Chapter 48

Akira wears a sexy yukata for the first time ! Rumi declares how cute she looks.

## Features of This Chapter

### Story Setting

At Junko's style shop, then at the summer festival

### Transition Milestones

Agreeing to wear a female yukata out in public at the summer festival is a big achievement for Akira.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira probably agreed to wear a yukata because Rumi said that she was going to wear one.

### Lessons Learned

Trying out a new fashion is not all that scary. You may even look good in it, as does Akira.

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

CHAPTER 48 OF THE MANGA

(Part 1 of the Unexpected Love Confession Story Arc)

## Previously

In the homeroom class at school, much gossip is surrounding shipping of boys and girls in general, and shipping with Akira in particular, at least by the other girls in class. First, Erika did a Love Confession to Shouma at the school's Cultural Festival, but he declined. Then Akira meets a boy from another class that looks almost exactly like her gamer avatar of an 'ideal boyfriend'. Rumors of a possible shipping abound. Then, Shouma, right in front of his ex, Erika, begins to become more friendly with Akira. Akira asks Rumi and the other girls for advice, but gets mixed results. What will become of Shouma's seemingly romantic interest in Akira ?

## This Chapter's Story

The day of the Summer Festival has finally arrived. That morning, Akira is dressed in casual clothes and ready to leave the house. She tells Mom that she will be at the festival all day, and then is going to spend the night at a friend's home. Rumi-chan ? Yep ! Akira also discloses that she is going to borrow a yukata from Rumi to wear to the festival. Grandma says that she wants a picture of that !

At Junko's hairstyle shop, iphones are clicking away like it is a big celebrity shoot going on. Rumi and Akira *are both wearing yukatas for the first time !* Akira silently thinks to herself that later she will somehow get those two, Aoi and Erika, to delete those photos ('don't hold your breath'). Rumi intimately comments to Akira that she, Akira, looks so, so cute in a yukata. When all done, Shouma is invited to enter the room where the girls were dressing in their yukatas. Erika wants a picture of everyone; Akira, Rumi, Aoi, Shouma, and herself. Once lined up for the picture, Erika pushes Shouma in next to Akira, to make it look like they are a 'couple'.

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At the festival fairgrounds, the group is visiting all the booths to see what to do and what to buy. Aoi comes upon a booth selling costume face masks. She buys one for herself, that of a male rock star with a huge hair bun. Erika remarks that it is childish, and a waste of money. Aoi says that she doesn't care, it is her money after all. As the friends continue to tour the grounds, Akira complains about her sandals, as they are making it hard for her to walk. Rumi remarks that she thinks that wearing and walking in sandals makes one look sexy and more beautiful.

On the midway, the group passes someone going in the opposite direction. Erika yells out, "*SENSEI !*" Aoi wants to know who the middle-aged woman is ? Shouma says that she was their elementary school homeroom teacher. Akira immediately hides behind Aoi, so as not to be seen. Pleasant conversation begins with the former teacher. Aoi turns back to ask Akira why she is hiding ? Akira only says that it is a little embarrassing. As soon as the former teacher is done talking to Shouma, Aoi shoves Akira to right in front of the teacher. Yikes ! The teacher politely acknowledges Akira with a greeting, and asks her if she is well ? (Akira is very nervous and embarrassed, as this teacher knows that Akira used to be a bratty boy, but was transformed into a girl. Will the teacher mention this secret, one that none of the friends know about?) The teacher asks Akira how she is getting along in Middle School (Jr. High in the USA) ? Akira says that it has been fun, and that she was able to make some new friends, too. Erika wants a photo of everyone with the teacher. Aoi will take the picture, as she was not part of the homeroom class that the others were in.

While everyone is posing with the teacher, Akira remembers some things that have happened in the past with this teacher (see Chapter 7). Akira remembers that the teacher would encourage Akira, the new girl, to go outside and play with the other students. However, Akira would always decline, much to the teacher's disappointment. Later, this teacher has the guidance counselor show Akira a booklet about a specialty school in Tokyo, wherein the students can attend school according to their correct Gender Identity, and wear the school uniform that matches their correct Gender Expression. (The front cover of the booklet shows two students, one perceived as a female wearing the male school uniform, and one perceived as a male, wearing the female school uniform with a pleated short skirt.) Akira reaffirms in her mind that she was correct in choosing to go to the school where all her friends attend, especially Rumi, instead of attending the specialty school far away. After the picture is taken, the Sensei says her 'goodbyes', and continues her visitation of the festival.

That evening at the festival, the group of friends are in the food court, looking (and eating) all the food on display in the booths. Rumi loudly complains that as much as she is eating tonight, she won't be able to fit into her swimsuit at all ! She vows to begin dieting, *tomorrow* ! Akira has other things on her mind other than food. Her sandals are rubbing on her toes, causing them to become raw and painful. Shouma asks Akira if something is wrong ? Nah, it's nothing. Nevertheless, Akira finds it difficult to keep up with the group as they walk around the fairgrounds. Shouma notices it, too, therefore he stealthily falls back, to keep pace with Akira's slower movements. Soon, Akira and Shouma are separated from the others. A message comes onto Akira's iphone, saying that the rest of the friends are at the stairs to the Shrine. Akira and Shouma are still on the mid-way.

Akira asks Shouma if the two of them should hurry up and meet with the group ? Shouma slyly suggests that the two of them go off by themselves, to continue to visit the booths on the mid-way. Akira is quite taken aback, but offers no protest, so by default, that is what the two decide to do. After a while, the fireworks begin. Akira and Shouma stand-off to the side of the mid-way to get a better look at the display. Akira is standing so close to Shouma, as the colorful fireworks explode and boom in the air. Shouma remarks how pretty the display is. For Akira, the real booming is going on in her heart, as it feels like a skyrocket ready to explode, being so close and intimate with Shouma. Akira silently asks herself, "What is causing my heart to pound away, the fireworks, or being with Shouma in such a romantic setting ?"

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(Click on Chapter 49 to be taken to the next chapter.)

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