The view was perfect. Even Kido could appreciate it, her mood still a little gloomy from losing the bet. Well, she didn't actually mind that much. He seemed happy about it.
Sitting on a gentle sloop by the water, faded pink petals scattering the ground and paper lanterns being lit all around. Stalls and booths stood in temporary rows and the smell of food and flowers mingled for a nice, festive air. Just like the festivals in the future, this one still revolved more around the food and drink than the spirit of it. She couldn't complain when she had a bag of candies at her side.
But somehow, despite the carefree chatter around her, her eyes stayed on the trees. All sorts of books and movies always talked about the importance of this. It represented the brevity of life and the way things passed. She remembered someone once saying even if people forgot, sometimes it was good to think about the time you have left.
It used to sound kind of funny. After all, she burned that day, years ago, but here she sat now as alive as anyone else around her. And not too long ago, she felt a different burning pain that took her away again. She disappeared twice now and yet...
And yet.
Kido realised now that, as long as those machines of theirs worked, she wouldn't die. And likewise, maybe back home even, something was keeping her from dying. Just some monster who kept getting back up, still scared of that moment when everything turned black.
So, in a way, there was no rush. She didn't have to worry about anything. Just thinking it made her snort. It was the opposite. Those flowers would bloom again next spring. But it still mattered when they were gone. Time still mattered. Waiting forever for him...
When had she decided that? When he promised to protect her when they were young? When he kept dragging her out into the world despite her protests? When he stayed by her side even as she yelled at him and pushed him around? When did she decide she wanted to stay with him always?
She hadn't. It hadn't crossed her mind that they might be separated. He flirted with other girls so much and it put her in a rotten mood but those days seemed infinite, never-changing, just a fun routine to take for granted. She took him for granted. A pressure pushed down on her heart. It wasn't like he was the only one to blame for their situation. If she had noticed her own feelings, thought about his more, then...
Even now, he was looking out for her. If she spoke again, would he listen? Would he tell her what he feels? Please don't hide it behind another smile. Even if things don't seem to change, little by little, they will. And one day, they might not be together anymore. That family they clung to could change. They knew that. It kept happening.
She wouldn't take these days for granted. She didn't have that luxury anymore. If she could reach him, then maybe...
They've progressed. She felt certain of it. They've made it somewhere. But she doesn't know where. For now, they can pretend nothing has changed but she can feel it, felt it in his tears and the way he held her when she started to fall asleep, all the time they spent curled up with one another and yes, with certainty, his feelings for her must have changed. But into...?
Kido took a breath and hunched over her knees, kimono drawing up around her. Breaking those neverending days would only take a question.
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Sitting on a gentle sloop by the water, faded pink petals scattering the ground and paper lanterns being lit all around. Stalls and booths stood in temporary rows and the smell of food and flowers mingled for a nice, festive air. Just like the festivals in the future, this one still revolved more around the food and drink than the spirit of it. She couldn't complain when she had a bag of candies at her side.
But somehow, despite the carefree chatter around her, her eyes stayed on the trees. All sorts of books and movies always talked about the importance of this. It represented the brevity of life and the way things passed. She remembered someone once saying even if people forgot, sometimes it was good to think about the time you have left.
It used to sound kind of funny. After all, she burned that day, years ago, but here she sat now as alive as anyone else around her. And not too long ago, she felt a different burning pain that took her away again. She disappeared twice now and yet...
And yet.
Kido realised now that, as long as those machines of theirs worked, she wouldn't die. And likewise, maybe back home even, something was keeping her from dying. Just some monster who kept getting back up, still scared of that moment when everything turned black.
So, in a way, there was no rush. She didn't have to worry about anything. Just thinking it made her snort. It was the opposite. Those flowers would bloom again next spring. But it still mattered when they were gone. Time still mattered. Waiting forever for him...
When had she decided that? When he promised to protect her when they were young? When he kept dragging her out into the world despite her protests? When he stayed by her side even as she yelled at him and pushed him around? When did she decide she wanted to stay with him always?
She hadn't. It hadn't crossed her mind that they might be separated. He flirted with other girls so much and it put her in a rotten mood but those days seemed infinite, never-changing, just a fun routine to take for granted. She took him for granted. A pressure pushed down on her heart. It wasn't like he was the only one to blame for their situation. If she had noticed her own feelings, thought about his more, then...
Even now, he was looking out for her. If she spoke again, would he listen? Would he tell her what he feels? Please don't hide it behind another smile. Even if things don't seem to change, little by little, they will. And one day, they might not be together anymore. That family they clung to could change. They knew that. It kept happening.
She wouldn't take these days for granted. She didn't have that luxury anymore. If she could reach him, then maybe...
They've progressed. She felt certain of it. They've made it somewhere. But she doesn't know where. For now, they can pretend nothing has changed but she can feel it, felt it in his tears and the way he held her when she started to fall asleep, all the time they spent curled up with one another and yes, with certainty, his feelings for her must have changed. But into...?
Kido took a breath and hunched over her knees, kimono drawing up around her. Breaking those neverending days would only take a question.
"Have you decided... how you feel about me?"