Summer's breeze stirs my long, dark hair as I stand outside our home, feeling the season's warmth.

A sturdy wall encloses the entire property, offering privacy and security. The gate is a few paces to my right.

"Summer is already here... it feels like the year is flying by."

I know that if I stay outside like this for much longer, I'll be soaked by the hot sun.

Sometimes, I go out running – for exercise, or just to get away from the house.

But today is an unseasonably hot day.

"Ugh, my bra's already drenched in sweat!" I groan, squinting up at the blazing sun.

It's not just the bra; it's this insane heat!

Sadly, It is pretty tight and uncomfortable to run in.

I wish I had a sports bra or something – anything but this.

My mom makes me wear these tight full coverage bra's.

It's not that I mind the full coverage part... it's just this is a bit too tight for me.

I can't wear a sports bra since it won't cover enough. And I'm not comfortable in a normal bra when I'm running.

"*Sigh* I didn't think they'd grow this big..." I mumble to myself as I glance down at my chest.

I don't want my breasts to grow any larger... I already have enough stares and comments from boys at school. I'm glad high school is over, though.

I'm still not comfortable with all the attention I get, but it's not as bad as it was in high school.

I'm sure it's just because I'm a pretty girl, but I don't like the way they look at me.

Even girls can't stop looking at my breasts!

I wish they'd focus more on my personality rather than my breasts. They're not all I am! But that's not how it is...

I sigh again and shake my head.

"Whatever."

I walk onto the house terrace, shutting the gate behind me.

I look around the yard, taking in the beautiful flowers and greenery.

I don't often get to be alone outside...

"Whoa, wait a second... Where's my mom...?"

I look around the house but can't seem to find her.

"Hm?" I frown.

I suppose she could be working today. She still has clients to attend to...

Even though she's no longer an active geisha, some clients still prefer her company over that of current geishas.

Some just like seeing a more "traditional" geisha instead of someone who looks more "modern."

Or maybe they just like seeing an "older" geisha.

I can't say for sure...

My mom doesn't look particularly old. She's very beautiful. Some say she's just as beautiful now as she was when she was a geisha.

"Maybe I should take advantage of her not being home!"

I grin devilishly to myself.

Then, I look at the dojo on the right side of the house.

"It's been a while since I've been out to the dojo..." I mutter to myself.

I feel like it's been ages since I last went there.

I walk over to the dojo and push the sliding door open.

"Wow, it's so quiet in here!" I say, smiling as I look around the dojo.

I take off my shoes and place them at the entrance, stepping into the dojo.

I look around and notice how much dust is on everything.

"...Looks like no one's been here for a while."

I make a mental note to clean everything up later.

Mom doesn't clean it, so it falls to me to keep everything tidy.

She told me countless times to stop coming to the dojo. It's too dangerous, she said.

She was worried that I would get hurt, but also because she believes training in the art of Kenjutsu is a man's job.

That may be true, but it doesn't mean I can't do it.

Grandpa always said I should train to protect myself and that I had potential as a fighter. So, I trained in the art of Kenjutsu with him.

"Grandpa was always my hero..." I say, a sad frown on my face.

Grandpa died two years ago.

It's been really tough on me. He was my best friend and mentor. It's just me and mom now.

Grandpa wasn't like my mom at all. He was much more relaxed and easygoing. He never forced me to do anything or put too much pressure on me to succeed.

He always gave me advice when I needed it and made me feel confident in myself. I really miss him...

"Hey, no more thinking about that!" I yell out to no one.

I push the memory away. I've been doing so much of that lately. I can't let myself get lost in those thoughts.

I'm sure grandpa wouldn't want me to be so sad all the time.

I decide to practice a few sword moves to get my mind off things.

I grab a bokken and start doing some basic strikes.

"It's been so long since I've practiced." I say to myself as I swing the sword around.

I move around the dojo, practicing my strikes. It's been a while since I've done this, and my movements feel stiff.

"Argh. My sword work is all wrong..." I sigh, shaking my head.

My body seems a bit sluggish too. It's like I've forgotten everything.

And... My breasts... they're getting in the way again.

"*Sigh* I really hate this bra."

It's hard to breathe in it, let alone do anything athletic.

I place the bokken on the ground.

That's it! I've had it. I'm taking it off!

I swiftly lift my shirt and untie my bra.

The moment I do, it practically melts off my chest and drops to the ground with a faint rustling sound.

"Ah! So much better..." I moan with relief, finally feeling like I can breathe again.

"Okay. Time to get serious..." I smile, looking determined.

However, as I glance down, I realize that my breasts are in full view...

*Gasp!* I cover myself up quickly! What am I thinking?!

I was being careless...

I look around the dojo again, realizing there's no one to see me, and that my mother isn't at home.

"...Sakurakouji, you're panicking for no reason! Get it together..." I shake my head at myself, giggling.

I take a deep breath and lower my shirt.

"Back to practicing..."

I grab my bokken and continue training.

I do some swings, but my body isn't listening to me.

But I do feel better now that I don't have the bra on... It's not just me that gets in the way... I suppose my breasts are also a problem... *sigh*

"I have to recall grandpa's advice..."

I close my eyes, grabbing the bokken with both hands into a Waki—Gamae position.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the wooden sword in my hands. The dojo is quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of my clothes as I move.

Grandpa always said,

"The sword is an extension of your spirit. It moves as you move, breathes as you breathe." I whisper to myself, recalling his words.

I can almost hear his voice, steady and calm, guiding me.

"Find your center, Sakurakouji. Let the world around you fade away. There is only you and the sword."

I focus on my breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. With each breath, I feel my body relax, my mind clear. The distractions of the day, the worries about my mother, the discomfort of my body—all of it begins to fade.

"The true strength of a swordsman lies not in their arms, but in their heart and mind," Grandpa's voice echoes in my memory.

"A clear mind and a steady heart are your greatest weapons."

In a fluid motion, I draw the bokken from its invisible sheath, the sound of wood against wood echoing through the dojo.

I step forward, my feet gliding silently across the floor. With a swift, precise movement, I execute a horizontal slash, the bokken cutting through the air with a sharp whistle. The blade seems to move on its own, driven by my intent rather than mere physical force.

I pause, breathing slowly.

"Your heart beats with each stroke, your spirit sings with every swing," I mutter, a faint smile on my lips.

I forgot how much I missed this feeling, the sensation of being one with the sword. It was the one thing in my life that truly brought me joy and peace.

I take a few more steps, moving fluidly across the dojo.

And that's when I realize... My bokken is slightly broken.

"...Huh? This bokken was perfectly fine before... What happened?" I look down at it.

There are some cracks and small bits missing at the tip...

...

A voice speaks.

"Sakurakouji, what are you doing here?" The voice is deep, firm, and carries the weight of authority.

It's unmistakably that of my mother, Hanae.

She stands at the entrance to the dojo, her eyes locked onto me, her expression a mix of confusion, concern, and a hint of disappointment.

"Mother?!" I gasp, my hands instinctively reaching for my shirt in an attempt to cover myself.

The bokken falls to the floor with a clatter.

"What are you doing here?" Hanae repeats, her voice stern.

"I thought I told you to stay away from the dojo. It's too dangerous for you." Hanae steps closer, her eyes never leaving my face.

"I..." I stumble over my words, feeling both exposed and vulnerable.

"You know how I feel about this, Sakurakouji," Hanae continues, her voice unyielding.

"This is not a place for you. You should be focusing on your studies and your future, not playing with swords."

Her words are harsh, but they carry a truth that I've always known.

I take a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain myself.

"Mother, please understand, I... I just missed training with grandpa and... and I wanted to clear my mind." I swallow, feeling my eyes well up with tears.

"It's okay, mother. I promise I won't get hurt." My voice trembles, betraying my emotions.

Hanae's expression softens slightly, but her resolve remains firm.

"Sakurakouji, I understand that you miss your grandfather, but this is not the way to honor his memory. You need to focus on your responsibilities and your future."

Hanae walks to me and stands before me, her hands gently grasping my shoulders.

"Come, it's time to go inside and clean yourself up. We can talk more about this later, when you're dressed more appropriately."

Hanae picks up my bra from the floor and holds it out to me.

"Let's avoid any more incidents like this, understood?"

I nod silently, feeling a mixture of guilt and embarrassment.

I know that I've disappointed her, but I also feel a deep sense of frustration at my inability to do anything that I want.

I'm always being held back, always being told what I can and can't do.

As we walk back to the house, I can't shake the feeling of resentment. Why can't she understand that this is important to me?

That it's not just about playing with swords, but about finding a part of myself that I've been missing? That I need to be allowed to make my own decisions and take risks?

That I shouldn't always have to follow her rules?

I always respected her wishes and listened to her, but I feel like she should have a bit of respect for my wishes and feelings too.

...Even if she doesn't understand.

Inside the house, Hanae makes me sit on the couch.

"So, why did you throw away the bra?" Hanae asks.

I fidget nervously, avoiding her gaze.

"It wasn't comfortable... I couldn't move freely in it... and it felt hot..." I mumble.

Hanae's eyes narrow slightly, her expression a mix of concern and disapproval.

"Sakurakouji, you're aware that propriety and decorum are important."

"A young woman must present herself with grace and dignity, especially in our family." Hanae adds, her voice taking on a more admonishing tone.

"And that includes wearing a proper bra when you go running. What if you happened to run into someone?" Hanae looks at me sternly, her gaze making me feel small and exposed.

"...I-It's not like that!" I stammer, trying to explain.

"I... Just... Took it off in the dojo... There wasn't anyone else there."

"I'm sorry." I look down at my feet.

I don't want to make her mad at me... But I don't want her to know how uncomfortable I get in it...

"Sakurakouji, I must remind you of the importance of propriety and decorum. A young woman of our family is expected to present herself with grace and dignity. Your behavior today was deeply unbecoming. If you cannot even adhere to these fundamental rules, then your conduct reflects poorly on the family and reveals a lack of maturity befitting a child acting like an animal."

I gasp, taken aback by her harsh words.

"Mother, I—I—"

Hanae cuts me off, her voice stern and unyielding.

"I won't tolerate this behavior. If you continue like this, I'll have no choice but to confine you to your room until you've reflected on your actions and the shame you've brought upon our family. Do you understand?" Hanae looks at me, her gaze unflinching.

Her words hang in the air like a heavy weight.

I nod silently, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

It's always like this. Every time I try to do something on my own, something that I genuinely enjoy, I get punished for it. It's never enough.

I know what she's trying to do. She's trying to control me. She's trying to mold me into the perfect image of what a young lady should be.

▬▬▬But I don't want that. I want to be my own person. I want to live my own life. Not the life she's chosen for me.

I—Sakurakouji Tachibana, am sick and tired of being a puppet.

Of being told what to do, what to say, how to behave. Of being forced into a role that I never wanted, never chose. It's suffocating.

And now, here we are again.

It's the same story, over and over.

I'm tired! I'm tired of everything! I'm tired of trying to make her happy, of trying to please her, of trying to live up to her impossible expectations.

I'm tired of the constant disappointment and criticism. Tired of being punished for wanting to do what I love. Tired of feeling like a failure no matter how hard I try.

I just want to be free!

Hanae goes to pick up another bra from my closet, which looks pretty similar to the one I removed earlier.

Walking back towards me, she extends a hand and looks me square in the eyes.

"Here, put this one on," Hanae says in a stern tone.

I look down at the bra, my left hand fingers instinctively reaching for it.

But I can't. I just can't. Not again. I refuse to live the way she wants me to live.

I take a deep breath, gathering my courage.

"No." My voice is steady, unwavering.

It shocks both Hanae and myself.

My eyes meet hers, filled with determination.

"No. I won't put it on!" I shout, standing up abruptly.

▬▬▬I slap Hanae's hand away.

It was such an instinctive action. I didn't mean to do it.

I never hit my mother before!

The bra falls to the ground with a soft thud. For a moment, the room is silent, save for our heavy breathing.

"..." My breath is ragged, my heart pounding in my chest. I've never spoken to my mother this way.

Yet—this feels so...right.

Hanae stares at me, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"Sakurakouji," Hanae says, her voice quiet but forceful.

"How dare you raise your hand to me? I am your mother, and you will respect me."

She takes a deep breath, regaining her composure.

"Now, put the bra on, and let's not speak of this again."

Hanae reaches down, picks up the discarded bra, and hands it back to me.

I look at the bra, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, the fire burning in my belly. I'm not backing down. Not this time. I refuse to let her control me.

"Wrong." I say, my voice strong and defiant.

"I won't put it on."

Hanae's eyebrows shoot up, her expression a mix of surprise and anger.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no, Mother. I won't put on this stupid bra just because you tell me to. I'm not a child anymore, and I won't let you control every aspect of my life."

"I'm not your little puppet, and I refuse to live my life as you've planned it."

"Enough!"

Hanae slaps me hard across the face.

I stumble backwards, my cheek burning from the force of the impact. For a moment, the world goes black.

‒‒But I'm still standing. I refuse to fall.

I look at my mother, my eyes burning with determination.

"You can hit me, Mother," I say, my voice steady and firm,

"But you can't break me. I'm not the same obedient daughter you've controlled for so long. I've grown up, and I won't be silenced or intimidated. I won't wear that bra, and I won't live the life you've dictated for me. I'll make my own choices, and I'll live my own life."

Hanae's face twists with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. She takes a step closer to me, her hand raised as if to strike again.

But I stand my ground, my feet planted firmly on the floor. I won't back down.

"You ungrateful child!" Hanae screams, Hanae screams, her voice raw and emotional.

"You have no idea what I've sacrificed for you, what I've done to give you the life you have. And this is how you repay me? By defying me and disrespecting me?" Hanae's face reddens, her voice trembling with anger.

I've never seen my mother so angry, so out of control. It's almost...frightening. But I'm not afraid. Not anymore. I've seen a part of myself that I never knew existed.

"You've sacrificed for me?" I repeat, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You've controlled me, manipulated me, and dictated every move I make. That's not sacrifice, Mother. That's suffocation."

I can't believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I've always been the obedient daughter, the one who never spoke back.

But now...I feel a new sense of freedom. It's exhilarating, and terrifying, all at the same time.

Hanae's face turns purple with rage, her eyes bulging from their sockets.

She takes another step closer to me, her hand raised again. I flinch, expecting another blow. But instead, she freezes, her arm trembling with restraint.

"Get out," Hanae orders.

"Get out of my house and don't come back. You're no longer welcome here. You're a disgrace, Sakurakouji. A worthless, disobedient child."

"I never want to see your face again." Hanae glares at me, her eyes filled with hatred and contempt.

I don't need to be told twice.

I turn on my heel and storm out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know what I'll do next.

I open the gate to leave, but something stops me in my tracks. I glance at the dojo, where my grandfather used to train me.

"Grandpa," I whisper, my throat tight with emotion.

"Thanks for teaching me...how to stand up for myself." I take a deep breath, gathering my resolve.

I bow my head, paying respects to his memory, before turning to face the future head-on.

And then, I leave my family's home. I won't look back. I won't beg for forgiveness or seek her approval. I won't live the life she's chosen for me. I'm going to create my own path.

I run far away from that place, away from the suffocating walls and the suffocating rules.

As I run, the streets become a blur. I don't notice the people passing by, the cars honking, or the buildings whizzing by. I'm in a tunnel vision, focused solely on putting as much distance between myself and my family's home as possible.

But as I turn a corner, I don't see the car speeding towards me. I don't see the driver's frantic face, his eyes wide with alarm, as he slams on the brakes.

I only feel the impact, the crushing force that sends me flying through the air. I feel the world spinning around me, my body weightless, as I soar over the hood of the car. I see the sky above me, a vibrant blue that I never noticed before.

▬▬Time seems to slow down as I watch myself crash to the ground, my body crumpling in a heap.

My vision fills with dark red as I look at the sky.

"...Ah..." I feel myself gasping for breath.

The sky is a brilliant shade of red.

I see...

This is the last thing I see.

My whole body is... I can't...feel it... anymore. It's... so... painful... I... want to... move... but... can't... I'm... I'm...

...dying.

‒‒‒Yet. I... feel... peaceful... somehow... I'm not... afraid... I... feel... light. ...like... I'm... floating... away. I'm... free...

I reach out with my left arm towards the sky, extending my grasp towards the heavens.

My eyes are half-closed, and a soft, serene smile graces my lips.

"I'm... not perfect... But I'm... finally... me... I can... finally... breathe... without... suffocating..."

▬▬▬The world crumbles away from me. All my memories, my hopes, my fears—they all fade away. Leaving nothing but pure, unadulterated freedom.

...