Chapter Text
Chapter 2
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“Familiar faces”.
Kuina's body was supported by the nurse next to her, she couldn't walk properly nor balance herself. She wandered around the hospital, hoping she'd feel better later,
But saw too much familiar faces that it made her overwhelmed, who were these people she had never met, yet it felt like she did. She never knew them, did she dream about them? She didn't remember dreaming at all.
The hospital was packed from people who had survived the meteorite crash, there were loads of them. She was sure that the other hospitals near Shibuya were full of people too. Just then, Kuina saw someone from the corner of her eye that made her and the nurse beside her stop moving their legs.
“M-mom..” Kuina muttered, as the nurse let her go, seeing her limp towards her mother who was in a wheelchair, she still hasn't healed at all, Kuina doesn't even know how she's doing.
Kuina didn't think twice before kneeling down to reach her mother's height, feeling the other woman's soft hand caress her cheeks lightly, “Hikari..” her mom mumbled as she pulled her in a warm and nostalgic embrace.
A single tear dropped from Kuina's eyes, she hadn't seen her mother in a while. Kuina raised her head up for a second, her body stiffened after seeing her father.
Kuina as well hadn't seen him in a while, much more than her mother. She doesn't even know if he deserved to be called a dad, he didn't even support her when she transitioned into a woman. Only her mom ever understood how she felt.
“Hikari”— her dad called out, as her breathing quickened. Her eyes watering, Kuina's mother quicky wiped away her tears using her thumb. “Don't cry, dear.”
Kuina stopped, just because her mother said so, but her eyes were slightly red from light tears.
Kuina stayed a few days in the hospital, she was feeling better but still needed to stay her for another three days before actually getting discharged. She always headed to the hospital's cafeteria, where she sees a woman with short black hair, and brown eyes. She was always sitting alone, black coffee and sometimes a book in her hand.
Kuina felt bad that she was alone, so today, she went up to her. A tray of food in her hand, "G-.." Kuina stuttered and it made her stop when the woman looked up from her book, her eyes were brown, not that she didn't know before. She looked.. pretty, beautiful even.
Kuina noticed the slight change in the woman's eyes, it was widened. "Goodmorning.. miss.. may i sit beside you..? I've seen you everyday here in the cafeteria and.. you were always alone.. and.. I felt bad and wanted to sit next to you— or wait! Do you prefer me to sit across you or.." Kuina stammered. She was embarrassed, her cheeks were turning red.
But the woman's lips just curved into a slight smile before nodding, ”it's fine. You can sit across me.” the woman replied. Her voice was, deep. Kuina liked it.
Kuina wanted to offer her food, the woman never really ate a full meal and it concerned her. “If you don't mind me asking..” The woman looked at her, “Hm?”, before opening her mouth again before Kuina could've said anything,
“Actually.. I know you.. Kuina.. we've.. met before.” The girl stated, she saw kuina's jaw drop a bit, she expected that already. Just then did the girl with dreads started to feel more overwhelmed. How did she know who i was?— Kuina thought.
“Huh..” Kuina muttered, her food getting cold. As the woman across her continued, taking a sip of her coffee.
“We met in the borderlands. I know, that all of this sounds crazy to you. I don't wanna give you all the information about that place, but. We survived there, together. But now it seems you forgot.. including our promise.”
“I'm Ann.. Ann Rizuna.” Ann finished speaking, all of these things sounded crazy for Kuina. She didn't wanna be mean of course. She lended out her hand, before Ann shook her hand with kuina's. It created a jolt of electricity between the two. Kuina slowly pulled her hand away, “Nice to meet you again.. borderland mate..” that made Ann chuckle a bit.
Though she knows Kuina was just trying to be nice, deep inside her. It hurt, knowing kuina didn't remember who she was and their promise she thought they had kept. Kuina cleared her throat to ease the tension. “Do you want some of my food, Ann-san..? I'm sure I can't finish it all.. after all, all I see that you eat, I mean drink is coffee..“ Ann smiled again, shaking her head.
“It's fine, I'm not really a breakfast person. You know..? I don't eat breakfast, but drink coffee instead. It keeps me awake, this is basically my routine.” Ann replied, there was a hint of sadness in her voice, after she heard Kuina used "san"— it's meant for respect, but. It also meant that they weren't close enough to call eachother by their name only.
“I see..” Kuina replied, taking a bite of her onigiri.
This routine continued for a few days, the two interacted everyday. But eventually, Kuina was discharged. Ann was all alone.. Again. But she shouldn't lose hope because, Kuina would be visiting this hospital every two days at least to see her mother, or also Ann.
She went to the cafeteria this morning and saw Ann on the same table, typical. She sat across her, then, as Ann set her mug down. She couldn't stop her smile. She saw kuina across her smiling brightly. It was contagious.
“Hi, goodmorning.. Ann.." Ann..— Ann's cheeks flushed, she called her "Ann" only, she then replied softly. “Hello, Kuina. What brings you here?". Ann asked curiously.
“Oh I'm here to visit my mom, I just went her so I could chat with you. Didn't want you to be alone you know.. also, sorry for not saying I would be discharged from the hospital sooner. I forgot, I'm a forgetful person." Kuina giggled. Ann nodded, her heart was fluttering inside. Kuina's voice was so genuine that it was music to her ears. “That's sweet of you.”
“Mhm. Thank you, but. What about you? When are you gonna be discharged?" Kuina asked as the older woman infront of her replied, “In a week, I think. But I still have to comeback for checkups." Ann finished, taking another sip of her warm black coffee.
“Ahh, I can't wait. I want to get to know you again, Ann.” Kuina said, her lips still formed into a smile. Kuina's words sent butterflies swirling around Ann's stomach, “I will do my best, Kuina. And, I'd love too."— Ann whispered.
Kuina couldn't stop thinking about Ann. She had a dream last night, she was in a place. Another dimension. Which she had to escape to be able to survive, and somehow, Ann was there. Wearing a navy blue denim short, and white blouse.
could it be the place Ann was talking about? Kuina obviously didn't wanna assume, but she was getting flashbacks about a place out of nowhere, it always sends a chill down her spine. It scared her. Like she was traumatized about it.
But nevertheless, she meant her words about wanting to get to know Ann better, again. She felt bad, about forgetting who she was, and she wants to know what they were,
Were they friends? Enemies? Lovers? well they had to be friends at least. Which Kuina wouldn't doubt, Ann was thinking about Kuina too, her mind was full of things, but mainly about Kuina. She couldn't edit to get out of this hospital and be able to talk to Kuina,
But she knew she had to be patient about it, after all. She was still healing. She wanted to feel better for the girl, she was still inlove with Kuina and there was nothing she could have done to make her feelings fade away.
Once she gets out of this place and start recovering, she also wanted to start her job again. Which was forensic science, pretty cool job for a cool person. Ann wanted to restart everything, it was all the meteorites fault, alot of people lost their lives and shelter. Ann, thankful that she didn't die— almost did. Kuina saved her, she wanted to thank kuina without overwhelming her again.
She wants to do it properly this time. To make the other girl recall her memories and they start being together. Going out on parks, restaurants, everywhere they desire— if Kuina remembers her. That's what they promised from the borderlands. Yet, Kuina forgot about it. Ann wasn't disappointed, no, she wasn't the type to be. She's patient, and waits for the ones she cherishes.
In this world, Ann hoped that her and Kuina were finally destined to be, not that they weren't from the other universe. She wanted to win the other girl back, by taking things slow. She had already decided about things before leaving the hospital, and boy was it alot.
Obviously, she didn't wanna seem desperate to Kuina. Just stick to her natural demeanor and take things steady. And not overwhelm kuina Hikari with too much gathered information about the wrecked place.
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