LIV

January 9th, 2022: Shingeki no Kyojin D-DAY

<<Flashback: 2 Years Ago>>

"You two what?" Isuma looked at Takahiro and Tamiko in disbelief, sure she'd misheard. People on the sidewalk were forced to move around the three of them. A few of them were casting curious glances: two young men staring at a startled young woman. Isuma realized how the scene might seem to others and quickly resumed walking. "You got your ears pierced? Show me!"

Both awkwardly brushed aside their hair next to their right ears. Tamiko had a black orb, and Takahiro a white one. She questioned, "How long ago?"

"We got them yesterday when you were with your brothers," Takahiro answered anxiously. "What do you think?"

"Me?" Isuma laughed, shaking her head. "You don't need my approval."

"We do!" Takahiro exclaimed. Isuma smiled and reached up to ruffle his hair. "It was a rebellious thing to do- and quite honestly, you two need to rebel."

She stopped walking again and glanced between the two. "Follow me."

Before either of them could speak, she was pulling them to one o the many stores lining the square. Tamiko watched the dozens of people around them. Young women were shopping in small groups, some accompanied by boyfriends. A young girl was stumbling through the crowds, her hands full of bags. A pedestrian knocked into her; everything cascaded out of the girl's arms. Before either Tamiko or Takahiro could react, Isuma was kneeling next to her. "Are you alright?"

She began gathering the various bags. Tamiko and Takahiro joined her; they neatly picked everything up as Isuma quickly checked over the girl, who said, "I'm okay."

"That's good! Do you need any help?" Isuma helped the girl to her feet and brushed off her clothes. "N- no! My brother's over there; he can hold some."

Sure enough, a teenage boy was running over. He pushed back his sister's hair and worriedly inspected her face. "Kira-chan, are you okay?!"

"I'm fine, onii-chan." She grinned at Isuma as her brother took most of the bags from her. Tamiko watched as she exchanged a few words with the teenager. Takahiro murmured, "She's so cool."

"Yeah."

"The kid looks so embarrassed." Takahiro smiled slightly. The boy's face was pink as he hastily bowed and left with his sister. Isuma turned back towards them. "They were sweet, right?"

"Yeah. Where were you taking us?" Takahiro questioned. Isuma beckoned them forward and pushed open the glass doors of a crowded store.

The first thing Tamiko noticed was how large it was; dozens of people were wandering inside, inspecting clothes and accessories. "Why are we here You never shop for clothes."

"It's not for me." Isuma headed straight for the jewelry section and pointed to several large glass cases. "Take a look."

"Isuma-chan, can you see me wearing pink flowers?" Takahiro said disdainfully. He watched as she peered into a smaller case. "Oh, how about this?"

She fingered a gold sun. Tamiko said, "We both have long hair. You wouldn't be able to see it."

"Good point." Isuma walked to the last case, which was closest to the service desk. "Oh, look at this one!"

It was an albeit complex and detailed piece, obviously meant to be worn on only one ear. A small silver orb was to go in the actual piercing, and a crescent and a star hung from two long strands of silver. Three other strands were attached to a small clasp meant for the upper ear. Takahiro frowned slightly. "Isuma-chan, all the girls are going to go wild if we wear this."

"They already go wild, Takahiro." Isuma laughed, shaking her head. "You two are just that handsome."

"Ahh, that piece is wonderful." A young salesman had come over to them. "For you, madam, or the young men?"

"It's for them," Isuma answered. He questioned, "Would you like to try it on?"

Takahiro nodded; Tamiko hesitated, but Isuma looked so eager it was impossible to say no. "...fine."

The two of them sat down in front of mirrors as the salesman pulled out two small velvet boxes. Isuma told them, "Close your eyes; I'll put them on you. Tamiko, you first."

Her fingers brushed the back of his neck as she pushed his hair away. Every swipe left a burning patch of skin; a small tinging in his ear told him she'd pulled out his current earring. Tamiko put his hand over his face, sure he'd turned pink. Isuma finally said, "Taka-chan, now you."

After another long minute, the salesman said, "Alright, take a look!"

Tamiko had to swipe his hair aside; after several moments of tilting the mirror, he set it down. "It looks okay."

Takahiro took longer to approve. "Are you sure it won't get tangled in our hair?"

"No, the metal links are much too short." The salesman assured them. "They look wonderful."

"Don't they?" Isuma's smile was radiant. "So? Do you like them?"

"I like it... but I don't have enough money on me." Tamiko replied. Isuma answered, "It's my gift to you. Takahiro, what about you?"

"I like it a lot." Takahiro added, "But I'll buy it for myself-"

"No. Then it wouldn't be a gift." Isuma showed them her own earrings. "Remember? You got me these!"

She tilted her head from side to side so they could see. A crescent hung from her right ear, and a star from her left. "Look, they match yours!"

"Is that why you picked these?" Takahiro asked, smiling. Isuma pulled out her wallet and flicked through it. "Partially, yes. But they do look good on you."

Neither Tamiko nor Takahiro protested as she paid. Finally, Isuma turned to them with a smile. "I said this earlier, but you two needed this rebellious streak."

"My sister's going to kill me," Takahiro said warily. She patted his arm. "She won't mind, Taka-chan. Don't worry. You two look great."

Tamiko held back a reply; he knew what Isuma meant, but he couldn't help but hope.

Isuma was his best friend- not in the way Hinosa was, but another way. He'd been at her side for the past few years and watched her suffer because of a past love. It had been a long time- so long that he couldn't deny his emotions any longer.

But he couldn't tell her either. As stubborn as it was of him, Isuma's well-being came first for him- even before his own happiness.

<<Present>>

'Why is it so dark?'

Isuma couldn't see herself, much less her surroundings. It was pure darkness; she suspected even the brightest light couldn't penetrate it. Her heart was racing against her will, and her breaths were short and rapid.

And then a soft, soothing voice spoke from behind her. "Calm down, Isuma."

She felt comforting arms wrap around her and the person's breath on her neck. The embrace was so familiar... too familiar. "...Tamiko-kun?"

"It's me." Isuma whipped around to look at him; he looked exactly the same as he did in reality. The same dark wavy hair, blue eyes, light and warm skin. He was still wearing the earring she'd given him, which surprised her. Wouldn't he have discarded everything that reminded him of her- especially after what had happened? His expression changed until it was full of heartbreak and pain. "I stayed by you for so long. What did you do?"

"I'm sorry; I didn't know!" Isuma stepped back, quivering. "I didn't know, Tamiko-"

"HOW? You're intelligent, Isuma. How could you possibly not have known for so long?" Tamiko's voice and expression suddenly hardened. "You were always my first priority. Always. I didn't expect you to like me back- I could live simply watching you. But the fact that you hold on to your feelings for Kita-san after five years hurts me more than anything else. You liked HIM, when he left you.

"I asked myself dozens of times: why? Why would you like him? He disappeared after you collapsed that day. What is it that you see in him? You aren't shallow, Isuma, it can't be his looks or former fame. What is it?"

Tamiko's eyes had none of their usual warmth. "And even after I told you- even after I asked you- you chose HIM, someone who hasn't contacted you in almost five years."

"Stop it!!!" Isuma screamed- only it wasn't just her. Thousand of voices echoed her words, and they rang in her ears repeatedly. Isuma dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by the other voices shrieking and wailing.

And suddenly she was awake, breathing hard. Her room was dark, which puzzled her- Isuma usually fell asleep with her lights on because she'd been up late studying. And then it came to her: she was in California. Isuma rubbed her eyes and reached for her phone. 'It was just a stupid dream...'

It was 5:19. Knowing it was useless to go back to sleep, Isuma stood up and stretched. She was still wearing the clothes from the night before because she'd fallen asleep in exhaustion. Isuma walked to the other end of the room; her two bags were still piled beneath the window, and the top one was unzipped. She turned her attention to the window; the sun was starting to rise, projecting rays of pink and orange into the sky. The city was already coming to life; cars were out and about, and lights in the other apartments were turning on.

Isuma quietly exited her room, sure Takahiro and Iwaizumi were still asleep. The living room was surprisingly neat- save for the small kitchen island, where dozens of papers were strewn. She hadn't looked around the previous night, and the many pictures on the walls had escaped her notice.

They hung right above a small couch; several were of Iwaizumi with people Isuma supposed were his parents and other relatives. One showed him playing volleyball a young boy who looked astonishingly like him- perhaps a brother? No, Isuma recalled him saying he was an only child.

The others, Isuma wasn't so sure of. Most the people looked enough like him that she surmised they were relatives, but time and time again the same person appeared: a brown-haired boy with a confident smirk. She guessed he was Iwaizumi's friend, because there were pictures of him from the time they were three or four. The friend was always smiling eagerly and flashing peace signs- usually with a volleyball tucked under his arm- while Iwaizumi frowned at him. Isuma laughed when she saw one where the two were covered in bandages and scowling at each other.

"That's Oikawa."

She turned around; Iwaizumi was right behind her, dressed in a blue polo. He pointed to the glass doors behind him. "I was on the balcony. I like watching the sunrise."

"...I see. Who's Oikawa?" Isuma questioned. "The name seems familiar."

Iwaizumi didn't say anything for several moments. He poured water into the coffee machine, giving himself time to answer. "He's my best friend. He lives in Argentina right now."

She'd been right... so why didn't Iwaizumi sound happy? Instead, she asked, "Argentina?"

"He played volleyball with me when we were in school. He's training for the Argentina team right now." Iwaizumi glanced at Isuma and immediately realized what she was thinking. "Oh, no, we're on good terms. We're fine. He just frustrates me sometimes."

Iwaizumi knew where her mind had jumped to next. "And no. I don't like him that way. I'm not- God, why am I telling you all this?"

Isuma laughed. "Can you read my mind?"

"No. You're easy to read." Iwaizumi smiled slightly. "But yeah, he's just my best friend. An annoying, selfish, self-observed, and- above all- CLINGY best friend."

"Do you see him often?" Isuma inquired, relaxing. Iwaizumi checked something on the coffee machine. "All good. I don't see him too often now, but I think he was planning to stop here for a few days on his way to Japan for a visit. It's been almost a year since I've seen him. But the idiot still texts me almost every day."

'...okay. A HOSTILE friendship.' Isuma guessed. She sat at the kitchen island just as she received a text from Osamu.OSAMU

I need help

ISUMA

With?

OSAMU

tsumu. He doesnt say it but hes still worrying about you

ISUMA

Tell him not to.

OSAMU

of course. Why didnt i think of that? Do you have ACTUAL help

ISUMA

Not really. What if I call him later today?

OSAMU

sounds good. how is it California?

ISUMA

Good. Hey have you heard the name oikawa before?

OSAMU

youre kidding right

OSAMU

hes kageyamas old teammate

ISUMA

Kageyama's? Really?

OSAMU

Yep Why?

ISUMA

tell you later say hi to tsumu for me and tell him ill call soon

OSAMU

I will