Chapter 3: Chapter 02: Going Home?

After they leave, there is little for me to do, except think over everything I’ve been told. It still doesn’t seem real to me. All of this has left me depressed, confused, and a little angry.

I pull open my gown, look again, and start blushing. Nope, it wasn’t my imagination, they’re still there. Well, what now? Is that girl in the mirror really supposed to be me? She’s beautiful.

I get up and carefully walk to the mirror. There she is again. Her expression gives you the impression that she’s a little lost, but that only makes her more appealing. She’s not very tall, maybe 150cm with long, red hair. Slim, without being skinny, with a slender waist. Her plump butt and hips give her a great start on an hourglass figure. Her boobs aren’t large, but they suit her perfectly.

All I can think is, ‘Wow! If this girl was in my school every guy would be chasing after her to confess!’ Hang on a second! This is me I’m saying this about! I don’t want that! I’m a boy and I’m already afraid of most boys. Now I’m going to be expected to date, marry, and have children with one?! That’s far, far worse! Even thinking about this is too heartbreaking for me. Tears begin to trickle from my eyes as my emotions overwhelm me. I don’t know how to deal with this! I don’t want to deal with it, I want to go back to how I was! Slipping down to my knees, I lean my head against the mirror and begin sobbing.

Moments later, a nurse flies into the room, and kneels beside me. She urges me to stand, and helps me back onto the bed. She sits next to me, holding me close while gently rocking me, and quietly whispering something in my ear. I don’t understand what she is saying, but I somehow know she is trying to comfort me. Losing any semblance of control due to her gentleness, I sob hysterically within her arms, as she envelops my small body even more tightly, holding me close until I finally slip into an exhausted sleep.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

[Saturday, May 4th]

When I wake up the next morning, I’m embarrassed and ashamed when I remember how I acted. Even more so, when I finally notice the same nurse is sitting in a chair beside the bed.

“Are you feeling better now Ms. Ito?” She asks me with a concerned expression, which causes me to blush even harder and turn away from her.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, you are under a lot of stress, so it’s perfectly natural that you would cry. Anyone else would do the same.”

She glances at her watch. “Ah, your family and the doctor should be here soon, lets get your face washed, so no one will know what happened. Give me a moment.” She tells me while smiling as she stands and heads for the bathroom. She returns momentarily with a small basin and washcloth. Sitting down next to me, she gently begins to clean away the tear stains from my face. “There we go, do you feel a little better now?”

“Umm… Yes, thank you. I mean, thank you for last night, as well as this too.”

She smiles again, reaches up, and softly lays her hand against my cheek as she says, “It was nothing much. Sometimes crying is the best way to help us feel better. I’m sorry, but I really should go soon. My shift ended a long time ago, but I stayed with you in case you woke up. I didn't want you to be alone again.”

“Wh-why? Why would you stay with me? You don't even know me.” I ask her because I’m confused. What reason could she have to do that for someone she met a few hours ago?

“Why? Simple, it’s part of my job to take care of patients. Well, there is also the fact I’ve always wanted a child, especially a daughter. If I were able to have one, I would have hoped she would be as lovely as you.” She says while smiling a little sadly. She stretches out her hand and softly strokes my hair.

I totally understand where she is coming from. There isn't a lot of children in this world now. Not long ago, I heard my parents mentioning that they comprise around 13% of the total population. I ask myself, ‘What can I do for her? She is so nice and even after her shift was over, she stayed for someone like me.’

“Bye. Take good care of yourself. I hope to see you again sometime.” She says and starts to turn to leave, until I grab her hand.

“Wait! What’s your name?” I ask her a little desperately.

“Oh, Tashiro, Mayumi Tashiro. Why?”

“I’m Sora Ito. Uh… Ms. Tashiro, I was hoping we could keep in touch. I may not be your daughter, but I would be happy if we could be friends.”

Her eyes get a little misty and she leans down and hugs me, then quietly says, “I’d love to be your friend. May I call you Sora?” Somehow, I think I hit on exactly the right spot.

“It would make me happy if you would. What should I call you?” I ask as I hug her back, burying my face in the crook of her neck.

“Mayumi would be fine. Ms. Tashiro would be too formal for friends, don’t you think?”

“Thank you Mayumi. Not only for last night, but for your willingness to be my friend.”

She chuckles. “Sora, I do believe that's my line. Who wouldn’t want such a lovely young lady as a friend?”

Then she takes out a pen and pad and writes down something on it, tears it off, and hands it to me. “That’s my phone number and email address. Whenever you want to play or even if you want to talk, call or email me. I really do need to leave now or I might get in trouble. I hope to hear from you soon.” She smiles again, gently touches my cheek for a moment, and turns to leave the room.

“Bye Mayumi, I promise I’ll call you soon.”

She waves to me as she closes the door. Leaving me alone again as I wait for my new family to show up.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

Apparently I dozed off because the knock on the door startles me awake.

“Sora-nee, we’re here, sorry we’re a little late.” Chinatsu says cheerfully, coming over to hug me.

“Sora-nee?”

“Well, of course you’re Sora-nee, you are older than me after all,” she says, then giggles happily.

“Only by a few days Chi.”

“A few days, hours, minutes, even a few seconds, it still means you’re my Onee-chan.”

Aunt… Umm, no, Mom, is standing behind Chinatsu covering her mouth giggling at our banter.

While hugging her back, I quietly ask Chinatsu, “Want to know a secret?”

“Sure.”

“I’m really glad you’re my Imouto.”

“I’m really glad you’re my Onee too.” She tells me while blushing and smiling.

“Mom, where’s Dad? I thought he would be here to pick me up too.”

“He wanted to be, but he had some rather important things he had to take care of.”

Someone knocks on the door at this moment, stopping the conversation in its tracks. “Pardon my intrusion.”

The same male doctor from yesterday came into the room, smiling and nodding at everyone. “Good morning. How are you feeling? Any changes?”

“Uh, I’m fine, except my chest is still tender. Other than that I feel great.”

“Good, good. I’m glad to hear that. I need to check your vitals and take some blood.”

“BLOOD?!?!” I yell out, startled and afraid.

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Okay, I know what you are thinking, but I have always been deathly afraid of needles. I darn near pass out at the mere sight of them. I don't know why, I simply do. It’s something that will probably never change.

“You can't hurt Sora-nee!!!”

Chinatsu jumps in between the doctor and me, protective of me, as always. Yes, yes, ha ha, funny. Laugh if you want, but I’ve always been timid and she has always been protective of me.

“Stop that Chinatsu. He isn't trying to hurt her. He has to make sure she is alright and taking blood for tests is part of it.”

“...But Mom…”

“No buts Chinatsu. I know you don't want to see her hurt, but this has to be done. Simple as that.” Mom tells Chinatus as she takes her by the arm and pulls her out of the way. She walks over, sits down beside me and takes my hand.

“It’s okay Sora. I told you yesterday that we would always be here for you, didn’t I?”

I believe her, because I know she would never let anyone hurt me. Regardless, I don't want to see this happen. I tightly close my eyes as I bury my face in between her breasts and hold out my arm in the doctors direction. I can feel Mom’s arms wrap around me as she laughs at my antics, but I feel safer this way.

After the doctor takes my blood. “Eh?”

“Is something wrong doctor?” Mom asks him.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Nothing at all.” He says while looking at the inside of my elbow where he took the blood from.

Mom follows his gaze and her eyes widen momentarily, then immediately shift to a neutral expression.

Mom pushes me back a little, to tell me, “A little bit more and we can leave, alright?”

I nod looking at Mom with damp eyes. Yes, I’m all for it, if it means we can leave this place soon.

The doctor has me stick a thermometer under my arm, then he checks my blood pressure, and listens to my heart, as well as looking in my ears and eyes, nodding each time as he does so.

“Her blood pressure, temperature, eyes, ears, and heart all check out. She is free to return home anytime. Ah, yes. Remember she will be weak for a while, so don't try to do too much at once and take breaks often until she gains her strength back. If you want her to go to physical therapy you need to call the hospital to set up appointments. Also, she will need to come back in every Saturday for the time being so we can monitor her health and overall progress. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Umm, doctor is there any way to turn me back into a boy?” I ask the doctor the one question I want to know the answer to most.

“I’m sorry, this almost took your life as it was. Had you not been in the hospital and under 24hr supervision you would have died. To attempt to do so again would be foolhardy to put it mildly. Do you have any further questions?”

I shake my head, while feeling a little sorry for myself.

“No, thank you doctor. We appreciate everything you have done. I will make sure she gets here every week for the check up.” Mom tells the doctor, giving him a bow. When Mom bows to him Chinatsu and I follow suit as well.

“Well, then have a pleasant day and I will see you Saturday Ms. Ito.”

“It’s not Ito, her name is Kobayashi!” Chinatsu says firmly. She’s always like this, I've never seen her afraid of anyone or anything, other than Mom and Dad that is.

“Is it now? Well, I apologize for using the wrong name Ms. Kobayashi.”

The doctor nods his head at us, leaves the room, closing the door behind himself. I could hear him laughing in the hall as he walked away.

“Well, Sora, you heard the doctor, you can go home. Get dressed and we’ll leave.” Mom says handing me a bag. I look inside and see some folded clothes. “Before you say anything, I’ll tell you right now, there is nothing else for you to wear. If you want to leave today, you will be leaving wearing that.” Mom tells me with a neutral expression. Okay, I know that tone of voice all too well. That’s her, ‘don't even think of arguing with me,’ tone. Even Dad immediately gives in when she uses it. Not that she uses it often.

I have a bad feeling about this, but I take the items out of the bag and a piece falls to the floor, which unfolds as I pick it up. Aren’t these? “Mom, what are these?” I ask.

“Panties of course, what else would they be?” She tells me in her no-nonsense tone, which tells me I will be wearing what is here, no matter what I want or say.

Sighing, I pick up the clothes, head into the bathroom, and close the door. I set them down on a shelf. Why is there so little material in girls panties? Before that, are these even the right size for me? I crack open the door and poke my head out. “Mom, are you sure these are the right size for me?”

“You and Chinatsu are close to the same size, so you will be fine for the moment. By the way, there is no bra in there because Chinatsu’s would be too small for you and we need to get you measured for proper fit. I bought a camisole for you to wear. Hurry and get dressed. We have other things to do.”

“Okay Mom.” I say resignedly.

Stepping back, I close the door again. Opening the panties, put my legs through, and pull them up. Wow, girls panties are snug aren’t they? They’re nothing like the boxers I’ve worn in the past. It’s not that they feel bad, as a matter of fact they feel rather good against my skin. It’s merely that they are so different from what I am used to. That said, what am I supposed to do now? If I take the gown off I will see my boobs and embarrass myself again. Then again, if I take too long getting dressed, Mom is going to get upset.

Someone knocks on the door startling me. “Sora-nee, are you alright? Do you need some help?” Chinatsu’s concerned voice drifts through the door.

It’s as I thought, I’m taking too long and something still needs to be done about my hair as well. Who would I rather ask for help, Mom or Chinatsu? Well, that’s an easy question for me to answer. “Chi, would you come in and help me?”

Chinatsu opens the door, steps inside and gives me a pensive look. “Okay Sora-nee, leave it to me this time.”

I close my eyes as she takes the gown off.

“Okay, now go banzai!” When I do she slips the camisole over my head. “Wow! Your boobs are a lot bigger than mine!” She tells me as she is moving my breasts into the built-in cups of the camisole.

“Eh? Don’t say things like that. It’s embarrassing!”

“It’s not embarrassing Nee-chan. I think you have a lovely figure. Okay, go banzai again!”

When I do she pulls the dress over my head and zips up the back, she then takes the waist ties and ties them into a bow behind me.

“Oh! Nee-chan, you’re so beautiful! Look at yourself!”

I look in the mirror again. There stands an extremely pretty girl, with quite messy hair, in a ivory one-piece dress with dark blue lace trim, which falls to mid-thigh. If I’m honest, I have to agree with Chinatsu.

Chinatsu opens the bathroom door. “Mom, I need the brush and ribbon you brought.”

After she receives them, she turns back to me and begins to brush my hair to smooth it out. Once she accomplishes that, she gathers it up in the back and sides and uses the dark blue ribbon to tie my hair up into a ponytail.

Finished, she hugs me from behind with her chin resting on my shoulder. “Look Nee-chan. That’s you. Not someone else, but you. You truly are a beautiful girl.” Chinatsu whispers in my ear as if she is trying to convince me.

After we look into the mirror for a few moments longer, she lets me go, takes me by the hand and leads me back into the room. When Mom sees me, she covers her mouth with her hand. Her eyes look a little misty as she says, “Oh my, Sora! That suits you perfectly!”

Chinatsu looks at me as if saying ‘told you so!’ Then she leads me over to a chair, gestures for me to sit, and hands me a pair of lace-trimmed white ankle socks decorated with little hearts and white sandals. Once I have them on, I stand back up and Chinatsu takes my hand again.

“Okay, girls it’s time to leave, so lead the way.” Mom tells us, seemingly impatient to leave the hospital.

Chinatsu takes my hand, refusing to let go, as we walk slowly out of the hospital.

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