Episode VIII - She Changed, and I liked it.

Hanako POV

Seeing Koa Ruruka change from my first encounter with her, was a rollercoaster of emotions. From when she first found me and took me in at my lowest point, she welcomed me into her home. And after that….was a very heated and intimate gesture. Was it fate, or destiny…? I don’t know, but, I believe that this encounter with her made me realize that love is still there, even when times are tough.

Prior to her proper confession on her birthday, I had given her a necklace I made myself, with the help of Aoi-san. That gift that I gave her broke her completely. It wasn’t because of “hey, this is for you,” it was because of my genuine love for her. For the longest time, I waited for that moment.

And when it was right, the shield in her heart broke, which led to her lowest point. She let me in and took care of me at my lowest. But now? I want to be IN her lowest, and help her change. After all, I was being patient with her.

I never forced myself onto her, or, to make her confess something she didn’t want to admit. I’m not that kind of person. I’ve acknowledged that my change is growing, from that unusual quietness to openness. Because of this, I’ve grown fond of Ruruka, and I wanted her to change too.

More importantly, I was the one who noticed that she shielded her emotions again after MY confession. But seeing her now? I’m satisfied and happy. She no longer needs that control, but the room to allow growth and love.

She also has the right to feel other things that make us human. Both of us changed over the course of our relationship. It’s true, it might be messy, but, love? It changes people. It makes us see the light in others differently.

I believe that, if we look past surface levels and into the heart, partners can help each other point out their mistakes. We can learn from those and grow from them. It’s trial and error. Fail again, stumble, and then succeed.

Failure stays there and clouds your judgement. And as people who are flawed, we shouldn’t be too concerned with repeating the same thing. We should be able to look past it; because tomorrow is full of mysteries.

And for Ruruka..? She always asks me to give her more love, warmth, and touch, and I allow myself to do that. Her feelings and emotions..? They are core principles that make her who she is.

There’s no such thing as perfection. If there was, then people, me alike, we wouldn’t be here. Flawed perfection, or as I call—honesty—is important for partners to have their ideal relationship, even if it comes with suffering or struggles. We rise and fall like the ocean waves, but somewhere in the middle, solace meets us as the storm passes through.

In the grand scheme of our relationship, I saw her change~

She changed, and I…liked it.

(´｡• ᵕ •｡) ♡