𝔹𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕥𝕖 // 𝔾𝕀𝕐𝕌𝕌 𝕏 𝕊ℍ𝕀ℕ𝕆𝔹𝕌 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 4

The wedding had been a grand event, it was the talk of the town for weeks. As the celebrations slowly wound down, Kanae and Giyu prepared for their honeymoon, a luxurious trip that would take them across Europe.

Shinobu stood at the entrance of the estate, waving goodbye as they departed in a vintage car adorned with purple and pink flowers and ribbons. The sight of her sister, blissfully unaware of the disturbance within Shinobu's heart, was a bittersweet reminder of the choice she had made.

Days turned into weeks, and the house grew quiet in their absence. Fuki Kocho busied herself with social engagements and managing the household, while Shinobu found peace in her medical research. Her days were filled with a work, yet every night, the loneliness crept in, wrapping itself around her heart.

One afternoon, Shinobu found a letter waiting for her on the hall table. Recognizing the elegant handwriting, she eagerly tore it open.

Dearest Shinobu,

Our honeymoon has been everything I dreamed of and more. Giyu has been so kind and attentive, and we've visited the most wonderful places. Paris is as romantic as they say, and Venice, oh Shinobu, it's like a dream!

I miss you terribly and can't wait to share all our stories when we return. I hope you're taking care of yourself and keeping busy. Mother wrote to say you've been researching about medicine. That's wonderful, Shinobu. I'm so proud of you.

With all my love,
Kanae.

Shinobu's heart ached with a mixture of longing and sorrow as she read her sister's words. She was genuinely happy for Kanae's joy, but the letter also deepened her own sense of loss. Folding it carefully, she placed it back on the table, her mind circling with thoughts.

That evening, Fuki joined Shinobu for dinner. The dining room, usually filled with silence, was a little louder than usual.

"How are you holding up, Shinobu?" Fuki asked, her tone gentle.

Shinobu managed a small smile. "I'm fine, Mother. Keeping busy with work helps."

Her mother nodded, studying her daughter closely. "You've always been strong. I know this has been a big change for you."

Shinobu's smile wavered, but she nodded. "It has. But I'm happy for Ne-san. She deserves all the happiness in the world."

"Of course she does, and so do you, my dear. Don't forget to take care of your own heart."

"Thank you Mother"

After dinner, Shinobu retreated to her room. She sat at her desk, her fingers trembling. The silence stretched on, filled with the weight of unspoken emotions. Finally, she began to write, pouring all her heartache and longing into a random piece of paper.

As the weeks passed, Shinobu threw herself even more into her work. Day and Night she spent researching and applying to nearby medical schools. Time seemed to stretch out as each school declined her, one after the other.

One crisp autumn afternoon, as Shinobu was walking through the halls with her reading, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Shinobu-kunn~!"

Shinobu turned around a little startled. She was met with a woman wearing a short summer dress that ended mid thigh, she covered the distance with high lace stockings and traditional Japanese sandals. Two pink braids ended just below her chest, the tips tinted green.

"Mitsuri! Long time no see." Shinobu spoke softly.

"Shinobuu-kunnn!!" Mitsuri wrapped her arms around Shinobu bringing her into a tight embrace. Shinobu reluctantly hugs her back, secretly excited to see her friend. A few minutes pass and Mitsuri finally releases her tight grip. She was surprisingly strong for a woman.

"Come on now! We're going out! Fuki told me you have been really busy with work lately, so tonight we're ditching work and going out to town!" Mitsuri grasped Shinobu's hands in hers. A cute blush sat beneath her eyes. She quite the opposite of Shinobu, more bright and happy. If it weren't for their families the probably would've never became friends. They had grown up together because of their families being business partners. They had become closer since then. Suddenly the force of Mitsuri's grip dragged her to Shinobu's room.

"I'm going to help you pick out some clothes! Because you have NO fashion sense!" Mitsuri spoke so cheerfully, making Shinobu kind of jealous.

"I have fashion sense! You're just making up excuses to let me to allow you to pick my outfit!"

"Look at what you're wearing right now. Atrocious!"

Shinobu was wearing a loose purple shirt with butterfly patterns, she had styled this with some orange jeans. She thought she looked good but apparently not. Mitsuri rushed into her closet searching for the best outfit of choice. While she searched she asked Shinobu basic questions about her current life.

"So has any medical schools accepted you yet?"

"Unfortunately not" Shinobu looked down at her feet disappointed.

"Don't let it get to you. You're really smart, wayyy smarter than me." She reassured her friend. Shinobu looked up at her, a tint of gratitude it her eyes. She replied with a snarky comment.

"Comparing me to you is like comparing a king to a rat" Shinobu smirked as Mitsuri stopped her searching and turned around astonished, her jaw eating the dust off the floor.

"Cat got your tongue?" Shinobu teased.

"You- how- wha- I- No! No just no!" Mitsuri stormed deeper into Shinobu's closet. Shinobu chuckled to herself, it was to easy to get under Mitsuri's skin.

Minutes go by when Mitsuri finally steps out of the closet, holding a miniskirt and a tight long sleeve shirt. She handed it to Shinobu.

"Put it on with no complaining!" She snapped at her, still quite angry from her earlier teasing. Shinobu grabbed the clothes and walked to her bathroom to put them on. Once she had closed the door Mitsuri went into searching mode. As well as Fuki sending her to distract Shinobu from work, she also sent Mitsuri to find out anything to do with Shinobu's love life. She searched eagerly across Shinobu's room until coming across a draw on her desk. She pulled it open and piles of letters and love notes came flying out. Underneath all the paper was a small note book with the name 'Diary' on the front. Mitsuri leaned forward to pick it up, suddenly she heard the bathroom door open. She stood up immediately shutting the draw as she does. Shinobu walked out, the outfit outlining her figure perfectly. As Mitsuri sized her up and down Shinobu asked.

"Do I really have to wear this?" Mitsuri moved her gaze to Shinobu's face before snapping.

"Yes! Yes you do!" She walked over to Shinobu linking their arms together. "We shall go now!" Shinobu looked a little shocked when her friend linked arms but eventually relaxed and enjoyed her closeness. She chuckled softly.

"Yea. Let's go now!"

///

A/N

I love this duo so much. This is really short but I don't have enough time to make it longer. 

See you guys for tomorrows post!

Word count: 1131

Published: 6/26/24, 11:09pm