Kagayaki & Hayabusa

Author's Note: Enjoy the story and R&R.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Shinkalion franchise.

Pairing: Pre-slash Shin x Taiju.

Summary:

Togakushi Taiju's growing friendship with Arata Shin is on the track towards Ultra Evolution.

After what happened in Tokyo, how Taiju was shunned for pushing a classmate when he was in fact protecting him from being flattened by a falling basketball basket, Taiju believed he couldn't be friends with anyone again. That no one would ever want to be his friend again.

But Shin-kun didn't return to see Taiju over and over because he was only after a potential Shinkalion driver. He wasn't there just to search for another Z-Code, or to challenge the Giant Monstrous Beings suddenly jeopardizing the peaceful refuge Taiju held so dear.

Shin-kun returned to talk and to listen to Taiju talk about his work in the mountains. His knowledge of trains and the important role they played in the early days of the forest industry, transporting timber out of the hills.

Shin-kun returned because he saw a vacancy. A chance to be Taiju's friend.

While he still thought of himself as awkward, their conversations and their battles together piloting Shinkalion E5 and Shinkalion E7 helped Taiju regain the happiness he lost. Shin-kun bounded up to him, into his life, chopping down the doubts which accelerated him towards changing into a hermit too soon.

The selfie Shin-kun passed along through Grandpa vibrated Taiju's cheeks. Shin-kun's smile was so easygoing and pure next to his forced smile. Its vitality recalled the cypresses. The sense of history Taiju felt living in harmony with the trees.

"That reminds me, have you heard about the kodama legend in these parts?"

"You like stories, huh?"

"Abuto is always telling me nobody understands what I'm saying. But y'know, I think stories are amazing! They're kind of this rail that connects us. The rail of destiny. Like train tracks!"

"I like them."

"Taiju! Really? I have lots if you'd like to hear!"

"Shin-kun, I…" Taiju's cheeks vibrated again.

"Ya, Taiju?"

"Um, never mind. Please go on."

"All righty!"

All righty. Yes. Taiju could choo-choo slow. No urgent rush to jump to Ultra Evolution speed.

Hold it steady with the axe. Breathe and only move when you've perceived your goal and the axe as an extension of your arm.

As Shin-kun himself would say: The odds aren't zero.