仏様 | seiki | chapter 2 | attn: ayame
shsltakenoko:
Ayame clapsed her hands together, nodding. It was a strange feeling to talk about such a thing out in the open, as much hesitation as she had while doing so. As well as this feeling of being able to relate, something that eluded her prior.
“Indeed, I have no idea what to do about it. It is strange, sometimes I feel like I am sought out, yet it is never something I am able to reach.”
Nodding solemnly, she glanced over to the side, then back again. True that there was a deep-set longing in her chest, but at the same time in her infinite curiosity, perhaps some things were better left to the wayside. At least for now, she felt there was no chance she’d be able to sort out the situation that troubled her. So better to focus on something she might be able to help with already.
“Thank you, Seiki, I should hope so too. I have no way of knowing what it is I should be looking for, but I will try. And indeed… sometimes, moving forward is better.”
It was her own turn to be comforted by their words - a peace that came upon her slowly, that she didn’t even realize was there until she took the time to notice it. Perhaps that is why she was able to maintain such a stalwart outlook, when it took so long for other emotions to register. Or it was just the state brought about after years of living. Either way, she just knew she wanted to help her companion in whatever way she could. Self-reflection could also come later.
“Ah!”
Her ears reddened slightly, the first crack showing through since she came here. Or was it more of a shift?
“Well, I would have to say the same for you. You are quite special to me, and I feel you are worthy of this. Indeed - I do not intend to waste time worrying about something theoretical when you are here in front of me, in this moment.”
Nodding firmly, she collected herself once again.
“Certainly. I am glad to help! Hm…”
The gardener turned towards the horizon.
“And what a place to put forth such feelings, at the edge of one world and the start of the next.”
Luckily for Ayame, Seiki did not notice the red on her ears. They hadn’t been looking for such a reaction, anyway. They had just been trying to return at least some of the comfort that she had offered them.
“I could do much better to learn from you, Ayame. You know that there are not many so wise and positive-thinking as you in our age group. I expect that the rest of our fellow students are probably coping in much unhealthier ways.”
Seiki could feel their usual self returning. In a spur of the moment, they grabbed Ayame’s hand and held it in the space between them. Instead of just following it with silence to make a nice touching moment, they interrupted themself akwardly.
“I’ve never held someone’s hand before,” they said, as if surprised that their arm had moved of its own accord. “Have you? I have always wanted to hold a friend’s hand.”








