On the other side of the mirror lives a person. That person is much like me. We have the same features, every last detail captured in perfectly symmetrical fashion. Our eyes, nose, fingers, toes... everything. As I move, she moves; a shared dance between us as we copy each others motions.
I press my hand towards my mouth, she does the same. I put my hands on my hips and suddenly we both share the same stern expression. I laugh and her clear laugh rings out too, the sound music to my ears.
We are one and the same. It is perfect. It is bliss. At least, until one delves deeper.
Our supposed shared "bond" is nothing but a careful replica. Striving to be that reflection, I try again harder, trying to make my sentences flow out as smoothly as hers do. But I am inferior. A defective product.
My insides are rotten to the core, the bitter varnish of jealousy coating all my thoughts and feelings. I wanted to be her. I am her. But why is it not satisfying?
I flip open my cell phone, staring at a photo we took together long ago. I curve my lips, imitating the bright smile she wears. But my eyes soon take in the rest of that photo- the sickly green dress, the mousy brown hair, the round spectacles...
I quickly snap it shut. I have what I always wanted. There is no need to dredge up what used to have been.
Looking up, I noticed her- no my- eyes are filled with tears. I prepare to brush them away- after all Eri would never cry over something like this- and I immediately punch the mirror lying before me.
Deep down somewhere in the recesses of my mind, a voice screams, trying to be over heard. The image of her and I flicker for a moment, the vibrations causing it to shake and quiver.
It is like my mind is on fire, the voice screaming that this isn't what I want, that I want my old, plain body back, that I am Shiki—
"You were never meant to be a designer."
The movement of the glass stops and I take one last look at my new body, my gift from above.
I carefully step, avoiding a patch of dirt so as not to get MY designer boots dirty, and walk on my way.
Life has never been better.