Shk shk shk shk. The wheels of the sliding panelled door clatter as it’s rolled aside. A once familiar sound. It’s been nearly a year now since the bustle of the hospital replaced all such comforts.
“Your room is upstairs and down the hall to the left. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Mayu and I don’t mind.”
Pausing at the base of the stairs, leather duffle bag in one hand and cane in the other, a smile tugs at the corners of those ever forlorn eyes. “Thank you, Hatori. I don’t plan on intruding very long.”
The solemn demeanor and base tenor of Hatori's voice hide his concern as he replies, “Where are you planning to go?”
“Overseas.” Without another word, Kureno ascends the wooden stairs of the old house Shigure left to the newlywed couple.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Steel blue linger on the retreating figure as he wonders what his cousin could possibly be thinking. For someone who's hardly ever left the Soma estate, for someone who doesn't even know what life in Japan is like, for someone with a history like his running away to a foreign land sounds more like whimsy than a plan. Yet those golden brown eyes spoke of nothing but certainty.
Hoping he's wrong Hatori avoids bringing up the subject again, and is nearly convinced it was a poorly executed joke by the next week until he stops by the antique book store to pick up Mayu only to be handed an armful of travel guides that his wife insists he should carry so she can drive.
Finding his cousin seated on the engawa with a cup of red tea, he sets the stack on the low table of the living room and steps out, closing the paper lined door behind him.
“Kureno,” he growls. “What's this all about? You're not seriously planning on moving abroad, are you?”
Eyes the shade of the amber liquid in the porcelain cup glance up to where Hatori glowers, hands shoved in his pockets and lips set in a firm line. “I am,” is Kureno's simple response.
Pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing heavily, Hatori takes a seat. He lets his gaze settle on the wine dyed foliage of the nearby trees while he collects his thoughts. The silence is broken up only by the rustle of dead leaves tumbling across the yard.
“You've hardly ever set foot outside the estate. How on earth are you going to survive in a country where you no nothing?” he finally asks.
“Exactly. What's the difference between learning to live on my own in a country called home and learning everything from scratch in a country by another name?” Kureno offers in turn.
Through gritted teeth Hatori retorts, “You speak the language here.”
“That doesn't make my experiences here any broader. There are still just as many unknowns here for me as anywhere else,” he replies honestly, but the soft tone belies the severity of the statement.
“There are things here that are intrinsically familiar to you here. Cultural knowledge you can rely on to help you navigate being on your own.”
A gentle gaze and a curious tilt of the head precede an innocent demand for details. “Like what?”
With a huff Hatori explains, “Like... Banking and using your seal. They don't use seals in other countries. How will you figure out getting a place to live without that kind of thing?”
“They must have something similar. Contracts can't fundamentally differ that much. They're all a binding agreement between entities.”
The reasonable counterargument silences the man for a moment before he quips, “Fine. What about food? How will you survive when you can't cook and they don't sell the food you're used to at restaurants?”
“You know as well as anyone I haven't tried most of the local food here either. What's the difference? Here or there I'll have to find food I like or learn to cook.”
“Just the idea of you attempting to cook makes me want to buy a fire extinguisher for every corner of the house... Can you even boil water?”
With a hum, Kureno stares down into his cup, the reflection of his eyes disappearing into the identical colour. “Just fill the zojirushi and wait twenty minutes...”
“Is that the only way you know how to heat water...?”
“Isn't that the only way to warm water?” he asks innocently when he meets the scowl of his cousin.
“Have you ever been in a kitchen...?”
“I'll look it up...” the acorn haired boy mumbles timidly in response.
“Researching topics on the computer is probably the only skill you're well versed in. That and finances,” Hatori chides as he leans back on his palms to stare up at the azure blanket of late autumn. Out of the side of his vision he sees his cousin nod reluctantly by way of agreement.
“On that note, what would you do for work overseas anyway? You can't seriously be expecting to get a job as an accountant in a country where you don't speak the language and don't know the tax laws.”
“Mmm... I'll find something... It doesn't have to be accounting. I'm sure someone needs a hand organizing documents or running spreadsheets... Math is a universal language after all...”
Despite the glaring deficiencies, the speed with which he rebuffs each comment hints at his seriousness. With a sigh Hatori continues, “And what about actual language? Just because you studied English through til the end of high school and passed with good marks doesn't mean you can actually communicate.”
“You know I don't talk much anyway... If I stay in Japan and continue working as the accountant for the estate, I won't talk anymore than I do now. Even if I got a job here somewhere else, I don't think that would change...”
“Yes, but choosing not to talk is a luxury. How are you going to handle problems when you don't have a choice but to engage? You can't call me at all hours of the night to translate for you!” he warns sternly.
“I read there are good translation apps now. I'll make it work...” Gazing off at the withering trees slicing into the horizon, Kureno murmurs, “Besides, it might be good for me... to have to speak for myself for a change...”
Reluctantly Hatori concurs, “Yes. You do need to learn to stand up for yourself and make your own decisions.”
A loneliness clearer than it's ever been pools in those golden depths despite finally being free. It's almost too much to bear, and Hatori can't help but beg him to stay. “Do you really think you have to go overseas for that to happen though? Aren't you just running away from her?”
“I am. I want to run far away. As far as I can. Everything here reminds me of her because everything here is supposed to be familiar and it's not. At least... in a different country, nothing is expected to be known. I won't look like a total idiot for not knowing how to use the subway or never having tried a hamburger... I won't be reminded of all the years I spent needing nothing of anyone... willfully helpless and reliant on others...”
Just as it was stubbornness that kept him there for all those years, Hatori recognizes that the same will won't be changed now. “Well, where do you want to go?”
Setting down the empty china cup on it's saucer and dredging his phone from his cardigan pocket, Kureno hands the unlocked device over and explains, “It seems like a lot of countries have some kind of agreement with Japan to allow people under thirty to work for a year without restriction.”
“Ah, a working holiday visa. Aren't there only a few where English is spoken that are open to Japanese citizens though?” Hatori queries as he scrolls through the information.
“Right. New Zealand, Australia, UK, Ireland, or Canada.”
Passing it back Hatori prods, “Which one do you want to go to?”
“Whichever accepts my application soonest,” Kureno answers with a shrug as he slides the weight into his pants.
Uncharacteristically wide-eyed Hatori demands, “You're not taking anything else into account?!”
Blinking a few times before responding Kureno counters, “What else is there to consider?”
“The climate, the culture, the economic opportunities, the cost of living... A lot, Kureno...”
“You know none of us are short on money. We work to keep ourselves busy or because it's required by the family, not because we lack financially. The culture will be equally unfamiliar anywhere, and climate... Is it really that different from here? Doesn't everywhere have four seasons...?”
After a contemplative hum Hatori agrees, “I suppose... I've never left the country either, but that seems only logical... Still, how do you propose to find a place to stay? Surely you're not planning on living in a hotel.”
“I've read there are people who offer what they call ‘home-stay’ where one can board for a period. The accomodations usually provide food at extra cost. It seems rather popular.”
Rising from the wooden deck and shoving the sliding door back Hatori gives in. “At least you've done your research... Though I sincerely doubt what you've read will line up with reality as perfectly as you imagine, I'll help you out however I can.”
The smile he's met with is one he's rarely seen on Kureno - one that's genuinely hopeful.
Hi! I read your kureno sohma fanfic and I was wondering if you could do another one with the reader being one who loves dogs? Maybe he gets jealous of shigure because he is the dog zodiac? Sorry for bothering. Your choice to do this! Bye!
hi yes I can do this!
masterlist
Jealousy Jealousy | Kureno Sohma x Gn!Reader
You loving dogs definitely helped Shigure’s ego, which he didn’t need, but did not excite Kureno. Kureno was not a very jealous person, but in this case he was. Like why were you all over that fluffy dog? And why is Shigure staring like that??
You cuddled against this big black lab, kissing all over it’s face and petting behind it’s ears. All Kureno could do was stare at the scene before him. All the love, that was supposed to be just for him, was directed against this stupid dog. He almost screamed when you used your baby voice to coo at the dog. He knew that you had loved dogs for all your life, but how could you not know this was Shigure-san.
Kureno pouted to the side, purposefully letting out a sigh in hopes you would take the hint, but he knew that you were way gone when you sat down to let the awaiting dog try and curl up into your lap. The dog gave a brief turn to Kureno, and sat down in HIS girlfriend’s lap. At that second, Kureno swore that that stupid big dog gave him a smirk. Now you wonder why your adorning boyfriend was giving the stink eye to this precious dog that was curled up in your lap. No wonder Kureno hates dogs now, and hates Shigure a little more than before.
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