Chapter 3: Test of Courage

MAIDEN TO THE MAX

TEST OF COURAGE

CHAPTER 3 OF THE MANGA

"Are we ready to go ? Hurry up !"

Hana-chan is admonishing Nozomu, who is greatly embarrassed right about now.

TWO HOURS AGO

Hana-chan and Nozomu (in 'male' mode) are walking home together. Hana-chan wants to get crêpes at the bakery next to the train station. Nozomu isn't really paying her much attention, as she is looking at a text message on the iphone. The text is from Shuuji-san. Hana-chan assumes that it is a request for a date, and wants to know where the two of them are going ? Nozomu bluntly declares that they can't go on a date, as they are not cute enough, even as a girl. However, an idea comes to Hana-chan, therefore, she orders Nozomu to come to her house, like *immediately* ! Hana-chan hooks up to Nozomu, and drags them along like a tow truck, into the house, past Mom, and up to her bedroom. There, Hana-chan, with a serious, fiery look in her eyes, backs Nozomu up against a wall, boxes Nozomu in with her arms, and orders, "Now strip (as in remove your clothes) ! You're getting an instant makeover !"

Nozomu obediently complies. From Hana-chan's extensive clothing collection, Nozomu is outfitted with a padded bra and girl's panties, a pretty sundress tight-fitting like a leotard, with only layers of ruffles around the hips for the skirt part, and thigh-high stockings. Plus, Nozomu is fitted with a long, black haired wig, and a cute choker around her neck. There, instant cuteness and attractiveness ! It's then pictures all around ! Nozomu frets if this look is really that of real, 'over the edge' cuteness ? But that thought is avalanched by another realization in Nozomu's mind. She forgot to bring home her homework sheets, and the work is due the next school day, Monday ! Hana-chan stays cool, calm, and collected. She merely states that the two of them will go to school right now and retrieve it ! You, Nozomu, will go outside with me as you are dressed right now, as this will be your "Test of Courage" to prepare you for you going out on a date, in public no less, dressed as a sweet, innocent, and lovely teen/tween girl !

THE PRESENT TIME

Both head out the door, on their way to the school, even though there are no classes going on now. Walking through the almost deserted hallways, nonetheless, Nozomu is worried sick. What if we come upon someone ? Hana-chan is more confident. Today was only a half-school day in the morning, and it is already the afternoon, so there won't be many people around. Yet, disproving that theory, the two walk past an opening door. Horror of horrors ! It is the boy who is the *Student Council President* ! "What are you two doing coming to school in your street clothes ? You know that is against the dress code of this school !" Nozomu's self-confidence falls like a house of cards. She worries if she is being seen as an authentic girl, or so much worse, a cross-dressed boy ? "Tell me your names and classes, you two !", belts out the President.

Hana-chan, quickly 'thinking on her feet', turns to Nozomu and whispers something in her ear. Now looking directly at the President, a worried, yet very brave Nozomu addresses the President. She is following the advice that she was just given, to look soulful, with wet, upturned face, yet with downcast eyes, looking embarrassed, and talk with a slight quiver in your voice. Nozomu is having her Test of Courage at this very moment ! She begins with a profound apology, then explains that she was here earlier as a possible transfer student, but left something important behind. She is coming to get it, as soon as she realized that it was gone. Hana-chan, here, is helping me find my way. Nozomu gently, yet provocatively, touches his upper arm with her hand. Please ? Is it okay ? I mean no harm ! Nozomu doesn't realize that her bra strap and the top of her pink bra are showing, adding to the erotic factor tremendously ! The President becomes self-conscious, shows his embarrassment, and orders the two to hurry and get what you left behind, then go home immediately. He then turns and walks away, flustered by the innate cuteness, attractiveness, and desirability of the potential 'transfer student' !

Inside the classroom, at Nozomu's desk, she finds the homework sheets inside a closed book. That is why she overlooked them. Next, Nozomu wants to leave right now, and go home. As the two begin to walk away from the desk, with Hana's arm romantically embracing Nozomu, another boy enters the classroom. "Huh ... Hana-chan ... ?", he spits out. Both girls are shocked and surprised. However, the boy quickly apologizes, thinking that the two girls are being secluded and intimate with one another, he 'turns tail', and leaves, slamming the door shut as he goes.

Hana-chan points out that we need to go after him, and that she will cover for you, Nozomu. Out in the hallway, the two girls find the boy standing near the door, mesmerized by what he has just seen. He again reverently apologizes for his intrusion on their 'special time' together. Hana-chan says that part of the blame belongs to them, as they did not secure the door properly. By the way, continues Hana, why are you at school now, Hirofumi ? He says that he had Club activities this afternoon. He once again apologizes. Nozomu has her hand and arm across Hana's back, and the other hand grasping her shoulder, trying to hide behind Hana-chan, yet looking oh so like a romantic, passionate, teenage Yuri couple. This does not go unnoticed by the boy. He inquires if he has seen this girl (Nozomu) at school, or somewhere, before ? Uneasiness and trepidation fills Nozomu's mind, as she realizes that this is now the second Test of Courage to come upon her this afternoon. Looking directly at Nozomu, Hirofumi comments---

"Huh .... You sure do look awfully familiar .... ?!?" The boy compares in his mind a picture of 'male' Nozomu, with the girl in front of him. They both have the same facial features, and look like they could be twins. Is this girl actually Nozomu, now cross-dressed as a girl, he speculates ??? Hana-chan, realizing what he must be thinking, speaks up. She says that there is no way you could have met my 'cousin', as she goes to a different school ! "Are you sure that this girl isn't actually the boy that goes to the class next door to mine ?", offers Hirofumi, "I bet this 'girl' is actually Nozomu !" Nozomu responds. Looking Hirofumi directly in his eyes, she 'point-blank' asks him if he as really ever seen a girl like her in this school before ? Hirofumi seems confused, but silently tells himself that this has to be a cross-dressed Nozomu. No other explanation is possible.

Just then, from an open window in the classroom, a strong gust of wind blows into the classroom, and exits out the open door into the hallway. Nozomu feels the strong wind, and instinctively puts her hand on her head, to secure her wig from coming off. However, the wind gusts lifts up the ruffles of her dress, showing to all that Nozomu is wearing loveable, adorable pale pink girl's panties. Hana-chan is worried, and the boy is shocked 'out of his skin' ! Yet the way that Hana-chan had earlier dressed Nozomu, was such that her bra increased her curves, and her panties flattened her. Seeing for himself her pretty panties, Hirofumi realizes that this is a real, actual girl, and earnestly apologizes, for thinking otherwise. "I mistook you for someone else, a boy that I know !", confesses Hirofumi, as he walks away, visibly shaken.

Outside, sitting down on a park bench, Nozomu wails, as she pulls at the ruffles on her dress, pulling them down over her panties, and exhales a stark, "THANK GOODNESS .... " ! Hana-chan, standing next to her, apologizes for what has happened this afternoon. Even though she had intended to give you courage, Nozomu, I never thought that things would turn out for you the way that they did ! Nozomu says not to apologize; she had passed, not one, but two Tests of Courage. And as she looks back at what happened, Nozomu chuckles, admitting that parts of it were 'fun' ! Really ? That's great ! I mean, since you can wear such adorable and attractive girl's clothes so well, and present in such a girly fashion, it would be a shame not to show yourself off to others ! "You're right !", exclaims Nozomu, "Thanks to you, I feel that I have become more self-confident about being a girl out in public." So, I have the perfect little girl's style party dress for you to wear on your first date, Nozomu ! Just you wait and see ....

Meanwhile, at his home, Shuuji is fussing and fretting. He mumbles to himself over and over. What is this restless feeling in my heart ? Is this my first romantic love ? His odd behavior does not go unnoticed by his twin tailed younger sister. "Mom ! Big Bro is acting all weird again .... "

(End Chapter 3)

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Click on Chapter 4: First Date at the Summer Festival to be taken to the next chapter.

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