Day 1

Ayano

Happiness

Maybe it was love. Maybe it was care. No matter, she thought blissfully, she was never a great match for him from the start. According to her standards (in the never-ending world of her imaginations and dreams), Kisaragi Shintaro needed someone who was more selfish than he already is, someone who's a lot more cheerful, and perhaps a lot more caring than anyone he has ever met before.

And that person was definitely not her.

She silently sighed, as she dragged her small feet to catch up with his long strides. For now, she mutters, all I can do is hope for his happiness.

Similarity

Shuuya, Tsubomi and Kousuke.

Three children, orphans, hurt, lonely, broken; they hated the world as much they hated their lovely wine colored eyes. She was so excited when her family first took them into their care. She reminisces at how her mother kindly introduced them to her, a kind motherly smile plastered on her thin lips.

"From now on, Ayano is your big sister. Please get along, everyone."

Ayano nods, eyes staring straight at the three kids in front of her. The three had empty gazes, their red eyes longing. Ayano silently observed them, one by one, her small heart making a small pop inside her head. It was a feeling she never had before.

She couldn't help but think how similar their eyes are to a hero's signature color.

Change

She couldn't help but notice how Takane-san seemed to behave completely different than usual. Her usually messy pigtails are surprisingly neat and she even bothered to sit properly even with her slacks on. Her eyes, Ayano noted, are beaming with joy, yet another unusual trait one could find in Enomoto Takane. No, wait, she recognizes these eyes, it's the eyes of someone falling in love.

Snickering, Ayano nudged at her sides, "Takane-san, you seem happy."

Takane, in return, was caught in mild surprise, "H-Huh?! Oh, yeah, I guess so."

"What's the big secret, ne? Come on, spill it."

"W-Well, it's nothing you should be prying about." Takane's cheeks flushed madly.

"Is it some guy I know? Come on, you know that you can always rely on me."

"H-Haruka…" She whispered the last syllables of the word, making it inaudible to Ayano's ears.

"Pardon?" Ayano teased.

Takane gave her a look, one that shows a person's embarrassment beyond shame, "I-It's H-Ha- Kokonose, damn it!"

Ayano smiled. Wow, love can surely change how a person acts around others.

Children

"Hey, honey."

"Hm?"

"W-What do you think about children?"

A pause and her cheeks lightly flush.

"I, well, uh, think they're cute."

"But they're irritating."

"I know, but that doesn't make raising them less enjoyable."

"Do you really think it's worthed? Raising a child, I mean."

"Yeah, I guess so."

As silence took over, Ayano couldn't help but wonder about what was running through her husband's mind.

Kiss

They were preparing for the school festival and Ayano had no other choice but to stay for the night. She had told her Father in advance, telling him not to cook too much dinner for tonight and that he could go pick up food at the nearest convenience store. Her Father agreed, reminding her not to stay up too late and to eat enough food.

Ayano nods as she heard her name being called by a classmate.

She was going to hang up, but her Father asked her to wait a bit. He requests for a goodbye kiss right before they hang up. Ayano smiled, amused a how bizarre and rare the request was. Maybe a few years being a single parent had finally taken a toll on him.

Ayano smiles and blows a sweet kiss from the other end of the line. She could almost imagine the smile plastered on her Father's lips right now.

A/N: My contribution to the Kagerou Project Countdown Festival. Drabbles are easier to make and a lot more fun as well!