Work Text:
The Tanizaki’s were a strange duo. The two were total opposites in their features, traits, actions, and even their habits, but they were much closer to each other than they were to anyone else.
The two had a secret that didn’t need to be known by anyone else for the two to understand each other, and that’s one thing that mattered to them both. The one thing they could get through no matter what life threw at them.
A few weeks ago, Junichiro came out as transgender to her older ‘sister’, Naomi. She was scared to let her know the truth about her being transgender, but Naomi was quick to accept. ‘She’ was the same. Well, opposite, if you would. Naomi was female to male, Junichiro was male to female.
They suspected it from the other, but even so, they spent the night together in tears — Happy tears. They didn’t know what they’d do about anyone else’s feelings about it, but they knew they could manage as themselves.
Then, the name problem came around. What did Junichiro want to go by? What did Naomi want to go by? ‘Naomi’ was a girl’s name, and he didn’t feel comfortable with it.
As for Junichiro, “Juni” could have easily passed as a regular girl’s name, though she didn’t want to withhold any part of the original name whatsoever, she wanted a new beginning. Something simple and pretty that she could call her own.
She gently raked her slender fingers through her medium-length jet black hair, letting out a small sigh as the silence took over the room they were in.
”Have you thought of a new name?” Junichiro finally asked, looking at Naomi expectedly.
”Ah, no, I haven’t…I’m sorry.” He responded, pulling at the frayed ends of his oversized sweater. He needed a new one, but he didn’t want to think of that right now. He thought about speaking again, but he hesitated. Nothing seemed right for either of them, but they reminded each other that they’d always get through anything life throws at them.
”Quit with your silly apologies.” Junichiro kidded, poking Naomi’s shoulder, causing him to let out a small yelp.
”Jeez, okay!” He agreed quickly, shifting his gaze to one of the walls. He was in a deep thought. What would suit his sister? What would suit him? Would anyone agree? Or would it even matter? Junichiro noticed her brother struggling and gently tapped his back to startle him out of the pondering.
”Cut it out! I was thinking of something.” He muttered in response, turning back around to face her.
”Yeah? Well, what is it? You know I’ve got your back, right?” Junichiro asked, a thoughtful expression graced her face.
“I know you do, I just…this is going to sound really stupid!” He whined dramatically, embarrassed at his ideas.
Junichiro glared playfully, but she waited. The silenced urged Naomi to continue, and he knew he wouldn’t keep a secret from her, so he slowly spoke up.
“What if we swapped our names?” He suggested quickly, stuttering slightly.
Junichiro paused, the idea wasn’t bad at all, it seemed right. They’d still be Junichiro and Naomi, but in a sense that made them feel like they belonged.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea?” Junichiro questioned, her tone proved how nervous she was, but this would only be a permanent choice if they wanted it to be.
“I really can’t think of anything else that suits us…plus, if I’m giving my name up, it’s going to you.” Naomi spoke without thinking.
”Many people have your name.” Junichiro teased, watching his face turn red immediately.
”You know what I meant!” Naomi started. “I think you’d suit it.” He finished his sentence, much more serious than before.
“I think I can get used to you being Junichiro.” She agreed.
”Then let’s do it. You’re Naomi Tanizaki, and I’m Junichiro Tanizaki. Nobody is going to get in our way.” Junichiro asserted, accepting the embrace that followed once he stopped speaking. Naomi hugged him tight, happy about the arrangement.
“And if we don’t like it?” Naomi questioned, looking up at her brother.
”We don’t have to worry about that right now, Naomi. We’ve got each other. If it doesn’t work out, we can figure it out later.” Junichiro reassured, carefully pulling away from the rib-crushing hug.
”You’re right, big-brother, I’ll always be there for you too.” Naomi nodded, smiling after Junichiro did.
They were and always would be Naomi and Junichiro, and they would always be stuck with that in the best way possible.