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Eevee, the Evolution Pokemon, a Normal type. Its irregularly configured DNA is affected by its surroundings. It evolves if its environment changes. (Silver)
Mizuki’s sister had given it to her in her first year of junior high. It was given to her in an attempt to invoke hope. She saw how much Mizuki was suffering. Yuuki told her it reminded her of Mizuki, with her strength and ability to adapt and grow, despite her circumstances. Mizuki had the great ability to pull through and continue, even through suffering. She hoped that one day, Mizuki would be able to embrace who she really is, and evolve into what she was meant to be.
Mizuki, on the other hand, couldn’t see it at all.
Mizuki was nothing but a coward in her own eyes. She ran from her issues. She stopped embracing the things she loved, just to make other people happy. She could barely even see her future. She didn’t want to think about her future at all, in fact.
She couldn’t deny that it was absolutely adorable, though.
+~~~~~🎀~~~~~+
Even a couple years after she was given that Eevee, she still hadn’t made any progress with herself. It plagued her mind. She tried to see herself in it, the way her big sister did, but somehow ended up becoming jealous of the way it was a breeze for this Pokemon to adapt to its environment so easily. The way it wasn’t worried to be what it was meant to be.
Mizuki distanced herself from it. Or at least, she tried to. Even when it would rub up on her and show her affection, she tried to avoid it.
Despite this, she brought the Pokeball with her. Everywhere. She didn’t understand why. She just figured it was because her sister gave it to her.
But suddenly, having it with her became necessary.
Yuuki was leaving, and Rui graduated. Even MiraMagi was about to end.
Everyone was gone.
That weird Pokemon was still here.
And eventually, it began to just come out of its Pokeball on its own. It sensed whenever Mizuki was on the brink. It just knew. Whenever she was on that rooftop and on the verge of tears, it popped out, gently tapping on her with its tiny brown paws, looking at her with large, worried eyes.
“You’re here again, huh..?” Mizuki asked, mostly just talking as a distraction.
Mizuki sat down, back against the fence of the rooftop. The little ball of fur curled up beside her with a little purr, but looked up at her carefully.
She looked back at it, but looked away shortly after, still a bit bitter. She just pulled out her phone and began scrolling on PicShare.
This, of course, did not go unnoticed by her Eevee, and it looked over at the phone. It was amazed by all the cute accessories Mizuki was browsing.
Mizuki looked over, noticing its interest.
“...You like it too, hm?”
This question resulted in a very passionate “vee!” from her companion, and a strong tail wag.
Mizuki laughed a bit, albeit quite dryly, and even scratched the Eevee’s head a bit.
“...Me too. But…” she hesitated, shaking her head a bit. Why was she telling all of this to an animal? Especially one that surely couldn’t understand her.
The judging eyes of those people flashed in her mind again. Their whispers and stares jabbing into her like thorns. Those laughs like vines that tightened themselves around her heart, restricted her lungs, rendering her unable to breathe.
“I should really just give it up... it only brings me more pain. I shouldn’t like that stuff anyway. It’s... weird.” That same feeling entered her again as she choked out that last word.
So weird.
It's all for show, right?
You’re just looking for attention.
They're kind of a pain to deal with....
Some people believe in the strangest things when they're young.
Oh, that sounds like a lot to handle...
Just as Mizuki was sinking back into her mind, tears grasping at her eyes, blurring her vision and filling her with a stinging pain, the Eevee tilted its head at her, full with worry, and began rummaging through her backpack.
“Woah- hey what are you-?!”
It tumbled out of the bag. Completely tied up in ribbons, making Mizuki laugh a bit, this time with warmth. But it untangled itself and ran over to Mizuki, ribbons in its mouth, with a look of determination that Mizuki had never seen before.
“No... I really don’t belong having those.." She knew she was lying. She knew she should just embrace herself and be who she was. But their words poisoned her mind, made her believe things she knew she shouldn’t.
It whimpered in defeat, putting the ribbons back in the bag, and it just sat there with disappointment.
Mizuki looked at it, realizing what Yuuki meant.
The reason Yuuki saw so much of Mizuki in that Pokemon.
It's so passionate about the things it loves. But it’s fragile, and afraid of rejection. It doesn't want to disappoint the people it loves.
She fought against the aching feeling in her chest and reached out, pulling out some of the ribbon and tying a little bow on Eevee’s ear.
It looked up at her, a bit of hope in its eyes.
Mizuki almost teared up a bit at that.
“...Don’t let other people decide what you should be.”
Those words left a sour taste in her mouth. How could she say that? How could she say those words, try and give advice, and then not even follow it herself? She felt disgusted at herself.
The bell rang. It was time to go home. She tidied up whatever the Eevee had spilled from her backpack, sent it back to its Pokeball, and headed home.
+~~~~~🎀~~~~~+
But that moment still stayed with her. She thought about it for the rest of that week, even as she worked on her MVs and did what she loved. She started paying more attention to it, giving it some extra treats and such.
And then that moment happened.
The moment where she finally decided to embrace herself, thanks to K’s song, collaborating with Enanan, and especially the push and encouragement from her sister.
It's perfectly okay for you to do what you want, Mizuki, because I'm absolutely sure that you'll find others who understand how you feel.
You should go where you want to go... And be where you want to be.
Whatever you choose to do in life, I'll be there to support you every step of the way.
She thought back to that day on the rooftop, with her Eevee.
After MiraMagi had ended, she’d decided to name it Mia, although she’d never admit out loud that it was just a reference to some character she really liked.
Mizuki was still crying, holding the ribbon Yuuki had given to her. Once her sister had left to continue packing, she decided to put it on, as well as a cuter outfit. And for once, she found herself admiring herself in the mirror, enjoying how she looked.
Mia broke out of her Pokeball and walked up to her, ribbon still tied to her ear, flowery tail wagging with absolute delight as her trainer embraced her true self.
Mizuki looked down at Mia with teary eyes, crouching down to hold one of her small, soft paws.
“Thank you, as well... for not giving up on me.” she whispered with full warmth.
Mia beamed up at Mizuki, tail still wagging. It was as if their minds connected, perfectly understanding each other. Mizuki would let herself just live, and do what she pleased, and she wouldn’t let anyone control that anymore, no matter what it took. No matter how much running or crying it took. Because there were people that were there for her. And she would be accepted.
A blueish glow began to radiate off of Mia, her features transforming into something more, the ribbon falling off of her ear.
Evolution.
Mizuki did nothing but watch in absolute awe.
Mia’s new form sported completely natural ribbons, fluffy and beautiful pink, blue, and white fur (which Mizuki giggled at a little, considering the irony), pale blue eyes full of kind and welcoming warmth, and round, bunny-like ears.
Sylveon, the Intertwining Pokemon, a Fairy type. Sylveon wraps its ribbonlike feelers around its Trainer’s arm because this touch enables it to read its Trainer’s feelings. (Ultra Moon)
Mizuki was amazed. And she was totally going to gush to Yuuki later about how insanely adorable this Pokemon was.
Perhaps this was what her big sister had meant.
This was the new- no, the real Mia. Just like how this was the real Mizuki. The one who embraced who she really was, no matter what anyone else said, even if it was painful. It was better than hiding her true self.
Mizuki had finally evolved into what she truly was, and what she was meant to be, just as Mia had. Things won’t be easy going forward. Mizuki knows she’ll struggle throughout the years, and she’s especially terrified. But all she can do is hope. And she’ll have a companion with her through the entire journey. One that understands her struggles, as well as her pain.