31_days | [Dec. 11] [The Wind Rises] Sliver

Title: Sliver
Day/Theme: Dec. 11, 2014 "and all I wanted was a sliver to call mine"
Series: The Wind Rises
Character/Pairing: Nahoko(/Jiro), OCs
Rating: PG (+ spoilers)

Nahoko came back.

"I'd hoped you wouldn't- to be completely honest," said Fuyuko as they took their requisite time sitting on the porch to take in the mountain air. "I mean, I know it's not realistic to think that you'd be magically cured by true love's kiss or something like that, but…" She looked down at her hands, protected by thick gloves from the cold, and began to idly run run one hand along the seam of the glove on the other. "I guess I just thought if it could happen for anyone, it'd be you."

"I appreciate your believing in me, Fuyuko," Nahoko gave her a small smile inn return, "…In us."

"This Fuyuko," Mrs. Sato shook her head, "It wasn't just her thinking such dreamy things- she'd sold herself so completely on some fantasy of you going off and getting married to your Jiro and recovering as a result of his tender care… You were going to be discovered and become a famous artist too. And have," Mrs. Sato cocked her head to the side and regarded Fuyuko with a fond skepticism, "What was it? Something like six children? Seven?"

"M-Mrs. Sato!" Fuyuko blushed and turned away.

"A healthy imagination isn't anything to be embarrassed of, dear," Ms. Sato gave a sedate laugh.

"Really, Fuyuko, it's fine," Nahoko promised her and she began to feel better about it almost immediately. "It may not have lived quite up to your very imaginative standards, but I did marry Jiro and live together with him as husband and wife, and it was wonderful. It was the happiest time we could've been granted. …And that's why I came back. To let Jiro have that little portion of time to remain lovely and complete in his memory forever."

"That's lovely, but it's also so sad…"

"Everything you said was very nice, Fuyuko, but what I had was enough…"