Love Me: Chapter 3

LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM

CHAPTER 3 OF THE MANGA

Both Tetsu and Mogumo decided to talk things out and come to some sort of mutual agreement. However, it was felt that it would not be good to try and do this at the Question Café. Therefore, Mogumo invited Tetsu to come over to their apartment. Very much to his surprise, he soon found out that Mogumo lives completely alone. Mogumo relates an odd reason for doing so---so that they could attend this particular high school, that has this particular sailor suit school uniform for the girls to wear, one that Mogumo simply adores. After school on the afternoon of the day that was agreed upon for their meeting together, Mogumo leads Tetsu up to the apartment, and unlocks the door. Mogumo removes their shoes. Tetsu has a minor panic attack, because of having somewhat romantic feelings for Mogumo, but now being alone with them in their intimate living quarters. But worry is not confined to Tetsu. Mogumo panics at the thought that they left the apartment this morning to go to school in somewhat of a mess. Mogumo quickly, more or less, cleans up the worst of the mess. In a little while, the shout is heard of, "ALL CLEAR!"

Mogumo welcomes Tetsu in and tells him to make himself at home. The first impression that Tetsu picks up on is that this apartment obviously has a girl's touch to the whole style of furnishings. Yet, a "girl" does not actually live here. Tetsu remarks that there seems to be neat, folded piles of clothing everywhere. Mogumo acknowledges that they *love* cute, adorable girl's clothes. Always have ! Mogumo states that they routinely change into their PJ's immediately whenever they get home, so don't mind me. They begin to undress right there in the front room, in front of Tetsu, much to his shock and horror. He puts his hands over his eyes, and firmly announces to *STOP*! Mogumo ignores him and is down to unbuttoning and taking off the sailor top. Ever so nonchalantly, and now only wearing the pleated mini-skirt, girl's panties, and nothing more, Mogumo asks Tetsu if he thinks of them as a "girl" ? A "boy" ? Or neither ? Tetsu looks at Mogumo, says nothing, but thinks to himself that Mogumo has a flat chest like a {boy's} chest, and an overall seemingly {boy's} body build. He becomes lost in thought, until Mogumo, now dressed in the PJ's, confides that they were only teasing him. As if to backhandedly apologize, Mogumo simply states that Tetsu could not be expected to know anything about a Gen X person. So don't worry about it.

Mogumo puts out both hot and iced tea, and potato chips. Tetsu comments that despite being in a rush all the time, the apartment looks relatively clean. That's because someone keeps it clean for Mogumo, else wise it would be messy all the time. A housekeeper ? No, this person does it for free ! She is like a Mom to me. She is the only true friend that I've ever had, ever ! Her name is Kotone; I call her Koto-chan. I really don't get why she does all of this for an oddball like me. Tetsu tries to encourage Mogumo, saying that the 'guys' at work can also be good friends. "Mei's plain scary!", quips Mogumo. Tetsu relates that she is nice, once you get to know her. Tetsu runs through all of Mei's good qualities. Mei is just amazing. Yeah! Mogumo states that everything at the Café would be more peaceful if I were not there, yet ones go out of their way to stop me from leaving. Suzu said that whatever sex or Gender Identity you are really doesn't matter here. They are so much nicer than all those nasty students at my school.

Tetsu thinks for a bit, then says that he did say that they were similar to you, but really, no one is exactly like you. The maids all have their individual reasons for acting out the roles of 'girlyboys'. "The role of a 'girlyboy'..., casually repeats Mogumo. Tetsu continues; it may be impossible for society in general to understand everything about you, but we at the Café truly *want* to understand all about you. Is that not enough ? Mogumo thinks for a while, then says that they don't know, maybe that might be enough. But first I have to get squared away with Mei, and talk to her more about this.

The next work day that is not a school day, Mogumo meets Mei at the Café, unlocking the back door to begin the day's business. Both wish each other a 'Good Morning'. Mei remarks that Mogumo is here early today. Yeah! Mei says that she is going to change into her maid costume right now behind a portable wall screen. She steps behind it and begins removing her pretty dress. Mogumo has to force themselves to begin the conversation, but they go ahead anyway. Mogumo begins by saying that there is a need to talk to you, Mei, because I want the two of us to be good friends. Mei, probably unintentionally, throws up a roadblock by flatly asserting if Mogumo is prepared to be a "girlyboy" now ? "Well.....not yet.....but even so.....", shyly declares Mogumo. Tetsu and Ten-chan (in male mode) outside, come up to the back door, but hear through the door the heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul conversation going on between Mei and Mogumo. Tetsu waves to Ten-chan to be perfectly quiet, and not go in the door just now. This, the two of them do. Mei replies to Mogumo that she doesn't mind if they become friends, but she really still doesn't understand you. You don't want to be a {girl}. Yet you dress exactly as a {girl}, because you say that you don't want to be a {boy}! That just doesn't make any sense to me.

Mogumo now begins to undress, as nobody else is in the dressing room, and Mei is behind the screen. Mogumo again has to force themselves to restart the conversation. I....um....that is..... I may not be a "girl", but I don't want people to think of me as a "boy", either. Although I prefer to *dress* in girl's clothing, as I have always done, I think that is different from the feeling of *wanting* to be a "girl". Mogumo's unzipped mini-skirt drops to the floor. Mei, behind the screen, is buttoning up her shirt, but says nothing, trying to grasp Mogumo's line of thought. Finally, she speaks, deducing, "So instead of *wanting to be a girl*, you merely want to distance yourself from being a "boy"? Is that the gist of it? Then it is no wonder that you and I are different." (Mei now decides to reveal something that is deep within her heart and spirit to Mogumo, something that she has kept hidden for so long, from so many people.)

"I dearly wish.....that *I had been born a girl*. But I can't change that I was born perceived as a......'boy'. So.....when I saw that you could so easily assert that you're not a "boy", I got......so jealous.....!"

Mei has just revealed that *she is a trans girl* ! Tetsu and male Ten-chan are still outside, quiet as a mouse, so as to listen in on this most intimate and personal heart-to-heart conversation. All goes quiet for a while. Then Mei resumes speaking, saying that she guesses that your worries are different from mine. So, we were different from the very start, but nevertheless, we are kind of similar in some respects. We might just be able to be friends.

About this time comes male Suzu outside, yelling at the two at the closed back door as to what they think they are doing ? The two grab Suzu to hush him up, but it is too late. Mei opens the back door, and giving off a sour and disapproving look, yells, *"What do you guys think you are doing?"* Mogumo peeks out the door, too, asking who that is with the reddish-blonde hair ? That is Ten-chan, in male mode. Everyone shuffles inside, as the three prepare to change into their maid uniforms. Mei is lovingly and romantically holding hands with Mogumo, as an immediate show of intimate Yuri style friendship. Mei asks Mogumo what they are going to do from here on out ? Isn't establishing your personal situation here important to you ? Tetsu breaks in to announce that he has a suggestion.....

(End Chapter 3)

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(Click on Love Me: Chapter 4 to be taken to the next chapter)