follow me into the rain

[As noted in the main post, vague-ish spoilers for Nana and Revolutionary Girl Utena below]

They're not much into anime in general, but this is one show they have somehow started to follow without meaning to. Nana digs the Shadow Girls, Hachi likes Chu-Chu and the scenes that make fun of Nanami. And they've both fallen for Utena herself - the brash determinator, courageous dreamer, loyal protector who gets things muddled but always tries hard.

Once, mid-series, Hachi says that if Nana ever had to do cosplay, she should pick Utena. "You'd look great with a sword and a fancy uniform," she insists.

Nana rolls her eyes, secretly flattered. "And pink hair? Yuck!" Then she's quiet for a moment, lighting a cigarette. "Well… Only if you'd be Anthy." She blows out a smoke ring and smiles.

Hachi looks startled, then laughs. "Anthy? No way! I'm not Anthy, I'm Wakaba!" She pokes Nana in the forehead. "I'd just jump all over your Utena, like she does. And let everyone around us know how awesome you are."

"That does sound more like my Hachi," Nana admits drily, but there's something a little off about her smile. Hachi turns back to the TV and doesn't notice.

*

"Let's live our lives heroically, let's live our lives with style…" Years later, Hachi finds herself humming the opening song under her breath as she packs her suitcase. (She owns the DVDs, now.) She smiles ruefully: that song is such an earworm.

"All right then," she mumbles. She is more of a Wakaba, but… "If I have to be Anthy-at-the-end in order to find you, I will." She straightens up, determined. "And then we will shine."