[WRITTEN]Aftermath- Suegiku

Six- New Year's Without You

[ New Year's Day- About 7 Months Since Jōno's death ]

January 1st.

Morning.

The night before had been great, too. Tetchō had toshikoshi soba with the others at night at Tsuki's apartment. It was nice, really.

The TV running the New Year's shows.. dancing with the others..

The smell of sake throughout the air..
The laughs of Teruko..
Tachihara's voice on the microphone during karaoke together.

Tachihara even brought Gin. They performed a duet.

Seeing two relationships— relationships that weren't his made Tetchō feel horrible.

That's what was missing.

Jōno was missing from all of it.

..It was going to be a long year without jono.

Tetchō had been invited by Tachihara and Teruko to go do Hanamode with them— the first shrine visit of the year.

They were going to a large one, obviously. Teruko wanted to get a better looking ema to write on. Usually, the more popular shrines had those. Maybe she'd get the same omamori as last time.

Tetchō had already added more of his clothes and belongings to the bedroom in Jōno's apartment. Staying in his late lover's homestead helped him feel safer— more secure— and closer to him. He already had some stuff there anyway, since they were together.

He moved his altar there, too.

Although he left his toothbrush at his office/dorm at HQ, since he already had one here. Tetchō left the one at Jōno's office untouched.

Tetchō now only slept at his office if he had to work late or had to get up early for missions and be there quickly. Otherwise, he would be living at Jōno's apartment.

Tetchō pulled on his coat, and his boots...
And the scarf Jōno made him. Believe it or not, Jōno had always been quite crafty in his free time. Meanwhile, Tetchō would be fighting the yarn— whether knitting or crocheting. He wasn't good with knots. He always got frustrated from it (Jōno laughed at him.)
The scarf had a lovely fringe to it, and a few little heart patterns for Tetchō. It was a lovely, deep shade of green.

Despite loving green, Tetchō also loved red.
It reminded him of Jōno. Even if Jōno really liked blue. Before Jōno lost his vision, he liked blue.

...

Tetchō raised the loose end of the scarf to his lips, kissing it gently and taking in the scent of it.

It smelled truly familiar.

Like home.

Tetchō turned the knob after placing his slippers aside, before exiting the apartment. He turned back around, keys jangling as he locked the door. Tetchō then looked around, saying good morning to the neighbors before walking down the stairs— making his way to the shrine. They were all going to meet up together. Tsuki and Hatsuko were going to a different one together— a smaller one, they said.

...

He thinks about last year.

That January
6 months before Jōno was killed.

...

"I wish for Saigiku to live a long and happy life. I pray for our good health together."

Jōno had already finished praying before him. Afterwards, the two went over and bought ema plaques— both of theirs had little flowers on them. The two began to write their wishes down. Teruko and Tachihara were drinking amazake together on the side— writing their own ema together.
Sometimes, Teruko would leave Tachihara to go and nag Tetchō and Jōno.