Stella takes Axel, now dressed in a flowy sundress, to the park to help him adjust to his new reality. Despite Axel’s constant protests and visible embarrassment, Stella remains firm, insisting he needs to start interacting with the world as a girl. Axel’s anxiety spikes when strangers begin mistaking him for a young woman, complimenting his dress and even engaging him in conversation.
The highlight of his discomfort comes when a group of teenage girls surrounds him, excitedly chatting and showering him with compliments. Overwhelmed, Axel awkwardly stammers through their questions, feeling like he’s drowning in their bubbly energy. Stella watches from the sidelines with an amused smirk, nudging him into the interaction.
Though humiliated and frustrated, Axel begins to realize how different—and less threatening—the world feels when he’s seen as a shy, harmless girl. A strange mix of shame and hesitant belonging settles over him, leaving him more conflicted than ever about his identity.