Chapter Text
The heart-warming tradition of gifting each other kimono develops without discussion, just a natural progression of showing their appreciation in ways few outside their old Karuta club, and Ōe-san's mother, would understand. It is the sort of intimacy that blooms between them, just like how Taichi had bound himself to Karuta for her. So, now, special occasions bring new patterns and colors to their lives like a secret language with which they show how deeply they know one another, how much they have observed while being together, and what they have discovered while being apart. The kimono exchanges are not like Shinobu's grandma's gifts of ostentatious flaunting or a simple color math to the other's appearance or personal preferences, they are complete messages akin to love letters.
This of course tilts Taichi's world (confidence) when, on the night before finally challenging Meijin Arata for the title, his self-deprecating thoughts and constant reminder of his past failures are overshadowed by Chihaya's simple statement:
"Just wear the kimono you wore when playing against him the first time, the one your mom had made for you."
It is the casual tone with which she throws those words at him that stings. While it makes sense for nostalgia's sake, for symbolism, he thought she would give him a new set tonight, especially since this would be the first time in 6 years since he played against Arata in official matches, and his first time directly challenging the Meijin. Not that she knew, but Arata had finally given up on trying to steal her heart back, he told him so when they arrived that afternoon to Ōmi Jingu while Chihay sorted their lodgings, so, not receiving a new kimono felt like the door that had finally been safely closed on Arata's face had been pushed ajar at the worst moment. Taichi was now in his last year of clinical school before his two years of residency, which were unpredictable, as Harada Sensei emphasized as he described the isolated town by the sea which had kept him away from Karuta and his wife for too long.
If Arata somehow did manage to sway Chihaya again in those two years, he would only have two more to effectively keep him away from her for good. And they all knew how slow Chihaya was in understanding her own feelings and what the two boys felt for her. The Misuzawa club only suffered 3 years of it. HE had suffered 3 more years before that, even when completely cut-off from her. That's why, even before her last minute confession, Taichi had wondered how many years of med school it would take to genuinely move on, if he ever would. So, yes, of course his classic insecurities have surfaced once more at the broken tradition of kimono gifting. Especially when he was considering doing his Master's in Boston after his residency.
Chihaya had the talent of making him fall into mental dread by just existing, which made him feel guilty (Why would he think so badly of the woman he's loved for so long and has loved him back?!) and that only increased his dread.
And-
.
.
.
"Taichi! We've been looking for you all over Omi Jingu. What are you doing?!" Chihaya's feet are only covered with her lined Tabi, her hair bun is partially undone. Arata catches up, hair ornaments and Zori in hand, his glasses askew.
Taichi hadn't noticed he was pacing, twisting his Tasuki, the one that matches hers, one end embroidered with "Chihayafuru", the other with "Tachiwakare" both in red thread. He had them custom-made along with the first kimono and hakama he gifted her.
He felt embarrassed, childish, but shouldn't he be used to it by now? Isn't that how he always ends up showing himself to his closest friends? Even at 24, Taichi was still a bumbling fool at his core.
"Chihaya, the interviews..." Arata brings them both out of their inner turmoil. And Taichi doesn't know if being with Chihaya means he is fated to a relationship destined to break gender roles (not that he minds in the least), but Chihaya suddenly drops to one knee in a very familiar way and pulls forward a huge backpack he hadn't noticed she was carrying.
"Taichi! Whether it is in 2 years, 5 years, or 7 years... Will you marry me?" And she reveals a box with the familiar stamp of the Ōe Family, the kimono he had yearned for, neatly folded in.
And the set might look like Arata's grampa's kimono at first, like any outfit in a traditional Japanese wedding, but the sleeves have trails of red maple leaves. Chihaya is glowing as she silently cries in anticipation while Arata smiles softly like he did when they were 12, and then Taichi notices the world is blurry as he clutches at the kimono, tracing his thumbs over the Tatsugawa Momiji.
"I will. In 2 years, in 5 years, and in 7 years. If you want, I can marry you anew all those times, Chihaya."
And he's glad Arata has the sense to grab the kimono from his hands as Taichi drops to his knees and kisses her.
Interviews about his first failed attempt to beat Meijin Wataya can wait (he won the second match, lost the first, third, and fourth).
For now, he will allow himself to pine openly as he drops from Inaba Mountain to reunite with the red maple leaves in the Tatsuta river. Forever.