Disclaimer: I don't own 7 Seeds or its characters.
A.N: This is collection of... drabbles? Short stories? About Team Autumn and their secrets that they never told anyone else. Some of them might make more sense in canon than the others, but I try not to be too unrealistic or out of character (except maybe with Karita... depends on how people see him.)
Please note that I follow the English translation of 7 Seeds, so there might be some mistakes if something relevant has been revealed in the story that hasn't been translated yet. Also, if you want to ask or say something, please avoid anything that could give spoilers past the English translations.
Shishigaki Ran...
...Is a bisexual. It is a secret well kept, one that was never disclosed to anyone even in the past. At times she wonders if it had been better to let the world know. If people had known, she most likely would not have been sent to the future. The people in charge of the 7 Seeds –project wouldn't have taken the risk that she'd take interest in women instead, of that she was now pretty sure. Really, if only she had opened her mouth back then and "come out of the closet" she might have been able to live in the modern world until the end, doing what she loved, even if it had risked her and her family's reputation.
...But had that been the case, Ran would never have met her.
As annoying as the younger woman could be, Nijiko had earned Ran's respect. She was stubborn and reluctant to accept any advice, but she was skilled and did her job passionately, not just because it was what she had to do. That was something Ran could appreciate. And she also appreciated the woman's good looks, but that was something she'd never admit out loud to anyone. Not that she'd give a damn about her image here; the others could think whatever they wanted about her, but the younger woman herself was the problem. Since Summer A had been taught from young age that their purpose was to rebuild and repopulate Japan, she doubted they'd ever heard terms like "homosexuality" or "bisexuality." Heck, the subject had been more or less a taboo among normal people in Japan, much less people like the ones in Summer A. As far as she knew, Nijiko was determined to fulfill her duty, even if she wasn't as vocal about it as the rest of her team. Not that she was vocal about anything else, either. In any case, that ruled out the possibility of Nijiko ever showing any romantic or sexual interest in her, that much Ran knew.
Not that she really cared; she didn't need a life partner after all. They all had more important things to do... well, aside from Haru, it seemed; the musician was perfectly smitten with the flying Summer A girl. Had she been a fan of sappy romance stories, watching the two of them would have been very entertaining... now that she thought of it that was probably why Kurumi didn't mind their company. She was a bit of a romantic after all.
"...And we could build storage over there and- are you even listening to me?" Ran looked at Nijiko, her slightly annoyed tone brining her out of her thoughts. Not that her annoyance showed; the girl's face was as blank as ever.
"Sorry, what did you say again?" Ran said. Nijiko didn't snap at her or anything for not paying attention, but the look in her eyes pretty much said "Are commoners unable to listen?" as she repeated what she had said. This time Ran listened, giving her own input to the subject, one that Nijiko naturally disagreed with. Not out of arrogance or because it came from her, that much Ran knew by now, but simply because she really did disagree. They had come to the point where they wouldn't annoy each other just for the sake of it, but both tried to best the other every chance they got. Subtly, of course. There was no reason to be childish about the matter. That was something Ran had a hard time remembering at night when everyone were gathered around the fire and Nijiko brought up her new plans, openly criticizing them in front of everyone.
In front of her team.
Ran wasn't a petty person who couldn't take criticism or had to always be right, but there were certain lines that she did not want to be crossed. This was one of them; architecture was something she excelled in, something no one in her team had ever questioned. Not even Akio, a professional of his own whom, despite always giving his own input, did not question her decisions. But Nijiko did. Always, if she saw even the smallest reason to do so. It was irritating, yet so comforting at the same time. After all this time, there was someone who dared to question her, to say no without hesitation. It brought a sense of normality she hadn't had since she took charge of Team Autumn, and it made her feel relieved. She supposed that was another reason she felt attracted to Nijiko.
An attraction she could never voice out, but that was fine; she had never been one for all the sentimental crap anyway. As long as they could stay here, continue their way of life, together, she'd be satisfied. After all, it was more than what she would have dared to ask for in the old world.
A.N: I think that Ran could be an easy character to write if I looked at her from some other character's perspective, but this was surprisingly hard. I don't know whose chapter is next, but everyone in Team Autumn will get their own (aside from Izayoi.) Look forward to it!