"She's such a good student."

"She's so awesome!"

"I wanna be like her!"

Those were just some phrases Michiru was used to hearing. Phrases that... were not liked. They used the wrong pronoun. Michiru wasn't a girl. Didn't want to hear those pronouns. But, was too afraid to tell anyone.

The only person who knew was Akira. Michiru kept it a secret from everyone else. They were too afraid to tell them all. But... they didn't know if they could take much more of this. It made them feel sick every time someone called them a girl or referred to them femininely.

"Akira?"

"Yes?"

"I need help."

"With what?"

"I... I can't do this anymore... I... I can't take being called a girl any longer..."

When Michiru had first come out as nonbinary, they had told Akira they didn't want to tell the school or anyone else. That they were okay with people not knowing and misgendering them. But, that wasn't the case anymore. They had reached their limit.

"Alright. So, where do you want to begin? Would you rather take it slow or get it over with fast?" Akira had prepared for this conversation since the beginning, knowing it was only a matter of time before this happened.

"I... don't know..." Michiru frowned, "What do you think?"

"How much do you think you can handle? If you go big, you'll end up with a lot of people giving their unsolicited opinions on the matter."

Michiru shook their head. They couldn't even begin to think about receiving a lot of mean comments. They needed to go slow, didn't they?

"Then how about we start with just telling the other three edels?" Akira suggested.

"Okay..." Michiru agreed. That was a good place to start.

"Do you want to do it alone or would you like me to be with you?"

"...alone..."

"You sure?"

Michiru nodded. They could do it. It was just the others. They were all close, right? It shouldn't be too hard to tell them all.

Later that day, Michiru found their first opportunity to tell one of them. Or rather, they found them.

"Michiru-senpai~ Good afternoon~" Yachiyo found them. They were in the student council room, doing some work.

"What brings you here, Yachiyo?" Michiru questioned.

"Looking for something." Yachiyo started digging around the room, "I'm sure I left it in here."

"What is it?"

"Hmm... aha! Here it is." Yachiyo pulled out a notebook.

"And that is?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with, I promise." Yachiyo offered a smile, one that told Michiru that the notebook was not as innocent as Yachiyo was trying to make it seem.

"Are you busy?" Michiru questioned.

"Nope. I'm free. Why?"

"Sit. Keep me company for a bit."

"Ooh, how unusual of you, senpai." Yachiyo teased as she took a seat next to Michiru, "What's the special occasion?"

"I need to tell you something."

"Huh?" Yachiyo was caught off guard by that, "Um... sure."

"I... I'm nonbinary and... I would appreciate if you'd refer to me with they/them instead."

"Oh? Sure!" Yachiyo smiled at them, "Is that all, senpai?"

"Yes. That would be all."

"So... are you kicking me out now?"

"If you don't disturb me too much, you may stay."

"Okay! Could I tell you a story?"

"A story?"

"Yep."

"I guess."

While that was a bit annoying, Michiru knew it was just Yachiyo's way of trying to keep the middle light. She hadn't made a big deal over their coming out. Michiru honestly liked that.

"Shiori~ Wait up."

Michiru found Shiori next. It was just after classes ended. They ran into Shiori, most liking making her way to the room to start on her work.

"Oh, Michiru-senpai. I thought you'd be in the room already." Shiori greeted them.

"Had to do something first. Shall we walk together?"

"Sure."

Michiru waited a little bit. They didn't want to immediately say anything.

"So... could I tell you something, Shiori?" Michiru wasn't too sure how to start the conversation.

"Sure, senpai." Shiori agreed.

"Um... I'm um... nonbinary. If you could um... use they/them pronouns for me instead... that would be appreciated a lot."

"You're... not a girl? When did you find that out?" Shiori asked in innocent curiosity.

"Uh... three years ago?" Michiru nervously offered, "I just... was afraid to really tell people. I... I'm afraid of... the bad people..."

"Oh. It's okay, senpai! If anyone is mean to you I'll stop them."

Michiru smiled, "Thank you, Shiori. We better get going before they wonder where we got to."

The last person to tell was Mei Fan. Michiru didn't get a chance to until night. They found her and Yachiyo watching something on TV.

"Care if I join you two?" Michiru asked.

"Nope. Come sit."

Michiru didn't know what to do. They wanted to be alone with Mei Fan to tell her. Could they get Yachiyo to leave for a minute? How did they ask her without Mei Fan finding out?

Michiru tapped her on the leg. Yachiyo looked at them. Michiru tried their best to express their want without words.

"Mei Fan~ Can we pause the movie? I remembered I have to quick do something."

"Just done take too long." Mei Fan allowed it.

Yachiyo left the room. Michiru was glad. They'd have to thank her later. Maybe give her something as a thank you too?

"So, anything to talk about until she gets back?" Mei Fan turned to Michiru.

"Um... actually yes. There's something I'd like to tell you." Michiru replied.

"Hm? Sure."

"So uh... I'm... nonbinary. And I... prefer they/them..."

"Okay. I'll do my best to remember that."

"Thank you."

"So, is that why she left?"

"You realized?" Yachiyo returned to them room.

"I saw you standing there, idiot." Mei Fan shot back with a taunt, "You didn't walk far enough away."

"Oh..." Yachiyo blushed in embarrassment.

"No fighting, you two." Michiru stated.

"Sorry."

"Anyway, have you told everyone you wanted to tell?"

"Yep. Now I just... have to decide how to... approach this with the school." Michiru frowned.

"We're here if you need help."

"I'll remember that."