Cool Ice (IzukuxFuyumi)

19: The First Obstacle

(Day Before the Sports Festival)

"Is that so?" Rei hummed, hands clasped over her lap with thumbs fidgeting against each other. A bird perched onto the stone outside of her window to which she turned to, watching the bird fly away towards the blinding sun. "That's certainly something to start the day off with."

"I'm sorry." Her daughter apologized on the bed beside her. "I, didn't know who else to come to first when it came to something like this. I know you and Dad may not have started out this way but, I had no other choice."

"It's no worries, your father and I are as about as close as we can be when it comes to your situation even putting aside everything that's occurred. Even if we weren't, I'd still be here to help. Does anybody else know?"

Fuyumi shook her head. "No, just you. I don't know what to do about these sort of emotions, I certainly wasn't going to tell any of the guys cause who knows what they would have done with this kind of information."

Rei chuckled. "Oh, I wouldn't doubt the possibility of Natsuo suddenly acting on his own accord thinking to be protective over something that doesn't regard him. At times he can be a bit over the top that's for sure. Though, I'd like to ask you this, Fuyumi. What is it that you, you personally, would like to see out of what you've just told me? What thoughts do you have that make you feel like it could be the best possible outcome for the questions that you've brought today?"

"I......huhhh, I-I don't know if I'm being really honest with you here Mom. I mean, it sounds nice you know it, sounds like something I'd be willing to explore and find out how things work no less with him at my side. But I just....I-I dunno I just think about everything else I have to take care of and everybody else who I have to speak with this about and I'm not sure if they would be receptive to it the way you are. I doubt Shoto would even be okay with it, and if he wouldn't be okay with it what makes me think Dad would be? I'm, kinda stuck facing a wall here."

"Undoubtedly they would have their opinions and thoughts about the matter that you're presenting. In my opinion I believe Shoto may be your biggest obstacle considering he's the closest in familiarity out of the rest. But take this to heart, Fuyumi. These are your feelings that you have within you, these are your thoughts. If you think sharing these thoughts and feelings with the boys may help make things a little easier for you that is entirely up to you and you alone, you are not required to share everything with anybody. Not even your father. Just know that if you do intend on sharing this with them, be prepared to hear various points and takes on what they would like to see and hear.

You can hear them but by no means should you let them stop you from seeking out what you think could be best. Your heart is a special thing in this world you shouldn't let anybody stop or affect it with their pieces of mind."

"Part of me wants to tell them about this but, I just feel like doing so would only make things more complicated on my end. Or, maybe it's just me overthinking how they'd react and I'm letting it get the best of me? I don't even know at this point."

"It can be a very confusing topic for somebody to wrap their heads around, especially when taking into account all the different factors and opinions that play into it. As dreadful as it feels to take a methodic process to it, don't rush it. Otherwise risk committing to something you may regret later."

"What do you think I should do about this? There's so many things that could go wrong but, at the same time I feel like if everything goes well-"

"Then it will be the most beautiful experience one could ever imagine within a lifetime." Rei smiled. "I understand. Personally, if you were to ask me about whether you should commit to these stirred feelings of yours, I believe there's only one right answer for me to give you. You should follow your heart."