Chapter Text
"To actually experience the joy of existing in this world, that is my desire."
***
6 years ago, those were the words she told Shizuo and Tom, probably the first people she ever befriended of her own will and two of the people for whom she held the most respect. 6 years, and now she was finally returning to Japan. The return to Russia had been arduous and finding how to best deal with her father had taken a toll on her emotionally, but Vorona was now free of it all, and she could finally make good on her words.
As the taxi passes through the streets of Tokyo towards Shizuo and Tom's apartment, Vorona can't help but notice the small changes. Though she hadn't spent very long in the city for her mission, it had grown on her. The atmosphere had altered somewhat. Perhaps it is simply the pollution that has grown with the city, or the new fashion trends that have overtaken various segments of the population. Or maybe it's just her, who is now able to drink in the city fully, and consider calling it her new home, at least for a while.
Deep in the residential areas of Ikebukuro, the taxi pulls over. The apartment building Vorona stands in front of once the taxi is paid for is nondescript, but just looking at it makes her heart beat a little faster. After all, it's the building that will see her beginnings as a new person.
"Vorona!"
She hears a voice call out to her and turns to see Tom jogging lightly towards her, waving and smiling. She smiles and offers a small wave back as he nears her and stops.
"I hope you weren't waiting out here for too long? I'm sorry we couldn't welcome you at the airport, but work runs late and you can imagine that we don't even want to try owning a car in this damn city," Tom apologizes.
Vorona shakes her head. "It is perfectly understandable, Tanaka, and besides, after such a long absence, it would have been rude of me to ask you to come pick me up. You are already being kind enough to take me in."
Tom frowns as he opens the main door and leads her to the elevator. "You can call me Tom, you know. And this is what friends are for, regardless of how much time has passed."
The elevator brings them to the third floor, and just a few steps down the hall brings them to the door marked "Heiwajima -- Tanaka". Following Tom inside, and just beyond the genkan, lies a relatively bare living room, illuminated by a large window. The couch looks comfortable enough, and the coffee table is covered in newspapers and a surprisingly clean ashtray. The flatscreen TV looks new, and the floor pillows stored underneath it look plush and comfortable. The kitchen takes up a corner of the living room, and two doors lead to the bedrooms.
"That one was Shizuo's," Tom points to one of them, "but he insisted you take it up for the duration of your stay. And don't worry," he interrupts Vorona, smiling, before she can protest, "he usually ends up falling asleep on the sofa anyway, so it's nothing new for him. I'll let you settle in while I get started on dinner."
"I do not have many items to put away, I will be out very soon to help you out."
Tom hums in response and Vorona is left to unpack her lone suitcase as the smell of meat being prepared begins to waft through the apartment. She didn't lie when she said that she didn't have much to put away, but she takes her time, observing the space that used to be Shizuo's.
Speaking of whom, as Vorona is folding away her last shirt, the front door opens and a muffled "I'm home" is greeted by an equally muffled "welcome back". She steps out of the bedroom to also greet the man and hesitates when she sees Shizuo resting his chin on Tom's shoulder, having wrapped his arms around his waist. However, Shizuo steps back and notices her.
"Hi," he says, heading towards her, completely unfazed at having been caught in a display of affection, "welcome back."
"Thank you, Heiwajima," Vorona says, bowing, her respect getting the best of her in her flustered state. "I am thankful that you have provided me with a bed."
"Hey," Shizuo pats her back good naturedly, "we're equals now, there's no need for formalities. Besides, you'll make better use of my bed than I currently am."
Completely unprepared to deal with the implications of… everything, Vorona smiles and turns to Tom. "Shall I set up the table?"
"Yes please," he responds, "food is almost ready! Shizuo, you know where everything is."
"Do we even have enough plates?"
"You haven't broken that many, come on."
"You'd be surprised," Shizuo mutters in Vorona's direction, earning him a wide smile.
Sat around the coffee table, the talk is comfortable and the food everything Vorona dreamed of. Her home situation is pointedly avoided and she is grateful for it, but she knows she has missed much and prefers to keep the topic of conversation on the men's occupations.
"Same old for me," Tom shrugs, halfway into their bottles of beer. "The debt-collecting company is still going well, and I'm still making the rounds as usual."
"Speaking of which, Tom…" Vorona interjects. "I have yet to find a new employer and I do not wish to simply freeload here. If you could put in a good word for me…"
"Say no more! Shizuo has actually been fairly busy with his own work these days, so I could just use an extra pair of hands on most rounds."
Vorona quirks her eyebrows questioningly at Shizuo, who shrugs.
"I've been taken in by the Awakusu group. You remember Akane?"
Vorona smiles. "Yes, the child who attempted to kill you."
Shizuo laughs. "That's the one. Well, I've taken over her self-defense training. Her father said it was to avoid further influence from the Orihara siblings, but I think she also must've practically begged him, considering we've had our differences in the past. She's a fast learner and a nice kid, plus the pay isn't bad at all."
"I am glad things are going well for both of you," Vorona smiles into her beer. "I can only hope I will not be a burden to you both."
"As long as you give me that duel you promised me before you left, I promise you won't be a burden," Shizuo points out.
Vorona grins. "Deal."