The dim, crimson glow of Yumi's bedroom was complemented by the flickering candles on her vanity. The scent of sulfur mingled with the soft aroma of black cherry incense she always kept burning. Her vanity mirror, adorned with jagged edges and demonic carvings, reflected her goth aesthetic perfectly—dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner, and an assortment of tiny piercings decorating her ears.
She leaned in close to the mirror, carefully applying a sharp, winged eyeliner, her steady hand honed by years of perfecting her look. Black eyeshadow already blended across her lids, and her dark lipstick sat nearby, waiting for its turn.
"Alright," she muttered to herself. "Just need to finish this wing, and then…"
Her door creaked open behind her, the sound cutting through the quiet like a dagger. Yumi froze, her hand halting mid-stroke.
"Mom, if that's you—" she began, already irritated.
"Yumi?" Ere'ana's soft, angelic voice filled the room.
Yumi groaned audibly, setting down her eyeliner and turning around in her chair. There stood Ere'ana, her golden aura as blinding as ever in Yumi's shadowy room. She was dressed in her usual flowing white robe, her golden hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. She looked so out of place amidst Yumi's dark, goth haven that it almost felt comedic.
"Mom, can't you knock?" Yumi snapped, crossing her arms.
Ere'ana blinked, her face the perfect picture of innocence. "I did knock. You didn't answer."
"Maybe because I didn't want to be interrupted?" Yumi shot back, gesturing to her half-done makeup. "I'm kind of busy here."
Ere'ana looked at the vanity, tilting her head slightly as she took in the array of dark cosmetics. "Oh, you're doing your makeup again. It's… very bold."
"It's goth, Mom," Yumi corrected, rolling her eyes. "And thanks, I guess?"
Ere'ana stepped further into the room, her bare feet nearly glowing against the dark floor. "I just needed to ask you something. It'll only take a second."
Yumi sighed dramatically, swiveling her chair back around. "Fine. What is it?"
Ere'ana hesitated, her eyes scanning the pentagrams Yumi had drawn on the walls with black chalk. She chose to ignore them for now, focusing on her daughter instead. "Do you know where Cerberus is? I haven't seen him all morning, and he usually follows you around."
Yumi glanced down at the floor. Sure enough, Cerberus wasn't curled up at her feet like he usually was.
"Huh," she said, frowning. "I thought he was in here. Maybe he's off terrorizing someone."
Ere'ana's brow furrowed. "I hope not. Last time he scared one of the cherubim into crying, and it took me hours to calm them down."
Yumi smirked at the memory. "Yeah, that was hilarious."
"Yumi," Ere'ana scolded, though her tone was more exasperated than angry.
"What?" Yumi shrugged. "It's not my fault he's a Chihuahua with three heads and a bad attitude."
Ere'ana shook her head, clearly debating whether or not to argue. Finally, she let out a small sigh and changed the subject. "Anyway, are you ready for school? You've got to leave soon, don't you?"
Yumi turned back to the mirror, picking up her lipstick. "I'm almost done. Just need to finish my makeup and grab my bag."
Ere'ana watched her for a moment, her expression softening. "You know, Yumi, you're really beautiful. You don't need all that makeup."
Yumi paused, her lipstick hovering over her lips. She raised an eyebrow at her mom's reflection in the mirror. "Mom, we've had this conversation. This isn't about needing it. It's about liking it. This is who I am."
Ere'ana nodded slowly, stepping closer. "I know, I know. I just worry sometimes. You hide so much behind all of that."
Yumi rolled her eyes. "Ugh, Mom, don't start psychoanalyzing me. I'm not hiding anything. I just think black is cool, okay?"
Ere'ana smiled gently, placing a hand on Yumi's shoulder. "Alright, I'll stop. But you know I love you, right? No matter how much eyeliner you wear."
"Yeah, yeah," Yumi muttered, shrugging her mom's hand off. "Love you too or whatever."
Ere'ana chuckled softly, stepping back. "Alright, I'll let you finish getting ready. Just don't forget your lunch."
Yumi smirked as she watched her mom leave. "Mom, this is Hell. Nobody packs lunches here."
Ere'ana waved her hand dismissively as she walked out, closing the door behind her. "Just don't be late!"
As the door clicked shut, Yumi let out a deep breath, turning back to her mirror. She stared at her reflection for a moment, her mom's words lingering in her mind.
"Beautiful, huh?" she muttered to herself. "Sure, Mom. Whatever you say."
Shaking off the thought, she finished applying her lipstick and stood up, grabbing her black leather bag from the corner of the room.
"Alright," she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder. "Time to face another day in Hell. Literally."
She glanced at her walls, smirking at the pentagrams and satanic symbols she'd drawn. With one last look in the mirror, she headed for the door.
The End of Chapter 9