The hint for this one was a multi-layered (mostly) one involving the names of Toko and Aoi. The kanji in Toko's given name translates to "winter child" and "Aoi" can, if written with a different kanji, translate to "blue", a colour often associated with ice and winter. The "rivers" part comes from the second part of Toko's surname which translates to "river", which is something swimmers swim in.


A Sorrow Shared

Toko Fukawa had pushed this back as far as she possibly could. Even with all the death she was subject to (and that evil woman inside her caused), talking about it was a terrifying prospect. Still, she could no longer keep Aoi Asahina in the dark. She needed to know her brother died and Fukawa certainly was not going to make poor Komaru Naegi tell her.

Fukawa expected her to shout at her for not telling her earlier, blaming her for his death, possibly trying to start a mass suicide in her grief again, but none of that happened.

Asahina just ... broke down.

Dealing with an inelegant blubbering mess was not something Fukawa could handle. Yet, she also knew that she could not do nothing. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around the grieving woman.

To her surprise, she was not rebuffed nor did she receive any negative reaction. Instead, Asahina returned the hug but kept sobbing. It was not quite what Fukawa wanted, but it was at least a start. Obviously, one hug was not going to make this pain go away, but Fukawa would do what was necessary.

It just felt like the right thing to do.


Well, so much for my plan on daily updates. Work's a pain. Anyway, to get up to speed I will release two drabbles today, one tomorrow evening and two more on Friday so my plan of finishing this collection on the day of the Decadence release will work out after all.

The hint for the pairing later today is Her First Friend?.

As always, thank you for reading. :)