Chapter 3

### Relationship Evolution

It is set up so that Rumi and Akria can call each other by their first names, and use the honorific 'chan' with one another (\* see below in commentary).

### Lessons Learned

When Akria spilled iced tea on Rumi, she learns that love covers many mishaps. Rumi learns that she has become romantically very fond of Akria.

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

CHAPTER 3 OF THE STORY (Revised English Translation)

## Previously

When Akria's Dad divorced his Mom, Akira was taken out of Primary School, and Mom and Akira moved away. They settled in the city where Mom's mother lives, and moved in with Grandmother. Akira now attends a different school where they were *registered as a girl.* Since Akira has been in 'loner mode' for a while now, she almost always keeps to herself in this new environment. However, another girl Akira's age takes notice of her, and becomes fond of Akira. This girl, Rumi Watai, takes the initiative and invites Akira to her home for a day of fun and play. Will Akira finally come to know another girl as an intimate friend and companion ?

## This Chapter's Story

CHAPTER 3---According to the MANGA version---

Ding, Dong !

Akira is at the front door of the Watai apartment. Rumi opens the door and warmly greets Akira with a 'Good Afternoon'! For this special time together, Rumi is dressed very nice. She is wearing an attractive logo sweater with a ruffled collar, a pleated short skirt, and dark colored tights with no shoes. Her long, shiny black hair is done up in it's usual bun. Akira says nothing, but several thoughts race through her mind. I actually came to play at Watai-san's home. I wonder what kind of games girls play ? It's so hard to talk to anyone at school. Above all, I don't want to be hated! Rumi leads Akira to the front room. Rumi's older sister, Michiru Watai, has her head down on the table, seemingly out of it. Rumi wants to use the room, but her sister says, "No!"

"Stop being melted ice cream !", intones Rumi. "You, too, will understand the depths of my suffering in 4 or 5 years", is Michiru's sharp comeback. Rumi boldly states, "I'm not going to be like you !"

Rumi whispers to Akira that sister is going through 'those days' right now. (Rumi is 8 years old, therefore, her sister would be about 12-13, and probably has already started her monthly period.) Akira thinks to herself that she has no idea what 'those days' are or what they mean. Nevertheless, Rumi leads Akira into the front room. Michiru looks up at Akira, and shoots off the comment, " Who is that ? Your *boyfriend* ??? " Rumi shoots back, " No way ! Fujimiya *is a girl* ! " " sorry " Between the front room and kitchen, there is a small dinning enclave. Rumi enters, and turning to Akira, says that she is going to get drinks all around. Do you like iced tea ? " Uh, sure ", Akira squeaks out.

Michiru gets up from the low table and sits on the couch, inviting Akira to sit next to her. " Okay ", mumbles Akira. Michiru is wearing a dark-colored sailor fuku (girl's sailor suit school uniform). In a few moments, Akira's overactive mind goes into hyperdrive ! The assumptions and superstitions come fast and furious. Why did she expect me to sit next to her ? Not only that, but she is not taking her eyes off of me ! Did she realize that I used to be a boy ? NO WAY !!! She is gonna to point to me say, " This one's a ***boy*** !!! " And Rumi is gonna say, " No way ! **Gross** ! " *I have to escape !!!*

" I HAVE TO USE THE TOILET ", belts out Akira, as she leaps off of the couch ! Akira doesn't realize that her spontaneous actions would have such unpleasant consequences. As Akira suddenly launches off of the couch, Rumi is moving toward the couch with a tray filled with several tall glasses of iced tea. Akira collides with the tray, causing the tray and glasses to upset, sending them toward Rumi and her pristine outfit. The tray, glasses, and their contents go all over Rumi, and fall to the floor. Rumi ends up on the floor, too !

" WATAI-SAN ! I'M ........ I'M SORRY !!! *SO SORRY !!!,* implores Akira.

Mom asks if you two are okay ? Rumi says that it is all right. Mom says that she will bring Rumi a change of clothes, so take those off ! " Okay! " Rumi begins to remove her thoroughly soaked sweater, showing that she has already begun to wear a training bra (remember, it's all girls here). But all that is running through Akira's mind is that 'oh no', what did I do ? Rumi's gonna *hate me for sure* ! Michiru comments that Akira is wet, too. " Ah ....... yeah ....... sorry ! ", is all that Akira can get out.

" Bring some clean clothes for Fujimiya, too! ", implores Rumi. OK! OK! Here you go, Fujimiya-san, as mom hands Akira a pajama top (Rumi and Akira are about the same size).

" Thank you very much. " , Akira says, but thinks to herself, " This is *real girl clothes* ! " However, Rumi is horrified ! She has already stepped out of her soaked skirt, and stepped into sweat pants. Now she is pulling a hoodie over her head.

" THOSE ARE MY PAJAMAS ! DON'T LEND HER THOSE !!! " , screams Rumi. Mom says don't be stubborn and lend them to her.

Again Rumi bellows, " ***NO !*** YOU CAN'T LET FUJIMIYA WEAR THOSE KIND OF CLOTHES !!!! Akira can only think to herself that yea, right, of course she would not want me to wear her clothes.

" ***I WANT FUJIMIYA TO WEAR CUTE, PROPER GIRL'S CLOTHES !!!!!!! "***, Rumi forcefully insists ! Rumi then turns to Akira and says in no uncertain terms, *" You also want to wear cute girl's clothes, don't you ! "* Akira feebly utters that, " I - I really don't care." Rumi says that she knows *exactly what Akira needs to wear !!!* Rumi suggests that Akira wear one of her formal dresses, one that she wore to a wedding. Mom says NO! The dress is too expensive.

In a while, right there in the front room, Akira is out of her soaked t-shirt, and modeling a very attractive adolescent girl's outfit. It is a super cute light blue dress with a multi-colored flower print pattern all over the blue fabric background. Over the dress there is a solid color cardigan. Topping off the cuteness is little girl's white anklets (girl's socks)!

" I looks **so good** on you ! ", proclaims Rumi. A mantra is running through Akria's mind---It's a dress / *It's a dress* / **It's a real dress** / ***It's a real girl's dress*** !!! However, Akira manages to eek out a robust "Thank you Watai-san." A thoroughly puzzled Akira next asks the obvious (to her) question---" Aren't you mad that I spilled tea on your clothes ? " Rumi replies, " Not at all!" Another problem surfaces. When Akira thanked 'Watai-san', who did she mean ? All three, Mom, Michiru, and Rumi have that last name. But Michiru Watai has a novel idea and solution. See nods to Rumi. Rumi 'gets it', than looks straight at Akira, takes Akira's hands into hers and implores what do we do, ***Akira-chan (\*) ???***(Rumi has just used Akira's first name ***for the first time !!!***)

"Uh ........ um ....... R .......... Ru .......... Rumi (\*)!?!?!", Akira shyly whispers. (Reciprocating, Akira has just used Rumi's first name ***for the first time !!!***)

And so the new designations begin. "Rumi-chan ? (\*)", asks Akira. "What's up, Akira-chan ? (\*)", returns Rumi. "Thanks for lending me your clothes." " No problem. " Still romantically holding hands with Akira, Rumi smiles in a show of utter, complete, passionate, and absolute joy.

Akira soberly thinks to herself---" If I keep trying to behave like a girl, *will I really be able to be friends* with Rumi-chan ??? "

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## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

(\*)---According to modern Japanese culture and social custom, the only ones who can properly use each other's first names are married people, lovers, and those in very personal and intimate relationships. Michiru Watai has set up an social interaction that has quietly implied that it is sociably okay for Rumi to begin using Akira's first name, and reciprocally, for Akira to begin using Rumi's first name. As an additional premium, both girls will also now begin adding the honorific "chan" after their respective first names. Like the first name custom, the honorific 'chan' is only used by married couples, lovers, those in an intimate relationships, and between children, most notably between adolescent and teenage girls.

## What Manga Fans Are Saying About This Chapter

**Shizomist / 4 months ago**

Well, this [version {MANGA}] makes a bit more sense than the other version [DOUJIN version].

**Walter vi Britannia / 9 months ago**

Ahh, I didn't think of that. Usually people don't assume elementary(?) school students to be lesbians or gay or anything at all. Maybe she [Rumi] just thinks she's a shy kid [Akira] with no friends...which is kinda true.

**Nari / 9 months ago**

I think the big sister doesn't think she's a boy, I think she assumes she's a lesbian.... I mean, that's usually what people think when girls dress as boys, use boyish ways of speaking, and have short hair... so I think the big sister realizes that maybe Akira likes Rumi and might be trying to get them closer, hence the "I'm Watai-san too" which is to get Rumi and Akira on a first name basis.

**kurisu / 9 months ago**

I think that's exactly how she [Akira] looks like to everyone else in that world as well.

**imhikarucat / 9 months ago**

Is it me or [does] Akira look like a Tsundere in this chapter?

**TotallyNotT3mmie / 11 months ago**

What does having a redemption [story] arc have to do with being a kid? You think kids are all innocent or something? Kids are the most flawed version of us, of course they can have a redemption [story] arc!. This is him [Akira] learning and growing out of that childish mindset he had! LOL!

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(Click on Chapter 4 to be taken to the next chapter.)

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