Disclaimer: I do not own Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End). I write this for your enjoyment only. This fic is an AU-ish story in which Yuichiro Hyakuya is born female but named and raised as a boy because her parents wished for a son. It will cover her birth, early childhood, life underground with Mika and the Hyakuya orphans up until her adoption by Guren, and life with him. I intend for it to be a prequel to the events of the manga/anime but if it goes well, I will continue it into the main story too. I want to thank my beta reader and editor, ResidientalPsycho, of DeviantArt for helping me make this fic possible.
Who She is Within
Chapter 1: An Unwanted Daughter
October 16, 2004
Inside a clandestine Hyakuya Sect medical facility in Kyoto...
"You're doing great, Mrs. Amane!" Dr. Yoshio Kobayashi's encouraging voice cut through the sterile atmosphere, resonating with warmth as he focused on the young mother-to-be. "Now, push!"
Thirty-year-old Ayumi Amane bit her lip, fighting the urge to scream. Though the doctor and staff urged quiet, the excruciating pain made it damn near impossible. She had been in labor for over ten grueling hours, her body slick with sweat. Every muscle felt as if it had been battered, and the bright lights of the delivery room glaring in her face weren't helping either. Her pitiful whimpers quickly morphed into a unholy shriek, one that might have unnerved even the most seasoned medical professionals—had they not witnessed it countless times before. Only the soothing murmurs of Dr. Kobayashi and his attentive female assistants, one of whom gently wiped Ayumi's brow with a damp cloth, offered any semblance of relief as the young woman fought valiantly to bring her first—and possibly only—child into the world. *1*
Despite her Catholic upbringing, Ayumi was never devout. Yet she found herself ironically beseeching God for an end to her excruciating ordeal.
For nine long months—according to the Christian calendar, not the traditional lunar one—Ayumi and her husband, thirty-one-year-old Shunsuke Amane, had eagerly anticipated this day. Nine months, totaling forty weeks. Forty weeks, equating to two hundred and seventy-three days, give or take. The couple had faced years of disappointment in their quest for a child, particularly a son, and had nearly surrendered hope due to the prohibitive costs of fertility treatments reserved for the affluent. *2*
That was until an enigmatic representative of the Hyakuya Sect had approached them, offering an unconventional solution: the sect's skilled doctors would aid them in conception if they agreed to participate in a clandestine human experiment, keeping it a secret. Promising them a child who would excel in beauty, intelligence, and strength, the sect preyed on the Amanes' desperation, making them willing to gamble on such a dubious offer- an offer that would make anyone else with common sense leery.
As the pain surged within her, Ayumi fervently hoped it would all be worth it.
After what felt like an eternity of grueling labor, her unspoken wish was finally granted. With one last determined grunt, she delivered her baby, relief coursing through her as the agonizing contractions began to ebb. Eager to cradle her newborn, Ayumi's excitement was tempered when Dr. Kobayashi instructed her to wait. He guided her through the process of delivering the placenta, gently pressing on her abdomen while the nurses prepared the infant for her first introduction to the world. Ayumi herself required attention, lying in a mess of blood and fluids that mingled uncomfortably with her sweat and tears.
Reluctantly, Ayumi complied, her focus drifting to her husband, who had been kicked out of the delivery room earlier because he was about to faint with excitement.
"May I see my husband now, doctor?"
Dr. Kobayashi beamed with encouragement. "Of course!" He turned to one of his nurses, who had just finished cleaning the now-wailing newborn, and instructed her, "Bring the father in once we're done here."
Moments later, after the medical staff tidied up, Shunsuke Amane stepped into the room, his eyes wide with anticipation.
With a flourish, the doctor removed his surgical gown and scrubbed his hands, then proudly presented the couple's newborn child.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Amane! You have a beautiful, healthy baby girl!"
The young couple's faces fell, shock transforming their expressions.
"What!?" they exclaimed in unison.
Dr. Kobayashi faltered, lowering the child slightly, his surprise evident. He cradled her soothingly, her cries quieting marginally; it was difficult to discern whether his astonishment was genuine.
"What's the matter?" he inquired. "Aren't you pleased to welcome such a lovely child?"
"The ultrasound technician assured us we would have a son!" Shunsuke protested, his frustration palpable.
The doctor blinked in disbelief. "Well, it may be so, but what you have is indeed a daughter. The ability to dictate the sex of our children lies far beyond our control. The technician may have been mistaken, but does it truly matter? My own daughter excels in everything just as much as my sons, and I couldn't be prouder."
As silence enveloped the room, the nurses exchanged glances, nodding in agreement, unsure of how to lift the weight of disappointment hanging in the air. In an attempt to alleviate the tension, Dr. Kobayashi sighed and added, "Look, I know you're feeling let down, but nobody outside your family and the Hyakuya Sect need ever know, right?"
A spark of realization flickered in Ayumi's eyes, breaking through her initial dismay. "Of course! Why didn't we think of that?"
Shunsuke remained skeptical, wrestling with the implications.
"But how do we keep her gender a secret? Especially if she falls ill and needs treatment?" he challenged.
"Simple: just consult one of our trusted pediatricians. They'll gladly maintain your secret as long as you uphold your end of the bargain. How you choose to raise and educate her is completely up to you."
The doctor awaited their response, barely suppressing a grin.
"Thank you, doctor. We would never have considered that," Shunsuke said, a spark of enthusiasm returning. "So can we take our new baby home now?"
Dr. Kobayashi's smile widened. "Absolutely!
SSSSSS
December 25, 2009
"Merry Christmas, Yuu-chan!" Misao Okawa exclaimed, her face beaming with joy as she presented her five-year-old "grandson" with a beautifully wrapped gift adorned with a large, vibrant red bow. She leaned down to press a soft kiss on his forehead, eliciting a bright smile from the child, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
From the moment Yuichiro Amane was born, she had been meticulously dressed and raised as a boy, a decision made by her parents who believed it was in her best interest. Her parents even gave her a boy's name at her official naming ceremony a week after her birth *3* The child's raven hair fell just past her ears, with several loose strands framing her cherubic face while maintaining a boyishly short cut. Her large, expressive green eyes, framed by thick eyelashes, twinkled with innocence, and her cheeks were delightfully plump and rosy. Yet, unbeknownst to anyone outside the Amane family or the Hyakuya Sect, little Yuichiro was anatomically female.
Her upbringing had been steeped in rigid expectations; from her earliest days, she was taught to embody the traits associated with boys, permitted only to engage with male-oriented or gender-neutral toys, like toy cars and teddy bears—never dolls or items deemed too "girly." Those who encountered Yuichiro simply perceived her as an unusually delicate-looking boy, a common sight, and thought nothing amiss. Her parents had even bestowed upon her a boy's name during an official naming ceremony just a week after her birth, ensuring that all of Yuichiro's legal documents recorded her as male. Keeping the child's true gender a secret had proven surprisingly manageable over the years.
"Thanks, Grandma!" Yuu chirped happily, pressing a quick kiss on her grandmother's cheek before darting off to her room, clutching her new gift.
Though she had known no other way of being, the child felt no discomfort in her role; her love for her parents was profound, and she would do anything to make them happy. However, Misao, her elderly grandmother, sensed that this blissful ignorance could not last forever. Once Yuichiro was out of sight, her cheerful demeanor darkened into a frown, her gaze shifting to her daughter, who sat across the table from her on the sofa. The room was festively adorned with Christmas lights and an elegant tree, the two women partaking in tea and biscuits, a nod to British traditions that the Amane family had embraced with enthusiasm.
What weighed heavily on Misao's heart was not the unorthodox celebration, but rather the manner in which they were raising their "son." Her concern cast a shroud over the festive spirit.
Ayumi glanced up from her teacup, catching her mother's disapproving frown. Though unspoken, she felt her mother's thoughts as vividly as if they were articulated aloud.
"Mother, please don't start…"
Misao shook her head. "Ayumi, this charade cannot continue indefinitely, and we both know it."
"It's for the best. Yuichiro will lead a more fulfilling life this way," Ayumi replied stubbornly, her resolve unwavering.
Misao regarded her daughter with incredulity. "How? How is forcing your child to live a lie 'for the best'?"
"Think of the opportunities she'll have! She'll garner respect, explore more career options, and earn better wages. More than I ever had as a woman!"
"That is not true, Ayumi, and deep down, you know it. We're in the twenty-first century, not the tenth! How long can Yuichiro maintain this facade just to satisfy your desires? You may be a knowledgeable schoolteacher, but I oppose the idea of homeschooling her solely to dodge physical exams at school! She needs to socialize and develop friendships with children her age; otherwise, how will she cultivate the social skills vital for navigating the world? And even if she wishes to keep pretending, the reality is, she will grow up, her body will change, and she will fall in love— with a man!"
"It's still our decision, Mother!" Ayumi retorted, her voice strained as she fought to keep her temper in check. She didn't want her "son" to overhear this contentious dialogue. "And once she's older, we can convince her to undergo gender-confirmation surgery."
Misao groaned, face-palming in frustration. In that moment, a pang of guilt washed over her; she recognized her own role in this predicament. Like Yuichiro, Ayumi was an only child—her father had also longed for a son and treated her with cold indifference throughout her life. The grandmother couldn't shake the feeling of regret, wishing she had spoken up more fervently during Ayumi's childhood, to encourage her late husband embrace their daughter as she was. But the chance was lost and his legacy was now repeating itself.
"You are making a grave mistake, Ayumi," she warned gently. "Your child is not a pet or a doll for you to dress up. She may seem eager to please you now, but what happens in a few years? Do you think she won't start asking questions, yearning for the outside world or seeking friendships? I know your father hasn't always been fair to you, but even he would never dream of shaping you into something you're not!"
Ayumi fell silent, her internal conflict evident. Deep down, she understood her mother's points but struggled to voice her unease. Wishing for her husband to be present for support, she recalled he had gone to help a friend for the day.
In desperation, Ayumi resorted to her only remaining defense. "As I said, mother, it's still our decision on how to raise our child."
Misao sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken worries. She recognized her daughter's stubbornness but felt powerless; ultimately, the decisions regarding Yuichiro's upbringing rested with Ayumi and her husband.
"Then, God help her, Ayumi…"
SSSSSS
January 10, 2011
"Mom, why can't I go to school?" seven-year-old Yuichiro pleaded, her small face pressed against the car window, watching enviously as other children her age spilled out of classrooms, greeted by parents or climbing onto buses bound for home.
After Yuichiro's birth, Ayumi had left her teaching job, dedicating herself to nurturing and educating her daughter at home while her husband worked. Shunsuke's income as a computer technician was modest, making it a challenge to support his wife and "son" without the financial aid of the Hyakuya Sect, which provided them double the standard child allowance from the government. This generous support allowed the Amane family to live comfortably and to keep their child's true identity a well-guarded secret, as Yuichiro had never seen a doctor outside the sect since the day she was born.
In return for the allowance and discreet medical care, Ayumi and Shunsuke had vowed to keep the circumstances of their child's birth under wraps, agreeing to relinquish Yuichiro to the sect when they could no longer care for her.
"Because you don't need to go to school!" Ayumi snapped, her tone sharper than intended, causing Yuichiro to flinch in confusion. Her mother's sudden harshness left the little girl feeling bewildered. What had she done to deserve such treatment? To avoid provoking her mother further, Yuichiro remained silent for the rest of the drive home, her heart heavy with unasked questions.
Despite Ayumi and Shunsuke's efforts to dismiss their concerns, Misao was right about Yuichiro. Only two years had passed since that difficult Christmas conversation between the two women, and already the child was beginning to voice her curiosity.
To keep Yuichiro from attending school, her parents—especially Ayumi—had taken it upon themselves to provide her with an education at home. Thanks to Ayumi's background as an elementary school teacher, it was relatively simple for her to impart basic skills to her "son," even though Misao had cautioned her that a home education might not suffice for acceptance into a good high school or college later on.
Living near an elementary school posed an unfortunate challenge: every time they left home or ventured into the city, they had to pass by the bustling playgrounds. Yuichiro's parents noticed how often she would gaze longingly at her peers, whether they were on the swings during recess or shuffling to and from school. When outside, and strangers questioned why Yuichiro wasn't enrolled, the Amanes would always reply that she was being homeschooled, raising eyebrows as homeschooling was far less common in Japan than in the West.
Ironically, it was Ayumi's attempts at home education that nurtured Yuichiro's yearning for the outside world. While left with her grandmother, the child filled her time with books and the internet, her only portals to the world beyond their home. Though she tried to enjoy the cartoons and Japanese shows on TV, they quickly lost their allure. Instead, she found herself captivated by Western programs, particularly those showcasing the vibrant diversity of a land called the United States of America.
That evening, as Yuichiro settled in to watch TV with Misao while her parents were out, she lit up at yet another cultural show from the U.S. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Look, Grandma! Everyone is so different there! And they have all kinds of amazing food and interesting people! Can I go there someday? To America?"
Misao offered a wistful smile, gently brushing Yuichiro's soft hair out of "his" face. "Of course, my dear. I'm sure you'll have the chance to explore wherever your heart desires someday…"
Though she tried to sound encouraging, Misao's voice wavered, betraying a deeper concern. She was well aware of the circumstances surrounding Yuichiro's birth and felt uneasy about her daughter and son-in-law's entanglement with the enigmatic Hyakuya Sect. The sect's enticing promises—state-of-the-art fertility treatments, generous allowances, and free medical care—seemed almost too good to be true, and Misao couldn't shake the feeling that there might be hidden costs lurking beneath the surface. *4*
Though the sect's claims of Yuichiro being a beautiful, intelligent, and strong child were accurate, Misao feared what the long-term implications might entail. Yet, not wanting to dispel little Yuichiro's dreams or create unnecessary worry, she kept her concerns to herself, cherishing every moment she had with her only grandchild.
SSSSSS
June 7, 2012
"Hey, what's your name? Why don't you come out and play with me?" a little boy, around Yuichiro's age, called out as he spotted her playing alone in her parents' yard.
The Amanes resided in an upscale apartment complex, each unit featuring a modest backyard where Yuichiro often assisted her grandmother in watering and nurturing the flowers and plants during her visits. However, today she was solitary, grappling with the loss of Misao, who had passed away a few months earlier. Her absence left a void in Yuichiro's life, depriving her of companionship apart from her parents. The little girl had taken Misao's death hard, as her grandmother had always been her fiercest advocate, standing up against the harshness of her mother and father whenever Yuchiro's innocent questions about the world outside were met with irritation.
With Misao gone, the lonely child yearned for friends more than ever and was more than happy to engage with the boy who had taken an interest in her.
The boy at the fence was unlike anyone she had ever encountered. He was strikingly cute; the contours of his eyes, nose, and face bore the marked features of Asian descent, while his unruly curls glimmered with a golden hue reminiscent of sunshine—akin to the images of foreigners Yuichiro had glimpsed in magazines and on TV. His captivating blue eyes, more vivid than she had ever seen, added to his enchanting presence. He must be a hāfu—a biracial child of a foreigner and a native Japanese. Yuichiro recalled her grandmother's stories about them, yet this was the first time she laid eyes on one. Perhaps one of his parents was like those white Americans she often admired on screen?
"My name is Yuichiro! What's yours?" she asked, her voice ringing with hope.
"Mikaela! But you can call me Mika! Do you want to come out and play? My uncle takes me to all kinds of fun places!"
Yuichiro's spirits sank as she lowered her head. "My parents probably won't let me," she murmured, sadness lacing her words.
The boy's confusion was palpable. "Why not?" he inquired, brow furrowing.
"I don't know. They just don't want me going outside too much."
"Really? So that's why I never saw you in school!"
"I guess…"
Before Yuichiro could elaborate, an angry voice sliced through the air, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Yuichiro!"
She turned to find her mother, Ayumi, standing in the doorway, her expression a mask of fury. Before Yuichiro could protest, her mother stormed over and gripped her arm firmly, dragging her indoors and slamming the door with a glare aimed at Mika to scare him away.
Once inside, Ayumi released her daughter with a huff.
"What did I tell you about talking to strangers?" she demanded, her tone sharp.
"But he didn't do anything bad!" Yuichiro protested. "Mom, why won't you let me out? I just want friends!"
"Friends? You think you can have friends, Yuu? You're not a normal child! Now, go to your room and don't come out until I say so!" Ayumi shouted, her voice rising in anger.
The intensity of her mother's fury frightened Yuichiro. She trembled as she retreated to her room, the weight of her mother's words heavy on her heart.
This episode was merely the beginning of Yuichiro's troubles. With Misao gone, she found herself completely at the mercy of her parents, who effectively imprisoned her within their home. Not only was she forbidden from going outside, but her parents also barred any visitors. Over time, they became increasingly controlling, prohibiting her from watching television or using the internet when they weren't around, punishing her by withholding food and water or locking her in a closet when she disobeyed.
Yet Yuichiro often chose disobedience, preferring to endure hunger over losing her precious connection to the world beyond. The closet didn't deter her either; in a cruel twist of fate, she could break the locks with her innate strength—the very strength promised to her parents by the Hyakuya Sect. Even physical punishment became ineffective as her resilience and endurance grew stronger due to her unnatural conception.
Her grandmother's predictions began to unfold, causing her parents further frustration. As Yuichiro became less fearful of their punishments, she defiantly continued to meet with the blond boy, who miraculously returned again and again, even when her parents were out.
Mika, moved by her struggles, often brought Yuu small treasures—delicious snacks, captivating books, and cherished music CDs—anything that could lift her spirits. He never stayed long enough to be caught, possessing an uncanny instinct for sensing when the Amanes were away. Yet, they frequently stumbled upon clear signs of his secret visits in Yuu's room—items unmistakably beyond her reach.
Adding to the tension, the Amanes frequently argued late into the night about their daughter, their voices echoing through the walls and raising the concerns of their neighbors. The chilling topics of their quarrels often included unsettling remarks about Yuichiro's fate.
"If this were China, we could have just killed her at birth!"
"You were the one who insisted on raising her, Ayumi! We could have given her back to the Hyakuya Sect!"
"You're the one who agreed to raise her as a boy! And if I can't have more children, what then?"
"We'd be better off without a burden like Yuichiro!"
These arguments gnawed at Yuichiro's heart, her enhanced hearing amplifying the pain. She wished desperately to have been born a boy, if only to earn their affection. Their shouting reached a volume that resonated throughout the neighborhood, their words piercing through her like daggers. All Yuichiro longed for was the love of her parents, a semblance of normalcy, to attend school, and to forge friendships.
Yet, her gender had become a source of their disdain, and, still too young to escape their wrath as older children might, she found herself confined within the walls of their home.
The constant bickering kept the neighbors awake, stirring their concerns about Yuichiro's well-being, particularly in light of her parents' comments about harming or abandoning her.
Unbeknownst to the Amanes, someone eventually reached out to Child Protective Services, prompting an agent to visit the Amane residence one fateful Monday morning.
SSSSSS
That morning, Yuichiro was curled up on the couch, absorbed her favorite book as she was no longer allowed to watch TV, when the sharp chime of the doorbell cut through her reverie. A knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach: she knew the house rules forbade her from answering the door for anyone except her parents. With a quivering voice, she called out for her mother.
"Mom! Someone's at the door!"
From the kitchen, Ayumi responded with a mumbled reply that Yuichiro couldn't decipher. Moments later, she emerged, still wearing her apron and wiping her hands on a towel, her expression a mix of concern and irritation as she navigated through the living room to the door. When she swung it open, she was confronted by a middle-aged woman whose presence was entirely unfamiliar.
"Hello? Who are you? I'm quite busy right now, so if you could make this quick…" Ayumi's voice strained to sound courteous, but the impatience in her tone was palpable.
"Good morning, ma'am. My name is Naomi Tomori, and I represent Child Protective Services. We've received reports indicating that your son has not been attending school and is seldom seen outside your home."
"Excuse me, but my husband and I are homeschooling him," Ayumi retorted, her voice firm. "He is well cared for, so if you would kindly take your leave…"
But Naomi pressed on, her skepticism unwavering. "Is that so? When was his last doctor's visit? When did he last have a physical? If you don't mind, I would like to speak with him myself."
"No, you may not!" Ayumi spat, her patience fraying. "I have a pediatrician that we consult regularly. I assure you, he is perfectly healthy, and I'm doing my utmost to raise him well. Now, please leave my home and do not return!"
Before Naomi could utter a word in response, Ayumi slammed the door, the sound echoing in the quiet hall. Though relief washed over her at escaping the agent's probing inquiries, an underlying dread simmered within. She knew that if CPS suspected abuse, they would undoubtedly return—perhaps accompanied by the police.
Hearing her mother's raised voice pierce through the house, Yuichiro felt a surge of anxiety. She scurried from the living room to her room, seeking refuge as she locked herself in the closet, praying for her father's early return.
When Shunsuke finally entered the home, a storm of anger brewed within him upon hearing about the agent's visit. Yet again, it sparked another fierce argument between him and Ayumi over Yuichiro.
"This is your fault! If you hadn't insisted on keeping Yuichiro home, CPS wouldn't be breathing down our necks!" he shouted, his frustration boiling over as he gripped Ayumi's arm, shaking her slightly.
"My fault!? If she went to school, the checkups would expose her! What was I supposed to do?" Ayumi shot back, her voice rising in pitch.
"It was a mistake to let the Hyakuya Sect help us conceive Yuu! She's been nothing but trouble since day one! After we brought her home from the clinic, I lost my job and couldn't find another for five months! Those strange people lurking around our house! Yuu is getting stronger and defies any punishment! It's as if she's not even human!"
"Well, why don't you just give her back to the Hyakuya Sect!? That's what you want, isn't it!?"
"And risk her spilling the beans about CPS? They wouldn't want her back after that, and we'd be stuck with her until she's eighteen! No, I have a better plan…"
Yuichiro, trembling in her closet, listened to the escalating exchange, dread pooling in her stomach. The severity of their fight sent her heart racing, especially when she heard her father call for her. Fearing his wrath, the little girl left the safety of her closet and stepped into the living room, her breath hitching at the sight before her. Her father grasped a large kitchen knife, wielding it like a character out of a horror movie.
"Dad? What are you doing?" Yuichiro's voice was barely a whisper, raw fear evident in her wide eyes.
"Come here, sweetheart…" Shunsuke cooed, though his voice dripped with a sinister undertone. "Daddy will send you to a better place…"
Despite his soothing words, Yuichiro felt a primal instinct scream at her to flee. Unlike the times before when she'd endured their anger, this was different. Her instincts screamed that there was no safety here, and that she was going to die if she didn't escape.
In a panic, she bolted toward the front door. Ayumi lunged to grab her, but fueled by terror, Yuichiro fought back with an urgency she had never known, breaking free from her mother's grip. She fumbled with the lock, desperate to escape the horror that loomed behind her.
Just as she pushed through the door, a sudden jolt of pain struck her back, sending her sprawling to the ground. The concrete met her head with a sickening crack, darkness swallowing her whole as unconsciousness claimed her.
SSSSSS
The next day…
"Yuichiro? Are you awake? You're safe now," a gentle voice coaxed.
The little girl slowly opened her eyes, her surroundings coming into focus in the sterile brightness of a hospital room. She was propped up by plush body pillows, carefully placed to avoid pressure on her fresh stab wound. A bandage encircled her head, throbbing painfully where it had met the unforgiving asphalt.
"Wh...what happened?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath as she shifted, searching for a glimpse of her caregiver. The effort proved futile; each movement sent fresh waves of pain coursing through her, forcing her to abandon the attempt.
Yuu recognized that she was at another one of the Hyakuya Sect's private clinics. The nurse tending to her was a young man in his mid-twenties. He moved closer, his expression grave, and answered her quietly.
"I'm truly sorry, Yuu, but your parents didn't survive. Your neighbors heard the commotion at your apartment and called for help. One of them witnessed your father attacking you with a kitchen knife just as you fled the door. He was about to strike again when the police arrived, and they had no choice but to shoot him—he died instantly."
Tears stung her eyes and began to trickle down her cheeks. She longed to believe this was all a horrible nightmare, but the searing pain from her head and the throbbing ache of her bandaged back anchored her firmly in reality.
"What about my mom?" Yuu managed, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
His heart ached for the fragile child before him, and he offered her a tissue.
"After seeing your father killed, your mother panicked and locked herself inside the apartment. Before the police could force the door open, she ignited a fire within the unit, which spread throughout the complex. She didn't survive, and many others were injured in the chaos. I'm so sorry, Yuichiro…"
It took a heartbeat for the weight of his words to sink in. When comprehension finally hit, Yuichiro allowed her tears to flow freely. Despite the horrors her parents had inflicted upon her, she mourned their loss deeply. The nurse understood; they were still the ones who had brought her into this world.
"What am I going to do?" she sniffed, her voice breaking.
"Ah…well, there is someone here to see you. He claims to be your uncle and says he will take care of you from now on."
Yuichiro's brow furrowed in confusion. An uncle? She had thought she was alone, her parents often dismissing any mention of family. Curiosity flickered in her heart, and she nodded slowly.
"Can I see him?"
The nurse nodded, a small smile of reassurance on his face. "Of course. I'll fetch him right away."
"Thank you," Yuu murmured, watching as he stepped out to find the man who claimed to be her uncle. In truth, she felt she had little choice in who would care for her now that her previous life had been irrevocably shattered.
After a few moments, a knock echoed through the room. The nurse opened the door to reveal a tall, slender man, impeccably dressed, and seemingly in his early thirties. His jet-black hair contrasted starkly with his steel-gray eyes, and his skin was unnaturally pale, as though he'd never encountered sunlight.
Despite his imposing presence, Yuichiro felt a chill run through her; he bore no resemblance to either of her parents, and he appeared almost like a marble statue.
Except marble can at least be warmed by the sun, Yuu thought grimly as she waited for him to speak.
Once inside, the man turned to the nurse with an air of authority. "Thank you for looking after my nephew. Now, I would like to speak with him alone, if you don't mind."
"Of course, sir," the nurse replied, his demeanor respectful. "Please call for me if you need anything."
"I will, thank you."
With the nurse gone, Yuichiro studied her visitor, her gaze sharp and discerning. "Who are you? You're not really my uncle, are you?"
The man blinked, momentarily taken aback, before a smile crept across his face. He seemed genuinely impressed by her insight.
"Very good, Yuichiro! No, I am not your uncle, but do not worry… I will take you to a place where you can be safe from now on, so please, trust me."
Footnotes:
*1* Japanese women are strongly discouraged from screaming during childbirth. Personally, I think it's impossible *not* to scream when you're trying to push a 5-10 lbs+ baby out of your vagina matter what anyone says.
*2* According to the more traditional lunar months of exactly 28 days (i.e. 4 weeks), then 40 weeks = 10 months. The Japanese belief that a pregnancy lasts ten months refers back to their original calendar that used these shorter months. So, a 9 month American pregnancy = 9 calendar months = 10 lunar months = 10 month Japanese pregnancy. But the Amanes are Catholic and go by the Christian calendar when monitoring their pregnancy.
*3* Japanese parents participate in naming ceremonies called "oshichiyas." Oshichiyas take place roughly a week after the newborn has entered the world. These ceremonies are extremely intimate, and most relatives and friends aren't invited. It isn't uncommon for grandparents and other immediately family members to make appearances at these ceremonies. The point of the exclusivity is not only to allow the family together time, but to also provide the mother with some much-needed rest, relaxation and recovery time. The babies wear entirely white during the ceremony as a symbol of purity. They are presented with "shodos" during these naming ceremonies. These ornamental plates indicate their names and are typically placed on walls. It's extremely common for children to be their grandparents' namesakes.
*4* Like the US, Japan offers child benefits to single parents or parents who meet certain income requirements called a "child allowance." In my AU fic, the Hyakuya Sect are giving Yuu's parents twice the amount the Japanese government normally does to keep their involvement with them in her conception and birth a secret. The Hyakuya Sect also does not want the trouble of raising Yuu from birth and rely on her parents to do so until she reaches the age where they can experiment on her further and harness her powers.
