Miyu's Wish Read Free

examined my complexion in the mirror. I had done the same procedure countless times, but today I gazed at the collection of moisturizers, exfoliates, bases,and foundations with uncertainty. I spread on a light moisturizer and then tentatively reached for a primer.
    “Honey, we’re almost out of time,” my aunt warned as she stuck her head into the bathroom. She saw what I was doing and, despairing, walked in.
    “This is all you need, sweetie,” she said softly, taking a bottle of foundation and dabbing a little onto an applicator. I watched her gratefully as she gently spread the liquid strategically across my face, her long, brown hair swaying with her graceful movements like reeds in the wind.
    “You see how natural that looks? For skin as nice as yours, you don’t need much.” Her own face was smooth and fetching, and I nodded, trusting her judgment.
    “All done,” she said, admiring her work. “You might also consider a dash of blush, but for now, just hurry and get dressed!”
    I thanked her and scampered to my room, knowing I still had a lot to do. I first opened a drawer and selected an appropriate pair of panties—
kitties were good for a first day, right?
—and then began dressing into the outfit Aunt Mari left on my bed. It was a simple but attractive ensemble, with a white, tight-fitting blouse and a blue, ruffled skirt. A fancy, black belt struck a sense of balance between the two garments, while a pair of dark leggings accentuated everything perfectly.
    But I bit my lip, looking myself over and over.
Everything seemed fine, but…
    “Miyu! Hurry!” Auntie called from downstairs.
    I sprang to the bathroom. I still needed to do my hair.

    Just minutes later, we were zooming through the neighborhood and skidding onto the main road. I bounced around in the adjacent seat, contemplating the morning and day before. Twenty-four hours ago, all I had been able to think about was my first day in the eighth grade—now I was imagining things and questioning my sanity.
    My thoughts drifted to more pressing matters, however, as we entered Beckett Middle’s parking lot. Swarms of kids were bounding out of vehicles and making their way inside the main building, while others remained chatting with friends near the front entrance. I smiled hopefully at the sights and sounds, and unbuckled my seatbelt.
    “Have a wonderful day, sweetie,” Aunt Mari said, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back to pick you up around four.”
    “Thanks Auntie,” I replied, grabbing my pink backpack and hopping out of the car. “I’ll be OK!”
    Aunt Mari’s eyes suddenly bulged forward. “Miyu, did you put on a bra this morning?!”
    I felt my bosoms through the tight fabric of my blouse. Two prominent bumps pushed back.
    I bit my lip.
I knew I had forgotten something.

Chapter Four
    I   quickly abandoned my mortified aunt and scurried inside the school, whirling about looking for a bathroom. I shuddered under the gaze of my prospective classmates, feeling as if I held some terrible curse they were sure to discover.
And maybe I did.
    “How could you have forgotten your bra?!” Aunt Mari had exclaimed. I now shook my head despondently, remembering again that boy I had seen in the mirror.
    I finally spotted a bathroom and dashed inside. Amazingly, it was empty. I immediately went to work stuffing thin strips of tissue into my blouse in the hopes of covering my more notable features. As I fumbled with myself, two girls suddenly walked in and laughed harshly.
    “So you’re
that
kind of girl,” one said dryly, her electric gaze sizing me up and down.
    My face blanched. “No, no, it’s not like that,” I insisted, swiftly pushing my blouse back down within my skirt. “You see, I—”
    The second girl chuckled. “Oh, leave the little thing alone. She’s obviously new here.” She smiled and walked over. “You are new here, aren’t you?”
    I nodded cautiously.
    “I thought so,” she grinned. She was at least a head taller