Title: a trick of the mind
Series: Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
Theme no.: 27. with us your hocus-pocus play
Character(s)/Pairing: Ginka/Chika
Rating: K

For all the bondage she advocates, Midarezaki Chika does not like to be touched. All of her memories involving physical human contact have been scarring. She's been beaten up, hit upon, smashed, bashed, nicked, kicked. A threat wasn't a threat; it was a promise. For all the dreams she's ever had involving the object of her affection, none of them have featured either in one another’s arms.

She's simply not ready.

Every morning, before school, he stands at the door, giving farewells to Yuuka (school), Hyouka, and Teika (bodyguards). She is always last to leave, in a mad dash to catch the train, and barely catches it each time, but she doesn't care. She likes to see him like this-- playful with Yuuka, teasing with the other brothers. She loves the air of family about him. (She loves everything about him.) Every morning, as she skitters out the door, he gives her a smile and a wave. "Do well today, Chika-chan!" Every morning, it is the same routine.

Every morning, it is a nail-biting affair to try to make herself do more than wave back.

She wants very badly to give him a hug like Yuuka does, or be able to jump on his bed every morning excitedly like Neko-san does. She wants to put a hand on his shoulder like Ouka, and to be able to rest comfortably against him like Teika. But all she has been able to achieve is a chain's length between them at all times. She has done well to let anyone get so close.

Still, she is unsatisfied. Her pathetic excuses of past should have passed by now. (Oi, Neko-san, what are you doing, acting as my conscience?) Each morning, she plans fervently to catch him on her way out, and then, at the last moment, makes excuses to herself. Reasons why she shouldn't touch him. She could be late for the train. He might push her away. Neko-san might see and tease him mercilessly while she was away.

But this morning... this morning is different. Her resolve has been set since last night, and she is heading for the door five minutes earlier than usual to avoid any and all excuses. She's first in line... in fact... there is no line. Yuuka was helping Teika brush his teeth upstairs, and Hyouka was watching it with interest. Still, five minutes ahead of schedule, he was still at the door. Smiling. Hand up, ready to wave her off. "You're early, Chika-chan! Do well to--"

Jaw clenched, without reserve, without thought, Chika unabashedly closed her arms around his waist in a rusty embrace. Before he can react, she is out the door and halfway down the walk, sprinting on legs that gave the impression that the last train all day would leave in less than a minute.

Midarezaki Chika (formerly Himemiya Senko) does not like to be touched. Never has. However, maybe, an awkward step at a time, she can learn to properly embrace the man she so desires.

The steps taken, fortunately, won't be as hasty as the ones she was currently running. (However, she suspects that they will still make her heart race with this furious exertion.)