Chapter 43

After Akira changes her hairstyle to that of sexy twin tails, it seems that all of a sudden other students want her to give them her social media information.

## Features of This Chapter

### Transition Milestones

Akira is becoming more and more attractive, both in beauty, as well as personality, with both boys and girls.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira becomes more popular in school. Another girl named Kokoa wants to befriend Akira, despite Akira's Yuri's relationship with Rumi.

### Lessons Learned

Popularity is a very nebulous situation to achieve and maintain, although Akira doesn't necessarily want to be popular in school. The disconcerting secret of being born a boy is always in the back of her mind.

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

CHAPTER 43 OF THE MANGA (REVISED ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

## Previously

During the winter break for the holidays leading up to the New Year, Akira got to attend a holiday party at Kazuki's home. It was the first time that she had been in a boy's house since she was transformed into a girl. Many of her friends were there, too. Other than an inappropriate video being seen on Kazuki's laptop, the party was a great success. Afterward, outside, all the girls had an improptu snowball fight. Akria was pelted with snowballs, but soon faught back. Then the water heater quit working at Akira's home, so she got to stay with Nurse Okabe in her apartment, while the water heater was being replaced. Akira had some girl-with-girl, heart-to-heart conversations with Okabe-chan. But now the new year's semester has begun at school. One day, Akira comes back to school looking a little different. What did she do to make herself look so much better ?

## This Chapter's Story

One day at school, after the holidays, Rumi and Akira come upon Aoi at her desk. Aoi is drawing something with felt tip markers. It is an encouragement poster for the first-years (students in other classes). Rumi remarks how skilled Aoi is with her drawing abilities. Rumi then asks Aoi if it is okay to borrow one of her markers ? "Go ahead!" Rumi selects a pale turquoise pen, and uses it to color all of Akira's fingernails. Now sporting her 'new and improved' fingernails, Rumi asks Akira to give her the best "Rawr" possible (to pose, roaring like a lion)! This Akira does. Presumably, Aoi quickly draws Akira as the absurdly comical human "lion".

The next morning, Akira is in the bathroom, getting ready for school. She has on her bra, a cami, and panties, and the sailor top of her school uniform, but nothing else. She is looking in the mirror, trying to determine what hairstyle to wear, seeing as this is the beginning of a new school term, and the perfect time to do a makeover of herself to be as attractive as possible. Several possible styles are tried out, with her finally deciding on *sexy, erotic* ***TWIN TAILS !!!*** She tells herself that if this looks improper, she can always go into the girl's room, then untie and comb out her hair.

Later, when both girls are walking to school, Rumi gives her opinion of Akira's new look. Rumi confides with Akira, that because this is the hairstyle that you really wanted to try out, therefore, that alone makes me all for you having twin tails. Rumi goes on to speculate that the boys in the class won't be able to take their eyes off of her. Walking into the school building and to the lockers, Akira confesses that it is not like she wanted to have boys attracted to her, or anything like that. Akira then silently thinks to herself---

"Hmmmm.....as a former boy, looking at myself in the mirror, would **I** (lit. *Ore*{masculine}) consider it weird to be a girl seen as cute and adorable......?"

Rumi leads Akira to what was their former homeroom class. But all the students in the classroom are strangers. Puzzled, Rumi finally realizes, this year they are in a different classroom. She came here just out of habit. Finding their way to the new classroom, Rumi and Akira enter. Rumi remarks that the first years look so much younger, that they look like children. Akira replies that us two probably look like children to the upperclassmen. Akira was not the only one to change their hairstyle. Shouma greets the two girls with a 'Good Morning', and is showing off a new hairstyle himself. His hair is in tiny spikes all over, like an anime boy's would be. Rumi wants to know what happened ? He remarks that he changed it because he is a second year now. What do you think of it ? Rumi doesn't answer, but silently tells herself that he looks just plain weird ! Akira is also silent, thinking if that is what he wanted ....?!? Only Erika voices an opinion, that is, "I told you not to cut and restyle your hair !", as she breaks out in spontaneous laughter. Then, Erika, seeing Akira looking at Shouma with 'bug eyes', says that the look on Akira's face tells the whole story, her face is so easy to 'read'.

Erika follows Rumi and Akira to their desks. She continues to gossip, wondering if you two heard ? There was a competition between Yamato and Daichi to be the first to begin dating Kokoa. She heard that was quite the impressive social fight between the two boys! Daichi, the dark skinned boy, ended up having Kokoa choose him. Erika then states that those two boys will be in the same classes for the next two years. That 'sucks' ! Erika wonders why classes weren't changed very much ? Rumi asks her opinion; if Erika wanted to be in a different class ? No, states Erika, she just wanted some social things to change. Akira states that she just wanted us to be together, that's all. Hearing that from Akira, Rumi snuggles up to Akira, and pretending to offer a kiss to her, confesses that she, Rumi, is glad that there were few changes, because if that did not happen, her heart would flutter with uneasiness and regret. Rumi wants to be with Akira for as long as possible. Just then, Aoi comes into the classroom, wheezing and puffing from running all the way to school, so as not to be late.

That afternoon, the Career Choices Information Packet and Survey booklets are passed out to everyone in class. The booklets want to know what each student is planning for regarding their future education choices and their career paths. Akira wonders out loud if it is too early for the school to begin assessing each student's career path? She wants the group of female friends to stay together at school for as long as possible. Rumi suggests to Akira that they fill out their surveys, with both of them requesting that they go to the same career school. Aoi leans over her desk and tells Runi and Akira that she wants to attend the same career school that the two of them are considering. Rumi, rather bluntly, tells Aoi that with her less than desirable grades, she may not be able to get into that particular school. Akira is taken aback at how seemingly harsh Rumi is handling Aoi. Saddened by Rumi's stark comment, Aoi leaves the classroom, telling herself that maybe she can get in by means of an athletic scholarship. Rumi excuses herself to go to the girl's restroom. Walking the hallways, Akira acknowledges to herself that she deliberately chose the same school that Rumi wanted to go to. However, she acknowledges that she let Grandmother pick her middle school for her. But this time, **I** (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) should decide.

At the lockers, Akira sees the couple who have just began dating, namely Kokoa the girl, and Daichi the boy. Kokoa asks Akira why she isn't with Rumi, as the two are always together. Akira says that Rumi is off doing something (the restroom!). Kokoa says that this is perfect timing; as there is a person in Class 3 that wants to chat with you, Akira, on social media. Kokoa asks Akira if she could have Akira's social media information ? Kokoa holds out her iphone for Akira to enter the information into it. Akira is reluctant, but does so anyway. Just then, Shouma comes upon the group. Shouma wants to know what is going on, as Akira looks uncomfortable. Kokoa nonchalantly tells Shouma that she is only getting Akira's social media contacts, nothing more. Akira apologizes, then tells Shouma that everything is okay. Daichi then offers his iphone, asking for Akira's social media, too ! Then without warning, Shouma pulls out his iphone, and thereby sheepishly asks Akira for her social media contacts. Akira acquiesces. Just then, Rumi comes upon the group. She asks Akira if she is friends with Kokoa now ? Akira matter-of-factly says; yeah ! Rumi then goes on to tell Shouma that she notices that he rather quickly gave up on his new hairstyle (the one with little spikes all over). Shouma only mutters that it did not make him look good like he thought it would.

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

XZ

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