Title: Her own sake
Rating: G
Fandom: Tokyo Xanadu
Relationship: Hiiragi Asuka/Kurashiki Shiori
Wordcount: 327
Short summary: Shiori can begin to love again...to love now for her own sake.
It was a beautiful sight. Shiori lost herself to thoughts as she admired the sea of cherry blossoms that were out of place at this time of year but somehow still existed in this Other World. This place was also “their” birthplace…and the birthplace of her 10 years of lies.
10 years that Shiori existed, where she still acted as herself, but she didn’t own herself. She shared it with “them”; she existed with “them”. She had no regrets; she wanted to do it for Kou! She did love Kou, as much as a six-year-old could love someone. Yet at the same time Shiori couldn’t be anything but that child that loved Kou, that belonged and existed only for Kou.
But now? Shiori was truly happy for Kou because he could finally be happy. He could work his odd jobs because he wanted to, not because he needed to fill a whole in his heart. He could cherish someone not because he was missing something in his heart but because he could gain something.
“Shiori? Is something wrong?” Asuka’s fingers gently touched Shiori’s arm, a light and reassuring warmth.
“No, Asuka…” Shiori blushed, feeling guilty that she had been ignoring Asuka. Asuka had been the one to bring her this place, this place that had shown Asuka that the Other World could be both beautiful and peaceful as well as beautiful and dangerous. Many good things had come out of the past few months, through the trials they had faced together; new relationships, new confidence, new feelings…everything with Asuka…
Asuka’s hand slid down and took Shiori’s hand, squeezing it firmly. “If you’re tired, you can just lean on me, alright?”
“Okay…” Shiori leaned her head against Asuka’s shoulder, taking advantage of Asuka’s offer. Because Kou was free to be happy, Shiori could be free too. She could begin to love again…to love now for her own sake.
She wouldn’t tell Asuka this quite yet, but someday soon…