It was always a pain, seeing her here again after so many years. But, not the frustration or distasteful kind.
It was more of the painful, heartaching kind.
He has missed her so, so much that he hadn't realized what he had been missing in his life ever since she had left. He had wandered around, finding her sitting on a bench.
"Kanao."
She turned around and smiled at him, as if he was just an old friend passing in the neighborhood. But then she turned back, to gaze at the moon. Like they had did that summer night in college.
Tanjiro sighed.
"I wasn't expected to see you here, at this event." her melodious voice was the same as always, carrying her forth like butterflies in the breeze. She shivered, although there was no cold wind in the air.
"What happened, Tanjiro?" she looked at him, tears in her eyes, an unfamiliar expression on her once stone-like expression.
"I-I don't know..." he confessed. Kanao sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Kanao?" an older, more mature voice chilled the air. Startled, Kanao squeezed Tanjiro's hand a little tighter. A young man was standing there, champagne in the wine glasses.
"Naoki." Kanao stood up and pulled her shawl a little closer to her chest.
"I can't believe this." his hand dropped the glass to pull it closer to his mouth. Kanao winced at the sound of glass shattering.
"Naoki..." Kanao ran after him, her heels clacking on the floor as she rushed out of sight.
Again... he had messed things up again.
...
"Are you saying you don't believe me?!" Kanao had shouted at Tanjiro, who was at a loss for words.
"No, Kanao-chan..." Tanjiro froze, when Kanao shied away from his touch. She hadn't been like this since they had first met. He had taken her away from an abusive family and let her live with his close friends, the Kochou Sisters.
Was she... afraid?
"Kanao..."
...
Kanao stared at her hands, them shaking as she looked at Naoki's disappointed face.
Only...
It wasn't disappointed.
It was more of... relieved.
"So that was Tanjiro, wasn't it?" Naoki smiled softly as he looked at her. Kanao's eyes grew wide as she looked up at him, her curious eyes softening.
"Yes..." Kanao confirmed his suspicions with a quiet nod.
"I..."
"Naoki, don't be mad... please..." Kanao started to tear up. She would lose the one best friend... er...
"Kanao..." Naoki cupped her face gently with his face. His silver eyes traced hers, only for her chin to be tilted upwards with his other hand.
"You still love him, don't you?"
"I..." Kanao fumbled with her words, fidgeting in place. She looked down, but Naoki kept his eyes trained on hers.
"Kanao." Naoki rumbled, making her look up. Kanao nodded softly, looking away. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
Naoki was a good man. He had done nothing to hurt her. He had only loved her.
But... she still loved Tanjiro.
Naoki leaned forward, his forehead leaning against hers in a silent promise.
"I'll always love you, Kanao." Naoki whispered, as Kanao's tears began to fall. Smiling gently, Naoki wiped away her tears with the soft touch of his hands. Kanao nodded softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek in thanks.
Kanao stepped away.
He made it easy.
For her.
Naoki closed his eyes, the image of Kanao disappearing in his mind.
All the memories, all the love, all the tender moments.
And when he opened his eyes, she was gone.
...
Tanjiro faced the window, the butterfly garden still open at this time of night. He could hear the footsteps of guests and the giggling of the noblewomen, but nothing caught his attention until he heard the door slam open, and the huffing and puffing of a young girl.
Tanjiro turned around, finding Kanao in her evening dress, the blue complimenting her eyes. Her shawl was gathered up in a small ball, and she wrung it in her hands. Her cheeks were red, not shy, but flustered.
"Kanao, what are you doing here?" Tanjiro asked, looking Kanao up and down for any scratches. Kanao giggled.
Of course he was worried about her.
That was just like him.
Rushing forward, Kanao held him in a tight embrace.
Surprised, Tanjiro hugged her as tightly, pressing a kiss to her cheek in relief.
She was home.
In his arms.
