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Sakito had almost forgotten how strict humans were with gender sometimes. Almost. Unfortunately, coming back down to Earth had quickly given her the unfortunate reminder that humans could still be cruel.
She had long since abandoned such trivial matters. She was who she was and that was all that mattered. At least, that mattered to her. To others, though, they kept trying to impose roles onto her that she didn't want.
Coming back to Earth and getting he/him'd immediately had been a ride. Especially after her attempt to gently correct the error had been met with such hostility. Sakito had quickly stopped trying when it became apparent arguing only brought worse rage.
But it did irk her a lot. Why couldn't these humans be as casual as those she had met in space? Sure, a lot of the others she met in space didn't really get her sometimes, but they had all been a lot more accommodating than anyone here.
Was that because they had always been two different races? Was it because she too was human that there was less acceptance now? Would this have been her treatment if she had been the same as the ones who had treated her so kindly?
That was a thought Sakito didn't necessarily like to have. The fact that she might've been accepted so easily and yet someone that grew up on that same planet might be treated horribly for it was not a comforting thing.
But at least she did have someone who supported her and anyone else like her. At least that she had seen. Byun D seemed quite open to anyone expressing change like that. Hopefully her companion wasn't secretly hating on others for living their lives.
She had kept this all a secret from everyone she met. And that included the Boonboomgers. Even after they had gotten on friendlier terms, she wasn't sure about letting this side of her be known yet. For all she knew, this could be another blow to her dwindling trust in humanity.
But then it came out. Not how she had planned it. A simple accident. Byun D had been good about avoiding pronouns when taking about her but he slipped up once and now they were both being stared down by the others.
No one wanted to be the first to say anything, but Sakito could see the questions swimming around in everyone. She knew this day was bound to come eventually. She had prepared herself a bit for if it happened. Hopefully her preparations were enough for this. Clearly she had to start the conversation.
"Yeah. I use she/her pronouns. Deal with it." Sakito stated, giving a little shrug to try and play off the anxiety forming in her.
"Only she/her or...?" Taiya began but didn't finish his sentence.
"Only." Sakito stated.
"Then why have you not said anything?" Ishiro questioned, eyeing her up slightly. "You've just been letting us use the wrong pronouns and not bothered to correct us?"
Sakito's words caught in her throat at the response. She had been prepared to defend herself. Instead... they were mad she didn't tell them?
"Yeah. You should've said something." Mira said.
"I..." Sakito took in a deep breath. "I've just learned to expect retaliation to that request. Why should I expect you to be different?"
"Because we're your friends?" Jou said.
Friends...? Were they? She hadn't really considered them that yet. Maybe because of this.
"You don't have to worry about us. Everyone here is very welcoming." Genba said with a smile. "We've all had some aspects of our identities exposed and no one's batted an eye."
"Really?" Sakito replied warily.
"Yeah. Can confirm not a single one of them is both cis and straight." Bundorio added on.
Sakito had to take a moment. She had not expected this.
"Well, now that we all know, shall we use she/her from here on out?" Taiya asked.
Sakito hesitantly nodded. It would be nice to get gendered correctly for once.
"Can I ask what you identify as?" Mira asked.
Sakito furrowed her brow. "I... don't have a name for it. I'm just kind of me, you know. I like being feminine. That's all I've ever really said."
"That's fine."
"Anyway... since you all know this now, you better expose yourselves to me!"