Anime One-Shots

The Colors of Autumn (Shima X Autumn [Clannad/Clannad After Story])

My bestie, AutumnAnime, asked for a one-shot written by le moi. Autumn, that tis her name. Tis also a part of the title. Tis... going to make her die of fangirl....i hope. I do admit it is not my best work, but I really hope she enjoys this. Anyways, any a y'all seen Clannad, or Clannad After Story, or both? Yeah. That anime made me cry myself dry. This story will create dams of fangirl tears.

HA. YOU ASKED FOR IT AUTUMN.
YOU WILL SEE.

***

There was a certain someone you liked.
He was unlike any other boy around. You've had your occasional crushes, of course. What girl hasn't? But this young man, never ceased to amaze you. He had a heart more gentle than anybody else's. His eyes were wide and earnest, reflecting your face when you looked into his in emerald. His sand-colored hair spiked out in soft shocks beneath a small white paperboy hat, and he was quite small for his age.

He always wore this small, tight smile. Like something was always worrying him, but he smiled through it anyways. You always admired that quality. The ability to stay strong, even through hard times. Then again, you had no idea what his home life was like. Actually, everything outside of school was a mystery to you, when it came to sweet Shima.

"Autumn!" he would always call out to you in this sweet, maybe slightly girlish voice. You could always look behind yourself, and expect him to be running towards you, wearing a gleam of happiness as his expression. As the weather grew colder, the warmth between you two grew even more so.
Until, one autumn afternoon, sparks were flying. You knew it before anything had happened at all.

You were sitting on a bench in a deserted park, the wind picking up and lifting your blonde curls. Light blue eyes scanned the area in hopes of finding your cute little friend. You were completely startled to see shima right beside you, even more so to see the solemn expression.

"S-sh-Shima!" you stammer, immediately freaking out. "W-what are you doing here?!"
"If today were our last together.... what would you want to do? J-just outta curiosity!" the awkward child asks you, stammering as much as you.

"Hmm.... IF! it were our last day together...." You think for a moment. "I wouldn't want anything but to sit next to you on this bench, and talk about everything." Yes. Everything in the universe known between you two, you just wanted to talk about it.

"Would you want any food?" All these questions were random, but you assumed it was for one of shimas classes or something. So, you answered him to the best of your ability.

"Yes," you smirk. "I would want some.... maybe.... oh! Leeks? Carrots?" Shima giggles at this, and you resist the urge to glomp him because of how cute he is. He wrote it down in a notebook. Each of your answers, that is.

"Would I be allowed to.... kiss you?" he finally asks, blushing the deepest color of red humanly possible. You blush even darker, therefore proving the saying 'beet red' possible.

"Y-yeah," you swallow. "M-most definitely..."  Shima's small lips pull themselves into one of his adorable, tight smiles.
"Good," he whispers, close enough to your face that you could feel his soft breaths. He clears his throat awkwardly. "I think I'm going to go... I will... see you tomorrow, Autumn." He stands up, small footsteps echoing away in the distance.

***

The very next day, you sat outside on the very same bench as yesterday. You were bored out of your mind, and thought you would come watch the kids play in the park. Unfortunately, none were there. You didn't know why... it was warm and comforting out. Not a single cold breeze coming your way.

As soon as you heard soft footsteps behind you, you knew exactly who the owner was. Shima. He came carrying a small basket, wearing his normal overly-baggy attire. You scoot over for him to sit. He does so immediately, sitting just a little.... closer. Not too much... just enough to break the normal icy barrier.

"Hey," you greet.
"Hi," Shima blushes. He looks at you, studying your face with his large green eyes. You weren't uncomfortable... just confused. "Uh... Lets talk."
"Talk?" you question. "What about?"

Shima sighs quietly. "Tell me about... you." You laugh a bit, awkward about talking about your own self. You didn't want to come across as selfish.

"Well uh... I really like chipoltle?" You had NO IDEA what to say. Shima giggles a bit, which warmed your heart. "Alright, uhm... I guess I really like when all these colors change around this time of year. It's quite... beautiful."
"Y-you're beautiful," Shima blurts, turning as crimson as the leaves on the trees. "I-I mean..." he sighs. "There's r-really no cover to what I said, huh?" He lets out a nervous chuckle. "U-uhm... here. I brought some food."

You thankfully ate a carrot as you continue. "Well, I guess... I don't know," you think. "I come from a huge family. And uh..." You let out another sad sigh. "I don't know. My family is amazing. I could never ask for a better one. I just feel... like I'm nothing more than a middle child." You don't want to continue. You never told anybody about this. But you couldn't stop. "Well, I don't feel exactly important sometimes."

"You are important to me," Shima mumbles, scooting just a bit closer. "You make my life less lonely. A-and when I'm around you... I just get this... funny feeling inside."
You laugh a bit, cheeks warming. "I feel the same way," you agree, scooting closer as well. Shima's scent was now enough to get your head swimming. He smelt so... sweet. Shima leans in close to you, and you do the same.

When your lips touch, there are feelings that were unknown to you until now coursing through you like electicity. It was warm, and pleasant. There was NO making-out, which was okay. You knew that you would never ask for anything more. But... a certain sadness soon hit your heart. Tears began to fall from your eyes. Shima was crying as well, sniffling a bit. You pull away from each other to find one another... crying.

"Our last day together... already?" you whisper, breaking your own heart. Shima nods weakly, wiping at his eyes. "I don't want you to go." Your voice cracks. So does a part of your soul. What were you supposed to do without the endearing young lad who always came to you?
"B-but... I want this to be.... a h-happy last day," Shima croaks. "I-I want my last day... to be spent with you. Laughing like we always do. Being together, maybe just a bit closer per day." He wipes his eyes again, weakly attempting to smile. "See? I-I smile when I see you..."

You didn't want to believe anything that was happening, but you had no choice. You had to accept it. The two of you sat, as Shima explained his unfortunate... situation. He wasn't even human, you realize. He was a shell of a ghost. Japanese legends believe in spirits coming down to earth, to fulfill what they couldn't in life. You already knew what Shima was looking for. You finally understand. You just... didn't want to.

It was nighttime, but the two of you still didn't go home. You were laying beneath the stars, huddling beneath both of your jackets. You sigh. You would stay out in the cold like this, if it meant that Shima would not have to leave.
"Autumn?" he whispers, turning towards you.
"Yeah?" you whisper back, hoarse from all the crying.
"I...love you." Shima's voice was thick. He was crying again.
"Don't cry," you whimper. You both hug on the ground, so that you were snuggling close. And you fell asleep that way, crying and cuddling. Again, no making out. Nothing more than what would be a hug, if you were standing up. But you'd never trade the world for this moment...

***

When you awoke in the morning, Shima was not beside you. All that remained was a jacket. It was a pang to your heart when you saw the lack of your friend, but there was nothing you could do. He was gone.
Another thing remained, however. His pure, happy, innocent love for you, all etched within the colors of autumn.