Work Text:
Spring 19XX
Under a big tree sat two girls in Otonokizaka’s courtyard. The warmth of the sun hit their bare legs poking out from the shade.
A few moments of laughter. Shared between them and only them. A playful joke, a dorky anecdote from class, a silly wave of one's arms. With each moment they collapse into each other with cheeks sore and tears in the corner of their eyes.
“Minami-san, you dolt!” the red head laughed, wiping a tear away, “I can’t believe you did that!”
The ashen haired girl just waved her hand like it was nothing.
“Well Sensei opened an opportunity for a prank, I couldn’t resist.” Minami gestured proudly.
Their laughter died down. A comfortable silence trailed on where it left off. Minami-san ended her chortling with a big sigh. She looked up at the red head and smiled. A breeze gently swept their hair, a few flower petals framing the look of absolute adoration in each other.
A heart beated.
Minami lingered her stare she gave her friend, leaning in closely to poke the mole under her lip playfully.
“Hey, stop that, you know I don’t like my mole” The friend said, slapping her hand away.
“I think it’s cute” Minami gently held her chin to pull her in slowly.
Two heart beats.
Their lips brush ever so gently.
The red head wasn’t sure if it happened. Her mind blank, slightly drunk on love. Did that kiss just happen? Or did she want it to happen? A harder press on her lips answered that question she so desperately needed.
A rhythmic heartbeat and cheeks tinted pink.
“All of you is cute, Nishikino-san”
Autumn 20XX
“Nishikino-san…”
The dull sound of a house clock somewhere filled the awkward silence. Doctor Nishikino didn’t think she’d be in her crush’s house - not like this. Sitting on an uncomfortable stool at the kitchen island, while Minami’s eyes threatened to prick with tears. It’s cold, accentuated with the sunset’s orange light lingering on a wall of the blue, dim room.
She could feel her heart beating against that damn clock. She never should’ve opened her mouth. To confess something she should’ve confessed a very long time ago.
“I’m sorry,” She responded.
“N-no...don’t be…” Minami said. She looked down at her, almost finished, cup of coffee. Thumbing the inside of the handle. It reminded Nishikino of her own, long forgotten cup. She took a nervous sip, only to realize it had gotten cold.
“I shouldn’t have brought it up-- I...” Nishikino paused. Trying to find words in this situation is… challenging. “I just can’t stand not being with you a second longer…”
Another confession. Her mouth got ahead of her thoughts.
Minami got out of her seat and turned away. Too fast and alarming for Nishikino’s liking. She looked out the window, and hoped that the last warm hues of the sunset eased her nerves before it disappeared. Before all that was left was darkness and a harsh pain in her chest. Minami’s hands gripped the counter, probably fighting the urge to cry.
“It’s been 23 years… we only kissed once, as kids”
“ You were the one that kissed me.”
“And you were the one that left me behind!” Minami turned, nails digging into her palms, tears escaping through whatever fight she’s putting up not to.
Nishikino fell silent.
She wasn’t wrong… She left to study at med school, leaving her entire high school life behind…
Including the girl she was in love with. Now standing in front of her as a woman whose life changed without her. She has every right to be furious with her.
Nishikino, the proud woman she was, tried to work her way up to the hierarchy. She had to be the pinnacle of perfection, trying to make her own parents proud by marrying another doctor.
A man she was not in love with.
A man she created a child with. A child she resented.
But, since leaving him, all she could care for was her daughter. Her daughter followed her love for music instead of pursuing the life of a doctor. She never felt more proud than seeing her shine the brightest she’s ever been since following her own path. She decided to do the same. Meeting Minami at her daughter's show was the last thing she ever expected to see.
Memories of that moment in spring came rushing back to her.
She had to do this… Nishikino believed she should follow her own path and build a perfect life with the only person on earth she ever, truely, loved. Everything would be perfect. Filled with pure love and silly jokes. Their love language of lingering touches and gentle kisses.
It wasn’t supposed to go like this.
Nishikino got out of her seat, the stool scraping against the floor. She walked over to Minami, held her hands, and got down on both knees. With a head hanging low she quietly sobs, “I’m sorry…”
Silence.
…
Nishikino squeezes her hands, hoping to invoke some kind of reaction.
…
Just a dull sound of a house clock…
…
Minami slips her hands out of Nishikinos.
“I’m sorry, too…”
Nishikino looked up. Seeing such a look in the love of her life's eyes brought a pain in her chest. She caused this. But if she didn’t say anything, there would’ve been so many ‘what if’s.
Minami just held her chin, and lightly thumbs the mole under lip. Nishikino’s heart skipped, just like it did then.
A bittersweet smile adored Minami’s tearstained face, “I wish things had gone differently.”
Nishikino was frozen in place. She didn’t understand what that meant. She wishes they never shared that tender moment under the tree, just the two of them… Or she wishes Nishikino never left her side…
Minami joins Nishikino on the floor. It’s a lot less cold with their knees barely touching. She learned in closer and kissed the corner of her lip, where her mole is.
“My heart… has always been with you Nishikino-san…”
Nishikino feels her face light up slightly. A possible glimmer of hope, she leaned in again for another kiss.
Only to be stopped by a pair of hands on her shoulders.
“But I’m still in love with my husband… He may not be with us anymore, but…” Minami looks down, trying hard to find her voice.
Nishikino waited patiently. She places a hand over Minami’s on her shoulder. “It’s hard to get over someone you’ve been with for over 16 years?”
Minami closed her eyes with knit brows and nodded.
Tears trailed down her face, into her lap.
Nishikino wiped a thumb over her eyes, “I understand.”