Chapter 2: My First ....

A CHERRY BLOSSOM RIPPLING IN THE WIND

MY FIRST ....

CHAPTER 2 OF THE MANGA

The alarm clock keeps ringing and ringing, over and over again. Yet the sleepy figure on the bed has not moved one bit. Eventually, however, Ren becomes so annoyed, that she nevertheless gets up and stretches. A clean sailor suit uniform is hanging on the wall of her bedroom. Musing to herself, Ren is both relieved and glad that the school, as well as the family, has finally, more or less, allowed her to wear the female school uniform. Persistence pays off, thanks to Dad ! This despite the fact that her student I.D. still shows her wearing the male school uniform. Looking in the mirror, Ren quips, "Yep ! Cute as ever !" Slipping into her training bra and clean white and pink striped girl's panties, she then zips up her pleated mini-skirt, and finishes dressing.

After dressing and putting her hair up into sexy twin tails with bows, thereby insuring that she is the prettiest girl in class, Ren hurries downstairs to the kitchen, pausing only long enough to drink a glass of orange juice, then announces to Mom and Dad that she is off to school. Annoyed, Mom yells at Ren for wearing the girl's school uniform,  ***yet again !*** Shame on you ! Dad is more accepting, stating to let Ren do as her mind and heart tells her to do. So we have a daughter now, not a son. So What ? No big deal ! Ren smiles as Dad's words echo in her mind.

At another bedroom, another student is struggling to get out of bed and dress for school. Kazuhiro had trouble getting to sleep last night, as his heart and spirit were in a quandary about finding out that Ren was born perceived as a boy, but has been a Trans Girl all along. He was at first shocked and surprised, but after much contemplation and meditation, has come to the decision that Trans Girls, like Ren, are Real, Authentic Girls after all. But remembering the correct gender designations might be a problem. Plus, his romantic aspirations toward Ren have not changed, therefore, he tells himself that he is going to proceed with his offer of a Love Confession to Ren, and for them to begin dating as boyfriend and girlfriend. He finishes dressing in the male school uniform, and goes downstairs to greet the family and have breakfast.

On the train that takes the both of them to school, Kazuhiro sits next to Ren for the first time. Wonderful ! Being quiet for a change, several thoughts run through Ren's mind. Thoughts like, she wears girl's clothing all the time now, both at home, and out in public, *because she wants to !* That is her prerogative ! And now there is someone who calls her "CUTE". In fact, he is sitting right next to me today ! My new boyfriend, Kazuhiro, is two years older than me, and we attend different schools, yet he told me that it was 'Love as First Sight' when he first noticed me on the train back then. Ren tells herself that although she does not have any particular romantic interest in boys in general, Kazuhiro is different. He seems to be more accepting of me than most of the boys that I know of. He definitely sees me as a girl, despite what was told to him yesterday.

Interrupting, Kazuhiro says, "By the way, Ren-*chan*, are you okay with us starting to sit together on the train on school days ? " She is fine with that. He asks about another concern, "Since we are now boyfriend and girlfriend, shouldn't we before long begin to also have ..... " He is stopped short by the concerned and very worried expression on Ren's face, as if he is going to suggest something inappropriate. **"NO ! Not that !"**, quickly corrects Kazuhiro. He, however poorly, is trying to suggest that the two of them go on their very first formal date together ! " ..... before long begin to also have dates together ?", as Kazuhiro finishes his sentence. "A date ?", quips Ren with such a relief in her voice. Suggesting next Sunday, Kazuhiro offers to take Ren someplace nice, and have some fun. Responding, Ren offers, "Sure ! That sounds good !" But then, Ren offers a counterproposal. Go with me after school today, as I want to do something important. This won't be a formal date, just accompany me on an errand. Stupefied, Kazuhiro merely nods his head. "ONIMAI" is called as the next stop, so Ren gets off, waving to Kazuhiro as she exits the train.

That afternoon, after school, Kazuhiro finds himself being led by Ren to a teen/tween girl's specialty clothing store. Ren wants to get a few new outfits for summer, plus the dress that she wants to wear on the upcoming date. In an appreciative gesture, Ren wants Kazuhiro to help her select outfits, based on what he thinks are cute and pleasing for a teenage girl to wear. Smiling sweetly, Ren says that with his help, she feels that Kazuhiro is treating her like a real, honest girlfriend, and that makes her so, so happy ! After the two have picked out several outfits, Ren retires to the dressing room.

One by one, Ren tries on each outfit, and stepping outside the dressing room, gets Kazuhiro's reaction and feedback. Eventually, Ren also selects a dress just for herself that she likes; a plaid-pattern halter-style sundress. Yet, how is she to wear it, if doing so shows the straps of her sports bra ? After careful shopping in the dress section, Ren leads the two of them to the (gasp!) girl's intimate wear section ! She wants to buy something that she does not currently have; a real, padded bra. Up until now, she has only worn training bras or sports bras. But now it is time for the 'Real McCoy', a bra that will give her slight, but noticeable curves ! Also, she will need a strapless bra to wear with her newly acquired halter dress.

Ren's attention is solely focused on the bras on one of the display racks, as Kazuhiro merely looks on, turning several shades of purple from embarrassment. With all the shopping for bras frenzy, Ren turns to face Kazuhiro, but doesn't notice that her foot catches on one of the legs of the display rack, and she begins to trip and fall ! Right next to her is Kazuhiro, and he is quick to act. He grabs onto her as she goes down, however, he is taken down with her. The two end up on the floor, with Ren landing on top of Kazuhiro **(\*)**. A sales lady comes running to see what the commotion is, gets all excited, and wants to call the Emergency Squad. But nobody is hurt, the two teens only look like they are in some sort of compromising position ! Kazuhiro looks dazed, and Ren's pleated mini-skirt is askew, showing her white and pink striped panties. Both get up off of the floor, only to be scolded by the clerk. What did they do wrong ? It was an accident !

Later that afternoon, the two friends are both sitting on individual swings in a public park. Holding a couple of shopping bags on her lap, Ren is apologizing for the accident. She just got a little too excited shopping with her new boyfriend. Pointing out that the sales lady did calm down after all, Kazuhiro says that allowed you to finish shopping and to buy exactly what you wanted ! Plus, the bra rack didn't fall over, it only got pushed out of position. Thanking Kazuhiro for his quick help, Ren mentions that she never thought that she would get to do something like this, buy girl's clothes all on her own, and with someone who would appreciate accompanying her. She was able to obtain several new summer dresses, a pretty sundress to wear on our upcoming date, and several items of underwear. Ren states that she is so very, very happy. So happy, in fact, that she gets up from the swing, puts the shopping bags on the ground, and goes over to Kazuhiro's swing. He stands up, as Ren approaches him. Ren softly and reverently remarks---

"So .... here is your reward .... "

And with that, Ren places her arms on Kazuhiro's shoulders, draws ever closer to him, and ever so tenderly, kisses him on the lips. The kiss is short and sweet, yet exciting and tantalizing ! In a few fleeting moments, the surprise kiss is done, and Ren is stating that she will see him tomorrow, on their way to school. Ren retrieves her shopping bags, and heads on out. A much disoriented Kazuhiro only stands there, mumbling that he will see her on the train tomorrow. He is stunned and mesmerized, dazed and steeped in a flurry of mixed emotions.

".... {he} kissed me .... No, ***She*** Kissed Me .... **SHE KISSED ME !!!** Her lips were so soft and warm; she even smelled nice, like lilacs wet from a spring rain !"

Not too far away, Ren is walking, but overcome with the depths of guilt, yet the heights of joy and fulfillment.

".... *I kissed him .... !!!"*

That was quite the bold and unexpected thing to do. However, he deserved that reward, that kiss. He helped me buy one .... for the very first time .... a padded bra .... *a real bra* .... one that gives me curves .... MY FIRST .... *MY VERY FIRST ....!*

Kazuhiro even mentioned that he was pleased that I got to buy exactly what I wanted, after all ! Yet, it was only because Kazuhiro was with me that I was able to summon and work up the courage to go into that store and buy what I have always wanted, ever since I transitioned.

Ren stands still on the sidewalk, also now being engulfed in a swirl of conflicting emotions. Yet one emotion is overtaking and glowing in her heart, an emotion that she has never felt so intensely before, an emotion of attraction, an emotion that makes her glad that she is a girl !!!

"What is this new feeling .... ?"

(End Chapter 2)

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**Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion**

**(\*) Ren (Tachi) on top of Kazuhiro, with Kazuhiro (Neko) on the bottom**

[In Japanese modern culture,] the two participants in an [intimate] relationship are often referred to as seme (攻め, "top") and uke (受け, "bottom"). These terms originated in martial arts; seme derives from the ichidan verb "to attack", while uke is taken from the verb "to receive". Although not the same, a [romantic] construct similar to "seme and uke" is the concept of **"Tachi and Neko"**. The **Tachi** (タチ) partner is conceptualized as the member of the relationship who pursues the more passive partner, the latter of whom is referred to as the **Neko** (ネコ). Seme and uke are similar but not identical to Tachi and Neko because the former refers primarily to sexual roles, *whereas the latter describes personality*.

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Click on Chapter 3: The Reason I Think You're Cute to be taken to the next chapter.