Chapter 2: A Girl Realizes That She is a Girl

A GIRL REALIZES THAT SHE IS A GIRL

CHAPTER 2 OF THE MANGA

( Anime Cross-reference---??? )

Chapter Overview
Hazumu goes through medical tests at the hospital, but the doctors do not find anything wrong with her physically as a female. On her first day back to school, Hazumu wears a female school uniform obtained by her mother. She attempts to adjust to living life as a girl, but still retains somewhat of a male personality, and a male force of habit ( such as trying to go into the boys restroom ). Tomari Kurusu, her female childhood friend, attempts to teach Hazumu the ways of being a girl. However, Tomari herself finds it difficult, and is conflicted in her heart, to see Hazumu as a girl. Yasuna notices female Hazumu at school, too, and immediately opens up an intimate dialogue with her. At the end of the episode, Hazumu is surprised by two strangers hanging out in her bedroom.

This Chapter's Story
An NHK newscast drones on and on from an unwatched and unattended television receiver---

It is six hours since the shocking news of the invading UFO---

Hazumu Osaragi is now back home---

Examination at a hospital has proved the alien's statement that Hazumu is an atomically correct female---

In this regard, Premier Oizumi will tomorrow convene a special session of the Japanese Diet---

on whether or not to change Osaragi Hazumu's Birth Certificate from born a male to born a female---

_______________________________________

On the school day that Hazumu is scheduled to return to class, she lays awake on her bed, wearing her boy clothes of a T-shirt and warm-up pants, pondering many thoughts. One thought keeps coming back for review and conformation--- " Have I really become a girl ? " She sits upright and looks down her T-shirt. ACK ! Real breasts !!! A knock, knock comes from her bedroom door. It is her parents, wanting to know if she has calmed down enough for a friendly chat ? Yes, as she gets up and turns off the unwanted television.

Mom enters first, with an arm-full of girl clothes, which she throws at Hazumu ! " Mother always really wanted a girl ! ", she implores, as she deftly places a cute bow into Hazumu's hair ! Hazumu gives her a blank stare, changing to mild irritation. Father pushes Mom aside and he becomes serious--- " This is terrible, but no matter what happens in life, we have to look forward and keep living . . . . . . . So, it's always been Father's dream to bathe with his daughter, like tonight ! " This only elicits a swift karate kick to Father's head, from Mom ! After Father is 'out cold', Mom turns to Hazumu and tells her that she can wear this to her first day back at school, as she holds up a brand new, freshly pressed female school uniform.

Outside the front gate to the Osaragi family home wait the three friends---Tomari, Ayuki, and Asuta. But then there is a roudy gaggle of reporters and cameramen there, too. Finally, Hazumu steps through the front door to the outside, as cute as ever in her school uniform ! " Good Morning " comes rolling off her lips. The response to her warm greeting is a riotous noise of questions and comments from the reporters. The sidewalk is lit up like a fireworks display as flashbulbs and camera lights are all focused on Hazumu. Tomari sees the 'damsel in distress', and grabbing Hazumu's hand, makes a mad dash down the sidewalk with Hazumu in tow. As the two rush past a low standing wall, the teacher, Tsuki Namiko, jumps down from the wall and stands in the path of the bull-run of reporters and cameramen. Bravely she holds her ground, until she is run over like a semi-tractor going over a paper cup ! She is pushed upward, and descends into an open manhole.

Like a high speed bullet train, Tomari doesn't stop until the both of them are at the school's front gate. Huffing and puffing, Tomari is barely able to get out, " Are you okay with this ? ", to Hazumu. " Are you really all right with being a girl ? " is the next comment spit out from Tomari. Hazumu responds, as soon as she is able to catch her breath, that there is nothing that she can do about it, because all the tests show that she is completely female. Tomari storms off in a huff. Arriving Ayuki now hands Hazumu her briefcase that was dropped on the sidewalk during the melee. " I think that Tomari would rather you still be a boy ! ", states Ayuki in a matter-of-fact tone.

Once inside the school building, Hazumu is the subject of all manor of sickly rumor, slimy innuendo, and unwanted attention, said in a hushed whisper wherever she happens to be. Tomari and Asuta join up with Hazumu and walk with her seemingly as her personal bodyguards. Finally, the hushed talk gets to Tomari, as she shouts out for ones to speak out loud, or shut up ! Hazumu and her bodyguards turn into an almost empty hallway, only to see Yasuna standing in the way. Heavy oppressive silence overshadows both girls as Hazumu and her entourage bypass around her and enter a classroom. Tomari is plainly annoyed. About half past noon, Hazumu needs to use the toilet. But nearby Ayuki has to grab Hazumu's elbow and yank her away from opening the door to the boy's restroom, and redirect her to the girl's restroom ( Hazumu can't use a urinal anyway ! ) Apparently, Asuta is confused, too, upon seeing Hazumu entering the girl's restroom, and yells something at Hazumu, only to receive a 'kick in the head' from Tomari !

During the afternoon break, Asuta and Hazumu are on the roof of the main school building, having a private conversation amid the rooftop garden. Asuta is proposing that their 'manly friendship' not change, and Hazumu agrees. But then Asita sorta contradicts himself by grabbing the fence with both hands and inquiring about the fact that Hazumu has a differently shaped chest. . .  .  .  " Wanna see it .  .  .  .  .  .  ??? ", offers Hazumu, to which Tomari appears out of nowhere and delivers another 'kick to the head' to Asuta. Then she promptly scolds Hazumu about letting people see her 'ripe melons', as Hazumu meekly agrees to be more careful. At that moment, Yasuma enters the rooftop, sees what is going on, and falls into a deep melancholy.

Just before the last class period of the school day, Hazumu opens her desk, only to find an unopened envelope. It is a handwritten note from Yasuna, asking Hazumu to come to the Music Room after the last class, since there are no music activities today, and the room will be empty. Hazumu show up, much to the surprise of Yasuna. Yasuna begins with an apology for her being so awful lately. Concerned Hazumu says not to worry about it. But Yasuna is worried, worried that she needs to say something right here and now---

" I love you, Hazumu ! "

Yasuna then says to please believe what she is saying from her heart ! Hazumu then apologizes this time for not understanding the Love Confession just offered to her, stating that herself is 'now a girl'. Dashing from the room, Hazumu leaves Yasuna in a puzzled, then annoyed mood. Ayuki looks into the room shortly thereafter, only to see a frustrated and dejected Yasuna all alone. . .  ..

Chapter Lookback and Commentary
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