Aekira sighed, leaning even closer to the mirror, her reflection mirroring her bewilderment.
"My uncle's a diehard fan of nature, my cousins are weird doctors who casually talk about bodies like it's nothing…" she muttered, running through the strange list of her family members.
She shook her head, exasperated. "My two siblings are chaotic fighters who can't go five minutes without arguing, and my big brother? He works in some huge organization but decided to manage my aunt's shop instead…"
Aekira stared at herself, eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and exhaustion.
"...Where the fuck am I?"
As Aekira gazed at her reflection, her thoughts drifted back to her past life, where everything felt simpler—yet chaotic in its own way. She remembered her small, cluttered apartment, filled with textbooks, half-finished assignments, and takeout containers from late-night study sessions.
She was just about to graduate from university, so close to stepping into the world as an adult. The pressure of exams and the uncertainty of the future loomed over her, but it was a familiar chaos—one she knew how to navigate.
Her old life felt so distant now, like a dream she could barely grasp. The thought of returning to her apartment, the smell of coffee brewing, and the sound of traffic outside her window tugged at her heart.
"Everything was supposed to be normal," she whispered to herself. "I was just... getting ready for graduation. And now... this."
Her fingers traced the edge of the mirror. A strange new family, a destroyed planet, and a body that wasn't even her own. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of it all.
"What happened to me?"
Aekira quickly wiped her tears, trying to put on a brave face as the door opened fully. "Hey, honey—" Shenan began, but her voice softened immediately as she noticed the remnants of Aekira's tears. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"A-ah, nothing! Just some dust got in my eyes..." Aekira responded with a shaky smile, hoping her mother wouldn't push further.
Shenan crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow knowingly. "Hm... there's definitely something wrong." She stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"Is just..." Aekira hesitated, her mind racing. 'Damn it, I shouldn't tell her anything…' She bit her lip, unsure of how much to reveal. "I guess I'm just... overwhelmed, you know?" she finally said, her voice a little shaky. "Everything's so different here. It feels like... like I'm in a whole other world."
'Because I am, dumbass,' she thought, mentally scolding herself.
Shenan's expression softened as she stepped closer. "I understand, Aekira. It's a lot to take in, especially with everything you've been through. But you don't have to carry it all alone."
"I know, but... I feel like I'm missing—" Aekira cut herself off, the words slipping out before she could stop them. She froze, surprised by what she'd just said.
Shenan's eyes widened slightly, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Missing what, honey?" she asked gently, her tone laced with curiosity and worry.
Aekira blinked, realizing she'd said more than she intended. "I... don't know," she muttered, avoiding her mother's gaze. "I don't know what I'm missing. It's just a feeling."
Shenan paused for a moment, her eyes gazing thoughtfully into the distance. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she turned to Aekira with a bright smile. "How about we make a celebration!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.
Aekira blinked, caught off guard. "A... celebration?"
"Yes!" Shenan said enthusiastically. "Something to lift your spirits! We could invite the family, have a feast, music, maybe even some games! It could be exactly what you need."
Aekira hesitated, feeling a mix of reluctance and curiosity. "A celebration for what?"
Shenan waved her hand dismissively. "For you, of course! For your return to us, for being part of this family. A chance to relax and enjoy yourself."
Aekira paused, thinking over her mother's suggestion. She had been overwhelmed by everything—the strange family members, the bizarre world she had been thrown into. But as she stood there, something clicked inside her. She had never fully realized that despite all the oddities, everyone seemed genuinely happy to have her back.
Maybe the celebration wasn't just about her returning—it was about their way of showing her she was truly a part of this family, no matter how strange or chaotic it seemed.
"Okay…" Aekira finally said, a small smile forming on her lips. "A celebration sounds nice."
Aekira watched the door close, blinking in disbelief. "Wow… that was fast," she mumbled to herself, her mother's energy catching her off guard.
She sighed and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. Maybe Shenan was right—maybe she did need to relax, even just for a little while. Everything had been so chaotic, and she had been so focused on figuring things out that she hadn't taken a moment to breathe.
"Okay, maybe this celebration thing won't be so bad," she muttered, trying to convince herself. "Just… gotta get through it."