I walk out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel around my bare, pale-skinned body. Steam from the hot water and cold air fill the bathroom, forming like a cloud of smoke behind me. I run my fingers through my damp hair, walking to the fogged-up mirror. The fog hides any trace of the girl I normally see staring back at me. The little girl soon-to-be married.
I breathe in big, slowly letting the air back out after a few seconds. The air around me, both warm and cold from the shower, causes my shoulders to relax and drop down to normal posture. My eyes slip closed, relaxing with the rest of my body. I open them again, yawning softly and stepping away from the fog of steam.
The door opens with a creak. Stepping out into the hallway, I quickly look side-to-side before walking on the wooden floor. Water droplets side down my chin, landing below at my feet. I raise my arm and swipe it across my chin, flicking droplets away.
I start my feet up, moving down the hallway quickly to get to my room. The heels of my bare feet slap the floor as I move faster. I round the corner and thrust open the door to my room. The doorknob pounds against the wall, full of force, leaving a hole about the size of a tennis ball. I sigh tiredly, turning my head towards the damage done. The knob merely cracked the wall, not even being a hole at all. My shoulders drop, releasing all built up tension in them. Breathe leaves my lips as my lungs deflate.
Just minor damage. Nothing worth losing my head over. It's not like there's a hole in the wall...
The door shuts with a push of my hand. My palm clenches, then returns to its place of origin. I loosen my grip on the towel, dropping it onto the floor. The white pile curls at my feet like a snake, causing me to step over it. I wrap my arms around my body, shivering as a breeze from the cracked window hits me. My damp hair dances around my face, stopping abruptly when I shut the window.
I turn to the closet, walking over, and pull out my fancy kimono. The silk fabric, cluttered with red flowers and light pink petals, slips down to my feet when I put it on. I tie it closed around my waist, pulling tightly and double-knotting the fabric band. My hands slide down the silky surface, smoothing the kimono's wrinkles. I walk to the mirror, taking my hair and twisting it into a bun.
Men will never see my full hair...
I wrap a red ribbon around the bun, tying it tightly to keep the bundle in place. Loose strands escape and hang down off my head messily. I sigh, bringing my hand to my side.
Let this show the real me. Maybe my future husband will understand when he goes to war.
I pat the strands a little, sighing, and turn away from the mirror. I look through my lashes, lazily glancing about its glass surface. The walls still look the same, only brighter in the corresponding universe. I turn back and seat myself in the cushion chair before the glass screen. I rummage through the drawers and reveal the prize I seek. A red leather bag filled with different shades of eye shadow and lip gloss.
I roll my eyes. Such useless items to own. How can simple powder protect you in life? By making the wearer more pretty? A façade.
I pop off the lid to the eye shadow, powder flying everywhere. Picking up the smallest brush, I lightly brush it over the light brown shadow and apply it to my pale eyelids. Some powder sprinkles onto my nose, making me wiggle it. I reach up and wipe my nose with my hand, sneezing after.
I apply more, my eyes darkening against the pale skin. I bat my lashes, then start to add mascara to them. Each eye's lashes became thick, looking more fuller with each stroke I make. Lastly, I pick up the lipstick. I move it around my lips, painting them dark red, a seductive color. I blow a kiss at nothing in particular, only the girl in the mirror. Rolling my eyes, I walk to the door and open to the sight of my small mother. With her hands perched on her hips, she looks up at me, tilting her head up a little.
"Akira, do you think you are going out like that?"
“Why? What’s wrong with the way I look?
"First of all, your hair! Take it down."
"I don't believe men should see my full length until we are married."
"Nonsense! You have beautiful hair. Show it to the world." She snatches the ribbon out of my hair, causing the bun to fall apart and tumble down my back and shoulders, down to the lower portion close to my butt.
I shake my head. "I just rather wait so it's not based on my looks."
"You're beautiful, little one. You should never have to hide yourself from others. If you're ugly, men won't want you," she said casually.
"That's what I mean. If I were to marry, I want it to be for love. Not looks and lust." Not like the other girls around here.
She walks to the mirror, pulling my brush out of a drawer. "Let's make this mess a bit more presentable."
"Are you even listening to me?" I slide her a foul glance.
"Of course I am, but you're not listening to me."
She starts to brush my hair. I lean back, letting her. "I am. You're just not respecting my values. Father would respect my wishes."
"Your father isn't a young man. He thinks you're beautiful everyday because you are his daughter."
She stops brushing, gently fluffing my hair up and making it go over my shoulders. She pats the top, smoothing down the fizzy edges before pinning something in it, above my right ear. I glance at the mirror. The pin stood as tall as a pinkie in she shape of a flower. Pink crystals crowded the wings, along with specks of blue. Mother brushes some hair behind the other ear.
"That was your grandmother's. She wore this when she met your grandfather. It will hopefully bring you luck in finding your match today."
I gently brush my hands over the wings of the fake insect, glancing down at myself. "I hope it will too, Mother... Is Father going to be here soon?"
She turns on her heel, going to the window and shutting the blinds. "Yes, he's coming straight from work. He will be here later," she said slowly, drawing them down to cover the glass of the window. She walks back to me. "You look pretty, Akira."
I never wanted to hear those words until now. "Thank you, Mother. Just like you."
She smiled sweetly, patting my shoulder. "Let's get to the jeep now. The men are waiting to see my princess." She pulls a strand of loose, honey-brown hair behind her ear.
I walk to the door, Mother close behind me. I open it up and lead her out of my room, down the hall, and to the front door. No sound came from any of the rooms. Just silence. Not even the radio has anything to say.
When we got out the door, I spin and turn the lock before shutting the door fully. Mother bumbles down the stairs. I follow her a bit more gracefully, taking my time. The jeep parked in the driveway looks abandoned. The faded grey paint held a gloomy look as half of the vehicle was covered in rust where the paint chipped.
Mother opens the driver's side and plops her behind in the seat. I round the car, opening the door opposite of hers, and sit down on the warm seat. I turn my head towards the window as she starts the car and backs out of the driveway. The cherry blossoms glide on the wind.
Today, Akira-Lee, you are a lady of love. A lady who will give anything to her future husband. A lady who will be married...starting today.
I nod, agreeing with the voice in my head. "Do you think one will be perfect?" I ask Mother.
She slightly looks at me. "I found your father this way. There's always a perfect one out there. You will find him." With that, she turns back to the road.
I perch my chin on the palm of my hand, watching the trees and houses go by as we venture farther and farther from our home. Twirling a small piece of hair around my finger, I slide my eyes closed. A few seconds in, my eyelids turned heavy. I fall asleep.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
