Chapter Operation: Truth (Akane Route)

Today, the dazzling Christmas party lights have dimmed, leaving a serene silence throughout the school. All the trash has been cleared, chairs neatly arranged, and now, the school security members gather in the field to hear the final message after a successful celebration. The biting cold air penetrates, yet the holiday spirit radiates on everyone's faces.

"Alright everyone, today we have completed our mission and the holidays have arrived! So, Mr. Gunslinger and I wish you a Merry Christmas and enjoy your holidays!" I, Hasukawa Hayabusa, stood tall in front of my squad, my baritone voice echoing. Relief filled my heart. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ANIKI!!" All members saluted in unison, their voices full of spirit. "Dismissed now!!" I gave the order, and they scattered at lightning speed, rushing towards their vacation. "Hayabusa, I leave too ya." Ken, my best friend, said, holding the leash of Hunter, his loyal pet dog. "Um, Hunter. Thank you." I thanked Hunter, stroking his warm fur. The dog had been a loyal companion in all our missions. "Woof!" Hunter barked cheerfully, then licked my face, making me smile faintly. "Ok, Merry Christmas Hayabusa." Ken left with Hunter, his steps steady. "Ah, Merry Christmas to you too." I returned the greeting, "Ah~~, heading home." A sigh of relief escaped my lips. It was time to return to the tranquility of home.

Before I headed home, my instinct led me to stop by a convenience store. I wanted to buy some snacks to spend the quiet Christmas Eve. As I walked among the shelves, I faintly heard sounds of blows and someone falling. The sounds came from a darker alley, far from the main road's hustle and bustle. My "Mr. Bushido" instinct immediately kicked in. Without thinking twice, I approached, stepping into the darkness, wary of any danger that might await.

The sounds became clearer, followed by stifled groans. From behind stacks of boxes and shadows, I saw Otome, my friend, cornered. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes welled up with fear. In front of her, three large, tattooed thugs loomed menacingly, wicked grins on their faces. One of them held Otome's wallet, while the others laughed mockingly.

"Let her go!" My voice was flat, yet held a clear threat. I stood at the alley entrance, my silhouette blocking the convenience store lights, creating an intimidating figure. They turned, surprised by my presence. "Who are you?! Don't interfere, kid!" one of them barked, his hands clenched. "I'm not a kid, and this is my business," I replied, stepping forward. My eyes narrowed, the aura I had cultivated as "Mr. Bushido" began to envelop me. Otome looked at me with wide eyes, a mix of surprise and relief.

A fight was inevitable. I moved quickly, like a shadow, exploiting every opening. The blows I had perfected, every precise movement now became a weapon. I kicked one thug's leg, sending him sprawling, then locked another's arm and twisted it until he groaned in pain. The third thug tried to attack me from behind, but I spun, parried his attack, then struck his back. They screamed in pain, gave up, and fled headlong, leaving Otome's wallet lying on the ground.

I bent down, picked up Otome's wallet, and extended it to her. "Are you alright, Otome?" I asked, my voice softening again. Otome remained silent, her body trembling, then she nodded slowly. "H-Hayabusa-kun… thank you…" Her voice trembled as she took her wallet with shaky hands. I saw her red cheeks and realized she was cold. Without hesitation, I took off my scarf and put it around Otome's neck. "It's very cold tonight. You should wear this." Otome looked up, her beautiful eyes gazing deeply into mine. "Hayabusa-kun…" She didn't finish her sentence, but something radiated from her eyes, something more than just gratitude.

Weeks Later…

Since that night, there had been a subtle change in our relationship. Otome often waited for me at the school gate, or we walked home together. She started to open up more to me, telling me about her dream of becoming a teacher, her desire to always help others. Unconsciously, I also began to share more about my past, about how my principles shaped me. For the first time, I felt like there was someone who truly listened, who understood the depth of the wounds behind the cold "Mr. Bushido" persona. Otome was a gentle, loving woman with a pure heart. Her smile was like the morning sun, capable of warming my frozen heart.

However, my focus slowly began to shift to someone else: Tachibana Akane, or more accurately, Takeshi Akechi. Ever since I learned of her dual identity, my life had become more complicated. Akane, who often appeared as the quiet Takeshi at school, was a very feminine girl outside. This identity conflict, I knew, stemmed from her discomfort with her large chest size, making her often feel uncomfortable in her male disguise. She frequently hunched over or wore loose clothing to conceal it, causing deep discomfort. Akane wasn't forced by her father; she simply felt she had to hide her feminine side to be accepted and avoid strange looks.

Every time I saw Akane struggling with her identity, my heart ached. She always seemed awkward, even pained, when she had to play the role of Takeshi. What bothered Akane the most was the size of her large chest, making her even more uncomfortable in her male disguise. She frequently hunched over or wore loose clothing to conceal it, causing deep discomfort.

One afternoon, I saw Akane alone in the library, staring blankly at books. She looked fragile and lost in thought. "Akane?" I called softly. She startled, then turned around. "Hayabusa-senpai…" She hurriedly closed the book she was holding. I sat down opposite her. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Akane. I know about Takeshi Akechi." Akane's face turned pale. "How… how did Senpai know?" "I saw you several times. And Ken also mentioned it." I saw the worry in her eyes. "That's not what's important. What's important is, how do you feel, Akane?" Tears began to well up in Akane's eyes. "I… I don't know, Senpai. I'm tired. I'm tired of pretending to be Takeshi. I just… feel uncomfortable. With myself, with this chest." She pointed to her chest area, her voice trembling. I held her trembling hand. "But you are Akane. You are a woman. And you deserve to be completely yourself. That includes feeling comfortable with every part of you." "I can't, Senpai!" Akane pulled her hand away. "I just don't want to attract attention, especially with this." She touched her chest.

This debate continued for weeks. I tried to convince Akane that she was entitled to her own happiness, that she didn't have to hide who she was, and that her chest size was not something to be hidden, but rather a part of her as a woman. Ken, who also knew about Akane's situation, supported me.

"Come on, Hayabusa. She needs to face the truth. Being split in two will only break her," Ken said one day, as we were on patrol. "I know, Ken. But this is about her comfort." "Comfort is important, but happiness is more important. She can be a strong woman and still comfortable with herself. It's not about being a man, it's about being true to herself," Ken wisely added.

I tried to convey Ken's view to Akane. I persuaded her to accept herself, to express her feelings. However, each time, Akane would retreat, afraid of the stares and her discomfort with her body.

One day, I saw Akane at a summer festival. She was wearing a beautiful yukata, her hair neatly styled, and her smile looked freer than usual. She truly radiated a captivating feminine aura. However, when a few people stared at her a little longer, that smile immediately faded, replaced by Takeshi's stiff expression. I saw her hide her hands behind her back, as if concealing her true identity. I saw her hunch over, trying hard to disguise her figure. At that moment, I made a decision. I couldn't let Akane continue like this.

I approached Akane. "Good evening, Akane," I greeted her. Akane turned. "Oh, Hayabusa-senpai. What's wrong?" "I want to talk to you, Akane. As Akane." I looked straight at her, ignoring Akane's panicked gaze. Akane frowned. "What is it?" "Akane… you don't need to hide yourself. You are beautiful, Akane. You are a woman. And you deserve to be completely yourself. That includes feeling comfortable with every part of you, including your large chest. It's a part of you, not a burden." I explained everything I knew: how Akane struggled, how she wanted to be herself, and how this dual identity was hurting her soul, and also her discomfort with her body as a woman.

"A real person is true to themselves, Akane. Not trapped by expectation," Ken appeared out of nowhere, chiming in.

The debate was long, full of tears and tension. In the end, Akane, though still hesitant, fell silent. Perhaps, she began to see the truth in what we were saying.

Years Later…

Years passed. Akane, now fully Tachibana Akane, was a much happier and more confident woman. She no longer hid her identity; in fact, she embraced both sides of herself. She continued to help out at the family cafe, a small, bustling, and well-known cafe in the area. She was now the owner of the cafe, a place full of warmth and kindness, which became a symbol of her self-acceptance. She was not afraid of her large chest size; instead, she was proud of her female identity. Her family's cafe did not collapse; instead, it thrived with Akane leading it with a sincere smile and innovative coffee recipes.

I, Hasukawa Hayabusa, continued my role as "Mr. Bushido," but no longer as a school police officer. I helped at Akane's Cafe, a simple but cozy cafe, teaching kindness and honesty to every customer.

Our relationship, Hayabusa and Akane, grew into something deeper. We no longer debated her identity, but rather our future. She would often come to my cafe to share recipes, and I would visit her at her family's cafe. Akane's father, the cafe owner, actually entrusted Akane to me. "Hayabusa, she needs a companion. I know you can guide her," he said one day, with a gaze full of trust. This further strengthened my determination to always be by her side.

One evening, Akane visited me at home. Moonlight streamed in through the window, creating a romantic atmosphere. After a long day at the cafe, we sat relaxed on the sofa. "Hayabusa-kun," Akane said, her voice soft, her eyes gazing deeply into mine. "I… I want to become a complete woman with you." I looked at her; there was passion radiating from her eyes. I understood what she meant. With intense desire, Akane kissed me. Her kiss was soft, yet full of longing, growing deeper and deeper. Her hands traced my back, feeling my muscles. I returned her kiss with equal intensity. Gentleness and strength blended within her, making me love her even more. Slowly, Akane took off her clothes, then mine, and we both lost ourselves in deep intimacy. That night, Akane truly became herself, a woman who fully accepted herself, without hesitation, without fear, especially with the large size of her chest, which she now proudly embraced.

The next day, we both woke up with smiles on our faces. Akane lay beside me, her head on my chest. "I love you so much, Hayabusa-kun," she whispered. "I love you too, Akane," I replied, stroking her hair.

We married in a simple ceremony, with Akane's father now radiating pride, and Ken cheering the loudest. Our lives were a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, of hard work and the tenderness of love. Akane continued to be a strong and elegant figure, an incredible wife and mother, and a successful cafe owner. Our children, a son and a daughter, grew up in a loving environment, taught the values of honesty, but also the freedom to be themselves. Our son learned to make coffee from his Father, and our daughter learned to create recipes from her Mother.

In the evening, after the children were asleep, we often sat on the veranda, gazing at the stars.

"I never imagined I would have a family like this," Akane whispered, resting her head on my shoulder. "I only saw my future as Takeshi. I never thought I could fully accept myself, especially this large chest of mine." "And I never imagined I could smile and laugh again," I replied, stroking her hair. "You brought me that light, Akane. You taught me the meaning of truth, and to accept yourself as you are."

They looked at each other, their eyes radiating eternal happiness. Hayabusa, the cold-hearted "Mr. Bushido," was now a loving husband and father, helping Akane at her family's cafe. Akane, the girl who found her true identity, was now a strong wife and mother, a successful cafe owner, balancing family warmth with her personal happiness. Together, they had built a strong home, a place where truth, love, and courage always lived.