Kintsugi: the golden repair // Hanemiya Kazutora x Reader

Chapter Thirteen the memories fade like looking through a fogged mirror

Kazutora paced back and forth by his cell phone. Walking slowly to eye the device as it sat on the counter in front of the cash register. While he stocked the store he would take the same route despite wherever he was going in the pet shop. Consistently looking at his phone nervously. Chifuyu had lost count of the til three times from the distraction. "Will you just call her already?" He sounded fed up. His statement made Kazutora stall in front of the counter for a split second than Tora shook his head as he walked away. After dropping off a stack of leashing in the dog section he made his way back to Chifuyu, fixing his loosening ponytail. "I want to, alright? But I need to word this the right way." He sighed and dropped his hands to his side, "I need to apologize to her." Chifuyu let out a deep chuckle, "You had your tongue in her mouth. I'm sure she's forgiven you." Tora then began to fix his work apron, fidgeting. "We were drunk. Whatever it meant to me was probably a mistake for her. There's a million things I need to say to her before I can just reattach myself to her side." His eyes held sadness. He looked at his boss, practically pleading for advice. "So tell her," Chifuyu responded with a reassuring smile, "Say a million things. Whatever is on your mind, your heart, and your shoulders. Let it all out and just tell her."

With that Tora snatched his phone from the counter and walked into the back where Chifuyu kept his office. The line rang one time too many and he almost hung up, giving up on himself entirely. Then Y/n answered the phone, "Hello?"
"Hey Y/n." He began pacing the office. Chifuyu lost count of the til again because he could hear the footsteps. "Hey Tora, what's up?"
"I, uh, well." He wiped down his face, stopped in his tracks, raising his head and fixing his posture. He reclaimed his dignity in order to make this work. "I was hoping you could meet me on the rooftop tonight. After I get out of work?" She let out a giggle and his heart fluttered. "Yeah, haha, I'll see you then."

Y/n got out of work before the designated meeting time with Kazutora. She kicked off her shoes and made her way into the bathroom to start the shower. As the water warmed up she undressed. Looking into the mirror she almost expected to see a twelve year old staring back at her. Having Kazutora back had flooded Y/n with memories. Moments like this, where he would call and tell her to come up to the roof reminded her of the good days. The happy times with Tora, where they would stargaze and tell each other their dreams, secrets, and goals.

"Y/n," Tora whispered to her, rubbing his thumb on the top of her hand, "Do you think we'll be happy when we grow up?" She tore her eyes away from the stars, "Yeah, I do." She smiled softly, but it didn't look like he resonated with her answer. "My parents weren't happy. Even now without my dad I don't think my mom's happy. She just looks bored, tired and bored. Is it because they're adults or because they were married?" She pondered his question, "Well my mom's never been married and she's a happy person. I think. I mean she's tired all the time too and I know she fakes a smile every once in a while. Overall though I think she's happy." He sat with her answer, quietly, back to staring at the stars. Y/n began to zone out, just taking in all of her surroundings not expecting him to speak up again but he did. In a low voice, a bare whisper that the wind could've carried away if they weren't so close. "I promise I'll be a good husband some day."

The good memories they danced in her day time consciousness. However, at night and in her dreams, Y/n relived the traumas of her life. The friends she had lost, the time that she lost, the mistakes that she made. Over the past ten years she had worked through most of this, accepted it and overcame. But still the feelings never completely faded and the reality of it all felt raw on her heart. She had forgiven Kazutora a very long time ago. The fact that he had returned from prison a better man made that forgiveness even more justifiable. The kiss from the night after the bar had come from a place of lust at first but she realized it was also a necessity. Seeing him made her feel like a kid again. That childhood crush that she had felt seeing him after all these years was more than just puppy love now that they were adults. She was sure of it. The kiss was an act of passion but also a reset button.

She dressed comfortably and made her way up to the roof. Kazutora was already there standing by the edge but not on the edge like he had when they were younger. No longer chasing adrenaline I see. She admired his tall, lean form until he turned around then she looked in his eyes. "I haven't been up here in ages. I'm surprised they haven't built a fence around it yet." He smirked and walked over to her, "That's because no ones supposed to be up here."
"Are you trying to get me in trouble Tora?"
"Me?" he mocked shock, "I'm a model citizen now a days Y/n." he laughed heartily, relaxing a bit. "Mhh, good boy." He was no longer relaxed, blood rushing to both heads. "Ah, don't pick on me Y/n." He made himself comfortable sitting down, and she placed herself in front of him. "I gotta get you back for all the times you've picked on me. You reap what you sow, sort of deal ya know?" He would've smiled if what she said didn't ring so true to him. "Yeah about that.." Her own smile faded realizing how serious he was actually being. "I'm sorry about the other night. I shouldn't have kissed you."
"O-oh." She curled in on herself, wrapping her arms around her knees. Embarrassed that he was feeling remorse over what they had done. "Well I'm sorry too. I honestly didn't think it would be something you'd regret but I understand." He perked up, leaning forward quickly, "Regret? Huh?" He shook his head and hands, "I don't regret it at all Y/n. But I should've apologized to you before I came onto you." She wanted to ask him what he was talking about but Kazutora took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being a brat and a jerk from the moment I met you. I'm sorry for all the times I ever pushed you off the playset, and I'm sorry for that one time I tried force feeding you a worm after you lost in that race home from the convenience store. For pulling your hair or bullying you in school. I'm sorry for ditching you, for pretending that I was too cool to be your friend. I never appreciated our friendship enough, by the time I did I just selfishly made you my girlfriend. I'm sorry for leaving you after I finally had the guts to tell you how I truly felt. I was gone for two years and as soon as I came back home I was terrible to you again. I'm so sorry that you lost Baji and me so suddenly. I betrayed you and I left you again. I know I've caused you heartbreak and problem after problem. But I promise you I'm not here to step in and out of your life. I won't abandon you ever again. If you'll let me I'm here to stay this time. I want to make it all up to you. I want you in my life. I hope you accept my apology."

She fought tears welling in her eyes, and she smiled sincerely, "Tora, I forgave you a very long time ago. I accept your apology." His jaw dropped, at first unbelieving her answer. The ease of it all had thrown him for a loop. She really is such a good fucking person. He picked himself up, holding hand out for her, "Would it been too much to ask.." She grabbed his hand and he pulled her up, stilling holding her fingers in his, "Would you like to go on a date with me?"
She looked up at him, bright and radiating.
"Yeah, I'd like that a lot."