Chapter 44

Aoi invites Akira over to her house to play video games. Aoi also has Akira play a video game that lets one select their ideal avatar, and presumably, their ideal boyfriend.

## Features of This Chapter

### Transition Milestones

Hana refers to Akira as "that cute girl in the other class that everyone is talking about" !

### Relationship Evolution

Akira recently shares new friendship with two new girls, Kokoa and Hana, plus a renewed friendship with Aoi.

### Lessons Learned

Akira is not exclusively dedicated to Rumi. Akira learns to share friendship with any number of people.

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

CHAPTER 44 OF THE MANGA

(Chapter Note---In addition to Kokoa wanting to befriend Akira, another girl in a different class also wants to have Akira as a friend. Her name is Hana, and she has Kokoa obtain Akira's social media information for her. Hana now contacts Akira by text messaging her on social media. The first part of this chapter is a condensed chronicle of the text message conversations that occurred between Akira and Hana, as Hana introduces herself to Akira.)

## Previously

When Akira returned to school after the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday break, she did not immediately realize that a social and shipping reconfiguration was underway, not only in her own homeroom class, but seemingly in the entire school. Nor did Akira know or suspect that, to some extent, she was the center of interest and shipping prospects with both boys and girls. Gradually, Akira was made aware of the social and friendship changes what were occurring. For instance, Akira did not know, and had to be told, that another girl in the class, Kokoa, had been the object of two boy's desires. Daichi, the dark skinned boy, won out for dating privileges with Kokoa. A very pretty girl in another class, Hana, wants to befriend Akira, right after Kokoa extended friendship to Akira. Then, a juicy piece of gossip was placed in Akira's ear; that with her fashion changes, including beginning to wear her hair in sexy twin tails, means that she is now the interest of Shouma, as well as several other boys. How will Akira handle this new, unexpected social attention that is being directed toward her ? What will her ideal boyfriend be like ?

## This Chapter's Story

One morning at home, Akira sends a text message to Hana, introducing herself as "Akira Fujimiya", and begins a long series of text messages. Hana introduces herself as "Hana Yagisawa", and asks Akira if the two of them can get along as friends ? Of course, replies Akira. Hana goes on to say that she has been curious about the 'really cute girl' in another class from hers that everyone has been talking about (the 'really cute girl' is Akira, although Akria doesn't know or suspect this). Hana says that she was happy to get Akira's social media information. Hana asks Akira if she knows who she, Hana, is ? Akira does not. Hana sends a picture of herself to Akira. Hana then observes that Akira has been wearing her hair in twin tails, and looks so, so cute for doing so. Akira says that makes her embarrassed. Hana remarks that Akira's hair and skin are so pretty. What shampoo do you use ? A weird kind that comes in a bottle with a label written in English. Figures ! Hana asks what Akira does to take care of her skin ? Akira replies that it dries out a lot in winter, so she uses 'Milky Skin' lotion.

Hana asks if Akira has been watching a teen drama series on cable TV ? She says that it is really good ! Akira replies that she has already read the book that was the basis of the series. Hana asks if Akira thinks that the main male character is super cool ? Akira responds that he is the 'good guy' of the series. (Akira now silently thinks to herself that she is so glad that Rumi and Erika trained her to be able to chit-chat like this with other girls!) Hana says that she is a big fan of characters like him that have an aura of mystery about themselves. Hana asks Akira who her favorite male character would be, or what he would be like ? Akira is silent and dumbfounded. She does not know how to reply. Akira tells herself that she has to answer correctly for Hana, as she does not want to describe some sort of weird or freaky character. What should she say ? WHAT SHOULD SHE SAY ???

Just then, an incoming call from Aoi causes Akira to have to end her texting with Hana. Talk about 'saved by the bell' ! Aoi wants Akira to come over and visit her tomorrow. This Akira agrees to do. Next morning, Akira is greeted at the front door by Aoi's younger brother, and is led into the front room. Soon, Aoi steps into the front room wearing only a towel around her shoulders ! Akira gags and looks away, shouting for her to put some clothes on ! Aoi replies that she just got done taking a bath, and not to freak out, everything's okay ! Aoi, unclothed, looks into a mirror on the wall to put her hair up into the front tuft that she wears at the top of her forehead.

Eventually, a clothed Aoi, her younger brother, and Akira are in Aoi's bedroom, playing video games. In the middle of game play, Akira asks Aoi if she is wearing a bra ? No, Aoi doesn't like the feeling of it sticking to her skin. Akira silently speculates that Aoi probably does not wear a bra even at school. Young brother tells Akira that Aoi is pretty much a boy at heart. Aoi's response is to play choke her brother, telling him that he should be glad that these two girls are letting him play with them. Akira silently thinks to herself that Aoi doesn't put up any walls or pull any punches with anyone, and that she wishes that she, Akira, could be more like that. The game play continues.

After another round of video games, Akira casually remarks to Aoi that another girl (Hana) has asked her what kind of guy she might be into ? Akira did not know how to answer. Can you, Aoi, help me to give a good sounding fake answer ? Aoi remarks that may not be necessary. Young brother bows out when he sees that the conversation is turning real girly, real fast. Aoi removes the video game that was just played, and boots up another, different video game. This one features a program that will allow players to custom create their own versions of their ideal avatars. Aoi hands the controller to Akira, for her to begin to piece together her idea male avatar, presumably her idea boyfriend. Akira thinks over in her mind all of the people that she knows that have good qualities. Ones such as Rumi, Aoi, Nurse Okabe. In fact, all of the people that she admires are all female. Akira then tries the line of thought that if she were still male, what fine qualities would she have instilled in their own personality ?

Finally, Akira is done and an avatar of a handsome young man is shown on the video screen. Akira is embarrassed that Aoi and her brother are the first ones to see what the male person that she could fall in love with would look like. Next, Aoi pulls up her avatar, stating that soon she is going to participate in a Duel Oh! Tournament online, as a guy, using her guy avatar. Aoi asks Akira if she would be interested in the tournament, too ? Aoi then goes on to remark that she herself gets embarrassed when their female friends talk on and on about the boys that they are attracted to.

When it is time for Akira to leave, Aoi fervently asks a favor of Akira. Aoi wants so badly to attend the high school that Akira and Rumi has selected to go to. So Aoi wants Akira to help her study so as to raise her grades high enough to get into that high school. Aoi puts her hands into a praying position, and promises to do her best if Akira will help her. Akira agrees to do so, but with a counter request. Aoi has to alert Akira if there are any interesting new video games that come on the market, and teach her, Akira, how to play them. Deal ! Walking home, Akira admires the male character that she created on her iphone. She then gives a fist bump into the air, to commemorate her first step in a romantic interest in boys.

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

XZ

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(Click on Chapter 45 to be taken to the next chapter. Click on Omake (Extra) 44.5 to be taken to the Omake between Chapters 44 & 45.)

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