Chapter 2

Rumi states a paradox about Akira---"Such a cute girl can't possibily be a boy !"

## Features of This Chapter

### Time Line

After the move, a couple or so weeks at the beginning of Akira's new school year.

### Transition Milestones

Akira is offered friendship and possibly shipping with another girl of her own age, Rumi.

### Relationship Evolution

Rumi is fond of Akira, so she invites the her to spend time at her home, a welcome offer for lonely Akira.

### Lessons Learned

Harsh lessons in life can demand difficult actions, but such situations can be met by staying adaptable, and having a positive outlook.

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

CHAPTER 2 OF THE STORY (Revised English Translation)

## Previously

Akria Fujimiya was 'on top of the world', at least his world of primary school. As the school's number one bully, he not only was looked up to by many, but would wield authority and influence among the classmates as he saw fit. He especially was cruel and demeaning to the girls, causing social embarrassment and pain to the girls at every turn. His Mother knew that he was like this at school, but had too little influence or motivation over him to affect any meaningful change in his behavior. However, by whatever mysterious means, Fate, Bad Karma, or whatever, this became the force that would physically and socially change Akria, or at least redirect his actions and personality away from the toxic masculinity that has so motivated him up to this point.

" Flying high in April, shot down in May! ", so goes the song.

A fresh start would certainly be a welcomed adjustment and a step in the right direction.

## This Chapter's Story

CHAPTER 2 --- According to the MANGA version---

The look of impending, all encompassing, total and absolute fear is in Akira's eyes. " I'm scared ! scary, Scary, *Scary*, SCARY, *SCARY,* **SCARY** !!!!!!! " Akira was looking at himself in the mirror in the boy's restroom at school. He thought that he was the only one in the restroom at this time. However, another boy, larger and very intimidating, has slipped in behind Akira. He puts his large hand on Akira's shoulder and spins Akira around to face himself; it is the school's current bully. One hand is pointing to Akira, and his other hand is grabbing hold of Akira's shirt and sweater, then deftly pulling both up to his neck ! Bare-chested Akira is now too shocked to say anything. However, Akira's mind screams out the dire assessment---

" WHY IS THIS HAPPENING . . . . . . . *WHO WOULD DO SUCH A CRUEL THING ?* "

The boy bully addresses Akira with a loud and forceful statement---

" WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF ? *ISN'T THIS WHAT **YOU USED TO DO TO EVERYONE ELSE ???** "*

Akira's face is now soaked in sweat. He tries to scream, but nothing comes out of his mouth . . . . . . . . . . .

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" WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!! "

Akira bolts upright in his bed. He is sharply awakened with violent shock and surprise, screaming loudly. Thereafter, he is gasping for air and breathing heavily. It was all a dream, a very frightening, disconcerting, worrisome dream.

" I did so many cruel things . . . . . . . . "

His trembling hand tries to wipe away the voracious sweat pouring down his face. He looks around at the bare room that used to be his bedroom. All of his worldly possessions are now boxed, stacked up, and awaiting the moving van. This was the last time he would ever sleep in this room.

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Awakening in the new bedroom, Akira ponders the circumstances that have come about. No way he could have adapted to the old school. The girls had nothing to do with Akira, and the boys treated Akira more cruel and oppressive then one would ever thought possible . . . . . . .

Walking into the kitchen, Akira greets his grandmother, Sanae Kawashima. When Dad divorced Mom, both Akira and Mom moved away to live in the home and city where mother's mother lived. After breakfast with Mom and Grandmother, Akira thanks them for the food. Grandma cooks really well; Mom has gained 11 pounds since we have been here. Akira prepares to leave for school. Mom asks if Akira has their handkerchief ? Yes!

    Are you getting along with Watai-san and all the other girls at school ? Yes! With their backpack strapped on, it is time to leave for school. Akira thinks to themselves as they are going out the door---

" It's already April. I'm already in the third grade. I entered my new school **AS A GIRL !!!** "

During break time, a boy asks Akira if she wants to play with the boys after school ? Akira quivers in fear, but says nothing. Two girls then approach Akira. One asks when did you become friends with the boys ? The other girl who has sparkling blue eyes and natural blonde hair asks if you have got used to the new school yet ? " Not really. " , is the answer that Akira gives to both questions. The girl with lovely blonde hair done up in a ponytail (Erika Ebihara) point blank fires a probing accusation at Akira---

" By the way, Fujimiya-san, you *kinda look like a boy !* "

Akira noticeably flinches before croaking out an answer---" '**I'** ( lit. *Ore* {masculine}) .......No........ '**I'** ( lit. *Watashi* {feminine}) ..........!?!?! "

The blonde girl interrupts---" There, you were gonna talk like a boy again ! And your hair's too short to be a girl's style ! Your backpack is black, just like a boys ! And you watch that *MANNISH MAN* TV show all the time ! Fujimiya-san, maybe you are actually a ...............(!) "

oh no ! Oh No ! OH NO ! **OH NO ! ,** Akira's feverish mind screams inside her head, as she breaks out in a cold sweat !

***" HEY !!!!!!! "*** , screams another girl from across the classroom. Akira feebly turns around to see who is giving this blonde girl a 'piece of her mind' ?

" YOU'RE BULLYING FUJIMIYA AGAIN ! *STOP IT RIGHT NOW ! "* It is Rumi Watai, 8 year old classmate, and with her darker, longer hair done up in a bun. The blonde haired girl says that she was not bullying her. We just said that she frequently looks and dresses like a boy. Rumi's comeback is 'right on the money'---

" HHHUUUUHHH ??? SUCH A *CUTE GIRL* CAN'T POSSIBLY BE A **BOY** !!! "

The two girls scatter, as Rumi comes over to address Akira. She tells Akira in a very pleasant voice that the homeroom teacher has requested that Akira go to the Infirmary. Akira is silent as she gets up from her desk, but thinks to herself that it is puzzling why Rumi has been so nice to her ? After all, no one at this school knows that I used to be a boy ! In the Infirmary, two women spend time conversing with Akira. The homeroom teacher, Ms. Masukawa, assures Akira that if something happens, to look for her, or go straight to the Infirmary. The other woman, Dr. Kubota, asks Akira if she has felt any pain recently ? " No. " She confides to Akira that we'll make sure to answer any and all of your questions. In a very caring and concerning tone, Ms. Masukawa comments that she was told that Akira used to play outside quite a bit at their previous school. She would like to know why Akira doesn't go play at all with the kids here ? " Ah ........... I think ......... I'm good ........... ", is all that Akira can manage. Akira quietly and painfully thinks to herself that as a result of past situations, she has already ruined her chances with any of the boys. In a while, Akira thanks the two women, and says that she is going now.

Walking the deserted hallways, Akira reaches two obvious conclusions---Trying to fit in with the boy's group is so scary and not really doable .......So there is no choice but to try and befriend the girls .........but ..........the image of Nana and the girls' proclamation sweeps across her mind---

" WE'LL *NEVER FORGET* THE THINGS THAT YOU DID TO US !!! "

Akira continues to worry----What will I do if I get hated again ??? Akira stops in the hallway, as tears come to her eyes. Just then there is a gentle tap on her shoulder, as a soft, friendly voice calls, " Fujimiya-san !" Akira flinches again, but much more violent that before. But it is just Rumi Watai !

" Watai-san! ", Akira coughs out.

" Did you finish talking with Sensei (the homeroom teacher) ? ", implores Rumi ?

"Don't scare me like that !", stammers Akira. Next Akira wants to know if Rumi heard anything that she was talking to the teacher about ? " Not at all ! ", Rumi utters with a smile on her pretty face. As the two girls walk together, Rumi coyly asks if Akira is free this coming weekend ? Akira is quite taken aback, but says nothing. Rumi continues in a carefree tone and with sparkles in her eyes, " If it is okay with you, would you like to come and play at my house ? Rumi is holding her hands in a praying position. Akira falters. She thinks to herself ......... I don't want to go ......... but it's hard to say 'no' .......... and I have to make friends with the girls ( Akira bits her lower lip, and again breaks out in a cold sweat ) ........... "Okay ! I'll go !" , is finally said in an affirmative, yet unsteady voice by Akira.

" YAY !!! *I'M SO **HAPPY** !!!!!!* " , exudes Rumi !!! (Akira probably does not know or discern this, but Rumi has become quite fond of Akira since she came to this school, maybe even to the point of infatuation!)

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## Chapter Lookback, Commentary, and Opinion

Commentary and Opinion---by CuteDress&TwinPonytails

Little by little, it is beginning to dawn on Akira that they are not going to return to being a boy, both physically, as well as mentally, emotionally, and socially. The unique circumstances that Akira finds themselves in, have seemed to teach them life's lessons that are working out for their ultimate good, even if it seems that those lessons had to be beaten into Akira. Slowly, the most toxic of their masculine personality traits are being discarded, or at least bleached to that of a more neutral fashion or a more acceptable way of doing things. For instance, loneliness as a girl is not pleasant, but it seems better than being a toxic male bully, hurting themselves and the others around them. For being so young, Akira must face several more adult-like problems. But this may ultimately work out for their lasting good, as they move farther and farther away from undesirable male traits, consider and embrace traits that are so often though of as feminine, such as kindness, patience, and self-control, and learn to "live with and play with the cards that life has dealt to you." And if Akira does, indeed, have a bigender Gender Identity, then the odds of their social, personal, emotional, and romantic success are in their favor.

## What Manga Fan's Are Saying About This Chapter

**BCS / 10 months ago**

I find it so weird they're doing both the web [MANGA] and serialization [DOUJIN] simultaneously.

**dokidoki / 10 months ago**

M[ain] C[haracter, Akira] looks really cute in that color page at the end since we get to see those amazing green eyes. [see pix at right]

**penmore / 11 months ago**

The mom is dumping the kid on the grandma. I get the need for not having stress and not having a bad rep with the other parents, but I feel that this is a lot more common in Japanese culture than anything else. If not more common than a lot more prominent.

**PawPadKnight / 11 months ago**

I'm guessing that they are making her [Akira] switch to another school.

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(Click on Chapter 3 to be taken to the next chapter.)

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