Chapter Text
Later that night as I lay in bed I began to mull over the day’s earlier events, the square, the meeting. The scroll. ‘ I should just forget the damn thing and go to sleep ’ I stared at the darned thing for a good long minute before I broke the seal and read it’s contents. Queen Mikoto had written for me in great detail, the events that transpired and brought her to Hoshido. She did not say where she was from, or why she was a fugitive, but she explained one thing clearly enough. Corrin was not my father’s daughter. “She’s not my father’s daughter? What in the world does that -?” ‘ What? The hell do you mean she’s not… Oh. “OH!” And then it hit me like an arrow to the head.
“Are you serious?! She’s not-” Just as I was royally freaking out, there was sudden soft knock on my door. “Takumi?” A soft voice came from behind the shoji*. ‘ Corrin? Talk about timing. What is she doing here at this hour? ’ The scroll will have to wait. I placed it neatly on my pillow and got out of bed. Fixing my nemaki*, I opened the door to find a very sullen-looking Corrin. I grimaced at the sight of her. “What do you want at this hour?” She had already looked quite small before, but after seeing my expression she looked even smaller. “I’d like to talk… may I come in?” She gestured to the kotatsu* located towards the centre of the room. I eyed her, questioning her motives.“Odd time for a chat don’t you think?”. Her expression was that of one that said ‘oh my goodness, you’re right’. I had to suppress a chuckle after seeing that expression on her face. She could be quite cute at times, after all.“I’m only teasing you. Have a seat. I’ll make some tea.”
She timidly walked towards the kotatsu and seated herself closer to the door. As I boiled the hot water I could hear her begin to speak. “I just wanted to tell you that you’re right. I don’t belong here.” ‘What? Not this again ’ I had turned around to tell her to quit while she was ahead and what I saw made my chest hurt. Corrin had tears welling in her eyes, fists clenching the hems of her nightgown. She looked down at her hands, before continuing her thoughts, voice cracking. “I will leave here before dawn breaks.” My heart sank. ‘This is what you wanted to talk about? ’ I opened my mouth to speak but she beat me to the punch. “I also wanted to say that… I’m sorry. For everything.” ‘ After everything I said to you, you’re the one that’s sorry? That’s not right .’ Guilt started to creep up on me like a spider upon my neck. I had to clear the air before I caused her to leave. We had only just got her back… I have to make it right. “No. I won’t accept this.” She stared up at me, confused and hurt. “What do you -” I held up my hand to stop her thoughts. “Please, just hear me out. No interruptions. Just listen.”
I moved closer to her and brushed her tears away from her face. “You’re an idiot.” She had on her face, what could only be described as a defenseless expression. I continued to speak.”You’re not to blame for any of this. I know that. You’re just as much a victim in this pointless war as any of us. I’m sorry. I never meant the words I said”. I looked over my shoulder to stare at the scroll, deciding if Corrin should read it. “Takumi… Thank you.” She softly whimpered and grasped my hand, holding it tightly with her soft hands. My chest started becoming more and more uncomfortable, it was starting to hurt. ‘ She has the right to know. I have to show her ’ “Corrin. There’s something I think you should read.” I hesitantly pulled away and got up to retrieve the scroll. Only pausing for a moment to decide if what I was doing the right thing. After handing it to her I sat back down, waiting uncomfortably as she read the truth.
“I’m not your sister?” Corrin looked horrified. ‘ Oh no, please don’t tell me I messed this up ’ I nodded. “Then our father… wasn’t really my father? I’m not your sister? And he still -” She trembled, tears overflowing. I threw my arms around her in an embrace, reassuring her that he did indeed love her. “You and mother were more precious to him than all the wealth in this world. Father loved you both with all of his heart.” Corrin’s sobs grew louder and my grip around her tightened, fingers hot and trembling. She returned the gesture, her hands gripped my arm pulling it closer. The distance between was smaller now, allowing me to catch the faint scent of her hair. ‘She smells like lotus flowers’
I stiffened and softly pushed her away, the same tightening feeling in my heart grew stronger still. “Takumi?” She sniffled. “Thank you. Even if I am not your real sister I hope that you will come to see me as one in time.” These words seemed to taunt me, sending my emotions into a whirlwind of anger, denial, joy, and love. I was reaching my limit, still unaware of the blossoming rose in my chest. I hastily released her and asked her kindly to leave. “It’s getting late. Now that we’ve cleared everything up I assume all is well now?” She thanked me once more before saying good night, leaving me feeling a little hollow as I watched her leave.