This is Masked's partner fic, though it's not really necessary to read the other first to understand stuff... though that would be also very nice ;)
The 25th's already done here in my timezone, but since it's still the 25th in other places, my personal tradition of posting something on my birthday was still fulfilled~ hehe, so I hope you enjoy! ;)
Kido woke up with a loud gasp, followed by large intakes of air to desperately catch her breath. Her heart was beating wildly, and she was breaking out cold sweat.
As she became capable of breathing properly again, Kido sat up. She pulled her legs to her chest and put her head in between her knees, closing her eyes as she muttered, "Not again."
It was the third time this week already. Though it wasn't the same nightmare each time, there would always be fire, and she would always end up getting burned but not dying. If this goes on, she might not be able to cook for a while.
A small mew from outside her bedroom door snapped her out of her reverie. She'd taken in a stray kitten she found outside the base weeks ago, and it had eventually warmed up to the four of them. Now it could confidently walk around the house and pester them—mostly her—at ungodly hours for food.
She sighed and stood up, deciding this might be a good distraction, and then headed out to lead the cat towards the kitchen.
The white kitten happily ate, and as Kido put away its food bowl after its meal and refilled its milk dish, she noticed its golden eyes staring briefly at her, reminding her of a person with the same sharp eyes who might still be up at this hour.
"Wait, you aren't Kano, are you?" she gently lifted the cat's head to face her. "Huh, guess not, since you gobbled up the cat food."
Kido eyed the bedroom hallway from her crouched position in front of the cat.
Usually, going to Kano was Kido's instinctive option at nights like these. Back at the orphanage, she'd always take note of which room he was told to sleep in, so that she could easily sneak onto his bed without waking the other children. And during the first few weeks in the Tateyama house, Kido would always wait for their two siblings to fall asleep before she could climb onto Kano's side of the bed.
She doesn't know why, but she just feels safer and more comfortable in his arms. And it made her glad that he never once complained nor pushed her away, that he was always ready to welcome her into his embrace.
Kano, who once called himself as her knight, had promised to be by Kido's side forever.
Kido wanted to believe that, but lately she just wanted to stop depending on him on something as childish as chasing her nightmares, her fear of thunderstorms, or a bad fever away just to get her to sleep.
But tonight, maybe she'll make an exception. Though she wouldn't openly admit it to him, Kido had missed the feeling of being held by him, especially since tonight's nightmare had shaken her the most.
That's how she found herself knocking on the blonde's bedroom door. It surprised her how she seemed to have moved from the kitchen automatically. "K-Kano...?" she called.
No answer.
Kido gulped. Kano had gone for his usual walk again last night, and hasn't come back home since then.
Was he even here already? She knocked again, and with still no answer, Kido tried the doorknob, which was unsurprisingly unlocked. A lead ball seemed to settle on her stomach as she gently pushed the door open.
"I-I'm coming in."
Kano wasn't in his room. He still wasn't home yet, to be exact.
She never worried though, because she sure knows where he goes.
And that's why she wants to face these nightmares on her own now. Because Tsubomi wasn't Shuuya's top priority anymore. She had been way too selfish, thinking he would always be hers. Even if he tried to be the Shuuya she's known all these years, it's too obvious his heart belonged to someone else, and it hurt that she can never hate, much less dislike, the person he loves.
Because it was Ayano. Her oneesan. The person who taught her lots of things, who loved her like she was her own little sister. Her first ever female friend, who knows most of her secrets and pain, including her growing feelings for the cat-eyed idiot.
Kido had noticed it long ago. Ever since they moved in with their foster family, Kano never shut up about Ayano. Kano was always ready for anything Ayano thought up. Kano became more enthusiastic whenever Ayano was around.
And where is he right now? To where Ayano was buried. The night walks were all usually dedicated to visit Ayano's grave. Ayano, Ayano, Ayano.
Kido had hurriedly closed the door with unintentional force, the sound echoing across the whole house. And before she knew it, warm tears streamed down her face, the tears she had held in for so long. The tears she wanted to let out whenever Kano talked about and looked at their older sister with an admiration that was anything but brotherly. The tears that had spilled a bit when she saw how Kano had been the most crushed with Ayano's death.
Selfish tears. That's what they are. It irked her, so she tried to wipe them away with her arm, only to find more of them flowing out of her eyes like there's no tomorrow.
"Kido?"
That effectively stopped the tears, and froze her whole body as well.
"Kido, what are you doing there?" that voice she loved to hear became something she loathed at this moment for its wrong timing. "And why are you crying?"
The sound of Kano's footsteps padding towards her prompted her to use her Eyes as she ran towards her own bedroom. But as she was so close to the door, she felt a strong grip on her shoulders.
"There you are," Kano immediately wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind, not letting her take another step further. "Was it another nightmare?" he rested his chin on her shoulder and peered up at her as best as he could. "I'm sorry I'm late again."
"You don't have to apologize," Kido sighed. "At least... you're here now," she tried her best to sound relieved and comforted by his warmth, despite the ache still in her chest.
"Still."
Kido wanted to lean more into his embrace, to relish moments like this with him, but decided against it."Kano, you've been out for two days, haven't you?"
"Yes, but I swear I should've gone home sooner—"
"Then let me go."
"What?"
"Let. Me. Go," Kido untangled his arms from her body and turned to him, frowning.
"Kido, I—"
"It only means you've been wearing that set of clothes for two days straight! Don't you dare touch me again until you've thoroughly washed yourself, is that clear?"
Kano blinked at her, dumbfounded.
Kido turned around for her bedroom, but then paused to look over her shoulder. "And have you eaten?"
Kano smiled and he shook his head. "Well, I don't exactly have that much money on me~"
"There's still some leftover pizza in the fridge, feel free to reheat it."
"Eh? You didn't cook tonight? Or rather, you don't plan to prepare something especially for your already hungry favorite brother?"
"Reheating that pizza would end your suffering sooner. And," she gripped her bedroom doorknob, "I don't think I could be anywhere near a stove anytime soon." She pushed the door open then.
"I see," Kano said, halting Kido from entering her room. "I'll hurry up so I could follow you to bed."
"You don't have to, I'll be fine," she stepped inside.
"Kido—"
"I'll be fine." With that, she closed the door without looking at him.
It was Seto's day off the next day, so Kido didn't have to worry about cooking. Kano had slept in again, and he might not get up until noon, which didn't surprise Kido anymore. Marry ran out of artificial flowers to sell, so she had to stay home too.
Meanwhile, Kido went out on a mission.
She knelt in front of the grave and clasped her hands in prayer. Her now-red eyes fluttered open when she finished. Not a lot of people visit the cemetery at this hour, but still. Kido thought it awkward to be found getting all emotional in a place like this at this time of day, alone.
"Hey, oneesan," Kido started, "it's been a while since my last visit, wasn't it? Everything's been fine. We're able to survive through the money Seto makes, and Marry, the Dan's newest member Kano and I told you about last time, had started selling artificial flowers, though her measly earnings barely help. And Kano and I, well, watch the base. That's basically our daily routine; I think Kano tells you all the details. He's been coming here quite often, hasn't he?"
Kido clenched her fists which rested on her knees. "And I... can we talk about Kano? Just like how we used to talk—awkwardly—of guys we like, usually after you pester me until I give in," she smiled wryly.
Kido knew she won't get an answer, but she just wanted to pour her heart out to someone she knows would listen and understand—at least, figuratively. Though Ayano was the most unlikely person to tell this kind of stuff, she's still her sister, who had once promised Kido that she could tell her anything and everything.
"So, oneesan, I grew to like him more and more... only to find myself hurt again and again. Does... does liking someone this much make you selfish? You liked someone too, didn't you? Have you felt anything like this before?" her voice cracked, so she paused to take a calming breath.
"Because oneesan, I'll never be a hero. Not to anyone, most especially not to him. I've always been dependent on Kano, who's got more hurtful circumstances than me. He needs and deserves someone stronger and braver for real, someone... like you.
"And... I think he likes you. And not just as a sister. He sure was the one who's always been closest to you. And... and it hurts, oneesan, that even if you were already gone..." Kido stopped herself, surprised by the sudden turn of her little speech.
She shook her head. "No, I-I don't hate you, it just... hurts. And maybe, if you were still here, it wouldn't hurt as much, because at least Kano would be happy." She closed her eyes and reached out to hold onto the gravestone. "Oneesan, why did you have to leave?"
"No Tsubomi, he cares for you more than you think."
Kido felt hands on her shoulders as that gentle voice she knew so much spoke to her. She opened her eyes in shock, and was even more surprised that Ayano was right in front of her. "O-oneesan?"
She smiled, "Trust me. You are Shuuya's hero as well, and you're doing well at being strong and brave yourself."
"Th-that's—"
"You've said it yourself, he was the one who seemed to be closest to me. So trust me when I say those things. Oh look, it's time for you to wake up. Shuuya's waiting for you."
And with that, everything went black, stirring Kido awake. She was met with the early morning sun's rays seeping in through the blinds.
A dream, huh? Kido thought as she glanced at the time. 5 o'clock a.m. sharp. She shot up the bed, because apparently it wasn't really Seto and Marry's day off today.
Hurriedly, she dressed up and walked out the door, only to stumble upon someone lying just outside her bedroom.
"K-Kano?" she almost shrieked, looking up at the boy. She had fallen on his stomach, startling him awake with pain, which was instantly masked with a silly grin.
"Ah Kido, you're finally awake~"
"What the hell are you doing out here? And why are you sleeping on the floor?"
"I was on my way to my room when I heard you crying. Your door was locked though, and you won't stop even as I called for you again and again. So I figured I could wait for you here."
Kido wanted to cry. For joy. "You're such an idiot."
Kano shrugged, "I guess I am. But all for my favorite sister."
She rolled her eyes. "We both know who your real favorite is."
"Yeah, I just told you."
Kido sighed and stood up. "Yeah sure," she then held her hand out. But maybe that's right, because I'll always be just his sister. "Get up and sleep somewhere more appropriate."
"Aw, but I want to help Kido-chan with preparing breakfast," he took her hand and stood up. "Didn't you say you can't stand stoves for the meantime?"
She stopped. "I... I guess I did." Kido smiled and gently squeezed his hand that still held hers. "Thank you. Just don't burn anything up." She started for the kitchen, dragging him along by the hand as he refused to let go. "What time did you come home by the way?"
"Eh? Don't you remember? You even told me to wash up before I touch you again. Which I did, of course~ The power of Leader's words moved me so much, I can't bring myself to not follow her order. It's kind of unbelievable how much my little crybaby Tsubomi could utter such strong orders."
"Strong, huh," Kido muttered to herself as they reached the kitchen. She pried her hand away. "Here. Do start right away, we don't have much time. But I'll keep watch, because I can't fully trust you with anything in the kitchen."
Strong. He thinks I'm strong. At least, that's a good start, isn't it?
Woohoo, so there goes my attempt at KagePro feels. Nyahaha~ the next chapters would be lighter though. xD
Anyway, this was the most rushed chapter I've ever written. So yeah, if you think it's rushed, it's because it really is. xD
Soooo, would you be kind enough to leave a review, to give this writer a peace of mind as she was so nervous with finally deciding to write for this fandom? Hehe...
I hope to update soon, I really do.
