“Momota-san?” Akihiko looked up from the book that he was reading. It was Chihiro. 

               “Hello, Fujisaki-senpai. You may call me Akihiko if you’d like. What do you need?”

                “Y-you can call me Chihiro.” Chihiro fidgeted nervously. “Th-this is something private. Can we go to either my or your room?” She asked hopefully.

               I believe I could potentially overpower her if needed, so I see no harm in it. Akihiko let a small smile cross his face. “Your room will work, thank you.”

               Chihiro brightened. “Yay! Follow me!” She scampered off, Akihiko hurrying to follow.

             Not too long afterwards, they were in Chihiro’s room. The two faced each other, cross legged on the floor.

             “So,” Akihiko started. “What do you need?”

             “It’s…about my motive.” Chihiro fiddled nervously with the edge of her skirt. “I want to tell it to you.”

              This startled Akihiko. “Hm? Why me?”

              “I-I trust you the most.”

               “O-oh? B-but-“ Akihiko mumbled. “Not exactly the best idea.”

               Chihiro looked earnestly at him. “I don’t believe you. You’re a good person.”

              “I-“ Akihiko sighed. “Ignoring how much I disagree with that statement…fine. Go ahead and tell me. I promise I won’t judge you.”

             “I…” Chihiro took a deep breath. “I’m a boy.”

              “Huh? You’re transgender?” Akihiko asked. Is he like me?

              “No, no!” Chihiro waved her-no, his- hands around in panic. “I was born a boy, and I am one.”

              “Then why do you dress like a girl?” Akihiko said bluntly. Chihiro flinched.

                “W-well, I have always been mistaken for a girl, and people bullied me because I was weak, small, and feminine.” Chihiro gripped the edges of his skirt.

              “So I decided to dress like a girl. That way, it would be less likely for me to be bullied. I mean, a decent amount of guys prefer tiny girls they can protect.” He sighed.

              “I never intended to dress like this forever, just until I could be manly, but…it never happened.” Chihiro trembled, tears starting to fall down his cheeks.

             “…Chihiro.”

             “Y-yeah?” He hiccuped, looking up at Akihiko. Silently, Akihiko gave the older boy a hug.

              “I’m so sorry.” He whispered. “I’m sure it was very difficult to deal with. I appreciate that you trusted me enough to tell me that.” 

              Chihiro hugged him back. “Thank you,” he said quietly, sniffling a little.

               They sat like that for a while, before Akihiko pulled away and said, “Since you told me your secret, I’ll tell you mine.”

                 “N-no! You don’t have to-“ Chihiro panicked, wiping his eyes furiously.

                  “I want to.” He said firmly, smiling slightly. 

                  “I…am transgender. I am a boy who was born a girl. And-“ Akihiko said the last part quickly. “Iwasabusedbymytutor.” He braced himself for disgust, but none came.

                  Chihiro looked at him, compassion in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Akihiko.”

                “It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

                “You shouldn’t have to be!” Chihiro exclaimed. “You don’t deserve that.” He looked sadly at him. 

               “I do. I always have.”

                “How?!” Chihiro yelled, fury in his eyes. “You have done nothing but show kindness to me and everyone else! I am sick of everyone pulling themselves down like they’re not the greatest people I’ve ever met!”

               Akihiko was taken aback. “H-huh? Um…”

                “Eep!” Chihiro dove under his bed, and peeking out from under it, he said, “I-I’m so sorry! Please don’t be mad!”

              “I’m not.” 

              “R-really? You mean it?” Chihiro looked up hopefully.

               “Yes. There’s nothing wrong with stating your opinion. I was just taken aback.” Akihiko explained. A small flush was on Akihiko’s cheeks. “And…I appreciate that you think so highly of me.”

               “It’s true!”

               “I think bad things about people and stuff. I was even thinking of sacrificing everybody.” Akihiko looked down.

               “Those were just thoughts!” Chihiro emphasized. “I judge people based on their actions.” He started counting on his hands.

               “You tried to save Leon, even if it meant you died. You’ve been nothing but respectful to pretty much everyone here. You’ve spent time with people without discrimination. You’ve comforted me.” Chihiro smiled.

                “I..suppose so. Thank you, Chihiro-kun.”

               “Anytime, Akihiko-san!”

                “Before I go…”

                “Yeah?”

                “Should I refer to you as a girl or a boy?”

                 Chihiro hesitated. “I…as a girl for now. I want to become manly before I tell everybody.”  Akihiko nodded. 

                 “I respect that, and shall refer to you as such. I’ll see you later?” Chihiro nodded, smiling shyly.

               “See you.”

…

               Akihiko wandered around the school, looking for something to do. He ended up passing by Sakura, who had pushed the desks in the classroom to one wall and was practicing. He watched as she threw punches and kicks in rapid succession.

                After a few minutes, Sakura took a break, pausing to wipe her forehead and take a swig from her water bottle. Her eyes drifted towards the doorway. Akihiko squeaked, hiding behind the wall.

                “I saw you, Momota-kun.” Sakura chuckled. Sheepishly, Akihiko stepped into the classroom.

                “H-Hello, Sakura-senpai. Apologies for gawking at you while you trained. I was just wondering why you were training in a classroom instead of the locker room.” He clasped his hands together behind his back.

               “It isn’t a problem, Momota-kun. I train in here so that others can access the locker room. There is not enough space for me to train in there without the large possibility of hurting somebody by accident.”

                 “Oh. I suppose that makes sense.” Akihiko shuffled his feet, not wanting to leave. Sakura saw this and stepped towards him, crouching down in front of him.

                   “Would you like me to teach you self defense?”

                    Akihiko looked away. “I don’t want to be any trouble…”

                    “You wouldn’t be.” Sakura said firmly. “If you don’t want to, that’s alright, but if you do, please let me teach you.”

                    Akihiko hesitated, then nodded. “Please.”

                    Sakura smiled, standing back up. “Alright, let us get started.”