Title: to be here…
Rating: G
Fandom: Akiba's Beat
Relationship: Ecstasia Akemi & Saotome Kanata
Wordcount: 630
Short summary: Even now, Kanata’s “home” is Violet Eden.
“I’m back.”
“Welcome back, Kanata-chan. Did you have a good trip?”
Kanata nods as she sets down the bag full of colored pens and notepads that Akemi-san had asked her to buy while out on reconnaissance onto the counter. Then she heads to the bathroom to freshen up.
Yes, her face is still a bit flushed. So many people on the street had approached her and complimented her looks. At this point Kanata is more confident in her “appeal” but even so… It’s still kind of unbelievable. What would the Kanata of four years ago have thought, if she knew that this would be her future?
Indeed, when Kanata opened the door to Violet Eden four years ago, she had been in a very different situation. A very different mindset. Alienated, isolated, yet very, oh so very desperate for one person to understand. That Kanata had entered Violet Eden based on rumors alone. Strong rumors, but still, only something she had known from the Internet. That one Akemi Ecstasia, born of a “male” body, was yet “queen” of a place called Violet Eden and anyone who did not accept calling such a person a “female” were not heard from ever again.
Kanata had entered the place, not even old enough to drink, but certainly old enough to work. Although she hadn’t come in for that either. It just happened naturally, after a bit of time. Because Kanata just wanted to absorb more of Akemi-san’s confidence, and Akemi-san was clearly understaffed considering the other aspect of her work.
After all, Akemi-san is a fully grown adult. There are certain things that could not be reversed, that would always have to be compensated for, after the transition to becoming an adult. And yet, even without possessing certain body parts that would be desirable for most women, Akemi-san didn’t think herself ugly or undesirable. Kanata didn’t understand but she wanted to understand. She wasn’t an adult herself; she had looked into surgeries but it wasn’t financially feasible for her to have them and besides they wouldn’t fix everything. Because some part of her brain would think something was wrong. And Akemi-san agreed to an extent.
“If you can’t see yourself as beautiful, who else will? If you can’t see yourself as lovable, who else will? If you can’t forgive yourself for things that aren’t your fault, who else will? Surgery can’t fix that. Your mind, your heart is the way to fix that.”
Kanata still doesn’t know if she sees herself as beautiful. Then again, she’s only 19 and she’s remained estranged from her biological family. She finished high school and has contemplated going to university eventually, but she wants to stay here with Akemi-san a bit longer. Because with Akemi-san she has found a mentor, a real “big sister”, a real “family”. And the regular customers are like “friends” to her too…
“Everything alright there?” Akemi-san asks. Kanata realizes she lost track of time while in the bathroom. “When you’re good, help yourself to some cherries. They were delivered while you were out.”
Kanata gives herself one last look at her face in the mirror. Good, her cheeks are no longer red. She exits the bathroom with a smile.
“Thanks, Akemi-san.” She plucks a cherry from the bowl sitting on the counter. Mmm, the cherry is nice and juicy and sweet.
“No worries.” Akemi gives Kanata a wide smile. “It’ll be a bit before the evening regulars start trickling in. Best to relax until then.”
Kanata smiles back. She’ll probably end up wiping the counter clean after this short break, and Akemi-san will likely shake her head and sigh at that “unnecessary” effort, but Kanata won’t be able to help it. Really, she’s just so…happy, content, satisfied…yes…to be here…