Chapter 47

The friends want to throw a party for Akira, but keeping it a secret from her turns out to be more than they bargined for !

## Features of This Chapter

### Transition Milestones

Akira becomes a year older, and hopefully a year wiser.

### Relationship Evolution

Shouma begins to become closer to Akira, maybe in a romantic sense.

### Lessons Learned

Trying to second guess your friends when there is no reason to can be a problem brought upon yourself.

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

CHAPTER 47 OF THE MANGA

## Previously

Akira meets a boy from another class that looks almost exactly like her male video game avatar, supposedly her 'perfect boyfriend'. The almost identical resemblence is not lost upon the other girls in Akira's class. They immediately begin shipping Akira and the boy together. Akira is quite taken aback, as she has had no experience in romance with boys. Rumi offers advice to Akira as to what boyfriend and girlfriend couples do together. Calling each other by their first names. Holding hands. Kissing. Erika says being alone together. Then when they are alone together.......but that thought is not finished. Akira is nonplussed by the whole dating situation, telling herself that she doesn't even know if she is romantically attracted to boys, girls, or both !

## This Chapter's Story

A few days after the Pocky incident, Rumi tells Akira at the end of the school day that she is going home by herself. Quite the change from her usual habit of going home with Akira. Akira is somewhat puzzled, but tells Rumi that she will see her tomorrow. By herself, Akira wonders why Rumi seems to be distancing herself from me ? Rumi does not appear to be mad, but nevertheless, does not want to be around me very much anymore. At the shoe lockers, Akira is with several of her classmates. Aoi belts out that the new 'McLaren' has just come out, and offers to show everyone it on her iphone. Akira thinks that it must be a new video game. However, it is actually a new automobile model. One of the boys proclaims that when he gets his drivers license, his uncle is going to let him drive his car. Akira is bewildered and gets fidgety, not knowing what everyone is so excited about. Erika asks Shouma why boys like to talk all about cars ? Shouma says that he doesn't know anything about cars (Shouma and Erika used to be potentual boyfriend and girlfriend, but broke up).

Now outside, Shouma asks Akira if she has any video games on her iphone ? She does, like Tsun Tsun and Duel King! Shouma says that he also plays Duel King, and that he will send a friend request to Akira on social media. All this in front of his ex, namely Erika. Shouma says that Akira and himself can play together, but only after the mid-term tests are done with. Akira is a little apprehenshive. Erika does a rather obvious slow burn. However, Erika turns to Akira and suggests that all of us, after the tests are done with, go shoot off some fireworks, since she has a large left-over supply at her house. Sounds like fun, doesn't it, Akira ? Akira agrees. Surprisingly, Ekira turns to Shouma, and invites him to come, too. Is that really a good thing to do, wonders Akira ? Finally, Erika remarks that everyone should go to the Summer Festival together. The girls should all wear yukatas ! Just then, some distance away, Akira catches sight of Rumi and several other girls, apparently having fun together. What gives ? Akira is so distracted at watching Rumi and the group of girls that she accidently bumps into the backside of Shouma, giving him a gentle push. Both apologize to one another, but Akira wonders if she just gave a covert romantic message to Shouma ?

July 17th comes as the day of the mid-term tests. At school, in the afternoon, the final bank of tests are done with. In the classroom, Aoi lets out an exclaimation of tiredness and exhaustion. Akira, herself, held up fairly well. Aoi turns toward Akira and asks her if she wants to go to the video store with all the gamer cards ? Akira remarks that she thought that we were going to do fireworks. Erika mentions that is for this evening. Chika, her hair in the usual twin tails, looks on but says nothing. Kazuki is invited, but he declines, saying that he has no money. Rumi is asked to go, but she bluntly remarks that she is not interested in card games. However, Shouma invites himself to go (because Akira is going?) !

At the gamer section of the video store, Aoi swoons over a deck set of Duel King cards. Another interplay happens between Akira and Shouma. He is reaching for a deck set on the very top shelf, as Akira gets really close to him to see what he is doing. Romantic vibes again ? Small talk ensues, as Shouma confesses that he doesn't quite know how to talk to a girl who is into boy's challenger card games. Shouma relates that Erika asked him recently; how long is he going to play card games meant for little kids ? Akira counters by saying that she can only talk to Aoi about enjoying card games. Shouma than offers that the two of them, Akira and Shouma, should have this kind of fun together from time to time ! Akira is quite dumbfounded at the apparent obvious romantic slant that offer has, and coming from Shouma, to boot ! She keeps her thoughts about that to herself.

That evening, the fireworks are to be at Erika's house. A group of friends have already gathered there. Akira and Shouma arrive together. Erika immediately points that out, with Shouma declaring that is was just a coincidence. Erika asks Shouma what the two of them were talking about while they were walking here ? Nothing much ! Erika then asks Akira the same question. Akira answers, nothing much. However, she thinks to herself that she did not give Shouma a definate answer about the both of them getting together to have fun, just the two of them. Rumi walks right past Akira without saying a word to her, only announcing that we should begin the fireworks. Akira is shocked; Rumi must actually be mad at her for the Pocky incident. Akira quickly sinks into a deep, dark funk, until......

.......until Rumi returns from another room with a gift bag, and hands it to Akira. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! Akira is greatly confused, as today is July 17th, but her birthday is July 21st. Erika explains that she knows it is a little early, but she and the other friends wanted it to be a real, honest Surprise Birthday Party. Hence it is being held now, a little early ! One by one the friends hand gifts to Akira. Shouma hands her a small package, saying it is from me and all the guys in class. It is a cute, pretty hair band, so that Akira can wear her hair in a sexy ponytail all the more often. Akira asks the group; what motivated them to want to do something like this ? Erika answers for the group; it was she, Erika, that orginized this party. She wanted to do something more elaborate this year. She reminds Akira that Akira said some time earlier that she would be the happiest if all of us were to stay together as friends. And you, Akira, included me, Erika, as one of the group. That made me so happy, as we did not get along very well in times past. Ekira then declares that she thinks that she didn't plan this party very well. On the contrary, Akira says that she is well pleased by this showing of friendship by all in the group.

Shouma begins handing out the fireworks. He says to Akira, "Here, have one, Fujimiya!" Erika scolds him, saying how long is he going to keep referring to her with formal speech ? Start calling her by her first name, 'Akira' (a more intimate form of friendship, almost as lovers) ! Shouma shyly mumbles out ".....a....ak....akira....." Erika whispers to Akira that she has (supposedly) given up on any romantic feelings towards Shouma. So you, Akira, should go 'full steam ahead' with any romance with him. Erika then pats Akira on her behind.

Outside, the fireworks have really started going. Akira thinks to herself that she wishes that times like this would last forever. Meanwhile, someone sets off a cluster bomb that explodes into a fireball, surprising everyone !

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

The English Translator offers commentary on this Chapter 47

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