Work Text:
The drive to the airport is filled with Shelley’s chatter about every oddity she has experienced since leaving the army. Akira is happy that Shelley’s content with her new life, even though she doesn’t say it out loud. She’s sure Shelley knows how Akira feels, though.
(Akira doesn’t want to think about last night when she drunkenly clung to Shelley, crying “I’m so happy you’re alive.” Otherwise she would die of embarrassment. Don’t the Americans say “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?”)
The lobby is overcrowded—as expected of a popular tourist place—which makes Akira stick to Shelley.
They’re leading different lives now, but—
Akira doesn’t want to say goodbye. The time zone difference makes keeping in touch regularly hard, but she—
Akira looks up at Shelley—why is she so tall—who’s smiling softly. Releasing the handle of her suitcase, she reaches out and winds her arms around Shelley’s waist. “Call me,” she says, refusing to look at Shelley. “I will pick up, whenever.”
I missed you.
I’ll miss you.
Sometimes I still have nightmares about Tokyo.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, convinced I saw you die right in front of my eyes, until I grab my phone to scroll through our texts.
Shelley hugs back, tight. “I will.”
The loudspeaker announces the boarding of Akira’s flight.
Akira doesn’t say goodbye.
“See you later,” she says in Japanese, turns around, and disappears into the crowd.
When she boards, a text awaits her.