Title: understanding
Rating: G
Fandom: Flowers
Relationship: Takasaki Chidori/Yaegaki Erika
Wordcount: 245
Short summary: Chidori notices a strange atmosphere upon Mayuri's return to class.
There's a strange atmosphere among the first years soon to be second years when Mayuri returns to the classroom, a tint of unease that even tickles Chidori's skin. She looks over at the girl who looks somewhat like herself, looks at her and presses her lips together firmly. Chidori knows she still has a way to go in terms of maturity, but looking at Mayuri reminds her still of her follies of just a year ago.
"Why are you confused?" Erika had basically said more than asked, pleading at the time for Chidori to just read the atmosphere. But Chidori had been looking for answers more than understanding, fighting in her perceived black and white world instead of understanding shades of grey. Understanding that she eventually gained some of, while forced to be with Erika…while falling in love with Erika.
Sure, she was self-centered back then. She still has some self-centered moments; everyone does. But because she has learned to read Erika, has learned to read Erika's friends, has come to treasure them… Well, Erika may have a little beef with Mayuri but Chidori understands, as someone who had to work through her own hangups here… So she stands up and walks over to Mayuri. She doesn't even have a conversation topic in mind, but just by approaching her like she's just like anyone else…
She can see the appreciation in Mayuri's expression. They both know, from personal experience, how those small things matter…