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Years ago, if someone asked her what she thought of Mouri Ran, she would have deflected the question, or kept quiet.
Mouri Ran at that point in time had been a haunting specter of her sister and at the same time infuriating.
She had everything past Shiho had ever wished for: she lived happily in the sun, while all Shiho could do was hide in the shadows, they all loved her, while Shiho was nothing but a misfortune-bringer, she was the Japanese beauty, while Shiho was simply the half-breed that didn't belong and most importantly, she had his love and attention, while Shiho was simply the one who ruined his life.
The beloved dolphin in comparison with the ugly, hated shark.
Though suffice to say, as days, and months, and years had gone by Shiho had discovered how wrong she had been. And not only from a marine biology perspective.
Because as time passed, Shiho began to discover and understand (and separate her from Akemi) Ran.
At first, she had dismissively called her Mouri. Then she became Mouri-san that day on the beach. Then Ran-san, after Shiho had returned and made official introductions. Then, when Shiho had had to closely work together with Kisaki-san to avoid prison time (even though she deserved it) and with that came ending up into her orbit more and more. And as Shiho ended up in her company more and more often, Ran-san became Ran-chan. And at the end after an embarrassing fall when they both had the same realization, Ran.
And now, as she laid in bed, Shiho couldn’t put into words how glad she was to have her as her girlfriend.
The door opened, letting in the smell of fresh bread come in, alongside Ran herself. She placed the tray in Shiho’s arms and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Happy birthday, Shiho!” Ran said.
On a large plate lay triangular shapes of bread-
“Peanut butter and jelly!” Shiho said.
“Your favourite…” Ran winked.
Shiho took one of the still warm sandwiches.
“You made them from scratch, didn’t you?”
“Maybe…”
Always going to the furthest ends for those she loves. Shiho was glad to be able to count herself among said group.
“Thank you,” she smiled and bit into the bread. Just as good- no, better than all the PBJ she’d ever had in the States. “Delicious!”
Now, Shiho could say she was content with her lot in life as Ran leaned in and gave her another kiss on the cheek.