Chapter 19: Hint of Romance

HINT OF ROMANCE

MIRACLE GIRL KAKERU

CHAPTER 19 OF THE MANGA

*"Starlight....Starlight, Power of the Rainbow ! Twinkle, twinkle ! Pop in....Pop out....Pop like popcorn, with melted butter !!!* **"TRANSFORM !!!"**

Sho is at home, and has just shouted out their Access Codes to begin their Henshin, thereby transforming into a girl. Not Miracle Girl Kakeru, mind you, but ordinary girl Kakeru. She decides what to wear today. She settles upon a pale beige long-sleeved turtleneck sweater top, a modest dark gray mid-knee hemline circle skirt, and black tights. Looking good ! She will get stronger in her feminine traits and female training, and look great for doing so ! But where to go today ? Being at the Mall looks promising. So, now, naturally pretty and tastefully dressed Kakeru dons a bunny eared hoodie, and heads on out for fun and adventure at the Mall.

As Kakeru leisurely strolls through the Mall, she feels good vibes coming from the people who see her and pass her by. This builds her self-confidence in her fashion instincts and choices, as well as her demure and composure. Suddenly rounding a corner, Kakeru almost runs into, and meets nose-to-nose, with a pleasant boy of about her age. What a surprise ! The both of them recognize each other. The boy knows this cute girl in front of her by her pseudo, undercover alias name of 'Shouko'(\*). Kakeru knows of this boy because he is in her class at school. His name is Hayato Suzuki. Not wanting any social contact with the boy, Kakeru hurries past him in an almighty rush.

But Hayato is not so easily dismissed. He shouts, **"Wait!"**, then reaches out to the girl passing him by and grabs hold of the end of her sweater sleeve. **"NO!"**, squeals 'Shouko'! Hayato, not letting go, loudly remarks that your name is Shouko, isn't it ? Shouko counters with the remark that she doesn't know who you are talking about ! Hayato silently thinks to himself that this girl in front of him is, indeed, Shouko. No doubt about it (Hayato doesn't know that Kakeru and Shouko are the same girl) ! Hayato apologizes for almost running into Shouko, and startling her. He then announces that he has wanted to get to know her better, ever since he saw her a while ago for the first time. Shouko is quiet. Hayato sees his one and only chance, and valiantly suggests that if it's okay....I was going to....we can....let's have....a cup of tea together....like right now....!

Shouko is quite taken aback, mesmerized by the abject attention and interest from this boy. *What gives ? Is he trying to "**hit upon**" me, as a girl ?* Why me ? Is it because I look cute and adorable ? Because I dressed attractive and pleasing today, wearing a nice skirt ? Would 'blowing him off' be too callus and mean-spirited ? Shouko makes a 'snap-judgement', and offers to Hayato that he not only has to buy her the promised tea, but needs to treat her to a parfait. And our time together will be just for a snack, and not for the rest of the day. Hayato raises his arms in the air in a victory stance, and shouts for all to hear---

***"YEAH !!! I'M GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH A PRETTY GIRL !!!"***

Silently, Shouko thinks to herself; Why is he so happy ? Hayato begins with introductions. He is Hayato Suzuki, and he is probably at the same age and in the same grade at school as you are. "And you are ... ?", inquires Hayato. Shouko silently tells herself that she already knows who this boy in front of her is. Yet to be polite, she intones, "I'm Shouko Nakaihayashi." Hayato thinks to himself that he knew, ***he just knew**, that this girl was Shouko !*

The two begin walking together, not suspecting or knowing that they look just like a young romantic couple, to the people who are congregating at the Mall today. Hayato remarks to himself that Shouko sure smells nice ! Do all pretty girls wear such lovely perfume ? But wait ! He has come upon this particular perfume once before, but where ? Shouko incidentally asks Hayato why he is acting funny, like he is stoned or something ? He mumbles incoherently, yet thinking to himself that he is really 'bowled over' by the scent of Shouko's luscious perfume. Shouko, for her part, takes pleasure at Hayato's reaction to her, so far, and decides to 'play it for all it's worth'. Probably nobody will see her at the Mall anyway, so why not go 'whole hog' with being with a boy who is apparently infatuated with such a cute, pleasant girl ? Nobody will see us, indeed !

**YO ! IF IT ISN'T *SHO*....!!!**

A familiar voice is heard behind the couple. Turning around, Shouko is shocked at who is approaching them. Well, 'speak of the devil'! It's Wakana Mukaiyachi, as her ordinary bimbo self, and not the Girl of the South. Wakana greets the two by saying, "What are you two doing together ?" She then looks directly at Shouko, and questions, "Who is this pretty, adorable girl ?" Hayato answers for Shouko, saying that he just met this cute girl, and we are spending some time together, to get to know each one better. Giving Shouko a piercing, penetrating gaze. Wakana observes that you, of all people (Wakana knows that Shouko was born a male named Sho, but has transformed into a girl), are you playing around at love with another boy ? Shouko steps forward, and gently turning Wakana around, begins pushing her away from Hayato, and toward the women's restroom. "What's the matter with you, Wakana ? Don't you recognize me, Shouko, the adorable girl you met a while ago ?" Hayato is dumbfounded, as he watches Shouko push the young woman into the restroom, leaving him all alone for the time being, puzzled as 'all get out' at what just happed.

Once inside the restroom, Wakana 'levels up'. She remarks that she can't believe that Sho, born a boy, would transform into a girl, expressly so that they could date another boy ! That 'takes the cake' ! Livid, Shouko yells that is not the case at all ! We just met a little while ago, and I only agreed for him to treat me to a cup of tea ! "But you agreed, didn't you ? That makes it an official date !", exclaims Wakana, "Wait until the others hear about this ! Sho has been captivated by B.L.!" **"It's not B.L.**(Boys Love, Yaoi), loudly exclaims Shouko. So you say, mocks Wakana.

Shouko decides to use a different approach. She implores Wakana not to say anything to anybody about seeing the two of us together at the Mall today. Why ? Shouko goes on to relate---

"You know, the other day that Chisa got so mad, because the tub of 'Wings of Fire' that she put in the refrigerator at the Hideout was empty, and her bottle of 'Thermonuclear Hot Sauce' was almost gone ? It had to be you, since I can't handle 'Hot Sauce Hotter Than the Surface of the Sun', and Rin, as the Role Model and Leader, would never do anything like that ! Do we need to go down to the Hideout right now, if Chiba is there, and settle the mystery of the missing wings and hot sauce ?"

A pale and ashen look comes across the face of Wakana. She merely states that we don't need to go to the Hideout today, therefore, have fun on your date. And with that, she nonchalantly remarks that she didn't see anything at the Mall today, as Shouko declares that she knows nothing about missing Wings and Hot Sauce. Wakana then takes her leave from the women's room. Shouko, for her part, leaves the restroom, quietly telling herself repeatedly that it is not B.L./Yaoi. Not at all !

Coming upon where Hayato was standing, Shouko apologizes for keeping him waiting. But she just had to go to the restroom ! The two resume walking together. Unknown to them, Wakana watches them from a distance for a while, then goes to the Food Court of the Mall. There, at the Italian Cafe, she finds Chisa, at a table, sitting in an easy chair, and doing something on her iphone. "Chisa, Chisa!" Chisa tells her not to talk to her and to leave her alone, as she is relaxed and does not want to get up to do anything. But Sho, the boy, is a girl today, and they are dating another boy. The two lovers are at the Mall, right now ! Ha ! You don't say ? Chisa jumps out of her chair, and proclaims that this is an event that needs to be chronicled. So, with her video iphone in her hand, Chisa, along with Wakana, head on out for a day of undercover movie making.

Meanwhile, Shouko and Hayato are slowly heading for a family restaurant, since that is where Shouko said that she wanted to go. Hayato silently thinks to himself that he was sure that he heard that young woman call out "Sho..." ? But Sho is a boy's name, and Shouko is definitely a girl. He tells himself that he must have heard wrong. As the two meander through the gigantic Mall, almost imperceptibly, Hayato gently takes Shouko's hand into his. The two begin walking hand-in-hand ! Oh, so romantic ! They stop to admire a manga window display at a bookstore. It's a while before Shouko fully realizes that Hayato has been holding her hand. However, she had noticed a heartfelt, warm, pleasant, and desirable feeling slowly engulfing her heart. A feeling of mild companionship, and the wonderful experience of a boy being attracted to her, wanting to be with her, and do things together today. Her mind quietly protests, telling her that she is not on a real date, she is only messing around with Hayato.......Yet, her heart is basking in the gentle glow of just a hint of boy / girl romance.

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(End Chapter 19)

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Click on Chapter 19.5: Quirky Date to be taken to the next chapter.

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(\*) **The Main Character's various names**

The birth name of the Main Character is the male name of *Sho Kazaana*. When the Girl Power hit Sho, and instituted a Henshin for the first time, they were transformed into a Miracle Girl. That Miracle Girl took the name *Kakeru*. When Sho found out that they can transform into, not always a Miracle Girl, but also into an ordinary teen/tween girl, she continued to use the name *Kakeru*. However, it eventually became apparent that Kakeru should separate themselves between the Miracle Girl and the ordinary teen/tween girl. Therefore, she decided to begin using the name *Shouko* for the teen/tween girl, retaining the name *Kakeru* mostly for the Miracle Girl.

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