Chapter 6

Rumi comforts and encourages Akira while Akira is having her very first period,

### Relationship Evolution

Rumi comforts and encourages Akira when she finds out that this is Akira's first period.

### Lessons Learned

Friendship can be an important source of comfort in times of crisis.

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

CHAPTER 6 OF THE STORY (Revised English Translation)

(Chapter Note for the MANGA version---This chapter deals with the sensitive and controversial issue of an adolescent girl's experience with her first period. It is discussed with a tactful and respectful, albeit a slightly dramatic, approach. THIS CHAPTER MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR OTHERS. **READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED !!!** )

## Previously

When Rumi and Akira were in the school's girl's locker and dressing room, it sure surprised Rumi when she asked Akira if Akira was going to attend the upcoming Summer Camp. Akira had already decided that she would attend, and even secured the necessary permissions from the various school officials. Both girls sat together on the bus that took them to the campgrounds, just like intimate best friends would. However, the first day at camp was not all that fun or entertaining for Akira. The whole group was to climb the mountain next to the campgrounds. Akira did not understand that she has lost so much of her male strength and stamina. She finally made it to the top, but had to rest frequently, and was still out of breath and out of shape when she got there. But will there be more surprises, good and bad, for Akira and Rumi while they are at camp ?

## This Chapter's Story

CHAPTER 6---According to the MANGA version---

Akira is escorting Rumi across the camp grounds to the girl's showers and toilets, since Rumi has to 'go' rather badly. It is dark outside, and after curfew, so Rumi is a bit jittery and apprehensive. She is clinging to Akira's arm like a straight-jacket. The two girls enter the old, creepy building that houses the shower and girl's toilets. Rumi is somewhat disturbed that there are no lights on in the hallways. Akira tries to calm her by saying that instead of lights, you have **me** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) (\*) An upset Rumi gets picky, telling Akira that she used **'I, me'** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) again. " Sorry ", remarks Akira. When the two reach the front door to the toilets, Akira says, " **I'll** ( lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) be waiting for you ! " But Rumi will have none of that. "No, NO! ", as she pulls on Akira's arm. " You are coming with me ! " , implores Rumi, " And don't leave without me ! " Right about now it hits Akira that she needs to 'go', too ! As Akira steps into a stall, Rumi shouts if she is still there ? " I'm here " As Akira is now sitting on the toilet, Rumi again shouts, " Are you here ? " " Yeah ! " Akira reminds herself that she has been a real pain for Rumi, but now is a chance to help her. Without thinking about anything, Akira's gaze drifts down to the absorbant protection panties that are wrapped around her ankles. What gives ??? She slips the panties off her feet for a closer look. Barely seen in the semi-darkness, the inside of the panties are bloody.

" AKIRA-CHAN ?!? ", shouts Rumi.

But Akira's mind is going into convulsions. NO! . . . . . . . No Way!!! . . . . . . I mean . . . . . . . I'm not . . . . . . . NO!!! . . . . . . . Why . . . . . . . this . . . . . . . . . my period . . . . . . . that's the blood . . . . . . . EH ? . . . . . . .

Akira's eyes begin to tear up, ready for a flood of frightfulness and remorse.

" **NO!** I won't cry ! *I can take this !* ***I can !*** " But Akira's emotions are getting the best of her, as she quivers in sordid expectation of what may happen next. To keep quiet so that Rumi will not know that she is about to cry, Akira bites and sinks her teeth into her right forearm. She bites down HARD ! Her panties are grasped in her left hand.

" It's okay ! ***I*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) can get through this ! ............. I can, as I always have !!! " A small stream of blood is now dribbling down her arm, as her mouth stays clamped onto her arm. Akira's feverish and uncontrollable mind now recklessly 'kicks down into overdrive'. She begins imagining all horrid things that did happen, is happening, or will happen.

>>>Other campers will say to her that she is crying just because of a little blood. Girls are so pathetic, aren't they ?

>>>How disgusting. !!!

>>>Everything would be so much better if ***I*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) never existed !

>>>Sorry, Nana! You probably *hated me so much* when I lifted your skirt to show everyone your panties, causing you to cry !

>>>My so-called male "friends" stripped me naked, then laughed at me !

>>>Mom, I so sorry ! Because of me, Dad blamed you, and the two of you split up . . . . . . and you gained all that weight.

>>>I'm sorry for keeping the truth (?) about me (?) from everyone.

>>>Grandma, I'm sorry that I couldn't ever finish the food that you took the time to make.

>>>Sorry, boys in this school, for being afraid of you and avoiding all of you.

>>>If ***I*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) .................If ***I*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) never existed ..............

" AKIRA-CHAN ? ARE YOU THERE ? Can you open the door ? ", a voice comes from beyond the closed toilet door.

>>>It's okay.........It's okay .........As long as I'm smiling, she won't know a thing . . . . . . . Akira now takes her fingers and forces her mouth into a smile.

Rumi opens the stall door . . . . . . . she sees the panties on the floor, the blood . . . . . .the bleeding bite marks on Akira's arm. . . . . .

" I ....... I - I was just a little surprised. ", as Akira bravely manages to "face the music and dance". With Akira still sitting on the toilet, Rumi passionately comes up to her and wraps her arms around Akira, pressing Akira's wet face into her bosom.

Softly and with great compassion, Rumi tells Akira, " It's okay, you don't have to say anything. "

After a while, Akira responds by almost crying, " ***I*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) don't deserve your kindness, Rumi-chan! "

" That's not true, Akira-chan. You'll get through this ! ", comforts Rumi.

" When we were climbing the mountain, I almost passed out. ", confesses Akira.

" But you pushed yourself and made it all the way to the top. ", counters Rumi.

Akira breaks into another round of tears. Rumi's shirt is now wet all down the front. " Sorry that I did not apologize along with you when the curry got ruined. I'm so sorry. I'M SO SORRY ! ", beseeches Akira.

" It's okay. Don't worry about it, Akira! ", says Rumi.

Akira cries out, "I'm so sorry. I'M SO SORRY !!!"

Rumi shouts, "AKIRA !!!"

Akira stops crying long enough to say, " You didn't say '-Chan'!

" Did I surprise you ? ", asks Rumi.

" Yeah ", stammers Akira.

Throwing all previous fear aside now, Rumi promises, " I'll go get a change of underwear for you. I'll be back soon ! "

Left alone in the near darkness, and still sitting on the toilet, Akira tries to compose herself. This ends up with her thinking negatively of herself. She says to herself, " ***I'm*** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) such a mess . . . . . . . . all these people are being so nice to me . . . . . . . . and I can't ever do anything nice in return . . . . . . . . I want to become kind .... just like Rumi-chan !

The rest of the time at Camp went without incident for Akira and Rumi. On the morning of the departure from the camp, Akira and Rumi are together outside. Rumi remarks to Akira that "it" doesn't feel weird, does it ? (Akira wearing a protection pad.) Akira says no, not weird, that it is fine. One of the boys calls out to Fujimiya and wants to know why she missed breakfast ? You oversleep ? Rumi answers on her behalf that it is *none of any boy's business.* Akira thanks Rumi for answering for her.

On the bus, at their seats, Akira comments, " ***I*** ( lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) . . . . . . . Rumi-chan, can ***I*** ( lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) become like you someday ?

Rumi offers a soft rebuke, " Me ?!? You shouldn't be like me ! You should be you ! "

The bus chaperone announces that the bus is leaving right now. Several on the bus say their goodbyes. Akira, with a scowl on her face says nothing, but thinks a 'goodby' in the tone of 'good riddance' ! Rumi and Akira are sharing two adjacent bus seats, of course ! After a while, Akira becomes drowsy, and softly leans her head on Rumi's shoulder. Rumi reacts by taking Akira's hand into hers, and with the both of them holding hands like a passionately romantic couple. Soon, she also falls asleep.

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## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

(\*) There is a thoughtful pun or joke here in the Japaneses language, that is completely lost in the English translation. In the Japanese language, the name 'Akira' means 'light', 'brightness', or 'enlightened one'. When Rumi sees that there are no lights in the dark hallway of the building, Akira, in an attempt to console her, as well as making a joke, says the she, Akira, can be the source of light from here on out ! ( The role of helper and lightbearer changes rather quickly from Akira to Rumi when Akira finds out that her very first period has already started this evening. )

## What Manga Fans Are Saying About This Chapter

**Sopu / 1 month ago**

They are gonna be B[est] F[riends] F[orever]'s as long as neither of them has a bitch phase.

**Ringo\_Juusu / 1 month ago**

This [chapter] was great, thanks.

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(Click on Chapter 7 to be taken to the next chapter. Click on Omake (Extra) 6.5 to be taken to the Omake between Chapters 6 & 7.)

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