The Epilogue of Marika's Transformation

The Epilogue of *Marika's Transformation*

(Extracted from Chapters 41 and 42 of the manga *Our Transformations*)

It is the Graduation Ceremonies of the Tokyo Minaminaru Private High School. Marika is graduating from high school today. Marika is wearing a crisp, clean female school uniform, perhaps for the last time. All her friends and classmates that were okay with her are gathered around her, wishing everyone the best for whatever they are going to do after graduation. All attend the formal ceremony, but afterwards is a time of reflection, saying 'good-bys', and looking to the future. Tomochi, in male mode, comes up to Marika from behind, and 'hugs her to death' ! After Marika is released from the almighty hug, another male schoolmate, Shirakawa-kun addresses her, saying that he heard that you, Marika, are not going to college. Why ? Your grades in high school were good. Confessing, Marika says that she never liked studying that much, plus there are a lot of other things going on that she is interested in.

Shirakawa taps Marika on the top of her head with his rolled-up diploma, saying for her to treat him to a good time next time we see each other ! Not 'on your life', quips Marika. Tomochi remarks that you, Marika, have gotten a lot stronger, both mentally and emotionally. You should do well in whatever you decide to do after graduation. Akane-chan is troubled that she will not see Marika very much from now on. Marika hugs Akane-chan, replying that we will stay in touch, and see each other more often than what you think. One-by-one, more students and classmates take turns wishing Marika well, and predicting that she will become someone noteworthy.

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0NE YEAR LATER

Ryou-kun (who no longer cross-dresses as Yui-chan) is working in a private research laboratory. He is reviewing a stack of research papers, as his Boss chit-chats with him. The Boss remarks that didn't you say, Ryou-kun, that Marika had landed a well-paying desk job in an office complex ? Yeah ! That is what he had heard about Marika. The Boss observes that Marika, as cute and attractive as she was, should have gone into show biz ! Ryou-kun replies that there is no way that she would have done that, after all, she never liked being the center of attention, ya know, being a trans girl and all. The Boss continues, saying that Marika should have gone to college and learned acting, as she would have caught the eye of a producer or talent scout, and would have become a famous "trap (\*) idol" ! Ryou-kun retorts, saying, "There you go again, Boss, talking nonsense yet again !" It has been Marika's dream to transition to that of a typical female, and to live her life in a nondescript, typical fashion. To have a normal job as an attractive woman and valued employee. Noting more or nothing less ! Boss says that he still can't understand all that.

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A few weeks later, the three friends continue their custom of meeting up with one another at the same restaurant from time to time. Parou, dressed as an attractive young woman, Ryou-kun always dressed in male mode now, yet has a feminine look and fashion style, and Marika, cute and adorable as ever, still looking like an attractive high school girl, all take time to socialize, and get caught up on what the others are doing. At the end of the lengthy visit, the three all proclaim and agree, "And from now on....we will continue to keep in touch, and all of us....we'll keep changing....!!!"

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A SECOND YEAR GOES BY.....

The three friends, Parou, Ryou, and Marika, meet up together in a bar/nightclub. An order of drinks all around was requested, as all three relax, imbibe, and exchange information and personal experiences. Parou confesses that they have cross-dressed regularly all along, in order to attract gay males. Ryou is quite surprised that Parou has 'gone down that path'. You, Parou, must have a 'one-track mind'. Yeah, I have always been like that. In other words, that has always made me different from you two, Ryou and Marika. You two have settled down to a regular life, however, I am still wild and free, roaming everywhere and yet going nowhere !

Parou turns to Marika, remarking that she is a 100% real, honest female now, isn't she ? "That's not true !", quips Marika, "It's not like that at all. I am still an anatomically correct male. However, that may change in the future, as I now have insurance that will cover the surgery from the company that I work for." Deprecating yourself, says Parou, because of your physical appearance is annoying, Marika. Ryou adds that by pointing out that fact about yourself, Marika, is just not right. You are still a 100% authentic female, a super cute one at that ! So don't sweat the minor details anymore. Yeah, adds Parou. Just do what you want to do, Marika, boldly states Ryou.
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That said, it's not like everything in life goes smoothly, continues Ryou. He still doesn't know exactly how to act around his Mom. She has recovered a lot from her mental illness, but many times is lost and unable to decide what to do or how to act. We both go and visit the grave of my dead sister now, something that would have been impossible for Mom to do in times past. Ryou begins chomping on a sishkabob. I can only be normal around Mom, the rest is up to her.

Parou observes that the both of you have gotten so much stronger from life's circumstances. Isn't that the same for you, Parou ? Getting stronger ? No, that's not like me. "That's just how things are for me.", states Parou, "It's not like I want anyone to "save" me from what I have chosen to do with my life. But, well, that's just the direction of my life, one guy after another, I guess. I'll never change........?!?"

At the end of the get-together, the question is offered, "Meet up again next year ?" Of course, sure, that's a 'must do' now !

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(The End of the Epilogue of *Markia's Transformation*)

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(\*) **TRAP**

A word popular in the anime and manga community to describe characters who look like the opposite gender. It applies to both males and females, though it is most commonly used for male characters who look and present as female.

While the word is only meant to apply to characters who identify as the opposite of how they appear physically, the term has become notorious in the LGBTQ+ community as uninformed people begun using the word as a slur towards transgender women. Therefore, the word, most of the time, can take on a negative connotation.

Person A: Wow, this female character is so cute and pretty!

Person B: You know she's actually a dude (male), right?

Person A: Oh... She's a trap.