No one gets you like your sister

Kotori had no real interest in being at this party anymore.  It was filled with a mix of wolves he did and didn’t know and the majority of them were cheerful.  On the other hand, he was bitter and wished to either be alone to wait for the hurt to end or be with someone that he could vent his wrath on.  However, for the sake of Briar on her big day he had come back into the reception and put on his best smile.  There were enough wolves here, enough family and friends, she might not even notice if he’d left early but, she might.  

Kotori had helped himself to some meat though he had little appetite, using it as a way of not looking out of place while not talking with anyone.  Fake smiles were granted to anyone that had a word for him.  ‘Go away’ always at the tip of his mind.  Thankfully not many had a real interest in trying to strike up a conversation with Kotori so long as he didn’t bring attention to himself.  

Kotori’s wandering gaze suddenly spotted Briar heading his way.  He cared for Briar and was happy for her but what a bitter thing.  He imagined she’d had her dream accomplished for a while now, assuming this had been her dream, and today they just celebrated and made it official.  Meanwhile, he lost what she had just officially gained.  

At her question Kotori removed the fake smile for a small fake scowl, “I was smiling.”  As little as they’d seen each other as of late she had still been able to tell it was fake.  Was he that horrible at faking it or could she just read past a good disguise? “Briar,” her name said softer then, “I don’t want to dampen your big day.  I just…” Kotori let the sentence hang searching for a good option choice, “waited too long to tell someone I had planned for more than a friendship.”

Kotori shrugged his shoulders, “Not like we spent that much time together overall.”  Ikigai and he had really been caught up in their own lives.  It was almost silly that someone he’d spent so little time with could still have meant more to him than just a friend.  It would have been perfect though.  Kotori shook his head.  He really didn’t need to be a downer right now.  Room full of others and he felt alone though maybe a little less so in how she had noticed him despite everything else.


"Kotori Fatalis"