The winner takes it all
red strings can be, on accounts, tied to several people
Yuko's words kept drifting into watanuki's thoughts. The seer furrowed his brows and took a calming breath. His hands gripped the sheet of paper in his hands, an invitation to a wedding. When HE had given it to him he hadn't been surprised in the least. But the physical pain that watanuki felt each day as the date grew closer was not something he could ignore. Of course the wedding would take place in the shop. HE would have wanted watanuki to be there and share the special day.
"it's going to rain tonight isn't it?"
Watanuki tensed and looked towards the open door. The grandmother fortune teller smiled down at him, Kohane's caretaker. Despite her old age her smile was still as knowing as ever. Watanuki smiled at her from his position on the porch floor.
"it is awfully gray out" he commented.
"and on that day, I am pretty sure it will rain as well" she said gently
Watanuki could only close his eyes at her words, his sad smile still present.
"I'm sure it will still be lovely" watanuki said truthfully yet softly.
The grandmother sat down next to him, her limbs slightly aching at the action.
She turned her gaze to him urging him to continue. Watanuki looked at her and he knew that he could not hide from her. His smiles and nonchalance meant nothing to a sage fortune teller.
Taking a shuddering breath he laughed with a hidden sob.
"And I suppose Kohane will look beautiful in her white gown!" He exclaimed a little loudly, his emotions betraying him. "And that big oaf might even crack a smile when he sees her!" another laugh racked through him , his breath hitching into hysteria.
"Maru and Moro will both be the flower girls! and I wi-" Watanukis high voice cracked.
He shut his eyes and took deep breaths.
The grandmother kept looking at him, the entire time keeping silent as watanuki broke down in front of her.
"You will what Watanuki Kimihiro?" She asked.
The boy felt the tears slide down his cheeks, but he wiped them away, sat up straighter, and swallowed the lump in his throat.
"…I will continue to wait for Yuko. Here in this shop." He said softly.
"And your feelings for Doumeki shizuka?" The woman asked.
"I will forget them the moment he says 'I do'." Watanuki said turning to look at the grandmother.
Their eyes locked onto each other and many feelings were known. The woman had known Doumeki and watanuki were meant for each other. Ties that went beyond love wove them together. However, she also knew that many people had effects on destiny. The unbearable and inevitable fact was that Doumeki and Kohane were also attached together by the fateful red string.
The grandmother spared Watanuki the fact, sensing that he probably knew it anyways.
Watanuki was the first to look away from the old woman. He felt tired from all the inner turmoil. But though his outburst had been short he felt better. Better that someone had been able to comfort him. Though the woman made no outright motions to comfort the boy, her understanding was all he needed at the moment.