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Kyoto train station could only ever be described as a labyrinth. What with its dizzying clamour, winding corridors to near-identical shops and signs overloaded with a multitude of languages and scripts that only served to confuse rather than help, trying to traverse the station felt like wandering in a hall of mirrors at times. If you started at one point, you’d find yourself back there ten minutes later. If you followed the arrows exactly to a certain platform, you’d find yourself spinning in all directions. And if, God forbid, you got lost in the sludge that was the crowd, you’d be best off praying.
Needless to say, the train station was no place for the average commuter. And it certainly wasn’t any place for Chisato.
Flanked by quickly blurring faces on all sides, Chisato found herself drowning in the sea of commuters without a life jacket. The only anchor she had - a map of multicoloured scribbles nailed behind a thin sheen of glass - certainly wasn’t one she could use to save herself. Each train route, represented by a coloured line, travelled across the map like a meandering river until they all converged and wound themselves tightly into a knot her eyes couldn’t hope to free them from.
It was useless. She had never been good with maps. She had never been good with trains. Even though she hated to admit it, the truth was that she was hopeless when it came to travel. She told her managers such, attempting to convey her anxiety through hesitant remarks and awkward pauses, but at the end of the day the ceremony was in Tokyo and that was that.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request to make. Tokyo was the capital city, and as such it was the capital of cinema and fame and fancy ceremonies and all the other responsibilities she carried on her shoulders; the fact that such an esteemed event was being held in the grand hall of Tokyo’s finest venue was hardly surprising, but that didn’t make it any easier to get to. Chisato was starting to question whether the glamour of holding an invitation to such an event was even worth it; it wasn’t like she was nominated for anything. That would come later, if her career continued to accelerate at the same rate.
But for all the titles she held to her name - accomplished idol, major celebrity, experienced actress - capable commuter wasn’t one of them. And the map in front of her wasn’t written in any code she could decipher.
Huffing in irritation, Chisato began to rummage frantically through her bag. Surely there was some aid she could download online - an illegal PDF titled “Basic Travel For Dummies And Overworked Actresses Who Are Also Dummies”, or an information desk she could find the number to on the train station’s website, or… or…
Between the tissues and other organised clutter in her bag, something caught Chisato’s eye: a glint of silver.
Peeking out from behind the mess, it shone like a lighthouse for those lost at sea. Chisato fished it out of her bag, pulling it up by the sturdy metal keyring.
She remembered when this was given to her.
”Here, Chisato-san! I have a gift for you!”
Bouncing on the balls of her feet, Eve beamed at Chisato as she thrust forth a small paper bag. Chisato caught it against her chest confusedly.
“Oh? What’s it for?”
“You?” Eve repeated, perplexed. “I made it for you.”
“Oh, of course,” said Chisato with a smile. “But I meant what’s the occasion?”
Eve’s confusion only grew. “The occasion is that we are friends.” Then, untangling the tension that had knit her brows together, she cheered, “Open it, open it!”
Pulling the gift out from the paper bag, Chisato’s eyes widened slightly. “This is…”
“A keychain.”
Turning the keychain over in her hands, Chisato was amazed by its softness. The fabric had clearly been softened - and scented, she realised as a floral tone welcomed her. Jasmine, most likely. Maybe she had put a few drops of one of Hina’s aromatic oils onto the patterned fabric, which was matching in its floral theme.
The charm itself was homemade, though its quality suggested otherwise. Sewn into a heart shape by the golden thread that peeped through the fabric, it was stuffed and comforting to hold. A white patch of felt tightly attached to its centre read “HUG” in black stitching.
All in all, it was…
“Eve-chan,” Chisato beamed, holding it tightly to her chest, its position mirroring her own heart. “This is wonderful.”
“Do you like it?” Eve asked excitedly. “I made it myself! I have been teaching myself to sew, and I found instructions for a keychain like this online, except for a star shape. I thought you would like a heart more.”
“I do,” agreed Chisato, struck by the kindness of the gesture. “I suppose sewing is another of your many talents.”
Eve laughed, ringing out joyously like the chime of bells. “I am only a beginner.”
Modesty had always been one of Eve’s finest qualities. But when Chisato was holding her work in her hand… it became clear she had no need to be that way. Eve’s hard work had paid off.
“Thank you so much, Eve-chan. I love it,” thanked Chisato earnestly. “Why does it say hug?”
“Well… I was thinking about how grateful I am to you, for everything you do. And then I thought about how to express my gratitude,” explained Eve. “This gift is like a hug from me to you, in physical form. So that when you are busy with your work, and I am not there in person to support you… you can carry this with you, and remember that I am carrying my gratitude to you with me.”
Stepping forward, Eve took Chisato’s free hand in her own with a serious look.
“Chisato-san,” Eve began, staring firmly yet kindly into Chisato’s eyes. “Please do not forget that I care about you deeply. And that if you ever need help, even if you feel it is embarrassing or insignificant, I will come to your aid. Wherever you are, and whenever you need me,” promised Eve, entwining her fingers with Chisato’s own, “I will go to support you.”
… Nothing was ever too embarrassing for Eve, was it? Sometimes Chisato thought there wasn’t a kinder or less judgemental soul on Earth. No, Eve always approached those she cared for with compassion and honesty - Bushido, as Eve aspired towards. Chisato didn’t know which parts she possibly had left to fulfil.
But… Eve never took an oath lightly. If she promised that day that she wanted to help Chisato, no matter how small or embarrassing that help was…
There was no point denying the help she was offered.
Pushing her inhibitions down, Chisato looked out at the sea of insecurity she had always been drowning in and took the plunge regardless.
Her phone only rang twice before the recipient picked up.
“Hello, Eve-chan?” Chisato called into the phone. She fidgeted uneasily on the spot as she swallowed her pride and fears whole. “Um, I… I need your help.”
“Chisato-san!”
Smiling ear to ear with a genuine happiness, Eve’s eyes sparked with recognition as she waved to Chisato over the sea of people. They seemed to part easily once Eve began to walk towards her.
“Eve-chan…”
Eve bounded up to Chisato excitedly; it reminded her of Leon.
“Good afternoon!” greeted Eve warmly. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Chisato lied. “Really, it was silly of me to call. You’ve come all the way here—”
“It was not!” Eve shut her down at once. “I would not have come if I did not deem it worthy. Although any outing is worthy if it is you who calls.”
Eve was too good of a person - too unwaveringly kind - to say that without meaning every word; knowing that, Chisato bit back the urge to argue. “Thank you then. In that case, um… Well, I’d better tell you why I called you here, shouldn’t I?”
Nodding, Eve’s patience coaxed her to continue.
“I had a train to catch to Tokyo around this time, but it got… cancelled, or delayed. To be honest, I’m not really sure, but I have to make it to a particular stop by early evening,” she explained. “That means I have to find a new train to catch, but the tickets I have were pre booked and I struggle to understand train lines and the schedule is so difficult to work out and I— well, I suppose I had to admit defeat,” she sighed, ashamed of her own inability as her shoulders dropped to match her mood. “I know it’s a bit ridiculous.”
“Nonsense!” denied Eve, expressing the certainty of a samurai. “Trains are confusing for everyone. I can only imagine my own unease if I were in your position, especially considering how catching trains is a weakness for you…” Chisato winced at that. “But do not worry! I know a way to find a solution quickly!”
“Oh?”
“A train station as large as this one most certainly has an information desk! If we can find our way there, they are sure to offer their assistance!” she declared. “Perhaps they can even book some new tickets for us. I will consult the map!”
“O-Oh, of course. The map,” said Chisato. Eve didn’t need to know just how many times she had tried and failed to decipher that… Orienteering had never been her strong point, and while it was an entirely different type of map, it was a map nonetheless.
“Do not worry, it is important for a samurai to be well versed in all sorts of communication!” Eve assured Chisato proudly, burning with the Bushido spirit. “I have also recently improved my navigation skills, and if I cannot get us there normally, I can always rely on my pocket compass!”
“Of course you have a pocket compass,” Chisato laughed fondly. “Well then, I’ll be in your care.”
Bounding up to Chisato, Eve laced their arms together with a determined expression. Chisato knew she had called the right person.
“Okay then, let’s go!”
“It’s a shame the train is so much later than the one I was supposed to catch. I should still be able to check in on time, but I’ll have to rush quite a bit,” Chisato expressed regretfully. Then, smiling over at Eve, she continued, “But it works out well overall. We can spend a bit more time together now, and I can repay you for your efforts over lunch.”
“There is nothing to repay,” Eve insisted, passing a menu over to Chisato. “It is unbecoming of a samurai to expect something in return for her good deeds! And it isn’t something I would ever do with you.”
“Even if you say that… this will be my treat.”
“I would not ask you to do that.”
“Then it’s a good thing you aren’t,” she dodged. “We’re friends. Surely that should be enough for me to spoil you every now and again.”
Despite looking as though she wanted to argue, Eve conceded. “Thank you then. What drink do you think you will get?”
“Hm… Probably a Darjeeling tea. What about you?”
“They have so many great options… I cannot decide!” she exclaimed. Then, bashfully, she asked, “Pick for me?”
Chisato smiled at the embarrassed expression on Eve’s face; even though she had always projected such a mature air, there were still times where the cautious teenager she once knew peeked through.
“It’ll be a surprise, then.” In actuality, it didn’t take more than two seconds for Chisato to decide, the years spent between them refining her knowledge of Eve’s palate.
A short wait after their order was taken (during which Eve put her hands over her ears, insistent not to ruin the surprise), the teas were delivered to the table.
However, a certain someone wasn’t too satisfied with her order.
“Eve-chan,” Chisato began dubiously. Across the table, Eve was staring worriedly into the surface of her tea, almost boring holes into it for the intensity of her gaze. “Did I pick wrongly?”
Fidgeting with her fingers, Eve hesitated. “This is gyokuro tea, isn’t it?”
“It is. Do you not like it?” asked Chisato. “I thought you’d tried it before… and that it’s one of your favourites.”
The silence dragged on for even longer. Then, Eve mumbled, “It is. But it is also very expensive.”
Oh. So that was the reason. “It’s my treat, remember?”
“That is exactly why…” she trailed off.
Oh. So that was the reason.
Honestly… This girl.
Chisato leant forward with a fond look, nudging against Eve’s hand but never quite taking it. “It’s okay. Honestly, I wouldn’t have ordered it if I wasn’t prepared to pay for it. Don’t you remember what I said about spoiling you?”
“Yes, but…” The knot pulling between Eve’s eyes only seemed to tighten.
“Eve-chan,” Chisato called out gently. “Don’t worry about it. You’re worth the expense to me.”
Judging by the expression on Eve’s face, that seemed to pull her out of her spiral of self-doubt. “I see. We have to do this again so that I may return the favour, then!”
“There’s nothing to return.”
“Maybe not,” Eve admitted, “but it is always fun to spend time with you!”
As if saying that out loud caused her to realise an epiphany, Eve’s eyes lit up as she slammed her cup onto the table declaratively.
“Why don’t I come with you? To Tokyo, I mean. I would feel far better making sure you got home from your station.”
“That’s a kind offer, but it would be too much to ask,” refused Chisato politely; as much as she needed Eve to hold her hand through the confusion of an interchange, it would be burdening her far too much. “Besides, it would take far too much of your money and time to go all the way back straight after.”
Eve faltered at that, looking at Chisato with surprise. “You get a plus one, do you not?”
“Yes, why?”
“Could I not be your plus one?” asked Eve, her gentle expression holding so much bashfulness and hope.
Out of all the people Chisato knew, Eve was one of those who would make the most sense as a plus one. She had such a natural air of refinement about her, was accustomed to the limelight and always seemed so suited to it. But that… that was with planning. That wasn’t something you decided at a train station without so much as a change of clothes or a toothbrush.
“Well… The event is tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
“So you’d have to stay overnight.”
“Yes!”
Chisato felt her resolve twitch a bit.
“Eve-chan…” she began wearily. “You don’t even have another outfit with you.”
“I have my credit card! I could buy something. I am very familiar with this type of event.”
“Do… Do you want to go that badly?” questioned Chisato. “If you did, you could have let me know in advance. I would have invited you. It’s only because I generally don’t bring a plus two that I didn’t ask.”
At that, Eve’s confusion seemed to worsen, and Chisato felt her grasp on ration slip with the fear that she was missing an important detail.
“It is not about the event,” Eve stated openly. “It is about you.”
“Are you worried about me? I’ve already troubled you enough with the trains as is…”
Eve swirled her drink absentmindedly. “Is it wrong for me to just want to be around you?”
Chisato lost the lines of her argument at once.
“I… I miss you. We don’t see each other as much anymore,” sighed Eve. “Chisato-san, I—”
“You’d be staying the night.”
Like a reaction brought on by a jolt of electricity, Eve’s eyes flicked up to meet Chisato’s own.
“I wasn’t expecting to have company, so I reserved a single room at the hotel.” As she spoke, Chisato tapped anxiously on her mug. “But I’m okay with us sharing.”
The silence seemed to stretch on forever as a rosy shade tinted Eve’s cheeks. For a second, Chisato thought that Eve had always looked very good in pink, transfixed as she watched in wait.
“... I would like that too,” Eve agreed, each word like a breath of fresh air. “Ah, but I do not mean to suggest that—”
“No, of course not,” said Chisato, suddenly becoming worked up herself. They had both long since lost footing in the conversation. “But… I do mean what else sharing a bed with someone in the literal sense implies. Is that okay?”
Eve smiled at that; seeing her, Chisato began to understand why people stayed up late to watch the sunrise. “More than okay.”
Tentatively, a shoe nudged against her own; it was something like a handhold between people with too much fame to lose and too much excitement to contain. Unable to suppress a smile, Chisato nudged back.
“The hotel will cater for breakfast. As soon as we’re done, we have to shop for an outfit for you. There is a reception earlier, but…”
“Are you okay with skipping it for me?” Eve asked.
Chisato smiled warmly. “I didn’t think that was a question.”
Eve beamed, luring Chisato into her glow. “I will do my best to shop quickly.”
“I don’t mind waiting longer.”
“The event will end quite late. Do you have a second night reserved at the hotel?”
“Yes.”
“So do you have a train ticket booked for the following day?”
“Of course.”
“Will you waste it?”
Eyes full of promise, Eve smiled at Chisato: a faithful, yet unsure thing.
Chisato hesitated in return, Eve’s uncertainty tripled in her own expression.
Things… weren’t that simple. They never had been for Chisato, but they were especially complex these days, now that she had a schedule ram-packed with meetings and interviews and a wide array of other miscellaneous and repetitive responsibilities that kept her from a good sleep at night. To abandon that schedule would be nearly impossible - her mind could never be at rest doing it, for a start.
It was foolish. And irrational. And immature, and unprofessional, and would probably require hours and hours of phone calls and guilty apologies but when Chisato thought about it, really thought about it and thought about the way that Eve was looking at her - always with this hopeful shine about her, like anyone she cared for could be washed and born anew in that glow - she just…
Knew. Knew with a certainty she rarely had about anything else.
This was definitely an irresponsible decision, but it was one she could never refuse to make. Not when it was Eve who asked her to make it.
So Chisato faced Eve, the first embers of determination burning away the insidious doubt that seeped into every decision she made, and knew what she had to say.
“I will.”