Chapter 19.5: Quirky Date

MIRACLE GIRL KAKERU

QUIRKY DATE

CHAPTER 19.5 OF THE MANGA

Both Shouko and Hayato are intimately settled in a booth at the Ghostly Family Restaurant. Just the two of them together ! Seems so romantic ! After the menus are brought to the booth, Hayato asks what are we going to order ? With a mischievous look on her face, Shouko thinks to herself that she is going to order something rather extravagant. This because Hayato probably will not object, no matter how startling it might be. So, Shouko orders a giant, full-sized strawberry parfait. Something a really hungry person would order ! Without flinching at all, Hayato says to go ahead and order it; he silently tells himself that he has plenty of money with him from his New Year's stash, for just such an occasion.

Unknown to the two psudo-lovers, Chisa and Wakana, both supposedly disguised by wearing dark sunglasses, are watching them like a hawk. Wakana asks Chisa for her assessment of the two. Chisa remarks that this has all the earmarks of a 100% romantic date ! What is more, that look that she is giving him is a sterling example of how to 'wrap him around her finger' ! She already has the makings of becoming a skilled enchantress ! When the waitress brings the giant parfait, Shouko is all rainbows and sparkles, then 'digs in' for a sumptuous treat. For his part, Hayato ordered only a cherry coke and a side of onion rings. Watching her eat, Hayato has the impression that she 'eats like a ravenous boy' ! Yet, her cute mannerisms, and the adorable expressions on her face of joy and delight, argue that she is without a doubt a real girl !

After the first few bites, Shouko offers to give Hayato a taste of her parfait. For his part, Hayato says that he would like a taste very much ! Therefore, Shouko scoops out a big sampling, and offers it to Hayato. Both Chisa and Wakana go bananas ! Does Hayato realize that if he takes that offering, that will be an **INDIRECT KISS (\*)** ? Yet Shouko, if she even realizes it, does not seem to mind. Both spy girls begin softly cheering, "Now, 'Kakeru', right now, give him an indirect KISS ! A KISS ! A REAL KISS ! KISS, KISS, KISS !!!" Hayato scoops up the treat in one bite, as Shouko holds the spoon. **THEY DID IT !!! THEIR FIRST KISS !!! WOW AND WOW AGAIN !**

Hayato may have realized, after the fact, about the kiss. So he quickly changes the subject, and begins talking about feminine super heroines. (Hayato has seen Miracle Girl Kakeru in action.) What do Miracle Girls do, and who, or what are those monsters that they fight against ? Shouko picks up on the direction of the conversation, and silently tells herself that he might come to the conclusion, rightly so, that she is both Shouko and Kakeru. Can't have that happen ! With an annoyed look on her face, Shouko replies, asking Hayato if that is all he wants to talk about ? Actually, she states that she doesn't know anything about Miracle Girl Kakeru (really?) ! Hayato sees his guffaw, and fights to come up with something else to talk about. He deftly turns to talking about boy's video games. Shouko wonders to herself if that is a proper topic for a girl to get enthused about ? Nevertheless, the two offer comments about a particular video game called, *Kepomon*. The conversation is somewhat lively, until Hayato offers that it feels like he is talking with a male friend of his named Sho ! Shouko is aghast ! She got carried away talking about boy's stuff !

Shouko realizes that she has 'painted herself into a corner', and begins squirming to extricate herself from any suspicion. She asks him what kind of friend is he talking about, as if she did not know anything about his friends. Nonchalantly, Hayato remarks that Sho is his very best friend, and a real fun guy to be with. Why, he even cross-dressed as a girl recently, and went to school as such ! What a barrel of monkeys that was ! Had to rescue him from another boy teasing him. Irked in the extreme, Shouko tells herself that he was, indeed, talking about her, her in male mode, however.

Eventually, Shouko finishes the big parfait, and so announces that it is time to go. Hayato reluctantly agrees. Wakana remarks that us two spies need to follow them. Chisa holds out the hope that they will kiss for real, and not leave the date with only an indirect kiss. Musing to himself, Hayato concludes that this date feels like it is not the first time that the two of us have interacted with one another. Shouko has several traits and mannerisms that are so similar to both Kakeru and Sho, especially when Sho was cross-dressed at school. Why is that ? Also, Shouko bears a striking resemblance to Sho's little sister, both in looks and in her ultra-feminine personality. That little sister is so girly, it is scary ! Again, why the resemblance ?

The two begin walking together. Near the entrance to the Mall, Shoko announces that she is leaving to go home. Naturally, Hayato is disappointed. Going so early in the day, implores Hayato ? You make it look like we are on a date, counters Shouko. With a retort, Hayato states that he would not mind at all if this was considered to be a real date after all ! However, Shouko thinks differently. She silently thinks to herself that us two, a boy and a trans girl, going on a date is really weird, not something she would be used to doing. Forcefully, Hayato declares that he wants to continue to get to know Shouko, and to spend time to learn more about her. "Do you really dislike me ?", questions Hayato. Shouko's mind, at first, tells her to leave him. However, her heart boldly speaks up, causing her to say that she doesn't mind if he wants her to be with him for the rest of the afternoon.

Later that evening, Sho confesses, "I don't remember a lot of what happened after that." But for the here and now, Shouko and Hayato continue their date together. They went through a book and video store, looking at the latest anime and manga for sale. They played games at the video gamer area, including Hayato working a crane game (a UFO Catcher) to get a bunny plushie for Shouko. The two enjoyed ice cream cones at a dairy booth. Candidly, Shouko told herself that she has come to really enjoy dates as a girl. Dates are a lot of fun, plus the warm, pleasant feeling in my heart is so wonderful, almost romantic !

Finally walking toward the exit doors of the Mall, the two are walking hand-in-hand, just like what would happen on a first date ! Wakana and Chisa have followed them around all afternoon, always out of sight, however. Wakana remarks that they are like typical middle school friends that are tasting romantic vibes for the first time. Chisa sees it a bit differently, and somewhat incorrectly, as a trend-setting date between two boys. Next to the Mall exit is a clothing store. Hayato concludes that he has to know if Shouko and cross-dressed Sho are the same person ? So, he leads Shouko into the clothing store, to a display of shirts. One shirt is a boy's soccer shirt with a team number on the back, the other shirt is a girl's sailor fuku top. Which will Shouko be drawn to ? Shouko comments that the sailor fuku shirt is so, so cute. That settles that. Sho would have never picked the sailor fuku shirt !

Outside on the Mall sidewalk, Hayato proclaims that he had a lot of fun today, and thanks Shouko for going out with him. Can we see each other again sometime ? Shouko merely states that she comes to the Mall regularly, so that is a possibility. In a flash, Hayato takes Shouko's hand into his, and lightly kisses the back of her hand. Then he scoots off, as he waves 'goodby' to her. While yet still waving her hand to a departing Hayato, Wakana and Chisa come up to Shouko from behind, and ask her if her date was fun ? You, Kakeru, were totally looking just like a maiden in love ! That must have been fun ! It was ! Shouko counters with the observation that following Hayato and herself around, was that a lot of fun for you guys ? It was fun, answers the two spy girls. Chisa deftly embraces Kakeru from behind, wrapping her arms around Kakeru's mid-section. Was going on this date *as a girl* as entertaining as you expected ? Did you feel a tingle in your heart, the tingle that might be the beginning of romantic vibes, croons Chisa ?

"Well ..... I might have ...... ", confesses Kakeru.

While still in the presence of Wakana and Chisa, Shouko / Kakeru detransitions back to male Sho. The two spy girls summon up a pair of pants that Sho can change into, so as not to go home wearing a mini-skirt. In his bedroom, Sho tries to recall and make sense of what happened this afternoon on the date. He rolls on his side, back and forth on the bed, squealing in delight for being on his first date ! For half of the next day, Sho alternated between agony and ecstasy when thinking about their very first date !

(End Chapter 19.5)

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**(\*) INDIRECT KISS**

A cute psudo-kiss often used in anime and manga when someone puts their mouth on something someone else, usually the opposite sex, put their mouth on. A sharing of a utensil between the both of them.

Girl: \*licking ice cream\*

Boy: Can I try some? \*licks ice cream\*

Girl: T-that's an indirect kiss isn't it?!

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## Chapter Omake (Extra)

Omake (Extra) picture placed at the end of Chapter 19.5 in the manga. Kakeru / Shouko seems to be at the train station, enjoying the nice, warm summer day.