Chapter 3: The Reason I Think You're Cute

A CHERRY BLOSSOM RIPPLING IN THE WIND

THE REASON I THINK YOU'RE CUTE

CHAPTER 3 OF THE MANGA

On the night before their first date, Kazuhiro is dreaming ---

On that vexatious day when I did my very first Love Confession, I had my doubts, since I was so unnoticed and unpopular in school. Plus, I was going to attempt to confess to one of the most liked and fashionable girls in class. Not only did I get turned down in a most audacious and insolent way (**"NO, YOU CREEP, YOU JERK, YOU LOSER!!!"**), walking away from her with 'my tail tucked between my legs', it began pouring down rain, and I got 'soaked to the bone' ! Just my misfortune to try and do something like that to that kind of girl. Walking home in the rain, he comes upon a cute girl sitting in the shelter of a local playground. He approaches her, yet, she is not mean or scared, and only asks if he is okay ? At that moment, he thinks to himself, it is as if an angel, named Ren-chan, dressed in a sailor suit, descended from heaven, and landed upon this blessed playground. "Here, use this !", says the angel. Ren offers him a folded handkerchief, and tells him to at least wipe off his face, so that he doesn't catch a cold. He takes the handkerchief, and unwraps it. At least you are smiling now, quips Ren-chan. You looked like you were about to 'croak', and fall over 'done for'. Made me worry ! The handkerchief had a sweet, dreamy scent to it, and it instantly melted my sadness for being rejected by that other girl. The rain had let up for a bit, so the girl leaves, says that she will see me later. That instant, it was 'Love at First Sight' ! (End dream)

It is the morning of their date together. Kazuhiro is walking along 'in seventh heaven'. Today is his date with Ren-chan. He is dressed casual with a t-shirt and pants, and is right on time. He is determined to make today a really fun and memorable day. Lost in thought, he walks past a young woman, and clips her on the shoulder. She yelps, as Kazuhiro immediately apologizes for his carelessness. She scolds him, saying not to 'space out' and do goofy stuff. What were you doing, thinking about your girlfriend ? That random, offhanded comment, 'hits home' with Kazuhiro. Do you know about my girlfriend ? Have you figured it out ? *Ren-chan*, is cute, adorable, and quite the happy-go-lucky girl, ya know ! But wait ! THE TIME ! GOTTA GO ! Sorry, and bye, bye ! The young woman understands, and there are no 'hard feelings'. But as she watches the teenage boy hurry off, she recalls that he said his girlfriend's name was **Ren-chan**! What gives ? No way ! Not in a hundred years !

Ren-chan is waiting at the agreed upon place and time, and wearing the adorable, yet revealing halter sundress that she selected earlier. Rushing up to her, Kazuhiro apologizes for being late, but Ren mentions that he is actually right on time. Both exchange "Good Mornings". Ren-chan says that she has already been out and 'done some stuff'. But how do I look ? She twirls, raising the hemline, and showing off her new sundress, as well as her slender legs. Kazuhiro gushes out about her innate cuteness, something that Ren likes to hear. Wrapping her arms around his arm, Ren says to let's get 'this party started' ! As Ren snuggles up to Kazuhiro, he notices that her sweet scent *is the same scent of the handkerchief of his dream !*

Later that morning, the two stop for ice cream. Ren gets two soft-serve twist cones, and offers one to Kazuhiro. After a while, Kazuhiro gets some ice cream on his cheek. Not one to be shy or reserved, Ren leans over and licks it from his cheek. Wow, so bold ! Ren coyly squeaks out, "So tasty !" Next, the two lovers hit up a video arcade. Kazuhiro thinks to himself that this is working out to be a real, honest date, after all ! They play video games for a while, until Ren notices a crane game (a UFO catcher game). Asking if she can try this particular crane, since it has giant plushies, Kazuhiro offers that he doesn't think that the game will yield anything. "Don't underestimate me ....", quips Ren, *"I won't let my prey escape my sight !"* Ren attacks that machine with the wherewithal as if she is about to launch an ICBM nuclear missile. Amazed at Ren's skills and determination, Kazuhiro sees another side of her that has not been experienced yet.

"{He's} totally in a whole 'nother world !", comments Kazuhiro silently to himself, "I was sure surprised when {he} told me that they were born a boy, but knowing more about *her*, *she* is totally like a 'dyed-in-the-wool, yet curious, impressionable, likeable teen/tween *girl*.

"I GOT IT !", belts out Ren !

"Seriously ?"

Replying with a cryptic message with a double meaning, Ren confidently states, **"Didn't I say that I wouldn't let my prey escape my sight !** Now I'll get one for you, Kazuhiro !"

When the two leave the video arcade, Kazuhiro is carrying a shopping bag full of anime and manga plushies of all shapes and sizes ! Ren apologizes for getting so many and having him carry them. Kazuhiro replies that the plushies are surprisingly cute and attractive. That is always a trigger for Ren, as she turns serious, looks directly at him, and asks, "I know this is weird, but tell me ? Between me and these plushies, which one is the cutest and most adorable ?" For his part, Kazuhiro is stunned into silence. Freaking out, Ren implores, "Am I really the cutest ? I have to know !" "Of course you are !", replies Kazuhiro, as he is taken aback at the quick heaviness that the conversation has morphed into.

The thick, heavy air between them goes silent, as each is left to their own thoughts. Kazuhiro silently wonders to himself---

"Why does {he}, **no, damn it, *she*** keep asking that kind of questions ? She always has a light, sweet scent, constantly changing expressions on her face, and even a lovely, girlish voice. Although she teases me now, she is always positive, and would not want to hurt my feelings for anything. However, she is cute, and not just from her physical appearance. She as a cute mind and spirit, especially her mannerisms, and the kindness from the bottom of her heart. Yet, no matter how many times I repeat the miracle word "CUTE", her feminine heart is never quite satisfied. Am I overthinking things ? Somehow, I get the feeling that, all said and done, Ren is probably ....... "

But Kazuhiro's train of thought is broken.

"**REN !!!**", comes a shout from behind the two of them ! "Why are you out here in public, *pretending* to be a girl ?"

"**ONEE-CHAN !!!**"(lit. Big Sister), yelps Ren, "What are you doing here ?", as she holds onto one of her big plushies for dear life.

Looking at the two, Kazuhiro immediately sees the likeness shared between them. That young woman from this morning that he ran into, *is Ren's older sister !*

Onee-chan confronts Ren in front of Kazuhiro. "I thought something was fishy when you left the house so early on a Sunday morning .... " Ren rebukes Onee-chan, saying that what she does with her time is of no concern of yours, Onee-chan ! No concern of mine ? Onee-chan bellows out---

"If my younger {brother} dresses, acts like, and pretends to be a girl, of course I am going to make it my business !", retorts Onee-chan, "You, Ren, are quite the embarrassment to me, ya know ! **Give it up, Ren !** Just because you dress yourself in a cute halter sundress, wear makeup, have hair extensions as twin tails, and even go out in public with a 'boyfriend', *pretending* to him that you are a girl, **that doesn't mean that you have actually become a *real girl !*** Not by a long shot !"

"**YOU'RE WRONG !**", belts out Ren as she fights back. "Kazuhiro always properly treats me like the authentic girl that I am, *even though he knows that I was born perceived as a boy !* He calls me 'cute', he treats me well, he wants my feminine company. He interacts with me just like you used to do, Onee-chan, only much better .... "

***SMACK !!!***

Onee-chan's hand connects with Ren's cheek with a loud 'slap' ! "Quit living in a dream world, Ren ! Face **reality**! Even if you can pull all that cutesy stuff off right now, the 'hands of time' are going to grab you by the throat, and choke you real good ! There will soon come a time when you will not be able to do much of what you enjoying doing right now. *It's called **PUBERTY !*** That will transform you back to being a {boy} so fast that it will 'make your head swim' ! And you can't stop it, not one bit ! REN, face it ! You will, like it or not, soon detransition back to being A {BOY} !!!"

Ren bursts into loud wails, as tears stream down her pretty cheeks.

(End Chapter 3)

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Click on Chapter 4: Distant Memories to be taken to the next chapter.

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