Chapter 2: Beware the Girl with the Black Hair

BEWARE THE GIRL WITH THE BLACK HAIR

MADOKA'S SECRET

CHAPTER 2 OF THE MANGA

"So you two are in the same class ! Its so nice that you made a new friend, Itsuki !"

So proclaims Itsuki's older brother. Madoka, Itsuki, and the older brother are all inside the home of Itsuki, in the front room, sitting at a low table. The older brother is serving tea to all. Madoka remarks that they are not exactly friends, at least not yet. Big Brother points out, to think such a cute and adorable little girl has moved in next door. You two should get to know each other better. Countering, Itsuki blurts out---

"Huh ? What are you talking about ? **Madoka's is a bo.....a bo....."**

Slapping her hand across Itsuki's mouth to stop him from 'spilling the beans', Itsuki never completes his gossip tidbit ! Just then, the front doorbell rings. It is Madoka's big sister, wanting to know where Madoka wandered off to....! So Madoka is right here, causing, no doubt, trouble for the new neighbors, remarks Big Sis. Surprised, Madoka wants to know why Big Sis is here ? Came to pick you up and return you to our home !

Big Sis introduces herself. Her name is Haruka. Big Brother also introduces himself; his name is Haruto, a freshman in high school. There is another brother in the household, but he is not at home right now. Friendly greetings are exchanged all around. Now happening rather quickly, Haruka morphs into one of her 'fashion guru' moods. She comments to Itsuki that they are totally, absolutely, super cute ! Girly face, long attractive legs (Itsuki is wearing pants!), and with a good sense of fashion style ! Quite taken aback, Itsuki is speechless. Continuing, Haruka insists that the two 'friends', Madoka and Itsuki, return with her back to her home, as she has just the right clothes for you to try on, Itsuki ! You, too, Madoka ! Whispering to Itsuki, Madoka confides that once sister gets into her fashion mood, there is no stopping her. Resistance is futile ! Just go, it's not going to hurt...!

Madoka and Itsuki do indeed follow Haruka back to her home. After a little more than an hour, both Madoka and Itsuki have been outfitted with clothes of a different fashion style than their usual selections, one that Haruka is so convinced it will make the two unbelievably attractive. Madoka has on a turtleneck blouse, with a plaid mini-skirt showing off her slim, bare legs. For her part, Iksuki has a rather masculine look of a turtleneck sweater with a chevron trim on the front, a bomber jacket, and black skinny jeans. Both are wearing beanies on their heads. Haruka is in 'seventh heaven', and so enamored by her fashion selections, that she becomes aroused with a mild bloody nose ! Rather surprised and taken aback, Itsuki remarks that she thought that you, Haruka, would dress her in some ultra-feminine outfit. "No way!", insists Haruka. She continues, saying that your perceived gender or birth sex has no bearing on that; one should wear the style that they are most comfortable with, and the style that is most attractive and in good taste as determined by they themselves.

Still on her 'fashion high', Haruka tells Itsuki that she actually has good fashion sense, based on how she had seen Itsuki dressed earlier. A much surprised Itsuki merely thanks her for her observation and comment. Plus, Haruka wishes that she can become friends with Itsuki, in a 'big sister' relationship, as well as that you two, Madoka and Itsuki, would continue your obvious friendship. Interjecting, Madoka tries to mention that the two of them aren't really friends yet. However, Itsuki speaks right up, declaring that we definitely will become friends ! Then, whispering to Madoka, Itsuki tells her that her secret is safe, and will not be revealed.

Cake and refreshments are offered all around, so Madoka and Itsuki take Haruka up on her offer. Sitting together and eating the cake, Madoka reiterates to please keep it a secret that she likes to dress up in girl's clothing. She is assured that Itsuki will not bring it up or talk about it, at school, or elsewhere. "Anywhay, I sorta think I get why you, Madoka, like to do that kind of thing.", states Itsuki.

Next day at school, Madoka has to get ready for gym class. She tells herself that she wants to apologize again to Itsuki, but missed her chance yesterday. She had no idea that Itsuki was a girl. Furthermore, Madoka reasons, Itsuki, underneath the bluster, seems to be a nice person, after all. Wonder if we really can become close and intimate friends ? That would be nice. During gym class, Madoka watches Itsuki play soccer with the boys. Another student, a boy helping Madoka stretch and do conditioning, remarks that Itsuki is in the boy's soccer club, and plays with the boys most of the time after school.

In a while, a black haired girl, with the name tag of 'Toujou', approaches the two, and somewhat sarcastically remarks that Itsuki always plays with the boys, and never with the girls. Why, Itsuki always wears boy's clothing to school. The boy working out with Madoka mentions, in a somewhat disapproving tone, that is because Itsuki was born as an intersex person. Toujou says to stop talking, as it is making her feel sympathetic towards Itsuki. About this time, Itsuki is close enough to overhear the conversation. Itsuki reprimands the boy, telling him to enter the soccer game and dare score a goal right in front of them ! So with that, the boy leaves, as well as Toujou leaving with the girls, as the girl's soccer game is about to begin.

Left to themselves, Madoka quietly asks Itsuki if they are okay with that kind of rumor and innuendo ? Itsuki replies that they really don't care what other people think about their personal situation. People can think, say, or do whatever they want about me. Doesn't bother me at all ! Continuing, Itsuki says that they hate the idea that one would have ridged, pre-conceived notions of who or what boys or girls are supposed to be. It's like yesterday, when Haruka said that you are who you are. No more or no less. And I'm just me ! Now feeling guilty, Madoka apologizes to Itsuki for the mean and uncalled-for things that she said yesterday. Like when you slapped me, inquires Itsuki ? Yeah ! It's okay, continues Itsuki, as I hit you back, and furthermore, said some mean and upsetting things to you, too. So, we're even ! Madoka earnestly mentions that you, Itsuki, are very cool and let's commit to being friends. No way, barks back Itsuki. And more than that, please don't talk to me so much at school ! Madoka is quite taken aback at the change of heart.

Some distance away, the girl with the long black hair, nonchalantly mentions to another girl that those two seem to be all of a sudden, so buddy-buddy. The girl replies that the two of them are next door neighbors now. "Hmmmm......", ejects the black haired girl, with a smug, disapproving look on her face.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(End Chapter 2)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_