Chapter 19: Secrets

SECRETS

CHAPTER 19 OF THE MANGA

Previously
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Chapter Overview
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This Chapter's Story
The summer sure passed by quickly. Now it is the first day back to school. Hazumu is all dressed in her clean, crisp school uniform, and Mom is straightening the bow at the front collar of her shirt. Dad tries to say something about today, but a backhanded fist from Mom finds it's way smack into his face. Hazumu goes outside, but only Asuta is waiting for her. He explains that all of the other friends have something else to do right now. Asuta thinks that this is the perfect time for some quality one-on-one time with Hazumu, but Hazumu's mind is elsewhere, worrying about her female friends.

In the class homeroom, Hazumu finds Tomari and Yasuna talking together. But when Hazumu approaches their desk, things get real quiet, real fast. Hazumu states that the first day, today, is only a half day, and so why don't we all do something this afternoon ? Surprisingly, the two girls reply that they both have something important to do. Sorry! Asuta is free this afternoon, but again, Hazumu is thinking only of her female friends.

At the end of the half day, just after noontime, Hazumu is at the lockers. She notices that both Tomari and Yasuna have come and gone. What the heck ? Hazumu decides to tail them, to see what is so doggone important that they have to do ? Following the two at a distance, Hazumu sees the two meet up with Ayuki. The three girls talk for a while, then the two leave Ayuki, with Ayuki saying that she will see them later. Unknown to the girls, Asuta is stalking Hazumu, to see what she is doing and where she is going. Ayuki has her pet dog with her, as Hazumu sneaks past her while her back is toward Hazumu. But when Asuta tries to sneak past Ayuki, Ayuki sics her dog on Asuta, as he is off and running with the growling and barking dog right behind him.

Hazumu follows Tomari and Yasuna downtown, right to the large department store. There, the two go to the teen fashion section, with Hazumu tagging alone, and eventually peeking from behind a display case. Tomari and Yasuna seem to be sorting through stacks of clothing on a counter. Hazumu, still hidden, begins to think negatively of herself, saying to herself that 'normal' girls love to go fashion shopping together. But me ........ I'm not even (supposedly) a 'real girl' ! Soon, the two girls come upon a display of a beautiful wedding dress. Both stare and admire it for a long time. Peeking again, Hazumu sees the wedding dress, too, and imagines both Tomari and Yasuna wearing their own pretty wedding dresses. Hazumu sees herself in a wedding dress, but then immediately cancels that image, thinking that would be weird. Her bad thoughts continue to go downhill. She says to herself that nether one would ever be able to wear a wedding dress if they shipped with me ! A 'normal' boy, yes, but me, no ! Hazumu's unsettled thinking begins to take a toll on her. Suddenly, from behind the display case, she doesn't feel so good. She says that she is not a boy anymore, but she (supposedly) is not a girl, either. Therefore, she could never be part of those two's social circle.

Meanwhile, two nicely dressed boys in their school uniforms, begin 'hitting on' Tomari, asking her about going out somewhere with them ! But Tomari can well take care of herself. When comments get out of hand---

OUFF ! BANG ! KAPOW !!!

And both boys are down for the count ! Tomari takes Yasuna's hand, and they beat a hasty retreat from the department. Next time Hazumu looks from behind the display case, the two girls are gone ! Hazumu comes out and breaks into a run, unknowingly stepping on an already injured boy, and hightails it out of the department, too. But Hazumu never does find out just where the two girls went to.

Finally, early that evening, Hazumu wearily comes home.

Chapter Lookback and Commentary
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