The morning sun crept along the ceiling. Makoto watched it intently, unable to keep her eyes off of it. Today was the day. Everything was going to change. While her mother and her friends assured her that everything would be fine, in her heart Makoto knew that it was going to be tough. Luckily, she was not facing this road alone.
Sitting up, she let her covers slide off, exposing the nightgown she was wearing to bed. Every aspect of her life had changed, but she wanted it to be more than just the clothes. Makoto gulped and thought, I want to be myself; the person I've been too afraid to be my entire life. Sliding her legs out of the covers, she stood up and walked over to the female uniform hanging on a hanger in front of her closet.
Makoto closeed her eyes and tilted her head down, chuckling to herself. Quickly, she opened her eyes, furrowing her brow as she yelled, "Yes! Today is the first day of the rest of my life!"
Putting her foot on the chair in front of her desk, she pointed out dramatically and cried, "Today! Today is the day that I relinquish my former chains. Today is when I stand proudly atop that mountain of personal aspiration and say onto the world—"
BAM! Something really hard hit Makoto on the side of her head. She stumbled back, cradling her head where she was hit. Blinking, she looked to the floor and noticed an alarm clock laying there. Surprisingly, it still worked and it read 5:23am. Makoto, shaking with fear, looked toward the source and saw her mother standing there, fuming with rage. Her hair was the same amber color as Makoto, but her eyes were brown. She was a short woman, who ordinarily very cute. Given the circumstances, no one could blame her for being angry.
"What the hell are you doing so early in the morning?" Her mother snarled, fury in her eyes.
Makoto giggled a bit nervously as she said, "I... I've been having trouble sleeping. I'm too excited to sleep properly."
Walking over, the woman picked up the alarm clock and then glared down at Makoto. "Good little girls sleep when their mothers tell them to. Now, go back to bed. I'll wake you up when it's time to get up."
Without another world, Makoto hurried and slipped back into bed. Her mother gave her another looked before closing the door and muttering to herself. Makoto stared back up at the ceiling momentarily and then looked back at the unniform. A smile formed on her lips.
Before she knew what happened next, her mother was shaking her awake. Makoto opened her eyes slowly. Her whole body felt like lead and her eyelids were heavy; she could barely keep them open. Her blurry vision focused and Makoto saw her mother standing over her, smiling. Now that she woke up properly, the woman was in a much better mood.
"Good morning, Mako-chhan, time to wake up," her mother started, "Get dressed and ready to go, breakfast is almost done."
Due to lack of sleep, Makoto was barely awake enough to appreciate the moment. She stumbled out of bed and got changed into her school uniform. Groggily, she glanced at herself in the mirror and was just about to turn away when her eyes snapped open widely. She turned on her heel back toward the mirror. Her eyes danced and warm excitement flowed from her chest. Quickly, she did some poses in front of the mirror and then laughed.
Clenching her hands into fists, she through them above her head and screamed, "Let's go!"
Makoto, smiling like an idiot, rushed out of the room. The rest of the morning was pretty routine. She brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and ate breakfast with her mother. Everything was as it always was, but then something changed.
Leaning her chin on her hand, her mother watched Makoto eat and then smiled as she said, "This is our first meal together as mother and daughter. I should remember this."
"What do you mean, Mom?" Makoto asked, grinning. "Isn't it the same as always?"
The older woman let her hand drop to the table and shook her head. It seemed a little cruel, but she knew that Makoto was stronger than she looks. She is her daughter, after all. She was going to be honest. "Sorry, kid, but it isn't the same. Up until now, I've thought of you as my son. Now, you're my daughter. It was your decision to be a girl, now you have to live with the consequences of that decision. This is something...I can't protect you from. In fact, this is something I'm going to enforce. From now on, you have to fully embrace every aspect of being a girl."
Makoto sat there, staring at her mother for a second and then was true. Even the things that seem the same have changed. The nuance of their relationship had fundamentally changed. It was the first thing that Makoto would notice as a consequence of her decision, but it would be far from the last. What other things have changed now? Unfortunately, Makoto was too young to have any foresight into the matter, nor did she understand the gravity this decision would have on her life.
After breakfast, Makoto stood in front of the door with her backback, putting on her shoes. Makoto's mother stood there, smiling at her. "Got everytthing?"
Makoto answered with an energetic nod. Her mother couldn't help but feel proud of her brave daughter. She watched her open the door and exclaim back, "Ittekimasu!"
Giving her a wave, the woman replied, "Itterashai." As soon as the door was closed, she gave a frown. "Be brave, Mako-chan. You're going to need it to get through this day."
Outside, Makoto received a shock. Chiaki and Touma were standing outside waiting for her. Makoto smiled stupidly at them and Chiaki replied with an exasperated sigh.
"Look, we're here for you. If anyone gives you any trouble, we'll be right there to help you!" Chiaki said dully, looking off to the side.
Chiaki... You're supporting me. Makoto thought to herself.
Touma made a fist and put a foot forward and yelled, "Yeah! We'll be right there and we'll kick their butt!"
Shaking her head, Makoto said, "I don't think it'll come to that."
Looking up darkly at Makoto, Chiaki added, "If anyone hurts you, I'll kill them."
Makoto giggled nervously. "That's too extreme, Chiaki. Don't joke about such things. You were joking, right?"
Chiaki just stared back at Makoto. Casually, she turned and started walking. "We'll be late if we stand around here any longer."
Makoto was left there, dumbstruck. She looked at Touma and asked, "She's... She's joking, right?"
Touma just looked back at her and mused, "Chiaki never jokes. Ever."
She's serious!
