[ TT ] Re-Imagine

If you take out all the color in a city, in a world, what would happen? 
 Akabina would happen. 
 
 The morning sun shines on Yumei's face when it happens. The sun is usually warm and orange, a yellowish sort. It has come to be the first thing Yumei sees when she starts the day, so it is the first thing to attract her attention when she wakes up, that the sunlight is not orange but gray. The gray reminds her of orange, and when she looks around she sees that everything is gray. 
 
 Her mouth opens in surprise, but no sound comes out, even though her tongue moves. It is the same with everyone, and everything. First she thinks that it is herself, but asking her family reveals that it is the same with everyone. Finally she must face it. 
 
 The world has become a silent movie. There is a dome around Toyko, but that is the old name. This is a new age, There should be new names. When Yumei goes to the center, where everyone is going, as there is still color and sound there, there is a man shouting `` We must perservere! This is a new age, a new order. Welcome to the founding of Akabina, cit --'' Then sound fades away at last. Everyone shouts though no one can hear, `` Welcome to Akabina!'' It is the last words that Yumei ever hears. That is why everyone now calls Toyko Akabina. She still sometimes calls people and places the old names in her own mind. 
 
 `` Glorious day,'' says her neighbor in her apartment Raleigh-san. At least that is what she thinks he says. It is hard to be sure in this new age. Raleigh-san is an old man, and temperamental and grumpy. `` Welcome to Akabina,'' she replies. Her name, not her old one which is Yumei, her new name is Daylight. It is in English, not Japanese. 
 
 She walks to Uncle Noroboro, since she has nothing better to do. The day is fresh, but there is no need for artists in this new day. There will not be until Akabina is gone. A few have still made a living with lifelike potraits, and amazing paintings, but Yumei is not one of them. And all the authorized artists anyways are under too much control. Rainbow, the leader, thinks that they will hanker back to the old days, where color was still alive. 
 
 Uncle Noroboro's house is surprisingly intact, mostly because she supposes he keeps a gun and that he is so unflappable. Most other houses have had looting and are falling apart. 
 
 `` Has everyone gone colorblind and deaf at the same time?'' asks the scientists. It's impossible, and Rainbow thinks not. Rainbow thinks of conspiracy. By him, most like. He is the only one that truly benefited. 
 
 `` It's your cousin Yumei!'' Yumei shouts and tosses some greeting cards at her dear cousins. They are young, five and seven, a girl and boy. Hokkio runs up to her and screams in her face. Natsu waits a bit. The boy is too shy, everyone said. Hokkio speaks, but none realizes what she says, except for Aunt, who is an excellent lip reader. `` She does n't know anyone named Daylight,'' Aunt writes. Yumei nods and sighs. Hokkio grips her leg eagerly, wanting to play tag. `` She wants to play,'' Aunt writes. Yumei shakes her head. Hokkio and Natsu are too young to have new names, but they must get some when they reach the age of ten. 
 
 Yumei walks inside, where Uncle Noroboro roars at her more. He always does that. She thinks that it's not necessary. Plenty of people are jobless or suicidal. At least he is still a lifeline for her to cling onto. `` He wants you to get a job,'' Aunt writes. `` I ca n't,'' Yumei mouths, `` there are no openings.'' 
 
 `` He does n't care about that,'' Aunt writes. Yumei closes her eyes. She always knew that it would end in this, but she is too proud. Suddenly, an bold and rash idea seizes her. `` I will paint,'' she says. Aunt writes it, and then Uncle Noroboro shouts at her. At least she thinks he does. Arguments have lost all their intensity without sound. `` It is illegal unless Rainbow allows it.'' 
 
 If she had to choose between losing her soul and her independence, she would choose her soul. `` I will pention him. I will become one of his artists.'' Aunt sighs, puts down her pen, and then writes `` He and I will not stop you if you truly wish it. However, we do not want you to lose all that is you. Keep your essence.'' 
 
 Yumei nods. She will never give up what makes her her. 
 
 She steps out, all that is art in this world following her. 
 
 When the instructor asks her to paint, Yumei thinks. She could paint a glorious illustration of Rainbow. Everyone does that. But she is she, and she must be someone. She will paint color, Yumei decides. 
 
 Everything that was before this new age. 
 
 A tap on the canvas, a gray paint mixed with another gray paint, until she felt the essence of red. Of orange. Of blue. Of violet. Of green and so so much more. Before she realizes it, she is truly doing it. 
 
 There's shining rays of white, pure white, she realizes, and cracks. *I have done something truly great. * 
 
 There is no more Akabina. There can be if you believe in it hard enough. But if you truly think that the sky is gray and the world is gray, then it will be. If you truly believe in Akabina, then it will be. 
 
 Remember, there's always hope. Happy searching.
