Disclaimer: None of this belongs to me.

You Are

This is your life; this is what you do.

You wake up every morning and the first thing you think is: It is wonderful to be alive; I am so blessed. You do not think of the wish you made before you fell asleep: Maybe tomorrow will be different. That was only a part of your nightmare. You go downstairs (and how many people in Japan can say that about their homes, "they went downstairs"?) and greet your parents, kissing them on the cheek. Good morning, Mama; good morning, Papa. Good morning, Princess. You smile.

At school your friends--classmates flock around your enthusiastically, thrilled to be in your presence. Good morning, Michiru-san! You smile, as only royalty can, and nod as you return the gesture. Good morning, minna-san. Your teacher smiles at you when you walk into the classroom. Good morning, Kaioh-kun. You smile back. Good morning, sensei. None of them really know you, you know, but that is not your fault; they are simply beneath you.

You are perfect, a genius, and everybody knows this. When you play your violin, the melodies bring tears to people's eyes. Your paintings are technically flawless and emotionally powerful; they stir hidden feelings to the surface, as any wonderful painting should. You are the star of the school swimteam, the most popular girl in the Juuban district. There are people who would kill to be like you, you know. You must be so happy; you are so blessed.

You are only fifteen, but you can already see your whole life in front of you. You will be a violinist, a world-famous one, maybe even the best that ever lived. You will meet the man of your dreams--hai, Princess, you shall, even if you do not quite know yet what you want him to be like--and he will make you feel happy, loved, but not whole, because you are already whole, already complete. He will be devastatingly handsome, just as you are breathtakingly beautiful, and everybody will say, "They are wonderful together, aren't they? A match made in heaven." You will smile and thank them at the wedding and go on to live a long and happy life, surrounded by people who love you.

Stop staring into space; daydreaming isn't good for you. Ah, the dreams bother you, I see. Well, the dreams will fade. They are immaterial. The destruction and fear you see is nothing but a phantom vision, nothing that can harm you. You're simply tired because you have so much to do. That is a blessing, Michiru. The dreams will go away soon, don't worry. And you will be able to return to your normal life in a few days, happy as before.

You are not lonely. You simply cannot be. Stop being ridiculous, Michiru.

You dream of something different because you are too happy, the cross of perfection heavy on your young shoulders. But remember: That is also a blessing, and besides, it can only get better for you. You are Kaioh Michiru. And as Papa says, dreams won't get you anywhere. Act, do not dream. Live, without thinking. You are so happy, Michiru. You do not need anything more.

Pick up your violin; it will help you forget. Open your sketchbook; it will soothe your fears. No, do not paint your nightmares; that won't do any good. Paint your garden, or your family. Paint the moon; its cool pale glimmering is much more beautiful than the harsh heat of the sun. Paint the stars, in all their everlasting glory; they are eternal and always bright, the sentinels who keep watch in the dark. They will guard you from your nightmares. Paint the sea; it always calms you so. Paint the sky; it fills you with a yearning that you cannot quite explain, but the longing comforts you as the sea does. You have so much around you, Michiru, so much to live for.

You brush your beautiful hair before you go to sleep, your reflection in the mirror as elegant as ever. And you do not wish: Maybe tomorrow will be different. That is only a part of your nightmare.