Second Chance

Despairing Friends?! Darkest Secrets and Embarrassing Memories Revealed!

(Thanks to my best friend, TheSaiyanJedi5 for ideas for the secrets in the chapter!)

((Akemi's POV))

I woke later that night when my doorbell rang. I opened my door, but no one was there. At my doorstep, there was a piece of paper with my name on it. A note. I went into my room, opened it up, and read it silently. "I have something to tell you, something personal. Meet me in my room as soon as you possibly can. -Chihiro Fujisaki." I looked the note over again and again. There was no mistake. It was from Chihiro, no doubt about it. Chihiro... I thought as I looked at the note one last time. Then, I walked to his room and opened the door. "Hi, Chihiro," I said. He smiled. "Akemi...Come in." The smile was, no doubt, to hide how nervous he was about telling me.

I sat on the bed and smiled. "So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Chihiro took a deep breath, let it out, and looked up at me. "I have something to tell you. It may be shocking...So..." His nervousness was completely showing now. I knew I had to do something to reassure him before he had a breakdown. I patted his hand gently. "Chihiro...I know what you're going to say," I said. Chihiro was shocked. "You do?" Then, he smiled as he remembered what I told him on the first night here. "Oh yeah...You've been through the Killing Game  once before!"  

I nodded. "Yeah. This whole time, I knew you were a boy," I said. Chihiro nodded. "You're correct. I'm a boy," he said. I smiled. "You're very strong to tell me that, Chihiro," I said. Chihiro looked down. "I want to be strong," he said. "You are strong, Chihiro. And if you truly want to become stronger, I'll help you," I said. Chihiro's eyes widened as he looked up at me. "You will? You'll...help me?" he asked. I nodded. "Yeah! I'll meet with you and Mondo in the boys' locker room," I replied. Chihiro smiled brightly and nodded. "Okay! I'll meet you there! See you, Akemi!" he said as he left. A few minutes after Chihiro left, I decided to do the one thing I knew wasn't breaking the rules. With hope in my heart, I went into the Main Hall.

-Main Hall-

I looked around to make sure the coast was clear. Once I was certain I hadn't been followed, I opened the letterbox containing Sayaka and Leon's handbooks. I picked up Leon's and noticed a few bloodstains on it. I frowned and folded my hands in a brief prayer. Sorry Leon, I thought as I turned the handbook on and walked to the door. But I need to borrow this for a bit! I pocketed Leon's handbook and made sure the coast was clear again. Afterwards, I quickly made my way to the boys' locker room.

-Boys' Locker Room-

After putting on my green tracksuit, I scanned Leon's handbook onto the card-reader and walked through the door into the Boys' Locker Room. Mondo saw me and his eyes widened. "Akemi, how did you get in here?!" he asked. I held up Leon's handbook. Mondo frowned. "Isn't borrowing someone else's handbook against the rules?" he asked. I shook my head. "Read the rules again, Mondo," I said. "The rules clearly state that loaning your handbook to another student is prohibited. But borrowing a handbook from...a dead student...Isn't considered against the rules." Mondo smirked slightly. "Man, I love loopholes!" I giggled. "So I've been told."

I turned to Chihiro. "All jokes aside...Chihiro, isn't there something you want to tell Mondo?" I asked. He nodded. "Yeah. Mondo, I have to tell you something...Very personal." Mondo nodded. "What is it, Chihiro?" he asked. Chihiro let out another deep breath before replying. "I'm a boy," he said. Mondo's eyes widened. "Seriously?!" He said.  Chihiro nodded, his head bowed. "Yeah. I'm sorry I lied to you. But...I don't want to pretend anymore! I want to get stronger, and I want you to teach me!"