Fumi had thought starting over would solve everything. But it didn't. It didn't fix all the problems. There was still one thing Fumi was unsure of. One thing that Fumi definitely didn't want to be questioning.

And finally, Fumi found the answer. He... wasn't a girl. He was a boy. And he was in an all-girls school. Was that going to cause problems? He really didn't know. It would depend on if he ever told anyone about this. And that wasn't something he was too sure about doing.

But, someone seemed to notice something was amiss. And they decided to approach him about it.

"Fumi? Is something bothering you? You've just seemed... I don't know, out of it recently." Ichie was the first to mention anything.

It was just them talking. Fumi still didn't like it, but at least it was only one person to deal with. It it had been all four of them, it would have been even worse. But, what did he say to her? Did he tell her the truth? Did he try and play it off? Would that even work?

"It's nothing." Fumi tried to brush her concern off, but he should have known better. It was Ichie after all.

"Are you sure?" Ichie persisted onward, "You've been grumpier than usual."

"I'm just tired. I haven't been getting as much sleep as I should be." Fumi lied, hoping it sounded believable enough.

"Then why don't we go to your apartment now and you can rest? We don't have anything else going on today." Ichie offered.

"You don't need to worry yourself with me. I was planning to go home and rest as it was. You can do whatever you want." Fumi really didn't want Ichie following him home.

"Uh uh. I'm not letting you go by yourself. I can't trust you to rest." Ichie huffed.

"You're the last person I need helping me relax." Fumi grumbled.

Ichie pouted, "I can help too!"

"Just leave me alone. I'm fine." Fumi left before Ichie could say another word.

...

Fumi had been relaxing at his apartment for an hour or so, when there was a knock on the door. He went to look at who it was. It was Ichie. She was probably coming to check on him. Fumi ignored her and went back to what her was doing. Maybe she would think he was asleep?

The door unlocked. Fumi turned around as Ichie entered.

"Since when did you have a key?" Fumi looked at her accusingly.

Ichie smiled nervously, "I borrowed Tamao's key?"

Fumi had given Tamao a spare key to his apartment. No one else was supposed to have one. No one else was even supposed to know that Tamao had one either.

"Why are you here?"

"To see how you're doing." Ichie closed the door and walked over to him.

"I'm fine."

"You're lying."

"What makes you believe that?" Fumi questioned.

"Because you aren't acting the same! I know something is bothering you and I'm not leaving until you tell me." Ichie stated firmly.

Fumi was slightly taken back by that. Ichie was determined in this. She wasn't taking no for an answer. Fumi hadn't expected anyone to care that much.

"I don't want to talk about it. Leave." Fumi turned around.

"No. I wanna know." Ichie wasn't deterred by that.

Fumi wasn't sure what to do. What options did he have? He could tell her, but... he didn't know if he was ready to face that conversation. He could try again to tell her to leave. Or, he could be more forceful and just shove her out of the house.

But... that last option would probably cause even more concern. He really didn't know what to do.

"Ichie, I really am not in the mood to discuss personal matters with anyone, let alone you. Please leave."

"What's so bad about me?! I just want to help you!"

That statement probably came off wrong. He was digging his own grave now.

"I'm not in the mood for this, Ichie. Of course I'm going to be snappy with you!"

That wasn't what he should have said. Oh how Fumi wished he could take that back.

"Fine. If you don't want my help, then I'll go." Ichie left.

Fumi felt bad now. He... hadn't meant to yell at her like that. He was just scared to tell her. He needed to apologize.

Luckily, Ichie hadn't gotten far. She had exited the apartment and then sat on the sidewalk.

"Ichie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." Fumi sat next to her, "It's just... this is something really personal and I don't know if I'm ready to tell anyone yet."

"I'm sorry I was so pushy..."

"You were just concerned. There's nothing to feel bad about."

"I won't bother you about it again... I promise, Fumi."

Fumi let out a sigh, "Ichie? If I tell you this, will you keep it a secret between us?"

"I will."

"So... I had been questioning a lot of stuff about myself for a while now. And, one thing was... if I was a girl. I decided now that no, I'm not. I think I align more with being a guy."

"Like, you're trans?" Ichie looked over at him.

Fumi nodded, "Yeah. I think so."

"And... you were afraid to tell anyone?"

"Yes... I didn't know if I was prepared yet."

"Should I change anything? Like how I refer to you or so?"

"Hmm... not until I tell the others."

"Okay. This'll be our little secret until you're ready."

Fumi smiled at Ichie, "Thank you, Ichie."

Ichie returned the smile, "You're welcome~"

Fumi looked up at the sky, "You know... this wasn't as bad as I thought. I was overthinking this too much."

Ichie giggled, "You always seem to overthink things."

"I suppose I do."