And some cracky genderbend Gaim fic, because that is how my week is going.

[estirose]

Kouki wished Akira had been her sister in truth instead of just pretense. She was not the bright one or the powerful one of her actual siblings, but instead, the quiet, dutiful daughter that was forgotten between Takatora and Mitsuzane.

One day, she'd just faded out of that life. Taken a few clothes, left her siblings a note, and started looking around for a safe place to stay. That had been internet cafes for a few nights until she came to Akira's notice, lonely and hungry. Akira had taken her in, made her feel like she was more than an in-between sibling.

She'd even supported Kouki's desire to dance with team Gaim, at least for a while. There, she could at least talk to her younger brother, though Mitsuzane kept arguing that she could come home. But she couldn't go, not back to where she'd fade away and become part of the wallpaper.

And he was becoming disturbingly protective of her. Even though she was the first of them to gain a Driver, he always acted like she was the younger sibling, not he.

Kouki had complained about it to Akira, who had reminded her of the importance of family - and sometimes, how silly boys were.

Personally, if she didn't have a responsibility towards Gaim, she would have disappeared. She was good at fading away, disappearing. But these were people she was responsible for, so she didn't leave. She didn't run.

She didn't fade. Even if she so much wanted to.

Comments

[reka]

I can only imagine how lonely it'd be to be the only girl in the middle in the Kureshima household. Takatora doesn't understand adolescence, and I'm sure being the less vulnerable but still adolescent girl would just make it even harder to stand out since Yggdrasil and possibly not really being in line to take authority in the company.

[estirose]

Yes. And Takatora doesn't understand female adolescence, which makes things worse. She's actually rather bright, but not as bright as Micchy. She's still expected to take part in the company, too. Like her brothers, for her parents it's more important for her to try to save the world than worry about marriage.

[reka]

That makes sense, since there wouldn't really be a point to advantageous marriages if the world ended, and if Yggdrasil saves humanity she'll probably have offers left and right anyway. Also two brothers to help continue things.

I can see Takatora treating her as The More Nurturing Extension of Himself Who Cares For Micchy, partly because she is and partly because Takatora is probably influenced a lot by what society tells him girls do. A well-meaning and socially-stunted form of sexism, maybe.

[estirose]

Yes. Micchy is even more desperate to get his sister back here, you can imagine. I'm surprised he hasn't told Takatora.

[reka]

I can see Micchy understanding even less why she left. Or maybe more if Takatora was even more distant.

Maybe Micchy has decided that his life at home just doesn't matter anymore and doesn't want to share Kouki.

[estirose]

Or thinks he can protect her/make her happier than she was. But it was probably not a joyful reunion.

[reka]

I think it depends partly on whether Kouki joined Gaim before or after Micchy did. Maybe it would change the circumstances of her break from Gaim pre-series. Or maybe Micchy joined when she wasn't there. It would feel more invasive for Kouki any way it happened, I think. Not that she doesn't love her brothers, but she might be more aware of Micchy's weird ways of relating to her.

[estirose]

True. I'm thinking Kouki joined before her brother. She was worried at first, because she was sure that Micchy would tell Takatora where she was, but then it didn't happen. She tries to help Micchy as best she can, but she's not going to go back to being a Kureshima, thanks.

[reka]

How does she try to help Micchy? And did Gaim know they were siblings when Micchy joined up? I can see Micchy trying to keep his cards close to his chest, but Kouki is a bad liar.