Chapter 17

On the first day of the sixth grade, Akira, and all the other students, have to go through a physical examination.

## Features of This Chapter

### Transition Milestones

Akira is complemented by being asked how she is able to keep herself so slim and trim ?

### Relationship Evolution

Akira wishes she was as tall as Rumi; Rumi wishes she would weigh less, just like Akira !

### Lessons Learned

A girl needs to learn how to shave herself, but for a different reason than a boy.

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

CHAPTER 17 OF THE MANGA (Revised English Translation)

## Previously

During the last term of the fifth grade, Akira intervened in an altercation with a male bully in her class. She broke up a debased mockery of a boy and girl in her class who had become boyfriend and girlfriend. The bully wanted to see them kiss one another, but in a way that was forced and embarrassing. Akira was successful in 'putting the bully in their place', but injured her hands and fingers in the process. However, on St. Valentine's Day, Akira was able to make amends with the boy who began the bullying that day, and both teens were seemingly able to 'bury the hatchet'. The fifth grade term came to an end, and Akira was entered into the sixth grade, with a whole new set of experiences awaiting her.

## This Chapter's Story

Akira awakens in bed one recent morning, and still lying down, sucks on a thermometer. It reads 36.22 C (97.2 F). She gets up, and still in her night clothes, writes down her temperature reading on a chart kept at the desk in her bedroom. Mom had always told her, ever since the doctor told mom that Akira would begin her periods soon, to take her temperature at regular intervals so as to determine when her period would probably start. Afterward, Akira changes her clothes, and goes downstairs, where she meets Mom. Akira, still in a daze, is told by Mom not to scratch herself 'down there', and that she, Mom, will comb out her 'bedroom hair'. This mom does, asking Akira if her hair is too long ? No, it is not! Akira thinks to herself while her hair is being combed out, that she has told mom that she wants to continue to attend the same schools that Rumi goes to. Yet she has not told Mom the extent of her friendship, intimacy, and mild romance she has toward with Rumi. Someday she will have to do that. She thinks about it all the time, but can't put her thoughts into words. When done, mom sends Akira off to school with well wishes; today is the first day that Akira is going to be in the sixth grade.

A few blocks away, Akira meets Rumi, along with a few other sixth grade girls, and several first grade children. Rumi reminds Akira that they, as well as the other sixth graders, have to escort the first grade children to school. As the group walks together, Rumi mentions, with trepidation, that today, the first day of classes, is also the day when all the sixth grade students get a physical examination in the afternoon. "Ya don't say !?!"

That afternoon, as Akira is being weighted, and measured for height, the nurse comments on how is it possible that Akira is so thin and trim ? On her bio info paper, it was written that she is 29.75 kg ( 65.6 lbs. ) in weight, and 137 cm ( 4' 5.9" ) in height. Akira is then told to go to the Infirmary for the rest of the exam. Walking there, she grumbles to herself that, " Rumi is jealous of me being thinner, however, ***I*** (lit. *Ore*{masculine}) am jealous that Rumi is taller ( 144 cm ) ". The lineup of girls waiting to get into the Infirmary. they tell Akira that she is going to have to take off her shirt for the exam. What the....is the doctor a lolicon or something ? Discusting ! As they enter the Infirmary, inside there is a line of boys who already have their shirts off. " Perv show! ", comments one of the girls. " It's not like I wanted to take my shirt off ! ", barks back one of the boys. Akira tells herself that it is times like this that *she is glad that she is a girl.* She also thinks to herself that back then, she was the tallest boy in class.

Akira enters the room for the girl's examination. The male doctor and female nurse greet her; she returns the pleasant greeting. Akira is told to remove her shirt. This she does, so that now she has on only her training bra and girls' dress pants. But she notices something that is quite distressing to her---she notices that she has fine hair growing in her armpits. Then to her horror, she notices that fine hair is beginning to grow on her arms. So distressing! Just like a disgusting boy! Akira now wonders how girls keep themselves so smooth and attractive; do they shave all the time ? Just then, Rumi comes out of the Infirmary after her exam, and bemoans the fact that she has gained a bit of weight. Already outside, Akira wants to ask her how girls handle body hair, but she chickens out and is too embarrassed to ask anything of Rumi. A horrid thought shoots through Akira as she muses that her body hair is maybe because of her (so-called) "disease" (the genesis of her male to female transformation) ?

Later that day, after school, in her bedroom, Akira quietly calls Nurse Okabe on her cell phone. Nurse Okabe has a hearty laugh, and tells Akira that it definitely is not part of any so-called "disease"! Her growing body hair is normal for girls her age. All girls and women have body hair to a degree. The nurse tells her not to worry about it. However, if Akira wants to really know, she will explain how a girl shaves herself, telling her right over the phone. " Let me copy this down ! "

Next morning, Akira feels so much better. Her arms, and such, are so silky smooth, soft and shiny. Mom wants to know what she is so happy about ? " Nothing! " Outside, Akira relishes the fact that Nurse Okabe is the only one who knows that ***I*** (lit. *Ore*{masculine}) have shaved. Akira feels so grown up now ! Soon, Akira meets up with the group of girls and first graders, to help escort them. A young woman in the group cautions one of the first grade girls, Miu Goto, to greet their escorts properly. The little girl says a cheery 'Good Morning' to no one in particular. Then she intently fixes her gaze upon Akira ............

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

(Pending)

**What Manga Fans Are Saying About This Chapter**

XZ

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Click on Chapter 18 to be taken to the next chapter.)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_