Chapter 49

Shouma offers to hold hands with Akira at the festival. Akira reluctantly agrees, although it will make them look like a romantic couple out on a date.

## Features of This Chapter

### Transition Milestones

Akira wears a sexy yukata at the festival for the first time.

### Relationship Evolution

Akira and Shouma become closer and closer to being perceived by others as a romantic couple. Erika does a slow burn about that.

### Lessons Learned

Akira was completely unaware of the upcoming Love Confession to her from Shouma. However, Akira is learing to 'think on her feet'.

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

CHAPTER 49 OF THE MANGA

(Part 2 of the Unexpected Love Confession Story Arc)

## Previously

It was a little more difficult than planned, but Akira's friends were able to host a surprise birthday party for her, even though it had to be held just before Akira's actual birth day in order for Akira not to find out about the whole surprise. Everyone had a good time, especially Akira. Now it is time for the Summer Festival. Rumi wants Akira and the other girls to attend with all wearing yukatas. However, Akira has never worn a yukata before, plus she is not good wearing the traditional sandals. Nevertheless, Akira heads to the festival in a sexy yukata, along with Rumi and the other friends. Shouma, who seems to be romantically interested in Akira, also attends the festival. Will Shouma be able to be with Akira at the festival, looking like the two of them are romantically shipping with one another ?

## This Chapter's Story

The evening sky is completely ablaze with the finale of the fireworks show. Dozens of skyrockets are going off, and the booming of the rockets is almost continuous. Finally, the last of the fireworks go off, and the display comes to an end. So exciting ! So colorful ! Slowly, Akira and Shouma make their way back to the mid-way booths. They both pass by a boyfriend/girlfriend couple at a food booth, about the same age as themselves. The host of the food booth is handing a carry-out package to the girl, wearing a pretty yukata, saying that her food is 'on the house', meaning that it is free. This because, apparently, the two look so like a romantic couple in love. Akira wonders to herself; do other people, here at the festival, see us as a romantic boyfriend/girlfriend couple ? That might be a strong possibility.

Akira and Shouma come upon a booth for the card game Duel King (Yu! Gi! Oh!). Shouma asks Akira if she wants to visit the booth ? Sure ! Shouma thinks to himself that she wants to check out the latest cards, as she is a noteworthy Duel King player herself. Just then, a sweaty college boy seems to force his way between the two. This separates Akira and Shouma, although the guy does excuse himself. Shouma comments on how crowded the mid-way is right now. He remarks that we have to be careful not to be separated again. Akira turns to her side, and gets an almighty surprise ! Not more than twenty feet away from her are two romantic couples; Kokoa and Daichi, and Hana and her boyfriend ! They have not seen Akria yet, as they are taking with one another and eating chocolate covered bananas. Akira pokes Shouma in his back. Shouma yelps, what's wrong ? Akira, rather distressed, reveals that Nogi-san and her friends are right over there ! If they see us, they will assume that we are dating like they are, and I will never hear the end of it. Just then, a young boy pops in between Akira and Shouma, again unexpectedly separating them. Akira turns to look for Shouma, but a stab of pain comes from her left foot. The sandals are causing her pain again. Fortunately, Shouma is not far away.

Shouma sees Akira, and makes his way over to where she is. He extends his hand out to Akira, explaining that it would be real trouble if they would be separated again. Akira thinks to herself that he is correct; getting lost in this crowd would be bad. She puts her hand into his, as he gently and skillfully begins leading her through the crowd, and away from the two romantic couples who, thankfully, did not notice them. Shouma has to go very slow, as it has become somewhat painful for Akria to walk. Akira, for her part, is thinking that holding hands with Shouma, for sure *gives everyone looking at them the impression that they are not only boyfriend and girlfriend, but intimate lovers, too !* How romantically incinerary !

Shouma slowly guides Akira from the mid-way, to the edge of the parking lot. Once there, Akira bends down to tend to her sore toes. Shouma apologizes for not being able to guide Akira to the Duel King booth. Akira says that is okay, anyway. Squating down, Akira remarks that this is what she gets for wearing an outfit that she clearly was not accustomed to (Akira had never before worn a yukata plus traditional sandals). I must look awful. Shouma loudly protests, telling Akira that is not true at all ! Shouma goes on to offer his honest opinion, **"You look wonderful, really nice, in that yukata !** Then suddenly, Shouma has a 'knee-jerk' reaction to his own comment. He apologizes, and tells Akira that what he just said must have sounded really weird and creepy. Akira becomes embarrassed, but softly tells him that makes her really happy to hear that. Akira then offers an incident that she remembers from some time ago. She recalls that when she had her hair cut and restyled, you, Shouma, plainly told me that it did not suit me at all. Shouma quickly denies that he ever said that to her (he actually did say that, see Chapter 7) !

Shouma, somewhat self-conscious now, goes into a rambling recall of various memories of his own. He relates that when you, Akira, first transferred into my school, you had such a bored and emotionless expression on your face most of the time. I was such an idiot back then, so I would tell you to just go out and play with us in order to try and cheer you up. But then I noticed that you began to hang out with Rumi and her friends. Little by little, you became more pleasurable and attractive. Then, as time went by, I found myself not only looking at you all the time, but wanting to become closer to you, too. (Shouma is standing, looking down at Akira, still kneeling down on the pavement.) Shouma is silent for a few moments, then 'out of the blue', he boldly remarks---

***AKIRA......I LOVE YOU.....!!!!!!!"***

Akira, when she hears this, her heart leaps like a jack rabbit, and begins pounding away like a tom-tom drum. Shouma is telling her that she does not need to give him an answer about dating right away. However, Akira barely hears what he is saying. Dozens of thoughts begin racing through her mind. Thoughts like, Erika scolding her for seemingly being interested in Shouma. Erika texting her with the message that her Love Confession was declined by Shouma. Erika tells her afterward that she is (supposedly) no longer romantically interested in Shouma. Erika giving her the 'green light' to pursue Shouma if she wants to. Far in the distance, barely above all the talking going on in her head, Akira hears Shouma telling her that he is going to be leaving to go home. He is saying that he is going to text the others to let them know that Akria is in the parking lot. Akira gets up and grasps his wrist in her hand. She yelps---

***WAIT !!!***

## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

XZ

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