Hidden Gender: Broken Glass Discussion

“Hey, Nadeshiko, will you come with me?” Seramic asked, motioning for her to follow him.

“Huh? Oh, sure.” Nadeshiko smiled.

Soon, they made it to a deserted hallway. Seramic turned to face Nadeshiko. “You’re a boy, aren’t you?”

“Eh?” Nadeshiko flinched. N-no way… how did he know?

“You’re a boy.” Seramic said. “I’ve been watching you closely… there’s some things about you… that make you not what everyone thinks you are. You put on a convincing act, too.”

“Wh-what are you talking about?” Nadeshiko asked, trying to hide her true identity.

“Don’t joke. I know that you’re a boy.”

“Huh?”

“If you tell me the truth, I’ll tell you my own secret.”

It probably sounded like a prank to Nadeshiko, since then she said, “Tell me your secret first.”

Seramic glanced at Nadeshiko. “The first person I wanted to tell this to was Iris… but I guess… that can wait. Do you want the truth? I’m a girl.”

“Huh?” Nadeshiko was surprised. She didn’t expect him to actually tell her… and no boy would say that they’re a girl.

“Well, come on. I told you the truth. Can’t you tell me?”

Nadeshiko was reluctant. But… “Uh… I’m… yeah.”

“You are a boy, then?” Nadeshiko nodded slowly and reluctantly.

“Then what’s your name?” Seramic asked.

“Huh? N… Nadeshiko?”

“No, silly. Your real name. Unless Nadeshiko is your real name.”

“N… Nagihiko…”

“Mm… I think Nadeshiko is a cuter name.”

Nadeshiko flinched. Cuter name? What did that mean?

Seramic turned to Nadeshiko. “Why are you a girl, then? Most guys I know would hate wearing skirts.”

“It’s… a family tradition. And… what about you?”

“Me? Because I wanted to. Being a girl sucks. Do you know why they’re called woman? Because they’re mistakes; that’s why woe is put in front of man. Nobody wants a girl. Everyone wants a son. Women are mistakes, and everyone just hopes something good comes out of a mistake.”

“Mistakes? No, I don’t think so. Women are everything men aren’t; they’re smart, kind, gentle, and graceful.”

“Think what you will.” Seramic said. “My parents always wanted a boy. So… because they don’t have one, I’ll do my best to be one.”

“Oh… I see…”

“You know… Nadeshiko… I like you.” Seramic said, turning away to hide his burning face. “I thought that it was wrong since… we were the same gender. But now I know…” Seramic turned around to face her. “It’s alright.”

Quickly, Seramic’s lips locked with Nadeshiko’s. Nadeshiko gasped. It felt like eternity, and time passed by slowly before Seramic let go.

Nadeshiko was burning red. “Wha… what did you do that for!?”

Seramic grinned and turned around, “Come on, we should get back to the others.”

Nadeshiko glared at Seramic darkly and got up. “What’s your real name? You didn’t tell me.”

“Seramic.” Seramic laughed, and then continued forward as Nadeshiko slowly walked behind him with an upset face.