika bluntly asks Akira why they do not like her, Erika, very much ? Akira thinks for a while, then 'spills the beans'. Back then, Akira did not like the comment that Erika told her, namely, that ***I*** (lit. *watashi* {feminine}) looked and acted like a boy! So that is what all this animosity toward me is all about ? Erika repeatedly apologizes for that blunder in the past. Erika then tells Akira that she does, very much so, look and act totally like a cute, attractive teenage girl.

Later that evening, at home in the bathroom, Akira is undressed except for her training bar and panties, and is staring at herself in the mirror. She muses to herself about Erika; so that is how it was ? Something like that ? Akira's iphone then rings. It is a pix and text from Aoi, showing Akira a big snail that she found outside on a leaf. Akira returns to undressing and contemplating. Akira admits to herself that she did not put that much importance into the promise that she made with Rumi, that Rumi would be the first one to get her phone number and social media info (Aoi got it first). Maybe that was the reason that Rumi got so angry in the girl's bathroom at school. That must have been a big deal for Rumi, that Akira treated with unconcern. Akira sorely admits to herself that if it were not for Rumi, ***I*** (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) would not be today where ***I*** (*Ore*) am now, to be socially as open-minded and as feminine as possible. Akira is now completely naked, and silently observes herself in the mirror, for quite some time.

Next morning at school, it is raining, a real downpour. In the homeroom class, Akira decides that she has to use the restroom before classes start. Aoi calls out to Akira, and goes to follow her, but is intercepted by Erika, telling Aoi that she wants to talk to her about something. Erika then leads Aoi out of the classroom. Akira tells herself that she will have to apologize to Aoi when this is all over. Really, when is this going to be 'all over' ? Will Rumi and her ever be back to the way that they used to be ? In the hallway, Akira is flagged down by Shouma. He apologizes for not being more of a help to her, then offers her a pack of chewable Rolaids, for her certain to be upset stomach. The two briefly touch hands, apparently a real thrill to Shouma. He then hobbles (stiffness downstairs from touching a girl's hand?) away down the hall. Akira stares at the little packet of Rolaids that she has in her palm. She tells herself, ***I*** (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) don't hardly know anything about Shouma or Erika-chan. In times past, she didn't even try or attempt to be sociable to those two. Now, I want to get to know them better.

After the last bell, at the end of classes for the day, Erika again runs defense for Akira. This time by distracting Shion away from Akira. The twin tail girl, Chika, pokes Akira in her side, the silent signal that Rumi is 'in the clear'. Akira leans across the aisleway towards Rumi's desk, and passionately states that she wants to talk to her about something ....... " Well, *I don't want to* ......... " , interjects Rumi, as she turns her back to Akira, and begins to leave.

***" WAIT !!! " ,*** loudly screeches Akira, as she grabs onto the arm of Rumi, preventing her from leaving. Two boys look across the classroom to see what kind of altercation is happening between the two girls! Rumi sees the attention-getting scene that is rapidly unfolding, so she tells Akira that she will talk with her privately, elsewhere. Akira silently prays with all her mind and heart---

"Talk to me, Rumi ! Let's get to know you properly, and have you come to understand me, too ?!?"

Akira is still grasping the long sleeve of Rumi's shirt with her clenched fist, down by Rumi's wrist. Rumi allows Akira to begin leading her away.

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