Out in the Open

They talk all night.

Falling in together and breaking apart. Her feelings, his, their shortcomings. And as the stars winked she tells him about Kanae, just as he tells her of his sister, and his best friend. The weight of a mantle that never really belonged to them.

All the while, Shinobu continues drinking his horrible tea, and he tolerates her teasing; it's the most honest they'd ever been with each other.

And Tomioka is smiling at her. It nearly gave her a conniption. "What?"

"You said I was hated by everyone."

"…But?"

"Except you. Everyone didn't mean you, too."

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