Love Me: Chapter 4

LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM

CHAPTER 4 OF THE MANGA

Finally, everyone is inside the dressing room. Mei and Mogumo were already there, having a heart-to-heart baring of their souls, while Tetsu and male Ten-chan were outside listening through the closed back door. Male Suzu, with their approach and loud voice, broke that up in a hurry, as Mei opened the door and gave everyone a sour look. Now inside, Mei and Mogumo are already dressed for work in their maid outfits, as Ten-chan and Suzu have begun undressing. Tetsu announces to everyone that he has a suggestion for consideration. With regard to the use of the term 'girlyboy' in the standard introduction, Tetsu suggests that ones could either include that designation and apply it to themselves, or exclude it with no reference to the controversial term. He says that he was thinking that there is no good reason to go out of your way to say who you supposedly are according to the standard introduction, if what you say doesn't really apply to you. This would eliminate the need to lie about yourself and your feelings, just for the sake of the concept of the Cafe.

Tetsu goes on with his reasoning. He directs his next explanations toward Mei. (At this point, everyone probably knows that Mei is actually a trans girl.) He had pondered on why Sac-chan had said earlier for ones to have the option of leaving out the term 'girlyboy' in the introduction, when Mei was so insistent on applying it to herself ? (Mei wanted to continue to use the term, Suzu and Ten-chan were neutral, and Mogumo did not want to apply the term to themselves.) Tetsu remarks that Sac-chan had understood that you, Mei, deep down in your heart, really want to be referred to as **an authentic girl**. Recall Sac-chan's words, "Everyone here should be who they really want to be !" (Mei puts her hand over her heart, and grasps the dress's bib fabric.) She openly and fervently declares---

"Well, yeah ! I want to be seen as an authentic girl.....but I thought that would be self-centered of me to want to do so. Everyone knows that I was born perceived as a "boy", after all. THAT'S WHY I CAME TO CHERISH THE 'GIRLYBOY' LABEL !!! I felt like I would be accepted because of that word. It served as an intermediate designation until I could some day openly and freely apply the term 'authentic trans girl' to myself with conviction."

Tetsu remarks that he doesn't see that as evidence of any narcissism. Didn't Sac-chan make that proclamation with ***you in mind***, Mei, and not necessarily only Mogumo ? That way you, or others, would not have to lie to yourself about your own heartfelt feelings of personal identity, or self-worth. Ten-chan now speaks right up. Tetsu is correct. When I am here at this Café, I can be who I want to be the *meowist*. (Ten-chan makes frequent references to a cat's voice.) Society can be so harsh, so people, especially males, like *meow* aren't allowed to say such cute and feminine things. I usually have to spend *meow* time as a diligent male student who gets good grades, so times can get very stressful. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY THIS PLACE IS SUCH A HAPPY PLACE FOR *MEOW* TO BE !

Suzu now takes his turn to speak up. He says that when he is here, he does not have to hide the fact that he is interested in another boy. That means that he can be comfortable around the people who work here and customers who come here to enjoy themselves. He has to be so careful as to what he says around family, so-called friends, and schoolmates. That is sometimes so depressing. Yet here, I can speak freely, and that is the kind of person that I want to be the most. Suzu says that he has a lot of fun here, too, and hopes that others can be free and open, to be like that.

Ten-chan now mentions another benefit. If we make the greeting optional, then you, Mogumo, would not have to say whether you are a "boy" or a "girl". And as for you, Mei-chan, why not just drop the intermediate term 'girlyboy', and just flat-out identify yourself as a **trans girl** from *meow* on ! Tetsu brings up the fact that the Café's sign out front and the logo is still going to say that this is a "Girlyboy Café". So when necessary, it would be sufficient for one to merely act out the role of a 'girlyboy', without necessarily saying or assigning the term to themselves. Mogumo finally speaks up, asking if it is *really okay* if I don't say that I'm a "girlyboy" ? The room drops into a dreadful silence. Nobody says or does anything. What a cliffhanger ! Tension is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Finally, Tetsu only smiles. Mogumo, bursting with emotion, runs up to Tetsu and gives him an almighty bear hug. **"IN THAT CASE, I CAN WORK HERE !!!** *YOU ARE A GENIUS, TETSU*.......***I LOVE YOU !!!***" Tetsu turns beet-red with embarrassment, as Mogumo nuzzles her cheek next to Tetsu's cheek ! So obviously and erotically romantic, in front of everyone else, to boot !

Mei looks on with smiling approval, until a shock of realization bolts through her mind, and a look of surprise crosses her face. She speaks up to everyone, asking no one in particular---

"Can ***I*** (lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) refer to ***myself*** (lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) as a girl would ordinarily do ? As an authentic trans girl.......? B...But....I still have my pride as a "girlyboy"..... Would it be better if ***I*** (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) sounded more masculine ?"

Suzu answers, declaring that sounding and representing yourself like a girl really suits you, Mei ! Ten-chan pipes up, insisting that abject femininity is so like you, Mei-chan ! "YOU THINK SO ?", gushes forth Mei-chan, envisioning herself as a pretty, delicate, ultra-feminine teenage princess wearing an ornate, sparkling princess gown !

Mogumo eventually separates from Tetsu, only to stand in front of everyone, ready to do a confession. Mogumo solemnly apologizes, stating that they are so sorry for acting selfishly and self-centered, for causing all of you trouble, and for getting mad and yelling about the fact that they are not a 'boy' or a 'girl'. Mogumo then implores to let themselves join all of you in working together at this remarkable Café. ***OF COURSE !!!!!!***, is echoed by all. Suzu asks if he can call out the name "Mogumo" ? Ten-chan asks to call them, "Mogu-chan" ? Mei fervently proclaims---

"It's thanks to all of you acting on your own behalf, and showing your own heartfelt feelings, that ***I*** (lit. *Ore* {masculine})......***NO***......that ***I*** (lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) could act on my own behalf, and show all of you my deepest and innermost secret......to be an authentic girl, to be a real, honest trans girl ! Thank you one and all !"

'Okay by all of us' is shouted all around !

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The Question Café now opens for business. The customers file in one-by-one, and are seated. In 'Round Two' of Mei's training of Mogumo, both maids approach two young male customers at a table. Mei begins by introducing the new maid and server who is starting with us today. Mei gestures to Mogumo, who is holding a tray with two glasses of water. However, Mogumo is so nervous, and is so obviously shaking, that the water in the glasses is churning up a storm. Mogumo, although 'shaking like a leaf', valiantly continues with the introduction---

"I'm....*MoGuMo* ...! **wE**....WeL**cOmE** t0 qUeStIoN ....! oNcE....**OnCe** y0u**Ve**....." (One of the young men shouts out to "hang in there"!) Mei ever so lovingly and erotically leans over and whispers in Mogumo's ear, "Once you've decided.....!"
Mogumo snaps out of the funk, and smoothly and earnestly says, "Once you have decided on your order, please call for me !" Mogumo deeply and respectively bows to the customers. One of the male customers points something out to Mogumo. He asks, "Are you {guys} not saying 'Did you know that I am a "girlyboy"? Is that okay with you?' anymore ? Mei answers for the both of them, saying that it's not like we need permission from the customers to be our true, authentic selves ! Right, Mogumo ? "YEAH !!!", belts out Mogumo, with a huge smile on their face, and beaming joy, satisfaction, and tons of self-fulfillment with a new aura and self-worth surrounding themselves.

(Click on Chapter 5 to be taken to the next chapter)