Akane paced the length of her room, making a point to ignore her reflection, sporting the clean white uniform of the Night Class, in the full-length mirror. Her unease about this day had her up, showered and ready a full hour before the others hand even roused from their beds. Pale hands smoothed down the skirt and fiddled with the cuffs of her blazer self-consciously. Will Miu or anyone notice that I look different? Will they treat me differently? Is it really safe for me to be around so many Humans all at once?
"This isn't a good idea."
The pendant around her neck came into view as she fretted, looked down at her uniform. The gem became a symbol of the loss for Akane, for her father and everything he'd endured. She'd almost forgotten how much her mother adored it. Akane still hated the thing for what it meant to her, but to her mother, it was a precious trinket from her former life. For that reason, Akane kept the jewel in her possession, rather than throwing it into the deepest, darkest well she could find.
"Big brother was always so brave and strong. Whenever I felt scared or at my limit, I'd think of him." Akane's mother's wistful voice drifted through her mind as she fingered the stone, letting her thoughts wander. "You know, he told me once, whenever he felt weak, he thought of me, and how much he wanted me to be proud of him. That's why he got me this, so that, when I feel like I can't go another step, I can see what he looks to for strength… I miss him."
Blinking back to the present, Akane looked up into the mirror. Her midnight locks were thick and hung a little past her shoulders. Her dark green eyes stared back, framed with the same thick lashes. Her double was a ghostly pale, as she'd become accustomed to over the years. Her figure hadn't changed and at a glance, no one would suspect anything amiss. But Akane saw and could list all the changes in her appearance which revealed her exile from humanity.
Her skin was too smooth, her eyes, too bright, and her hair, too soft and light. The slightest breeze would tease the ends as if it were nothing more than a silken thread from a web. Her fingernails and toenails were hardened, her cuticles, fully repaired. Years of biting her fingernails, erased from her hands. She looked like the perfect version of herself, but it was a lie. Akane was no fallen Angel or deceitful Demon. The 'improvements' felt more like stains.
It was hard to look at one's reflection, knowing that what you see, is yourself, but not recognise the face staring back. She knew it would take time, and that she'd have to adjust, something she was apt at doing. She just hoped no one suspected anything more than a good pampering session, and a new uniform as the cause of her more polished look.
The Sapphire glinted, drawing her back, reminding her of the weight around her neck, which she willingly carried. Mum's brother gave her this to provide strength. That's its purpose. I won't regret wanting to live. I'm still Akane Nakamura.
"Just more complicated," she finished with a sigh. The pendant fell back against her chest as she turned to her dresser and snatched up her satchel. Akane marched to the door with a resolute breath and stepped out into the quiet hall to make her way to the foyer.