Chapter 2: 2. The Air Clearing

// Forgive the author this transgression, but this particular chapter is, hopefully, considerably shorter than the last, for the reason that I fried my brain trying to clean up chapter 1. No trigger warnings this go around. This is primarily to flesh out some intros. //

"Now that our weekly GSA meeting is called to order," Reina announced from the front of the classroom, "I would like to point out two bits of business I must first attend to." She extended her arm and, making a general sweep, brought to attention the new faces in the room. "I'm certain you've noticed more than one new face here, and I want you to know that these were the ten people I talked about before the last meeting." Pause for clamor, she reminded herself. New information takes time, after all.

"Now, before we get to introductions and questions, yes, they do know that I am a trans woman and that I'm straight, and we had a talk about how that worked and what my plan was from there. I'm happy to say that they've thrown in their support and would love to work with our club to help with advocacy and fundraisers." Pause for cheering, lauds, and thanks. Even Aneko broke character and blushed from the attention.

"On that note, as I've taken care of the first business item, I'm going to step away and allow our new members to introduce themselves. They may feel free to add things they're comfortable saying, and they may omit what they aren't comfortable bringing forth. Our number one rule in the GSA is, after all, respect. Now," pointing to Daiki, who was taking notes for the meeting as the secretary of the club, "I will speak on Daiki's behalf and mine for an example, should our new members want an idea."

Ever since she came out to the Crew the previous week, Reina was more of a nervous wreck at school, thanks to the rumor mill working overtime. The official cover was that she rejected all ten suitors at once and apparently started a blood feud with the Mechs, the gang Aneko ran. Of course, the cover story used masculine pronouns and Reina's deadname, but such is school and being in the closet.

"My name is Reina Hasegawa. I use feminine pronouns, and I am a heterosexual trans woman. Daiki Murata is a cisgender gay man who uses masculine pronouns. Most of you know our story already, but, for the first years who may not have known, Daiki and I dated in junior high before I came out to him." Reina gestured to the Crew, smiling gently. "There's no pressure for any one person to go first, but do so at your own will."

---

"The name's Aneko Suda," the delinquent volunteered from the middle of the classroom. Her voice was on the gruff side, but it came with the territory. "I've actually got a couple of relatives who are transgender themselves but don't like the surgery mandate, so I know a few things here and there. I'm cishet and use feminine pronouns but I'm cool with any of them so long as you're not insulting me. Lemme know if I fucked up or need to fuck someone up."

Ms. Ueno (who was out to the club members previously but not the Crew just yet) briefly chastised Aneko for the encouragement of violence, but offered appreciation for being an ally as well as being willing to learn.

---

"My name is Haru Shirokawa," the art club junior said shortly after Aneko indicated being done. "I'm bigender, and I use both masculine and feminine pronouns. I would otherwise consider myself asexual and polyromantic. I'm not out to my parents yet, but they've made comments that feel promising."

---

"Iori Furisawa. Masculine pronouns only, and I'm gay and out. I'm honored and a little embarrassed my confession helped cause all this, but I'm also glad that our having been brought together like we were helped us find fellowship."

---

"Tama Naegi. I'm the manager for the softball club. I'm pretty sure I'm straight, but I like gorgeous people in general so who knows?" she said with a shrug. "I use feminine pronouns only."

---

Esumi stood up slowly, closing her copy of Anna Karenina, and almost being overtaken by Yurisa before Kaede pointed out their senior's wishing to speak.

"I am Esumi Kozuke," she said softly. "I wasn't sure how I felt before last week, because the concept of gender feels weird to me. For now, I think I'm okay with feminine and neutral pronouns, but that might change. Please be patient with me."

---

Kaede and Yurisa couldn't decide who should go first. A roshambo game decided Kaede had dibs.

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"I'm Kaede Hamada, fashion club, feminine pronouns, and bi as heck!"

"And I'm Yurisa! I'm x-gender and use only neutral pronouns when I can. Also, hi to my fellow ace, Haru!"

---

"Osami Masuda, feminine pronouns." The soccer club manager had a reputation for trying to get straight to the point.

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Next was a somewhat bubbly first year from the manga writers club. "I'm Emu Kazetani, and I personally use feminine pronouns for my disastrous lesbian self, but I'm cool with any of them."

---

Last was the kendo club captain, Natsuki. While she normally gave off confident vibes before her juniors, she was quite nervous in volunteering her own information. When Reina was about to speak and remind the club that one didn't have to make an introduction if they didn't want to, Natsuki held up a hand to stop the president. She took a few breaths that sounded so obviously ragged and forced to her classmates, unsure how to say what needed to be said. Her vision was clouded by tears, preventing her from seeing Reina and Daiki coming to her left and right and holding her hands in solidarity.

As if they knew without knowing.

The normally calm captain sobbed before making an attempt to speak. She felt hands at her back, massaging, soothing. Iori and Haru picked up the vibe as well and offered support with gentle touches and silence.

After a minute, Natsuki spoke, quietly.

"Natsuki Araya. I'm straight ... and I use masculine pronouns."

He looked around, expecting negative judgments and finding none. He sobbed again, smiling, realizing the pressure was easing off of him.

It would be another 5 minutes of consoling and reassuring before Natsuki spoke up again, and with the humility he was known for as a captain.

"It was thanks to Reina, Haru, and Yurisa that I had the strength to come out." The three blushed at the mention. "If not for them, I'd still feel like I was doing something wrong with my life and would probably have suffered for it. But now," he paused to look at the GSA members and the Crew, "I don't feel alone anymore."

//

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