Chapter 36

Erika is going to do a Love Confession to Shouma at the end of the Cultural Festival.

## Features of This Chapter

### Story Setting

At school the day of the Cultural Festival

### Transition Milestones

Erika implies that even she might not be able to be as cute as Akira already is. Odd thing is that Akira doesn't consider herself as ever being cute, since she used to be a boy. Yet all the girls, and a few of the boys, proclaim how cute Akira is almost every day.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira cries her heart out when she learns that Erika's Love Confession was turned down by Shouma.

### Lessons Learned

Erika learns the hard way that affairs of the heart don't always go as planned.

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

CHAPTER 36 OF THE MANGA (REVISED ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

(Part 6, and the Conclusion, of the Class Play for the Autumn Culture Festival Story Arc)

## Previously

Practice for the upcoming school gender reversal play had been, more or less, progressing well. For a time there was conjecture over who would play which roles, until it was decided that a lottery system would be set up to assign roles. Akira, by chance, was given the role of the Prince in the play. Committees were set up with class students to handle the various features of the play. Rumi and Akira made the suggestion that the actors and actresses wear makeup. This was agreed to, as it would add realism to the play. Kazuki, playing Cinderella, had some qualms about the role, but with encouragement from Akira, was able to present as a beautiful Cinderella. Now it is the day of the school festival, and the class play. Will all the hard work come together to make for a memorable theater presentation ? And how will the audience react to the stage production ?

## This Chapter's Story

The class play is over, and Akira is in the dressing room changing out of her Prince costume, and into the winter version of her female school uniform. Her mind drifts into a lookback and review about her relationship with Erika. Earlier, just before the play began, Erika told everyone that today, after the play, and at the end of the school festival, she is going to do a Love Confession to Shouma, asking him to begin romantically dating her.

FLASHBACK---Akira remembers when she first met Erika. Right off the bat, Akira knew that she would not be able to get along with Erika. Back then, Erika criticized Akira, telling her that she looked like a boy, had a boy's haircut, and carried a black backpack, just like a boy does (Erika did not know that Akira used to be a boy!). Erika's blunt opinion about Akira's looks and habits made Akira all the more determined to let her hair grow out and become longer, like a girl's style. Mom would pester Akira to go and get her hair cut, but that only made Akira redouble her efforts to be seen as a girl. (End Flashback)

When Akira is done dressing, Rumi wants her to go with her and look at the other class exhibitions. This Akira agrees to. Rumi joyfully cries out that this is going to be a girl-with-girl date ! Akira silently thinks to herself that overall, the play was a resounding success. A few people in the audience laughed from time to time, but at the end, the applause and well wishes were loud and long. Several curtain calls were shouted for and promptly done. Akira's Mom was in the audience, and Akira wonders how she felt about the play, and Akira's role as the Prince ? As the two friends walk around, Rumi wants everyone to see that Akira is 'going on a date' with her !

Soon, Rumi gently pokes Akira in her cheek, saying that she, Akira, will get dumped by her 'boyfriend' if she continues to 'space out' on their date together (The English translator says that in the Japanese language, Rumi is humorously calling herself Akira's 'boyfriend'.). As the two female friends walk together holding hands, Akira takes note that there are so many other couples, boys with girls, who are also enjoying being together and apparently dating. The school festival is like that; fertile ground for couples to pair off with one another. Akira asks Rumi if Erika and Shouma are going to be like that ?

As Rumi and Akira turn a corner in the school building, they come upon a rare sight. A boy and a girl, both seniors, have their arms around each other, with the girl backed up against a wall, and the boy enveloping her. It seems as if they have just passionately kissed one another and are still locked in the rapture. Both are blushing deeply. The boy is whispering to come on and let's do this ! The girl says to go ahead and do it, again ..... ! Rumi redirects Akira and herself away from the passionate, romantic couple. Akira speculates that soon we will see Erika and Shouma doing the same thing ? Rumi is utterly shocked at the mental image of that, and scolds Akira !

At the end and warp up of the school festival, the homeroom teacher that directed the class play congratulates everyone for a job well done with the play. The play was a tremendous artistic and critical success. Yuto says that he and Kazuki are going over to Kazuki's house, and invite Shouma to come with them. Shouma declines; maybe he'll swing by later. This opens up the way for Erika to do her Love Confession. Akira, Rumi, Aoi, Shion, and Kanae are all watching, with bated breath, the drama unfolding from across the classroom. Erika tells Shouma to go on ahead, that she will catch up with him shortly. Erika comes over to Akira, seated at a desk, and bluntly asks Akira how does she, Erika, look ? Does she look cute and attractive ? (Erika is wearing her natural blonde hair in a sexy ponytail, makeup for the first time to highlight her blue eyes and plush cheeks, and a really short pleated mini-skirt with her school uniform showing off her bare, slender legs, all to add to her cuteness and covert sexiness factor.) Akira says that she is, indeed, very cute right now. "Cuter than you, Akira ?", questions Erika. Akira is too embarrassed to answer. So Erika says that she's gotta go, and gently pats Akira on the head.

Erika leaves the classroom, following Shouma, probably to a secluded place on campus. The girls hang around the classroom, chit-chatting, and waiting for any word as to how Ekira's Love Confession is going. After a half hour or so, Akira wants to find Erika and ask her how the Love Confession went ? Aoi cautions Akira that she may be interfering with what may be happening between Erika and Shouma right now. Relax, Akira ! Best to wait until Erika texts how her Love Confession went down. Akira understands. Kanae mentions that Erika has secretly been in love with Shouma since they were in elementary school ! Today, continues Kanae, Erika tried to look as adult-like as possible, learning about skillful use of makeup, and wearing a provocative, feminine outfit. Akira thinks to herself that what Kanae said really surprised her. Continuing to think to herself, Akira recalls the time when *I* (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) was helping Shouma that one day, Erika got upset and scolded her not to mess with Shouma ! As if *I* (lit. *Ore* {masculine}) would ever fall for Shouma ! Shion remarks that it was Shouma who restrained Kazuki from going bananas the other day. Akira remembers that it was Shouma who took the punch from Yuto that was meant for her (see Chapter 15). It was Shouma who cared for me and offered me friendship when I first transferred to this school. There is no doubt that Shouma would make Erika so very, very happy to begin dating her.

Suddenly, Kanae's iphone begins to buzz. The text is from Erika---

"It was no good....you all can go home without me .... I want to be alone...."

What should the friends do about this ? The text plainly said just to go home ! Kanae says that she is leaving, and mentions that it is best to leave Erika alone right now. Kanae says that Erika told her earlier that she will try again later if today doesn't work out. Akira ponders to herself that both Erika and Kanae were unkind to her when she first met them. However, as time went by, she, Akira, began to get along with them. Those two girls turned out to be friends after all. Unexpectedly, Akira bursts out into big tears, crying her heart out for what has just happened to Erika, being turned down and all ! The other friends are quite surprised at Akira's reaction. What is wrong with me, thinks Akira to herself ? Kanae's iphone buzzes again with the final text from Erika---

"I am sorry for all the trouble I've caused."

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

The Japanese to English translator comments on the Japanese custom of school children having backpacks---

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(Click on Chapter 37 to be taken to the next chapter.)

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