Chapter 55

When Akira declares that she is going on a diet, Rumi fondles her boobs and waist, declaring that she (supposedly) likes a chubby Akira.

## Features of This Chapter

### Story Setting

At school, during after school activities

### Transition Milestones

Akira has become so attractive and adorable, that she is surprised and becomes self-conscious when boys begin to ogle at her during the badminton game.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira and Rumi are still close and personal friends, enough that Rumi can fondle Akira without too much protest.

### Lessons Learned

Akira learns the hard way that another girl is romantically after her former would-be boyfriend, Shouma Sahara.

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

CHAPTER 55 OF THE MANGA

## Previously

After Akira declined the Love Confession from Shouma, the two drifted apart socially, yet remained friends, more or less. How Shouma took the turning down of his love aspirations was not readily apparent, as Shouma was quiet about it, and never let on to anyone how he really felt. Akira surmised that she was not ready for a close, personal relationship with a boy, as she was still undecided if she was romantically attracted to boys or girls. Hence, the decline. Meanwhile, Rumi and Akira help Aoi correct a long-standing misunderstanding that Aoi had with another girl, and the two resumed their friendship that was paused because of the guffaw. With the summer break coming to an end, and the beginning of the new school term, Akira realizes that she has gained weight over the summer, and needs to do something about that.

## This Chapter's Story

Spending time with her friends at school during the lunch break, Akira reluctantly proclaims that she has to go on a diet. Aoi questions her if that is really so ? It is ! This because she has eaten way too much over the summer break, and has gained weight. Her dresses and skirts are beginning to feel tight and somewhat uncomfortable. Rumi chimes in that she needs to go on one, too. So when are you two going to begin to exercise ? Both wonder if they would be allowed to take part in the exercise routines of the badminton club that Aoi is part of, since both Akira and Rumi are not affiliated with any school club ? No problem, Aoi herself will set it all up so that the two of you can take part in the running that is required before the game play ! Just be sure to introduce yourselves and be sociable with the other club members.

That afternoon, after school classes have ended, Aoi leads Akira and Rumi to the clubroom of the badminton club. The club members are really nice people, quips Aoi. Rumi, from behind Akira, reaches around her and squeezes her boobs and waist. She declares that she wants to enjoy a chubby Akira while she can ! Somewhat annoyed, Akira merely states that it tickles, yet the hint of romantic interplay from Rumi gets Akira's heart to begin banging away. After entering the clubroom, Aoi confidently announces that two new people will like to run with us. Okay ? Sure !

Rumi begins by properly introducing herself, mentioning her name, and that it is a pleasure to meet all of you ! Another girl in the club remarks that Rumi is quite tall ! How tall ? Rumi says about 160 cm (~ 5 ft 3 in). A third girl says that Nagi is a shorty, that is why she thinks that Rumi is tall. Maybe looks tall because of her hair bun ?!? Rumi replies that being short makes a girl look extra cute ! All the while, Akira is silent, too embarrassed and frightened by the strangers to speak up and introduce herself. Rumi whispers encouragement to her, saying that she knows that it is stressful for Akira to be with people that she doesn't know. Akira is silent, merely feeling her heart pounding away, this time with apprehension, not romance. Rumi assures the group that us two will try and not slow down the others who are also running.

After the running warm-up is done outside on the track, the club members come inside to the game play area and split off into competition sets for today's game matches. As a bonus, Akira and Rumi are invited to play a set with the others. Aoi says that she will take care of guarding the net, while Akria and Rumi can work the back of the floor. Just then, Akira sees someone who sends a cold, dank chill up her spine. Playing on their team will be Yuto Kikuchi (the boy who tried to physically injure Akira some time ago, see Chapter 15) ! Akira silently exclaims to herself, that this is going to real awkward, real soon, real fast ! And he is on the same side of the net that Akira is at, as this was a mixed gender game play set ! It doesn't help things that Aoi remarks right now that Kikuchi is probably the strongest player on the team. He did well in the last badminton tournament, ya know !

During a break in the game play, Akira quietly mentions to Rumi that she feels real self-conscious right now. This because the other boys on the team seem to be taking turns ogling at her (who's this cute girl come to play today?). Another girl overhears the remark, and gently tells Akira to pay them no mind. They are just acting goofy and juvenile around a new girl, a pretty one at that ! At the end of the set, that same girl approaches Rumi, telling her that the two of them probably felt intimidated and uneasy, but still played a good game. She suggests that Rumi and Akira go over to the wall, and just watch for now. Then, she remarks that she was wondering what kind of knuckle-dragging male gorillas a tomboy like Aoi was going to bring with her today ? Yet, it turned out to be two attractive, easy-going girls !

As the three are walking over to the spectator area, Akira silently thinks to herself that Rumi has already 'broken the ice' at being socially accepted by the other female club members. Rumi is awesome ! Just then, a ping-pong ball rolls by Akira, probably from the ping-pong table in the corner of the clubroom. A delicate girl's voice shouts out for Akria to please retrieve it, and bring it back to her. This Akira does. The girl thanks Akira for her effort. Akira looks up at her, and is shocked by her cool, abject attractiveness. She has pale, natural-blonde hair, a cute round face, and piercing cat-like eyes of a mysterious, captivating, erotic yellow-green. She smiles ever so sweetly at Akira. Akira, for her part, berates herself, silently saying to herself, "The girls in this club all have something that ***I*** (lit. *Ore*, masculine) don't have, since, unfortunately, myself being born a boy."

A second violent shock ripples through Akira head-to-toe, as she watches the blonde girl walk back to the ping-pong area. She then hands the ball to **Shouma Sahara**, the boy that Akira had declined a Love Confession from. Next, the girl comments to Shouma that she wants to buy a new badminton racket, and wants him to recommend the best ones for her consideration. Shouma replies that he can help her with her upcoming purchase. They can go together to the various sports stores and look for the perfect racket. *Is that going to be a date ???* Then, in front of Akria, Rumi, and everyone else, ***the girl deftly entwines her arm romantically around Shouma's arm, as they begin walking together, arm-in-arm, just like a couple of intimate lovers .......***

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

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