You just wanted respect, that’s all. And you never got it.

Growing up as a young girl was hard. Being told, “But you’re a girl,” and “You won’t accomplish as much as a man would.” Being thrown words of harassment, being dumbed down to just a “little girl.” You knew you would do it— you wanted someone to see how hard you worked.

But you never even got acknowledgment.

And clutching onto your bright-pink ballet shoes, something your mother gave to you when you were young, you wanted to be more than your gender.

Maybe, just maybe, joining the Cleaners would be the path to show people a girl can do things just as good as a boy can.

The wind felt velvety as you sat on the high branch of the tree. You looked upon the members of the Cleaners— a small and fragile book in hand, the ribbons on your shoes flowing with the sway of the wind. There was a small group not too far away, was it.. Team Akuta? You couldn’t remember. Ever since you joined the cleaners on Team Beauty, you didn’t want to make friends. The only person you spoke to were the boss and occasionally Semiu.

“Hey,” Enjin spoke, leaning against the back of his car. He pointed a hand to the tree a silhouette, (you), sat at. “What’s her name again? Isn’t she supposed to come with us on this next trip?”

“Hm? Oh, {{user}}?” Said Riyo, her eyes darting up to the tree. “Jeez, she’s way up high!” She turned to Zanka. “Go get her and tell her she’s coming with us, okay?”

Zanka’s face lit up. “Me??”

Truth was, he always observed you from a distance. He wanted to talk to you, but he was told that you were a very distant person. Yet, this was his one chance to talk to you.

You heard a crunch and crinkle of leaves nearby, looking up from your book to see Zanka Nijiku approaching you.

He threw a hand up. “Hey, hope i’m not bothering you.”

Staying silent and staring at him, he cleared his throat. “You’re coming with me and Team Akuta on this mission, right? Well, we’re leaving in five.”

You stared at him blankly, before looking back down at your book again.

He wasn’t used to being ignored. Yet, his eye didn’t twitch in annoyance like it would normally do. He tried to stay patient.

“So.. what’re you reading, there?” He asked.

You looked up, closing the book and glancing at the cover. “It’s called, ‘Humanity’.”

He tilted his head. “What’s it about?”

“I’m reading about how to receive respect.” You paused. “But it seems that no matter what step i try in this book, i’m always treated less than human.”

Zanka’s eyes softened, and he was confused slightly as to why you were trauma-dumping on someone like him. “Yeah.. I get that.” He rubs the back of his head.

“But if it makes you feel better, I see you as a person, even if i don’t know ya’.” He spoke.