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Yuta has never been quite this scared.
Hinata knows it, of course. He always knows it. He’s made it his life’s mission to pick up on these sorts of things, all so that he can best take care of Yuta. He doesn’t always do it right, and honestly he might screw it up more often than not, but he still tries, because he can’t stand to see Yuta troubled.
Today, though, it feels different. Whatever it is that’s bothering Yuta, Hinata doesn’t think it’s something he can rush in and try to fix. He can’t stand it, but he knows sometimes it’s best to just wait and let Yuta come to him. At least then he’ll know for sure that Yuta even wants his help. And if not . . . well, Hinata’s going to do his best to be supportive from a distance, just like this.
The truth is, what Yuta’s scared of is unexpected. It’s not any of the usual suspects — no worries for the future, no bad dreams dredging up unpleasant memories, not even a rogue beetle on the floor.
No, what Yuta’s scared of is simply sitting in this room with Hinata.
There’s something Yuta needs to tell him. There’s something Yuta is afraid to tell him.
And so, for a long time, Yuta doesn’t. For a long time, Yuta just stares out the window. Because the only other option is to muster up the courage and confess.
But this can’t go on forever. Yuta knows that. This is just buying time, stalling, delaying the inevitable. Yuta’s already been delaying it, for weeks, for a month or two, maybe. It’s well past time for these things to be said.
Yuta is so scared to say them.
Nevertheless, a tiny bit of courage is mustered, and a confession is begun.
“Hey, aniki?”
Hinata perks up immediately. He’s been waiting in silence for so long. The air is so heavy, he can barely breathe, but he hopes it’ll get better soon. He hopes Yuta will tell him what’s wrong, and then they can work together to fix it, like always. He keeps his voice light, not wanting Yuta to know how worried he is. “Yeah? What’s up, Yuta-kun?”
Yuta’s heart is heavy, too.
“Can I ask you . . . a weird question?”
It takes all of HInata’s willpower not to give a teasing response. But he knows now isn’t the time. The way Yuta’s acting, talking . . . this is serious. Hinata’s not so good at being serious, not anymore. When was the last time they spoke like this? Hinata doesn’t like to think about many of those occasions.
Has it gotten even harder to breathe?
“Of course! Whatever it is, ask away~.”
“Um, well . . .” Yuta trails off, and an uncertain silence hangs in the air again.
Yuta’s still not looking at him, but Hinata can’t help but smile softly. It’s a natural instinct by now, trying to be comforting, approachable. He wants Yuta to feel safe. “It’s alright. I can tell it’s something that’s really bothering you, so take your time, okay? I’ll still be here when you’re ready.”
The seconds tick by. Their heartbeats thud in their chests, keeping time to the silence.
And then, Yuta takes a deep breath.
“If I were to tell you that you have a twin sister, what would you think?”
Like a key in a lock, something clicks.
Hinata bites his lip to stop himself from speaking without thinking. He’s absolutely buzzing, but he needs to take the time to carefully respond. There are plenty of things that would be good to say, but he wants to get this just right.
“I guess I would think I’ve probably got the greatest sister ever.”
“And . . . you’d still love her?”
“Well, yeah, obviously!
Yuta perks up a bit, almost imperceptibly, but Hinata can tell. “Do you really mean that?”
“Of course~?”
Another silence follows, but this time, it doesn’t feel so suffocating.
“Hey, Yuta . . .” Hinata fumbles and trails off, suddenly uncertain. He files that away in things to ask about later.
“Mhm?”
“Do I . . . have a twin sister?”
Finally, Yuta turns to him with a small, relieved smile. “Yeah. Yeah, you do.”
The weight hanging over them dissipates.
Hinata can’t take it anymore, and it doesn’t feel like he needs to resist anymore, anyway. He lets out a delighted shriek and launches himself at Yuta, crushing her into a hug.
“Woah, hey, aniki—!”
“Sorry, sorry!” Hinata pulls back, grinning so bright it’s almost blinding. Yuta feels so light, lighter than she has in a long time. Certainly lighter than these last few months of working all this out. It’s refreshing to finally sit here with Hinata, being honest, feeling like a whole person again. It’s been so long since she felt like herself. Not a shadow, a reflection, a copy. Just Yuta.
“Hey!” Hinata takes Yuta’s shoulders suddenly. “Look at me, okay? I really did mean what I said earlier. I still love you, just as much as I always have. So don’t worry about it anymore, promise?”
“Okay, promise.” Yuta leans her forehead against her brother’s. “I love you too. Thanks for . . . getting it.”
Hinata squeezes his newfound sister’s hands. “Thanks for telling me. I know it was real hard, but you were so brave! Don’t get mad at me, but . . . I’m really proud of you, okay?”
Yuta laughs. “I’m not mad about it — not today, anyway. But no promises for the next time you get all emotional on me.”
“Fine. Today’s enough anyway, right?”
“Yeah.” Yuta squeezes Hinata’s hands back. “Today’s enough.”
Right now, this moment . . . it was all Yuta could ever want, anyway.