The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

answer. She bowed her head, quickly twisting her hair into three braids. Doing so darkened the tint somewhat.
    "I wonder what side of the family you got it from," her mother mused with a grim little sigh. "You know, your homeroom teacher asked me the same question. He even wondered if you were adopted. Imagine that! He thought it'd be a good idea if you dyed it, too."
    Youko said, "Dyeing your hair is against the rules."
    Her mother busied herself with the coffee. "Then get it cut. At least it won't stand out so much." She said in her matter-of-fact voice, "A girl's reputation is what matters most. She shouldn't draw attention to herself or give anybody reason to question her character. It's not the kind of thing you want happening to you, that's all I'm saying."
    Youko studied the kitchen table.
    "You know how people look at your hair and raise an eyebrow. Stop at the salon on your way home from school today and get it cut. I'll give you the money."
    Youko groaned to herself.
    "Did you hear what I just said?"
    "Yeah."
    Youko stared out at the charcoal-gray day brightening outside the window. It was the middle of February. The winter sky was cold and wide and cruel.

Chapter 2
    Y ouko attended an ordinary high school. Other than it being a private girl's school, nothing exceptional could be said about it.
    The school was her father's decision. She had done well in junior high and had aimed her sights higher. Her junior high guidance counselor had recommended a better school. But her father did not budge an inch. The school was close to home, had neither a disreputable nor controversial reputation. It prided itself as strict and traditional and that was enough.
    At first, even her mother was disappointed with the rank of the school. After all, she had followed the results from Youko's high school practice exams. But he soon had her agreeing with him. Once her mother and father agreed on anything there was no room left for argument on her part.
    She could have qualified for a better school a bit farther away. Among other things it had much nicer uniforms. But it didn't feel right to make a big fuss based on the style of a uniform, so she kept her mouth shut and did as she was told.
    As a result, now well into her junior year, she possessed little of what might be called "school spirit."

    "G'morning!"
    A bright trio of voices greeted Youko as she entered her homeroom. The three girls waved to her from across the room.
    One of the girls hurried over to her. "Hey, Youko, you got the math assignment done, right? Let me see it, could you?"
    Youko made her way to her desk by the window. She retrieved the assignment from her satchel. Several more girls quickly gathered around and set about copying down her answers.
    "You're such a good student, Youko. No wonder you're class president."
    Youko shook her head self-consciously.
    "No, really! I hate homework! It's all in one ear and out the other."
    "Yeah, me too. The second I start thinking about it, I don't understand a thing. It's like watching paint dry. Puts me to sleep. I wish I was smart like you."
    "I bet you didn't even have to crack the book."
    "No, it's not like that at all."
    "You really like to study, huh?"
    "Don't be silly." Youko made a show of being outraged at the remark. "It's my mom, she's always on my case."
    It wasn't true. Her mother wasn't strict at all about schoolwork. But it was best to go with the flow. "She checks my homework every night," Youko lied. "I can't stand it."
    The truth was the opposite. If anything, Youko's bookishness annoyed her mother. It wasn't that she didn't care whether her daughter got good grades or not, it simply wasn't a priority. "If you've got time to study all day, then you've got time to do your chores, too." That was her favorite saying these days.
    And it wasn't that Youko cared for studying, either. The simple truth of the matter was, the disapproval of her teachers terrified her.
    "That bites, checking your homework every night."
    "I know, I know. My parents are the same way. They expect to see me studying every waking minute. No normal person can stand studying that much!"
    "Totally."
    Youko nodded, if only from relief that she was no longer the topic of conversation.
    Behind her someone said in a stage whisper, "Hey, it's Sugimoto."
    The gaze of everyone in the room lit upon the girl who had just come in, and in the same instant fell away. A wave of cool aloofness washed into the void. Over the past six months