Prompt 18:
Favorite Ornament
The stairs up to the shrine, her home, felt even longer after an afternoon of ice skating. Her ankles burned, but none would’ve known from watching her. She glided up them smoothly, slow enough to be caught in contemplation, her raven hair swaying behind her. Her violet eyes shone brightly with exhaustion over reddened cheeks, and with every exhale came a burst of mist that hung in the air. It had been a good day.
Then, it suddenly got worse. There, waiting in the courtyard, was Jun. The idiot was leaning against a pillar of a shop that sold charms, already closed for the night. His eyes were focused on something he kept turning over and over in his hands, and Rei sensed the trouble from him. She marched up to him stiffly. “The shrine is closed.”
Jun’s eyes snapped up. They looked tired, but Rei shoved away the sympathy she almost felt for him. He tried to offer a smile, albeit a weak one. “Sorry.”
She swiftly turned to retire. Her business with him was done. Three words made her stop.
“Can we talk?”
Her eyes closed as she bit her lip. More than anything, she did not want to do this. Not now, not ever. “I’m very tired.”
“Please?”
With an emphasized sigh to hide her own fear, she faced him. Her face was cool with disinterest.
Jun read it loud and clear. To her surprise, he did not shrink from her. Instead, he straightened and approached her slowly. His blue eyes met hers with a distinct discomfort, though not with her presence. It came from within. “Look, I just need to tell you how sorry I am. And before you call me out again, I’m very aware I don’t remember any of it. I know I don’t get to be sorry, but I am.
“And that’s why I’m leaving. Mamoru, Katsumi, all the guys seem pretty okay with all of it. Even most of the girls do. Hell, Usagi seems completely fine. But you’re not.”
Rei pulled back just slightly at this. If he noticed, he didn’t say anything. She knew that he was waiting for her to speak. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“No,” he said quickly and dismissively. Rei suddenly felt as if she missed the point. Jun glanced down at the object in his hand briefly before gazing back up at her. “No, but you’re the only one who isn’t afraid to face what we did. I heard all about it from Noboru, and you painted a pretty clear picture the other night, so don’t tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re not shying away from it, or forgetting it, and I wanted to thank you for that. It helped me realize that I need to leave. So here, I want you to have this.”
Jun handed her a small, vibrant green stone. Rei didn’t need an explanation for what it was. Her breath caught in her throat, stopping any words of protest that came.
“I don’t want to insult Mamoru by giving it back. He wouldn’t take it back, anyway, and I’m pretty sure none of the others would, either.”
Rei stared at the stone, knowing full well what it was. Yet when the words came, even she was surprised at how distant and untouched they sounded. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
“I don’t know. Put it on your Christmas tree, if you have one. It’d make a fine ornament, if you like jadeite.” Jun shrugged, his blue eyes heavy with tears that he quickly shook away. “Well, I’ll leave you alone now. Thank you, Rei. I’d say take care of yourself, but I think you’ve got that under control. So take care of them. For me, okay?”
Rei couldn’t find words as he turned and walked towards the steps. There was a bitter taste of regret in her mouth, but she wasn’t sure what for. Her words the other night came back to her fully, but taking the stone from him was just as bad. She suddenly felt guilt that could not be argued with. “Jun,” she finally called as he approached the steps. “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to go.”
He stopped, but didn’t turn to face her. Even in the dark, she saw his head hang. “No, I do. It’s like you said, I don’t deserve to be welcomed back. Goodbye, Rei.”
