Love Me: Chapter 6

LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM

CHAPTER 6 OF THE MANGA

One sunny day, Sac-chan comes to work all 'unicorns and rainbows', happy as a lark, beaming with pride ! She doesn't wait for the others to somehow discern what is different about her today. Letting all know what is going on, she loudly proclaims that today she is wearing a real, honest-to-goodness female bra for the first time in quite a while ! So that is why her chest looks bigger under her chef's uniform ? "Doesn't it look nice on me ?", inquires Sac-chan. Continuing, she implores, "I feel so confident now ! I'm a girl, after all, and many girls wear bras all the time !" Mei is astounded, whereas Mogumo merely states that she is not ready for a bra, as she still has a completely flat chest. Sac-chan offers to help any of the girls who want to know how to select a correct bra, and how to put it on. Mogumo only remarks, "Okay!"

Just then, an order is handed out of the kitchen window, a rice omelet. Mogumo takes the order out to the customer, a portly young man at the table. As is the custom, Mogumo offers to draw something on the omelet with a squeeze bottle of ketchup. The young man wants a picture of the anime girl, "Twinkle Pine". This Mogumo wants to do, however, she says that she does not know what that character looks like, so her picture will be that of a cat. The cat picture turns out to be wobbly and somewhat scary, like that of what a first grade student would do. Yet, the customer is okay with this valiant effort by the new Question Café waitress.

Ten-chan has been looking on, to make sure that Mogumo remembers how to please and satisfy the customers. So, Ten-chan shows Mogumo an i-pad tablet, with a picture of Twinkle Pine on the screen. Why, the picture is of Ten-chan herself, cross-cosplaying as Twinkle Pine at a recent anime convention. Mogumo is introduced to the young man at the table by Ten-chan. He is the super-duper high-class photographer, Kame-kun ! Kame is the one who took the picture of Ten-chan cross-playing. Mogumo wants to know what Ten-chan likes about cross-cosplay ? Replying, Ten-chan remarks that there are several factors that go into why she is so delighted when she cross-cosplays. Yet the most satisfying reason is that she can completely embody the female characters that she admires. "I imagine *meowself* as what I would look like as the anime girl *Twinkle Pine*! Then, when *meow* costume is done and perfect, I get pulled into the character and costume, so that it feels like it changes *meow* into the very heart and soul of the character, too ! That's what is so fun about cross-cosplay !"

When Kame-kun is done eating, he leaves, while thanking the two waitresses, and remarks that he will see Ten-chan at the next cosplay event, fer sure ! This remark prompts Mogumo to ask, no one in particular, that if they wear clothes that are more feminine than their regular fashion style, will they be able to 'change', like how Ten-chan does ? Ten-chan overhears the remark, and questions, "Mogu-chan....do you want to present as a girl now ?" When Mei comes by the two, Ten-chan remarks if that is how it is, then why not let Mei-chan handle your female fashion style, Mogu-chan ? Mei-chan wants to know what the two of them are talking about ? Later, when the Café is being locked up for the night, Ten-chan tells Suzu-chan that Mogumo and himself are going over to Mei-chan's apartment, and does he want to join us ? No, because Suzu is going to play video games with Tetsu tomorrow. 'Good nights' are offered all around.

The next day, Ten-chan dressed in a t-shirt and beach bum cargo shorts, and Mogumo, dressed her usual feminine style, are invited into Mei-chan's bedroom. It is decorated like that of an 8 to 10-year-old girl's bedroom. Mei says that she hopes the bedroom is not too abjectly cute. Ten-chan says that it is perfect. To kick things off, Mei opens a large walk-in closet, and asks Mogumo what kind of girl clothes they want to wear ? Ten-chan, going bananas, steps forward, and begins thumbing through Mei's entire collection of girl's clothing. Coming upon a fancy bra, Ten-chan is 'knocked for a loop' at the fact that Mei has not only purchased bras, but has begun wearing them at the Café under her work uniform. Mei implores Ten-chan not to tell the others that she regularly wears a real bra now. They will just fuss and freat. Apologizing, Ten-chan, says that her secret is safe with him.

Back to what kind and style of girl's clothing, Mogumo wants to wear ? Any requests ? Mogumo states that they want to wear the most cute and ultra-feminine things that you have, Mei ! Meanwhile, rather unnoticed, Ten-chan is in a corner of the bedroom, has removed his t-shirt and shorts, and is trying on a pretty dress belonging to Mei. Unfortunately, it is too small, and he can's zip up the back zipper of the dress. Ten-chan has to apologize for a second time now ! He remarks that he probably will have to continue to make his own feminine clothing by hand. You can make clothing and cos-play costumes, asks Mogumo ? Yeah ! Ten-chan has hand made all the maid costumes that the friends wear at work. You may not know Mogumo, but all the maid costumes that are constructed are to be on a perceived male body ! If they were made for women, they would not fit correctly. So, it is my dream, continues Ten-chan, to open up a shop that sells cute, adorable feminine clothing, plus cross-cosplay outfits, that boys can wear, and look very pretty, too ! Mei says that she is looking forward to that future enterprise.

Now on to the business at hand ! For the first outfit, Mogumo is dressed like a typical country girl. Second, like a city dweller's outfit. Third, when it comes to the strongest possible feminine outfit a girl can wear, it has to be a Gothic / Lolita dress, with all the trimmings, including a huge petticoat ! Finally, Mogumo decides on a particular outfit similar to the country girl, one that is really girly. Then, Mei instructs Mogumo on how to do her makeup properly. So much to know about and learn ! When all done, Mie is strongly asserting, and Ten-chan is shouting for all he's worth---

**"YOU LOOK SO, SO CUTE !!!"**

Mogumo is a little taken aback at the reaction. Does this fashion style really look good on me ? Mei offers encouragement, saying that it certainly does look good, it's just that you are not used to this fashion style. Just take our words for it. Plus you can wear this outfit all of the rest of today ! Okay, meekly squeaks out Mogumo. When the 'fashion show' is all done, Mogumo returns home. At home, Koto-chan is watering the flowers all around the front of the home. When Mogumo comes into the front yard, Koyo, for a few seconds, does not recognize her. Honestly observing, Koto-chan tells Mogumo that they look really, really cute, and to wear this super girly fashion style all the time now ! But does this actually look good on me ? Mogumo says that someone at work let her borrow this outfit. The more that they dress as a girly girl, it seems to make the others happier, states Mogumo, including you, Koto-chan. So, she is going to do her best to identify as a girl, instead of a neutral Gen X'er. Mogumo goes on to confess that if they act like a Gen X, it will just make things difficult for Tetsu ! Koto-chan is silent, but that comment from Mogumo does not go down well with her, not one bit !

Next day, during a break in the classroom instruction, Koto-chan approaches Tetsu. Making sure that he is Tetsu Iwaoka, Koto-chan tells him that they need to talk, and to follow her to a secluded place. This he does. While they are walking together, Koto-chan says that she is Kotone Mizunoe, and she is Mogumo's childhood friend. Tetsu is lead a ways away, into a little used hallway in an empty part of the building. Suddenly, Koto-chan spins around and confronts Tetsu---

**"How do you feel about Mogu-chan ???"** A shocked Tetsu is speechless. Koto-chan then begins with rather twisted reasoning, including misgendering Mogumo as a "boy". Do you, Tetsu, plan on pulling Mogu-chan down the miserable path of being gay ? (Mogumo's birth certificate states {incorrectly} that they are male, plus Tetsu is male.) Tetsu is still speechless. Koto-chan continues. If you two end up in a gay realtionship, it's definately gonna be hard on {him}(Mogumo) ! Mogu-chan hasn't even had a chance to figure out who {he} is yet ! Can you, Tetsu, accept everything that is about Mogumo ? Tetsu finally finds his voice, yet also falls into the trap of misgendering Mogumo. Even if you call Mogumo and me "gay", Mogumo has not, and does not now, ever identify as a "male". Besides, don't make it seem like it is {his} fault !

Koto-chan bites back. What you just said, Tetsu, is just wrong, as far as Mogu-chan is concerned. You and Mogumo are listed on your birth certificates as both males, so you can't get married in this country. But Mogumo is, in fact, listed as a "male", and on my birth certificate, I am listed as a female. That means Mogumo and myself can legally get married (\*) ! Koto continues. Which case would be the best choice for Mogumo ? A gay / Yaoi / B.L. (Boy's Love) debased realtionship with you, or a normal hetro relationship with me ? Rendered speechless again, Tetsu silently tells himself that he never knew, or even suspected, that Koto was only romantically involved with other females. Koto-chan mocks him, saying, "What ? Cat got your tongue ?" Koyo-chan's face morphs into that of the eerie look of a horror anime character. "If you get where I'm at, *then don't wedge or force yourself into Mogu-chan's heart any more than what you have shamefully already done."*, fires off Koto-chan. Tetsu fires back, "You're so dang worried about your own feelings, *but what about how Mogumo actually feels ???"*

Deftly, Koto-chan reaches down to her backpack on the floor, seizes her thermos, unscrews it, and doses Tetsu with a blast of ice water ! **"SAYING THINGS LIKE WHAT YOU DO, ONLY HURTS MOGUMO THE MOST !"**, with Koto-chan adding insult to injury ! Continuing, "Mogu-chan is feeling really depressed right now because of you...." Koto-chan kneels down, and retrieves a handkerchef from her backpack, and offers it to Tetsu.

"You don't have to give this back. See you around....!" And with that, Koto-chan takes her leave. Tetsu is left to himself, soaked to the bone in cold water. Conflicting emotions and reasonings run through Tetsu's mind, heart, and soul regarding Mogumo, like a gazelle running through an open field.

...What am I supposed to do ? .... Should I just hide my feelings .... how I feel about Mogumo .... my love for Mogumo .... ???

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(End Chapter 6)

(Click on Love Me: Chapter 7 to be taken to the next chapter.)
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**Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion**

(\*) Mogumo is listed on their birth certificate as a "male".

Koto is being hypocritical here. She is romantically attracted only to girls, so she at select times views Mogomu as a "female". Other times, like now, she views Mogumo and refers to Mogumo as a "male"! Strickly speaking, both of her personally selected and held views are incorrect. Mogumo has an ambigious Gender Identity, and self-identifies as Gen X / agender / no gender, that is, neither boy nor girl, neither male nor female.

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