And here's Akira's gym uniform, and her student ID, and some spare school uniforms. 

The ID lists her name, exactly as she gave it to Kawakami, along with her date of birth (2000/03/20), her gender (F), her year (2), her class (D), and that she's a student at Shujin Academy.

Good to see! Good to feel! 

Oh gosh, an ID with an F on it...

She can cry later. Right now Kawakami is getting the biggest smile that physically fits on her face.

"Thank you."

That gets something that might be a smile out of Kawakami.

She opens the door and leads the way back toward the principal's office.

Where Sojiro has just finished the paperwork a few minutes ago and is stepping back into the lobby. 

"Ready to go, kid?"

"Yeah. Yeah I am."

She gives Sojiro a genuine smile and stashes her new ID in her wallet, which goes in her pack with the gym clothes.

Then back to the car they go. The traffic is heavy on the way back to Yongen-Jaya.

After a few minutes, Sojiro speaks up. "Sorry about the principal. If I'd known he'd be like that, would've had you wait outside the office."

"It's alright." 

She pauses. 

"I've never had someone defend me like that before. You barely know me, but you still stood up for me..."

It's almost insulting to say thank you. But she can still put a little trust in this man. 

"I have to ask - is it possible for you to - help me get back on hormones? I - they confiscated mine and I need them and I know the last thing you'd want is for me to get involved with someone shady just so I can be myself properly. I saw a clinic in your neighbourhood, could we go there maybe?"

He harumphs for a moment, and nods. "Making sure you've got your feet under you is why I bothered fighting with that jerk in the first place. Can't expect you to keep your nose clean if everything's tearing you down, can I? Don't get me wrong, I'll still kick you out without a second thought if you step out of line, but... I was given some money for your care, so I figure your medication can come out of that."

"Thank you, boss. I really mean it. I didn't expect anyone would give me... a real second chance like that." 

She ducks her head and smiles.

He shakes his head. "No point half-assing a thing like that."

After another moment or two, he tilts his head. "How're you for clothes and supplies? Don't know what all they sent you in that box."

"There's enough school supplies, but I have absolutely no feminine clothes other than my school uniform. I have enough stuff that'll fit me, but..." She looks down at herself. "Wearing boy clothes is like - like being stuck under an ocean. There's this sense of weight. I can ignore it for a little while but the longer it goes the worse it gets."

Another harumph.

"Can't expect you to get through your probation feeling like that."

A beat. Two.

"There's a little second-hand store in the neighborhood. When we get back to the shop, I'll give you some cash. You can go to Takemi Medical for your hormones, then run by the second-hand shop with what's left over."

That is a far more generous offer than she ever expected to get. He's just going to give her money? While she's on probation? Her parents barely ever did that. 

Again, it feels stupid to just say thank you. Better to just put the money to good use. 

"Okay," she says. "I'll do my best to pick out something nice. I don't really - know women's fashion - but I'll try my best."

"Not sure how much they'll have at the store, nor how much you'll have after seeing Dr. Takemi, but there should be some workable options."

The radio mentions something about trains derailing, possibly to do with another mental shutdown.

"Hmph. Must be why the traffic's so ridiculous."

"I really hope that doesn't happen again when I'm going to school..."

Akira frowns. "What do you think is up with these 'mental shutdowns' anyway? It's a strange thing for there to be a lot of all at once..."

He frowns, shakes his head. "No clue. Strange is right."

A frustrated sigh, then, "Just be careful."

Usually she'd just promise and not really think about it, but to this man...

She thinks about it. 

"I will be."

It's not a promise, but she means it nonetheless. 

He nods.

The rest of the ride is spent with Sojiro grumbling at the traffic, and a tolerable sound track provided by the radio. Eventually they make it back to Yongen-Jaya, and Sojiro parks near Leblanc.

When they step inside, he starts on his opening duties, and pulls out a bit of cash. It's not a lot, especially after how much she expects the hormones to cost, but it should stretch for a few outfits at the second-hand store and some hygiene products from the convenience store.

She gratefully accepts it.

... now she just needs to go shopping for women's clothes. Alone. On a time limit. 

Okay, today is... going to be... rough.

"Might as well wear the uniform out," she says. "I'll be back as soon as I've got everything together."

He nods. "I'll be here."

And off she goes toward where she remembers the clinic is.

It's not comfortable wearing a skirt in public. What do the people she passes see? Any other girl, or some guy in a skirt and blazer? She feels like she's going to be clocked at any moment and it itches in the back of her brain. 

She straightens her back and takes brisk steps. She is in control. This is her. Everyone else can just deal with it.

All the passerby keep to their existing conversations, not really seeming to notice her very much. She does get one "excuse me, miss," though.

Soon enough she's standing outside of Takemi Medical Clinic.