Chapter Text
Genya blearily rubbed his eyes before his eyes fluttered open. The boy tried to sit up, but his body felt too heavy. He didn’t know where he was or what it was that had saved him, but as his body melted into the soft mattress of the futon he was laid upon, he wasn’t too eager to find out. At least not yet, when the moon was still out and the warmth from his blanket was lulling him back to sleep. Faintly, he could hear the comforting hum of light snoring from his right. He cast his savior a side glance but couldn’t make out anything meaningful in the all-encompassing darkness that blanketed the room. Sighing, he closed his eyes once more, and with the honeyed scent that floated airily in the room, Genya knew that tonight he’d sleep well tonight. Better than he had in a while.
When he awoke once more, the sun was shining, its glows warm and powerful as its light seeped through the windows. With a renowned figure, Genya was able to pry himself from the soft covers that had reminded him of better times, when Okaasan was alive and he and his nii-chan were working to bring home every scrap of money they could earn.
Scalding tears pricked his eyes as fond memories replayed in his mind.
Joyful shrieks and hearty laughter danced in the shared bedroom of the Shinazugawa family as his nii-chan handed their mother an especially heavy bag of money. Her ocean blue eyes glimmered and an upwards tug on her mouth made the second oldest feel a warmth in his stomach. She leaned forward, her calloused hands tenderly resting on both Genya’s and nii-chan’s head as she shot them a look of pride.
“You’ve both done me so proud! What a hardworking pair you are!” She exclaimed as she ruffled their heads, wearing a bright grin as she told the kids they’d be able to buy watermelon after all. Sanemi simply grinned back, his face glowing as he basked in her praise.
“So have you.”
Genya could still remember that day as he sat on the futon. He could still hear the childish joy as the little kids fought for the largest piece echo in his ears. They’d fought until nii-chan had decided he’d had enough of their bickering and snatched it from Teiko’s soft hands.
He waltzed over to their mother, who was giggling at the sight with the smallest piece of fruit in her hands. Genya watched with awe as the older boy loudly announced that she needed to eat too, and even though she tried to carefully push him away, she finally gave up and gave in. Her face illuminated a pink glow as she bellowed in laughter.
For the first time in Genya’s life, she looked carefree.
It was from that day did Genya realize what it meant to be the oldest son, what it meant to be a dutiful elder brother. That was also the same day that Genya vowed to himself, with his hands sticky and his face splattered in the juices of the rare fruit that he’d be as useful as he could and lighten Sanemi’s burdens.
‘Yeah, and you did such a great job Genya. You really helped nii-chan by calling him a murderer.’
“Oi brat, snap out of it!” A rough voice barked followed by the sound of footsteps stomping closer, jolting him back to the cold reality. Genya mumbled an apology as he looked over to the woman that saved him. Her face was scrunched up into a scowl, with vibrant golden-brown eyes and auburn hair, tinged with a sunset hue, that was gathered in a single neat braid.
“Are you just going to stare at me, or are you going to say something like, I don’t know, thank you?” she demanded as she stomped towards him, vial in hand before dropping to the floor in front of him.
His face quickly became rubescent as he stammered a response.
“T-Thank you Miss for saving my life. I’m indebted to you – ” Genya stuttered before the woman shoved the vial down his throat in an instant. Her face softened as her hand snaked to the back of his head, holding him gently until the vial was completely empty. The boy spluttered, recoiling at the burnt tart aftertaste that lingered almost painfully on his tastebuds. What was in that thing?
“Yeah, yeah, it’s disgusting. However, you’re really malnourished, so it’ll help. Now,” She leaned back, crossing her arms, “do you mind telling me what a little runt such as yourself was doing roaming those woods?” She interrogated, her eyes pinched in accusation as she waited for what Genya assumed a mediocre ‘I was exploring, playing or got lost’ explanation.
His eyes were downcast as he responded.
“I had no where else to go… I was hungry, and I could find food to hunt.” Genya said, his voice filled with little cracks as he felt his eyes go misty. He gulped down the sobs that threatened to spill from his mouth, furiously rubbing the tears that were on the verge of flooding his face. He didn’t want this lady to think he was even more pathetic than he already was.
Taking a deep breath, he waited for her response. Wordlessly, she shuffled closer and rested her arm on his shoulders and let out a large sigh. Her body was warm, just like his Okaasan’s when he was having an especially difficult day. Tentatively, he leaned into her side embrace, fully relaxing when she didn’t push him away. A soft scent of cinnamon and fruit wafted off her, and her hand was cozy around his scalp. For the first time in months, Genya felt like he was back at home.
He’d missed this.
“Tell me everything over breakfast. We’ll figure out where to go from there.” She promised, her vial clinking on the wooden floor. His voice barely above a whisper, he thanked her again as she stood up. With her hand outreached towards him, he grabbed it, the colourful beads lightly slapping against his patchy bruised skin. As they walked towards the small but vibrantly decorated kitchen, he noticed that she wasn’t wearing a kimono, or anything that could be classed as similar. Her dress was a simple black with intricate golden linings. It was more form-fitted than he was used to, with her arms bare, safe for the black and gold bands and accessories. The skirt was more flowy, yet it only reached past her calves, with the slits high to above her knees.
Where was this woman from?
“Oi, what are you staring at runt?!” She growled, pointing an accusative finger at him as he found himself blushing.
‘She thinks you’re a pervert!’
“I-I was just curious about y-your clothes. You dress a bit differently to the women I’ve seen and I – ” A knowing look grew on her face as she cut him off, her face now just as flushed as his.
“I’ve just travelled a lot and bought different styles, okay!” She defended herself, before sighing and silently beckoning him to sit on a soft cushiony seat behind her rounded dinner table. Her footsteps grew faint as she ambled to her pantry, the quiet shuffles dissipating the awkward heat Genya felt in his face. He reached into his pocket, curling his fingers around the cool cyan gem that saved his life. The boy sighed in relief to see it was all in one. Bringing it out onto the table, he quickly saw the snowflake imprinted on it.
What was it? Why did it decide to save him? How many others had one as well?
These questions drowned his mind as he filtered out all sound except for the voices in his brain.
“You look like you’re about to bust a vein.” The woman chuckled, plopping down beside him with two plates in her hands. She pushed a serving of radish and fish stew towards him, the scent so enticing that Genya hurried a “Thank you for the meal” before shoving bites of the hot savory dish. He couldn’t help but groan at the delectable warmth that invaded his tastebuds for the first time in months. The boy gulped it all down with a fervent abandon, ignoring the mocking snorts that the woman couldn’t contain.
This was heaven, and nothing could’ve changed him mind.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were hungry. Now that you’re all situated, lets talk about what’s happened, shall we?” she said, her sharp gaze cutting through him like a blade. Genya couldn’t deny the nervousness that twisted painfully in his stomach, but reflecting back on the kindness she had given him in such a short amount of time, he found himself eager for this conversation to start.
Shuffling in his seat, he leaned forward, his fingers curling against the table as he readied himself for every word.