300 [TaigaParu] Winter Flame
Title: Winter Flame
Author: macy
Pairing: TaigaParu
Genre: Romance
Rating: G
AN:
-au. unbetaed and rushed. very much rushed. i am running out of time. and i'm out of sleep. /shot
-first fic for 2014. Also my 300th ^^
-based on a real life story.
"Paruru?" He asked, chuckling a little. "Why 'Paruru'?"
"I met Rumi-chan in preschool. We had these nametags were our names are written in Hiragana. She read my name as 'Paruka' and it just stuck. Now it's become my nickname. All my friends call me that."
"Hmm…" He said, smiling and nodding. He was looking at me like that again. I don't really know how to describe it, but every time he does this, my heart would start beating fast and the time seems to slow down.
"Paruru, huh…" He said, finally looking away. "Can I call you 'Paruru', too?"
"That was why I told you the story." I told him, laughing a little. "I want you to call me that. No more 'Shimazaki-san'; it sounds weird."
----
Shimazaki Haruka woke up from her dream with a smile.
"Good morning, it seems. That's a big smile you got there." Someone suddenly asked.
Haruka only smiled more. "Good morning, Mina." She said as she sat up, and looked at her roommate.
"What's with the big smile? Good dream? What about?" Mina asked, looking at her curiously.
Haruka just shrugged and stood up, immediately arranging her bed.
"Hm..." Mina sounded thoughtfully. "Who about then?"
Haruka laughed but didn't answer. She started for the bathroom, stretching as she walks.
"Ahh… About this Taiga, is it?" Mina said and Haruka saw her shook her head in obvious exasperation.
"It's not a dream… more a memory." Haruka said as she entered the bathroom.
"And that's why you can't have lasting relationships! You never even try to move on from your first love!" Haruka heard Mina shouting as she closed the door. She could only laugh. That was the usual reaction she gets from her friend whenever the talk stray to Taiga. At first it was a little annoying with Mina trying to meet her up with guy acquaintances of hers but she'd given up on that and now it was just amusing for Haruka whenever her friend complains about her lovelife.
When she had emerged from the bathroom about half an hour later, Haruka expected that Mina has already gone. But instead she found her sitting in her bed, still in her pajamas.
"I mean…" Mina suddenly said, as if no time has pass since her last words to Haruka. "When you and Terakawa-kun broke up, you didn't really seem sad or anything. I'm worried about you. How will you ever find ‘the one’ if you're not looking?" She asked.
Haruka just sighed. "I was sad. I did like Maya-kun. A lot, actually. But that's already in the past. Anyway, aren't you late for uni?" She asked her friend, wanting for a change of subject.
Mina frowned at her, recognizing her question for what it is. But she just sighed and answered. "My professor suddenly said today instead of tomorrow is the start of our holidays. We just have to go to school later for the Christmas party." She explained.
"Ahh..." Haruka just said, proceeding to her closet. "That's perfect then. I felt a little guilty leaving you alone here. You're going straight to your parents' house after the party, right?"
"Yeah." Mina said. "Are you going to Takomachi on your car?" She asked Haruka.
"I am. Why?" Haruka asked back.
"Better get your car checked. It's a long way from here. Better be safe than sorry." Mina said.
Haruka laughed. "You are such a worrywart."
----
It was exactly four o'clock in the afternoon when Haruka finished work. It was her last day before her leave. Haruka started working for a government office right after graduating from uni. For the past years, she had dedicated her life to her career. Which was why her friend, Mina, was always worried that she wasn't happy with her life. That was far from the truth though. Haruka is very much content with her life.
Haruka drove back to their shared apartment to get her things and then set off for Takomachi. Haruka's family is actually from Saitama, but this year they planned on celebrating the Holidays with her grandparents in Tako.
Haruka smiled at the thought. The last time they spent their winter in Takoi was around ten years ago. They had visited their grandparents after that, of course, but only for short periods of time. And during those short visits, she never did meet him again.
It was Christmas ten years ago when she met her first love, Kyomoto Taiga. She had been sixteen at the time.
Taiga, too, was just visiting his grandparents at the time. They had met one afternoon in front of the old church. Haruka had lost her way after running an errand, while Taiga was exploring. She had asked Taiga for directions and Taiga had been kind enough to even accompany her back to her grandparent's house. On their way, Taiga and Haruka had chatted and became fast friends.
After that, they'd meet each other every day and generally just hang out the rest of the day.
It had been the best vacation, lounging around all afternoon. Sometimes they would hang out in her grandparents' house, sometimes in his. Other times, they would explore together, and then rest in that old church. They could talk about anything from books they read, music they like, their dreams, and what they were going to do with their lives when they grew up.
Whenever Haruka was with him, it was as if they were in their own world. It felt very comfortable, and she knew somehow he understood her, as if he'd known her for a long time. And he was the same to her. She could be herself in front of him.
Haruka slowed to a stop as the street light glow red. She was still only in Edogawa. It was getting a little colder so she'd tapped the heater. She hoped she would arrive at her destination soon.
As Haruka continued to drive, more memories flashed into her mind and she couldn't help but smile. Somehow, Tako had become very special to her.
She remembered their snowball fight.
The sky was already darkening when the snow suddenly started falling. It was such a beautiful sight, and somehow, with Taiga besides her, Haruka felt like she was a heroine of a movie.
Haruka smiled at the memory. That was one thing Taiga always does to her that he probably didn't know himself. He makes her feel like she is special.
That afternoon, they had hanged out in his grandparents' house. When the snow started falling, both of them went out the house and started playing. It was such a bliss. Haruka had never really played around in the snow before that. But with Taiga, it felt okay to be childish. It was fun. It was like a movie moment and Haruka could feel each beat of her heart.
They ended up drenched and Taiga's grandmother had even scolded them. Taiga lent her some of his cousin's clothes while hers dry. He'd prepared hot chocolate for the both of them, and they just sat silently in front of the kagizuru. After a while, Haruka realized Taiga had fallen asleep.
It was a spur of the moment and still feels a little embarrassed when she remembers, but she had kissed him that night. She had given him her first kiss. And she doesn't regret it one bit.
They weren't together, and she doesn't even know how he feels about her, but that time, it just somehow felt right.
Now that she thought about it, that winter was somehow like a fairy tale. Like a dream… It has to had an ending. Winter came to a close, it was already midnight and they had to say goodbye. Haruka had to return home to Saitama and eventually Taiga and she grew out of touch. She graduated high school, went to university, graduated college and went out into the world to make her mark; however, Taiga was never far from her mind. Yes, she had other boyfriends, but nothing ever measured up to the experience of that winter.
It was already starting to get dark when she'd reached Tako. It was only a few more kilometers away from her grandparents' house, but she is running empty. She remembered too late what Mina had said earlier.
She sighed, but felt grateful anyway that it was just gas she needs. She hasn’t been in the place for long, but she knew there was a gas station close to where she was so she kept driving. About five minutes in, she'd finally spotted it and feeling relieved, drove towards it.
As the gas pumps, Haruka got off the car and started for the convenient store close by. She had been driving for more than an hour and felt a little hungry. As she walks, she realized she had been in that place before. With Taiga.
Suddenly she felt home. It was amazing how just thoughts of him can make her feel hundreds of different emotions. She was almost in front of the store when its door open and out came…
Haruka felt as if her mouth nearly hit the ground. She was staring and blinking and trying to figure out if she was dreaming (again), she was tired from the drive and imagining things or…
"Paruru?" Taiga-ten years older than Taiga from her memories suddenly said.
"T-taiga." Haruka deadpanned. "Oh my God."
"Paruru!" He called, suddenly looking ecstatic. Haruka didn't know how she felt, though. She was happy, oh so happy, but she was still in a sort of shock.
"I thought I was…" He started but then shook his head. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Haruka had finally found her voice then. "My family is spending the holidays here… God, I can't believe it's you." She whispered her last sentence.
"Me neither." Taiga said in the same volume. And then he grinned. "But then, I knew we'd meet each other again eventually."
Haruka smiled. "I didn't know. But I hoped." She told him.
"We need to catch up. It's been what? Ten years?"
"Yeah." Haruka answered with a laugh. She just suddenly felt silly and giddy and just happy.
"Do you wanna go out, maybe? Are you free tonight?" He asked.
"I don't think we have anything planned tonight." Haruka answered.
"It's a date then." Taiga said. "It's already quarter to 6… Can I pick you up around 8, then?"
Haruka smiled and nodded.
"At your grandparents' house, right?"
"Yeah." She said with a nod.
Just then, Taiga suddenly pulled Haruka to him in a loose hug. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Haruka said, now feeling like she wanted to cry. Taiga stepped back, looking as happy as Haruka felt. And if it was possible, that made her even more happy. It was like they were never separated. There was no awkwardness.
But then suddenly, Taiga leaned in and kissed her right on the mouth. Haruka let out a squeak, completely taken aback.
"That's for the kiss you stole." He said cheekily and then gave Haruka a pat on her head. "I'll see you later."
It was unexpected, but somehow Haruka felt she'd knew it would happen all along when during their date that night, Taiga had suddenly got on one knee, produced a ring from his pocket and asked her to marry him.
And she knew that he probably knew that of course, she would say yes.
Sometimes you never get over your first love, and sometimes, you never have to.
END
AN:
-Title is a play on words. "Winter" obviously because it started winter 10 years ago and continued winter at present. And "Flame" as in love. "Winter Flame" is actually a plant (orange in color like flame) that blooms during the winter. It's quite beautiful and stands out with it's flaming color among the white snow around it. And I think it perfectly symbolize this story.
-(in case it's not emphasized enough) in the end, it is implied that Taiga like Haruka had also been in love with Haruka, had never forgotten her, was actually awake when Haruka kissed her and even though he hadn't seen her in ten years, was already planning on proposing to her and had even bought a ring.
Author: macy
Pairing: TaigaParu
Genre: Romance
Rating: G
AN:
-au. unbetaed and rushed. very much rushed. i am running out of time. and i'm out of sleep. /shot
-first fic for 2014. Also my 300th ^^
-based on a real life story.
"Paruru?" He asked, chuckling a little. "Why 'Paruru'?"
"I met Rumi-chan in preschool. We had these nametags were our names are written in Hiragana. She read my name as 'Paruka' and it just stuck. Now it's become my nickname. All my friends call me that."
"Hmm…" He said, smiling and nodding. He was looking at me like that again. I don't really know how to describe it, but every time he does this, my heart would start beating fast and the time seems to slow down.
"Paruru, huh…" He said, finally looking away. "Can I call you 'Paruru', too?"
"That was why I told you the story." I told him, laughing a little. "I want you to call me that. No more 'Shimazaki-san'; it sounds weird."
----
Shimazaki Haruka woke up from her dream with a smile.
"Good morning, it seems. That's a big smile you got there." Someone suddenly asked.
Haruka only smiled more. "Good morning, Mina." She said as she sat up, and looked at her roommate.
"What's with the big smile? Good dream? What about?" Mina asked, looking at her curiously.
Haruka just shrugged and stood up, immediately arranging her bed.
"Hm..." Mina sounded thoughtfully. "Who about then?"
Haruka laughed but didn't answer. She started for the bathroom, stretching as she walks.
"Ahh… About this Taiga, is it?" Mina said and Haruka saw her shook her head in obvious exasperation.
"It's not a dream… more a memory." Haruka said as she entered the bathroom.
"And that's why you can't have lasting relationships! You never even try to move on from your first love!" Haruka heard Mina shouting as she closed the door. She could only laugh. That was the usual reaction she gets from her friend whenever the talk stray to Taiga. At first it was a little annoying with Mina trying to meet her up with guy acquaintances of hers but she'd given up on that and now it was just amusing for Haruka whenever her friend complains about her lovelife.
When she had emerged from the bathroom about half an hour later, Haruka expected that Mina has already gone. But instead she found her sitting in her bed, still in her pajamas.
"I mean…" Mina suddenly said, as if no time has pass since her last words to Haruka. "When you and Terakawa-kun broke up, you didn't really seem sad or anything. I'm worried about you. How will you ever find ‘the one’ if you're not looking?" She asked.
Haruka just sighed. "I was sad. I did like Maya-kun. A lot, actually. But that's already in the past. Anyway, aren't you late for uni?" She asked her friend, wanting for a change of subject.
Mina frowned at her, recognizing her question for what it is. But she just sighed and answered. "My professor suddenly said today instead of tomorrow is the start of our holidays. We just have to go to school later for the Christmas party." She explained.
"Ahh..." Haruka just said, proceeding to her closet. "That's perfect then. I felt a little guilty leaving you alone here. You're going straight to your parents' house after the party, right?"
"Yeah." Mina said. "Are you going to Takomachi on your car?" She asked Haruka.
"I am. Why?" Haruka asked back.
"Better get your car checked. It's a long way from here. Better be safe than sorry." Mina said.
Haruka laughed. "You are such a worrywart."
----
It was exactly four o'clock in the afternoon when Haruka finished work. It was her last day before her leave. Haruka started working for a government office right after graduating from uni. For the past years, she had dedicated her life to her career. Which was why her friend, Mina, was always worried that she wasn't happy with her life. That was far from the truth though. Haruka is very much content with her life.
Haruka drove back to their shared apartment to get her things and then set off for Takomachi. Haruka's family is actually from Saitama, but this year they planned on celebrating the Holidays with her grandparents in Tako.
Haruka smiled at the thought. The last time they spent their winter in Takoi was around ten years ago. They had visited their grandparents after that, of course, but only for short periods of time. And during those short visits, she never did meet him again.
It was Christmas ten years ago when she met her first love, Kyomoto Taiga. She had been sixteen at the time.
Taiga, too, was just visiting his grandparents at the time. They had met one afternoon in front of the old church. Haruka had lost her way after running an errand, while Taiga was exploring. She had asked Taiga for directions and Taiga had been kind enough to even accompany her back to her grandparent's house. On their way, Taiga and Haruka had chatted and became fast friends.
After that, they'd meet each other every day and generally just hang out the rest of the day.
It had been the best vacation, lounging around all afternoon. Sometimes they would hang out in her grandparents' house, sometimes in his. Other times, they would explore together, and then rest in that old church. They could talk about anything from books they read, music they like, their dreams, and what they were going to do with their lives when they grew up.
Whenever Haruka was with him, it was as if they were in their own world. It felt very comfortable, and she knew somehow he understood her, as if he'd known her for a long time. And he was the same to her. She could be herself in front of him.
Haruka slowed to a stop as the street light glow red. She was still only in Edogawa. It was getting a little colder so she'd tapped the heater. She hoped she would arrive at her destination soon.
As Haruka continued to drive, more memories flashed into her mind and she couldn't help but smile. Somehow, Tako had become very special to her.
She remembered their snowball fight.
The sky was already darkening when the snow suddenly started falling. It was such a beautiful sight, and somehow, with Taiga besides her, Haruka felt like she was a heroine of a movie.
Haruka smiled at the memory. That was one thing Taiga always does to her that he probably didn't know himself. He makes her feel like she is special.
That afternoon, they had hanged out in his grandparents' house. When the snow started falling, both of them went out the house and started playing. It was such a bliss. Haruka had never really played around in the snow before that. But with Taiga, it felt okay to be childish. It was fun. It was like a movie moment and Haruka could feel each beat of her heart.
They ended up drenched and Taiga's grandmother had even scolded them. Taiga lent her some of his cousin's clothes while hers dry. He'd prepared hot chocolate for the both of them, and they just sat silently in front of the kagizuru. After a while, Haruka realized Taiga had fallen asleep.
It was a spur of the moment and still feels a little embarrassed when she remembers, but she had kissed him that night. She had given him her first kiss. And she doesn't regret it one bit.
They weren't together, and she doesn't even know how he feels about her, but that time, it just somehow felt right.
Now that she thought about it, that winter was somehow like a fairy tale. Like a dream… It has to had an ending. Winter came to a close, it was already midnight and they had to say goodbye. Haruka had to return home to Saitama and eventually Taiga and she grew out of touch. She graduated high school, went to university, graduated college and went out into the world to make her mark; however, Taiga was never far from her mind. Yes, she had other boyfriends, but nothing ever measured up to the experience of that winter.
It was already starting to get dark when she'd reached Tako. It was only a few more kilometers away from her grandparents' house, but she is running empty. She remembered too late what Mina had said earlier.
She sighed, but felt grateful anyway that it was just gas she needs. She hasn’t been in the place for long, but she knew there was a gas station close to where she was so she kept driving. About five minutes in, she'd finally spotted it and feeling relieved, drove towards it.
As the gas pumps, Haruka got off the car and started for the convenient store close by. She had been driving for more than an hour and felt a little hungry. As she walks, she realized she had been in that place before. With Taiga.
Suddenly she felt home. It was amazing how just thoughts of him can make her feel hundreds of different emotions. She was almost in front of the store when its door open and out came…
Haruka felt as if her mouth nearly hit the ground. She was staring and blinking and trying to figure out if she was dreaming (again), she was tired from the drive and imagining things or…
"Paruru?" Taiga-ten years older than Taiga from her memories suddenly said.
"T-taiga." Haruka deadpanned. "Oh my God."
"Paruru!" He called, suddenly looking ecstatic. Haruka didn't know how she felt, though. She was happy, oh so happy, but she was still in a sort of shock.
"I thought I was…" He started but then shook his head. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Haruka had finally found her voice then. "My family is spending the holidays here… God, I can't believe it's you." She whispered her last sentence.
"Me neither." Taiga said in the same volume. And then he grinned. "But then, I knew we'd meet each other again eventually."
Haruka smiled. "I didn't know. But I hoped." She told him.
"We need to catch up. It's been what? Ten years?"
"Yeah." Haruka answered with a laugh. She just suddenly felt silly and giddy and just happy.
"Do you wanna go out, maybe? Are you free tonight?" He asked.
"I don't think we have anything planned tonight." Haruka answered.
"It's a date then." Taiga said. "It's already quarter to 6… Can I pick you up around 8, then?"
Haruka smiled and nodded.
"At your grandparents' house, right?"
"Yeah." She said with a nod.
Just then, Taiga suddenly pulled Haruka to him in a loose hug. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Haruka said, now feeling like she wanted to cry. Taiga stepped back, looking as happy as Haruka felt. And if it was possible, that made her even more happy. It was like they were never separated. There was no awkwardness.
But then suddenly, Taiga leaned in and kissed her right on the mouth. Haruka let out a squeak, completely taken aback.
"That's for the kiss you stole." He said cheekily and then gave Haruka a pat on her head. "I'll see you later."
It was unexpected, but somehow Haruka felt she'd knew it would happen all along when during their date that night, Taiga had suddenly got on one knee, produced a ring from his pocket and asked her to marry him.
And she knew that he probably knew that of course, she would say yes.
Sometimes you never get over your first love, and sometimes, you never have to.
END
AN:
-Title is a play on words. "Winter" obviously because it started winter 10 years ago and continued winter at present. And "Flame" as in love. "Winter Flame" is actually a plant (orange in color like flame) that blooms during the winter. It's quite beautiful and stands out with it's flaming color among the white snow around it. And I think it perfectly symbolize this story.
-(in case it's not emphasized enough) in the end, it is implied that Taiga like Haruka had also been in love with Haruka, had never forgotten her, was actually awake when Haruka kissed her and even though he hadn't seen her in ten years, was already planning on proposing to her and had even bought a ring.