My kudos to Satou Hatsuki.
I've known for quite a while that Hatsuki's art has been improving, but this chapter's craftmanship jumps out at me. Akira's expressions on page 13, and the headshots of our heroine and Rumi on page 22 are beautiful. Even if both girls are emotionally strained (for presumably different reasons).
My notion that Rumi knew something about Akira's condition has now been proven false. I had made the wild guess that Rumi must have overheard the teachers talking about a new girl that used to be a boy. Alas, she did not.
It is clear that Rumi is genuinely concerned for Akira's sake, and is worried that she may have damaged her in some way. Akira of course, regrets lying to his closest friend, the most important person - apart from her mother and grandmother (and maybe nurse Okabe) - she has in her life. We saw what happened with Akira when the two 'split up' when Aoi came into the picture. If such a split happened this time, it would be more devastating (I don't think that will happen though).
Speaking of Aoi, I wonder what her reaction will be. She's next on the list after all (and many here think she's the best girl anyway). Akira, the girly girl that loves Duel Oh cards as much as she does was once a boy! Wonder what sort of blow her ego will take, if at all. I for one hope she takes the new information in stride.
Regarding sexuality, this is were a lot of you will pounce on me. I've held the firm belief that one's sexuality is tied to their genetics. That is to say, the gender of the person who you like romantically is determined by the chemical code that makes you, you. Sounds cold and clinical, but as far as I know, that's the truth. Otherwise, you might as well tell me that those 'Pray Away the Gay camps' had a point. I don't think anyone here believes that.
Now, regarding the text, it's clear that Akira has developed the strongest bond with Rumi (now this is the point were you start throwing stones at me); I don't want to see it develop into something romantic. I don't like seeing friendships like this become sexual - it feels tawdry. Regarding my ideas of how sexuality and genetics are intertwined, I do believe that Akira's sexuality may have changed because of her transformation. This might not be the case, but humanity is composed mostly of heterosexuals for a reason (it ain't God - it's Natural Selection, and Natural Selection demands that anything that is not beneficial to the propagation of a species must be ejected - it's why we have five fingers instead of seven) and there is a good chance that she's a straight girl (her past as a boy may confuse her, but she could be as into boys as the lead singer of Judas Priest). Of course, she could still retain her previous orientation. Exceptions do occur (though they are sterile); a completely heterosexual population requires an exceptionally nosy Intelligent Designer - an idea as absurd as 'Pray Away the Gay'.
If she is straight, then, my money is on Kikuchi. Or Aoi's little brother (I totally forgot his name).
Alas I have been wrong. Take note of my previous idea that Rumi knew something.
P.S. I can't help but imagine that Akira might pursue a career in modelling as an adult (high-end modelling, not, you know...) due to her eagerness to look cute, and Rumi's influence.
P.S.S. I too want to see Akira's reunion with Nana (it seems like a foregone conclusion). I suspect though, that Nana will be apologizing to Akira (one wonders if Rumi will send Nana videos and pictures of Akira through their equivalent of facebook/twatter/whatever in an attempt to help) for not helping her out after that bathroom incident that no one wants to remember and wishes had never happened. I suspect that Nana will become the superhero type, always helping out others because of her one failure with Akira. Yup, I think Nana will grow up to be a therapist.
P.S.S.S. I hope Akira meets other people like her. I'm just curious to see her reaction.
