Disclaimer: Hikaru no Go belongs to Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi. Not mine.
Author's Notes: Written for the 10 inspirations livejournal community (phrase prompt #3: Fragile as a dream).
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Shadow
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He never really noticed her.
She was just a shadow, that girl who sometimes trailed behind Shindou, offering encouragement that the other boy didn't really need. Sometimes she was in the games, sometimes she wasn't, and often it didn't really matter.
Maybe, after some time, he had gotten used to her presence. Maybe. It wasn't hard to notice it, as silent as it might be—dream-like in his memories, all kind glances and light smiles and soft, friendly words; none of them directed at him, of course, but they were there, and he could see.
But to actually notice her—no, he never had a reason to. It was probably just…habit, looking at Shindou those first few times and already expecting that shadow, if not right behind him then somewhere nearby. But it wasn't; she wasn't, and while it was just slightly disconcerting at first (why?) he had gotten used to it. It doesn't feel off anymore, not unless he remembers, and he barely does.
For a fleeting moment, he wonders why he even remembers these things at all, and then the moment passes and the thoughts fade again.
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