A film of dust covered the thick plastic bag which held the perfectly folded black womens suit before me. I had only worn it once and never again. Hell, the minute I got home after my graduation, I ripped it off my uncomfortable self and threw it across my room, which caused my mother to almost kill me in distress.

I clearly remember her scolding me about it, yelling: “What are you doing! This suit was expensive!”.

It was a graduation gift that my mother thought I would be able to use for years of employment that never came.

I now reach inside of the dusty bag and pull out the blazer part of the suit, turning it, checking to see if time had worn it down at all. From the looks of it, it hadn’t. It was in fact, a well made, expensive suit.

“Well I guess she wasn’t lying about that…” I mumble under my breath.

My eyes shift to the skirt part of the suit, my expression of disgust being followed by a loud sigh. I hadn’t worn a skirt since that day, and I was most definitely not planning on wearing one anytime soon.

I felt a little bad that I wasn’t going to get anymore use out of it, but I didn’t want to force myself into something I was going to be uncomfortable wearing to work, or anywhere for that matter

Putting back in its bag as neatly as I can, I tuck it away at the bottom of my ‘girls clothes’ box, and put it under my bed where I had initially had it.

I stand up from my spot on the floor and stretch out gingerly. As much as I hated going shopping, there was no use avoiding it now.

“Makoto! Are you ready to go!?” Akiyoshi calls out from downstairs.

“Coming!” I respond, running down the stairs, nearly slipping on my way down.

We head out, taking the train to a fancy store which Akiyoshi recommended for a nice suit. He seemed a bit more excited about it than I was.

“I can’t believe you scored an interview with Seasonelle.” He mused as in his seat beside mine on the train. “That’s amazing that you got chosen, despite you extensive resume.”

“Ah!” I nudge him at the mention of my sad resume. “Don’t remind me of my terrible status...hopefully I impress them enough during the interview to make up for it though…”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s not like you’re socially awkward or something. You’re perfectly capable of having intellectual conversations. You’ll blow them away.” He reassures.

“Hmmm I don’t know about that…” that’s definitely not true…

Yeah, on the outside I’m definitely calm in most conversation situations, but deep down inside, I’m in full panic mode almost every time. It’s random, sometimes I can bring myself to give a shit, and sometimes the anxiety just seems to take over.

“It depends really.” I shrug, summarizing the source of my dilemma.

We arrive at the high end store and browse the racks for a men’s suit that might be close to my size. It was difficult at first, seeing as I’m actually tinier than I thought.

“You’re actually a pretty small guy. It was hard to tell with all the baggy clothing you love to wear…” Aki laughs.

With the help of the shops staff we finally find a suit that fits close enough, and that suits my tastes.

“This is probably the most form fitting we’ll get sir. Please, try it on and we will make adjustment accordingly.” The tall and handsome male employee says politely, leading us towards the changing room.

“Cool. Thanks.” I respond gawking at the tall, daunting dressing rooms before me. The curtains; a red satin, and inside the mirror went all the way to the ceiling.

The employee closes the curtain for me, and I change into the crisp, dark grey fabrics, together with a perfect white dress shirt. Once I put on that blazer and look into the mirror, I was sold.

For the first time, the reflection that I saw in the mirror brought me pride and a complete feeling.

The next morning, I wake up eat breakfast together with Akiyoshi, and suit up, ready to take on my interview. Shining in what felt like my proudest new possession, (next to the watch that my friends bought me), I walked out of the front door of our lovely, surburaban home feeling ready to absolutely kill that interview.

“Seasonelle, go easy on my little brother.” I hear Akiyoshi whisper on my way out.
-----------------------

“....koto….ndo..”

“M...ko….Sh...o..”

“Makoto Shindo!”

I open my eyes, startled by the booming voice of the interviewer that had called several names before mine. I bolted up, clearing my throat and wiping off the imaginary drool that could've accumulated during my very inappropriate nap.

‘Jesus christ… did I really fall asleep right before my interview? Get it together Mako!’

I quickly walk towards the man who called my name and bowed before him respectfully, introducing myself once more before leading me into the den of wolves.

Was Seasonelle willing to give me a spot as an intern?