Fifthmus Fic: A Certain Dignity (for ontogenesis, from mmmdraco)

[mmmdraco]

TITLE: A Certain Dignity
AUTHOR: mmmdraco (pinch-hitting for harumi)
RECIPIENT: ontogenesis, requests
PAIRING: Surprise!
SUMMARY: Akari contemplates the perception of beauty.
NOTES: harumi was nice enough to let me know pretty early on that she wouldn't have time to complete her fic, but my life has also been rather crazy lately, so I still got to write this in something of a

Comments

[tarigwaemir]

Oh Akari. I wince and sympathize at the same time. But I love that Kaneko is confident and comfortable with her own skin, and I'm glad that she gives Akari good advice.

[ontogenesis]

♥ YAY FEMSLASHY FRIENDSHIP!! ♥

I really think you nailed Kaneko and Akari here. Akari does seem to be fairly self-conscious about her looks in canon -- the way she dresses and poses indicates she does want attention, although unfortunately for her she's not going to get it from Hikaru! That part of Akari that just wants to be desired (even if she doesn't have romantic feelings) definitely reminds me of what it's like to be that age. Also, it's plausible that Akari would be drawn to Kaneko since she respects Kaneko (calling her "-san" and being envious of her grades), so it makes since that she would look to Kaneko as a model for other things.

Kaneko's mature nonchalance is quite appealing. Nothing fazes her! And it's refreshing to see a female character who isn't portrayed as jealous of all attractive males in the immediate vicinity; she's just comfortable with herself. (I recall she did her bit to nudge Akari towards Hikaru in the manga; playing matchmaker amuses her, I suppose!)

Great job, and thanks for the story!

[lacygrey]

'PAIRING: Surprise!'
It certainly was! (I didn’t read the prompt beforehand).

Kaneko really is self-assurance itself here: she’s not the least shocked by Akari’s interpretation of her advice and the gall of her comment about pheromones could put her in the same league as Kubawara - I wonder if Mitani blushed :)

[mandypchan]

Well... I seriously though the Akari-chan was into Mitani *sigh*
And I even imagined that Mitani-kun was outside the lab door listening to their conversation...
I like when Akari & kaneko are together as a friend... not more than that (>__<)
Your idea of pairing sure surprise me!