A/N: Sorry, later update this time. I got a bad cold this week, so didn't have much time to sit down, and work on this. I'm a bit better now, but it's still foggy around the edges... I'm also not as proud of this one, but mostly because I wasn't all that inspired.
Oh Kanji, my least favorite character, but the easiest for me to write about. Irony works in such weird ways.
And you guys are just spoiling me rotten with your kind words, and praise ;w; Goodness, why can't I know any of you in real life? ('specially you Ari, you big flatterer you)
Emperor x Empress
She had spent her entire life behind the scenes, watching his world from afar. The way he talked, the way he acted (she wishes people could see him the way she did).
He was all straight lines, and angles—each curve broken up into a plane—stood with his back slightly bent, hands clenched at his sides, a permanent scowl drawn over his face. Known infamously as the "local delinquent" to residents of Inaba, he had built quite the reputation for himself, pushing everyone that was in, out, hiding behind a cool exterior. But there was so much more to Kanji Tatsumi that others missed, so much depth they overlooked because the surface would stop them everytime. In a way, he was the lead in his play—he comes across as superficially tough, but beneath it all, he longed for connection, someone to accept him (tell him everything would be alright, and convince him he was fine the way he is). And maybe she had all this time; she was just too afraid to tell him the truth. What would people say if they knew?
She was all skin, and bones—soft curves hidden under sundresses—stood with her arms behind her back, head tilted to the side, a permanent smile drawn over her face. Known for her tractable nature, and vibrant red locks, she was the kind of girl who gave everything to everyone, and asked for nothing in return. She's been trambled on, and pulled down, used for all her worth. But there was so much more to Etsuyo Kakinuma than meets the eye, a girl unobserved, who constantly hid from the world. She would much rather take on a role backstage—because she didn't want to draw attention to herself (and with Kanji, that's all she'd ever recieve). His softer side is what she loves most about him; she can see the hurt, and longing behind his steely grey eyes, and longs to mend his broken bones. Maybe today was the day she would.
She raises her hand high above her head, squints mint green eyes as she looks up at the sun. It was especially hot that day, so the Shopping District was near empty when she had gotten there that morning (these days, Inaba looked like a ghost town, the few people she passed barely glanced her way as they bustled about, probably rushing to get back home, and under the airconditioner). Determined, she puffs out her cheeks, and treads on, the two blueberry topsicles in her hand steadily melting down the sides of her hands (the sundress she wears flows around her; she's tempted to lick the liquid that's gathered, but decides against it). Ever since graduation, Kanji had been more actively involved in his crafts, spending most of his days helping out his Mom in the textile shop (she even heard rumors that he was starting an art class this summer). He was also displaying some of his more recent work in the shop windows.
To say Etsuyo was proud of him would be an understatement (because ever since Elementary, she had known about his hobby, held him in high regards, watched him sew, and knit for hours, in the hope that one day he'd open up, and prove to everyone that he wasn't just another street punk). But she kept this a secret—this awe, this adoration. Because she was afraid. Afraid of what others would think (she was a good girl; she got good grades; there was talk of her getting a scholarship for some prestige school overseas, and what was he?) if they got together. And then she met Yu Narukami, and the rest of his friends. Saw what a good influence they made on him, and it gave her courage. That maybe if he could show the world his inner self she could too.
She was in love.
Slowly, Tatsumi Textiles came into focus, and as expected, the owner's son sat on the wooden steps, blonde hair tousled back, grey eyes staring off (absently) in the distance. His apron was on, hanging loosely off his wide frame, so she must've just caught him on his break (or maybe he was done for the day—it's not like there were many people around). She felt her heartbeat faster (heat rush to her face, legs turn into jello) as she drew closer.
"K-Kanji-kun...?" She asks.
He blinks, and looks her way (she sees surprise cross his face for a moment before a small smile reached his lips; he looked tired. Had those lines always been under his eyes?), "Hmm? Oh, hey, Etsuyo. What's up?" She lowers her head (hoping her maroon hair is long enough to cover her red cheeks, but probably not), and pushes one of the topsicles towards him. He stares for awhile, the confusion back, and clear on his face, eyes narrowed as he studies her for awhile. Truthfully, they had never been very close (she stuck in the back of the class, and the only time he saw her was on his way to school), so to see her now was... Surprising, to say the least. "For me...? Uh... Thanks!"
She smiles, and tucks some hair behind her ear (that's fallen loose from her barrettes), "Y-You've been working pretty hard lately, huh?"
He gives her a half-hearted shrug, mumbles a, "'s no big deal. Just helping Ma out here an' there." It sounded like something he'd say.
A small smile flits across her lips, and she nods, more to herself than to him. "Mmm... Still, I'm... I'm really proud of you, Kanji-kun. You've grown up~"
"Eh? What do you mean?" He peers at her from behind his topsicle, eyebrows knitted.
"Oh!" She feels her cheeks go warm again, a little bit warmer than the last time, as she stares down in her lap. "Oh dear, did I just I say that outloud...? Let me backtrack... Wh-What I meant to say was that, you're not that same guy from a few weeks ago or even a few months ago." She lifts her head, her forest green eyes meeting his stormy grey, another smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You're finally letting people see the real you, and that's very admirable."
"Thanks, Etsuyo. That means a lot comin' from you." He blushes, and looks away before she notices, and she gives him a polite smile, and stands up, dusting off her dress along the way. She said what she wanted to tell him, and saw no reason to stay.
"A-Anyway, I just wanted to stop by, and tell you that..."
But...
She starts to walk away, but turns back around. Courage blossoms in her chest, and words spill out before she has time to sort out her thoughts. Seeing him here, talking to him, for some reason, she feels like there's something else she's missing. "Actually... Kanji-kun...? I-If you're not busy, tomorrow I was going to see a movie in Okina, if you'd like to join me...?"
She expects him to say no, to shake his head (mention something about Naoto, or the shop, or some other excuse that doesn't involve her), but instead he turns back around, cheeks a shade lighter than her hair, "Uh... Sure. Gimme a call when, and I'll be over." He smiles faintly, and it has to be the prettiest thing Etsuyo has ever seen.
"R-Really? Th-Thank you..."
The sun sets behind them.
Chrissy, I don't quite remember what you wanted exactly (I remember luchador masks, and a lot of yelling...), but I hope this works for you. After this is... Uhh... Rise I think?
