Balance Policy: Chapter 8

BALANCE POLICY: CHAPTER 8 OF THE MANGA

The next morning, Masamoi awakens first, with the sun already up and warming the air. He turns to Kenji, in her PJ's, sprawled and contorted across her futon, still asleep. Masamoi only announces, "....Is morning...."

Later that morning, Kenji is once again dressed in her sailor suit, with Masamoi wearing the change of clothes that he had brought with him yesterday. Both are on the outside deck, eating the watermelon that was given to them yesterday. What should we do today ? Do your summer homework, questions Masamoi ? 'Course not, you know me! Kenji goes on to suggest that the two of them visit Masamoi's home today. "*NO ! DON'T !*", comes Dad's voice booming from inside the house. Dad arbitrarily remarks that Kenji just got out of the hospital, and needs to stay indoors today. Something could happen to Kenji's health, and that would be bad. A miffed Kenji fires off her valid opinion towards Dad, "Ya know...the thing that really bugs me about all of this...is that I was the one who got changed into a girl...but you're the one who gets all the money !" Dad turns his back toward Kenji, but only mumbles to 'stay in the house'.

As Dad is walking away to the inside of the house, Masamoi pipes up. He implores Dad that having Kenji go to his house would mean that my older sister could talk to her, and explain to Kenji many things about being a girl that she needs to learn to contribute to her wellbeing. Masamoi flashes Dad a most silly but convincing grin, silently telling Dad that he should go with the reasonable decision, instead of being a 'dumb a\*\*' about girl's wants and needs. Dad only moans, "Well....." And with that, Masamoi grabs Kenji's hand, and leads her away from the deck. He then tells Kenji for the both of them to 'high-tail it' out of here right now. This they do. Dad looks on, but says nothing.

Soon, Masamoi is riding his bicycle out on the road, with Kenji standing on the extended back axel rods and holding onto his shoulders. Her pleated short skirt is fluttering in the wind, showing glimpses of her white panties. Masamoi turns his head back towards Kenji, and yells that she is behaving just like the male Kenji, always arguing and being obnoxious with Dad. You should learn how to get along with him. Kenji bluntly remarks that you, Masamoi, can say that because you don't have to live with him. Kenji continues, saying that her father is really strange, especially the way that he talks to her sometimes. Scary ! He has never raised a hand to hit me, but the way he sometime talks, gives me the creeps. Masamoi turns back to looking forward, only to see that he has to immediately dodge a car passing by so very close to the bicycle.

Arriving at Masamoi's house, finds Masamoi's older sister, Chitose (Chi-neesan), outside on the deck braiding the hair of Mi-ko. Masamoi announces that he is back. Chi-neesan welcomes Masamoi home. Mi-ko-chan is asked what she is doing here ? "Nothin'" Kenji steps from behind Masamoi, and sees Mi-ko. Mi-ko immediately, for whatever reason, undos her braids, and blunty tells Chi-neesan that she is going home. As Mi-ko passes by Masamoi and Kenji, she gives the both of them the most sour and nasty look. After Mi-ko is gone, the social atmosphere lights up considerably. Chi-neesan gestures for Kenji to come inside the house with her. Kenji is hesitant, but goes anyway. Chi-neesan apologizes for the unexpected visit yesterday; Kenji thanks her for the watermelon. It was very tasty and refreshing. Chi-neesan explains that she wants to pass along some things to Kenji.

Masamoi is dismissed by Chi-neesan, telling him to go do his summer homework. She then leads Kenji up to her bedroom. Once inside, Kenji remarks to herself how organized and feminine the bedroom is. It even smells nice. Chi-neesan begins rummaging through several shopping bags. She holds up a short-hemline, sleeveless casual dress to Kenji to see if it fits. Yes, it does. And it looks cute on you, Kenji. Chi-neesan mentions that she had asked Mi-ko if she had any clothes that she did not need anymore, and could she let them go to you, Kenji ? Mi-ko's old clothes, huh ? Kenji is less thet enthusiastic about the proposal. Chi-neesan pulls out another dress and announces how it is also very cute. Kenji takes a peek in one of the shopping bags. It is mostly filled with panties. Gad Zooks ! Who gives away their panties ? Apparently Mi-ko does. They are all in good shape, hardly used, and all have been washed. Kenji holds one up for close inspection. It also is very cute, with a pineapple applique on the front.

Chi-neesan mentions that Mi-ko was depressed, and cried a lot all the time that you were gone, Kenji ! You have been friends with her, Kenji, ever since you were little kids. The three of you, Masamoi, Mi-ko, and you, Kenji, were all inseparable children. You did everything together. Then you went away to become a girl, and the three of you kinda broke up, with seemingly hurt feelings, especially for Mi-ko, being all alone and sad. No wonder she cried so much. For some unexplained reason, the recent memory of Mi-ko telling Kenji that she was stupid for leaving the sliding glass door unlocked pops into Kenji's thoughts. Mi-ko's actions don't match up with what Chi-neesan is telling her what happened while she was gone. Kenji silently tells herself that she just doesn't 'get it' regarding Mi-ko. Chi-neesan seems to understand Kenji, and mentions that girls grow up and mature emotionally faster than boys do. What do you mean, inquires Kenji ?

Chi-neesan comes over to Kenji and gently strokes her cheek, then runs her fingers through Kenji's silky hair. Chi-neesan softly utters that your whole appearance has changed, not just your voice. Yet, there are still vestiges of your boyish personality that was so prevailant in times past. Your future, Kenji, is going to be so very different. You have to expect that and get used to it. The person that everyone presents to others, Kenji, taking that at face value, and nothing more, means that you don't really understand that person at all ! This is especially true of girls ! And with that parting advice, Chi-neesan hands two shopping bags filled with clothes, to Kenji. Kenji is told to properly thank Mi-ko for her generosity. And with that, Kenji takes her leave of the bedroom.

Downstairs, Masamoi is at a table, doing his homework. Kenji walks by carrying the two shopping bags. Masamoi asks what sort of things are in the bags ? Kenji, not paying much attention, only says that she doesn't know. Kenji is lost in thought. Kenji silently ponders that she has no idea what Chi-neesan was talking about. But then again, what she said was understood, but does not make any sense to me. Kenji sets down the two bags on the outside deck, and picks up the pair of Mi-ko's panties that have the pineapple appliqué on the front. She ponders once again; if she were to wear Mi-ko's panties, would she, Kenji, come to understand Mi-ko any better ? Right then and there, on the wooden deck, Kenji bends down, pulls up her skirt, removes her panties, and tosses them into the shopping bag. Masamoi is surprised 'out of his gourd' at what is happening right before his eyes. Kenji then pulls on the pineapple panties, snugly around her body. Kenji then closes her eyes, and tries to meditate. Masamoi continues to abjectly stare at what Kenji is doing, thinking to himself, why did she want to change her panties all of a sudden? After a while, Kenji opens her eyes and loudly declares to herself that understanding what was said is not the point of this exercise, and understanding is not possible anyway. Masamoi reasons in his mind, "I don't know what is happening, I don't want to know, and therefore, I am not going to ask about anything !"

(End Chapter 8)

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