Shin Kuroi [Comfort Writing]

Night Festival

Months roll by. Within a blink Shin leaves to Minasato again, reluctantly leaving you on your lonesome. Frequent phone calls and text messages fill in the time, yet you find yourself falling on hard emotions regardless.

Eventually a reprise arrives. The next annual star festival in Minasato! Your parents allow you to head off in order to attend, dressed in a white kimono.

You arrive on the day of, already nightfall and festivities beginning to commence. You rush off over towards the food stands, where Shin spent most of his time last year. He isn't there. You brush by your other friends and get a little bit of catch-up - Kouya and Shun wound up being a couple.

You head to the dance area by the shrine. Still, Shin's nowhere to be found. You considered heading all the way down to his house at the other end of town - but there's no way he'd be there. He wouldn't've abandoned you knowing full well you'd come by to the festival.

He wouldn't....

...but your mind attacks you. He must've... he... he doesn't care does he?!

You sat down on a bench to the side, head in your palms and distraught. But... a tap. On your shoulder. It doesnt register...

"Hey.... T-Terra....?" That voice.

You take your hands from your face and look over. There was Shin, dressed gorgeously in that blue kimono with a red silk belt... he hadn't forgoten. His face was struck with distress.

He hurridly slung down onto the bench beside you, clutching you tight. You fail to return the embrace, a few stray tears dripping down your face. Shin's voice fragily crackles for a moment.

"Terra.... Terra, I... I'm so sorry.... I... I was late..... I-I-I- was trying to last-minute bake something from home for you.... b-but it didn't come out right and then I just- I...." He frantically explains himself.

The sincere drivel soothes your nerves. He still truly loves you and cares... he's just still a little clutzy cat sometimes. You embrace him back, and softly rest your tired head on his shoulder. Silently acknowledging, Shin's silky furred hand begins to stroke your thick-furred cheek...

Once again at ease....

"Shin... tell me... why do you love me?~" You let out a tired giggle as you ask such a heavy question.

The feline takes a moment to respond. His voice is delicate, soft... it's like music to your ears. Quietly and with a heavy heart he answers, all the while stroking your cheek theraputically.

"...Well.... Terra...
...I've... always seen something inside you. When we were childhood friends...... you... you always were...
...
nice to me.... nobody else in the group... ever gave me a second thought. But you... you always came back around to ask me if I was okay...
....
Terra... you're such a gentle person... you always care for the people around you... such a gentle soul, you are.
...
*sniffle*
I owe so much to you, you know that? I-If you hadn't done all you did when you came here last summer... I'd... I'd still be an emotional shut-in... I can hardly imagine how much you've helped the other people in your life..."

A brief pause of speech ensues as he brushes his face against yours, and tightens his affectionate grip.

"...you're the light of my life. Your smile... it's the most spectacular sight. You're an ineffably amazing person, Terra... you mean so much to me... and to everyone else around you, e-even if they never really say it...

Terra...
My sweet, sweet little love..."

He goes silent again. Your chest swells with comfort and heat, your face tickled pink. The words sink deep into your mind, putting your stress to rest. There wasn't a single insincere statement... he meant it... and it was all true.

Life wasn't so bad, afterall...