Where there is Love (Asahi x Reader)

F OU R T Y E I G H T

They woke up rather late. They set no alarms last night and ended up waking up at 12 pm. Even after they had woken up, they made no moves to get out of bed. They chatted aimlessly to each other while relishing in the warmth they each provided. It wasn't until Asahi's stomach let out the loudest rumble that they even bothered to move.

They took a quick shower and packed their clothes. There wasn't much to pack since they had only planned to stay for two days anyway. They would just be leaving early.

They did a quick sweep of the room, ensuring that they left nothing behind before signing out of the hotel and returning their key cards.

It was on the short walk to the car that they stopped short. There, sitting on one of the benches in front of the hotel sat Hanako. The woman had definitely seen better days. Her hair was matted and thrown into a messy bun, her eyes looked sunken in, and her skin looked pasty. Her eyes were rimmed red and seemed to constantly hold unshed tears. She looked so much more fragile in comparison to the beautiful woman they saw yesterday.

"Asahi! Y/n!" She called out as soon as she saw them She walked to them quickly and stood before the young couple that stared at her in surprise. Their expressions morphed into complete shock when she threw her arms around Asahi and sniffled while trying to hold back tears.

"I am so sorry! I didn't know, Asahi! I promise you I didn't know. He told me he was kicked out and denied custody. I never would have married and had children with him if I knew that was how he treated his kids. You have to believe me!" Asahi wasn't entirely sure what to do. He had never fully blamed Hanako but he wouldn't lie and say that at first, he didn't like her because he thought she knew what kind of man Ichiko was. Hearing that she was caught up in the same lie he had been made him feel guilty. There was another woman who made to be a villain in his eyes because of his father's deceit.

He hesitantly wrapped his free arm around her. It wasn't her fault. She shouldn't carry any guilt because she was caught up in this messed up father-son dynamic.

"It's ok, Hanako. I'm not mad at you at all. Are you doing ok, though?" He asked while pulling away from her slightly. It was obvious that his stepmother hadn't gotten a good night of rest.

"No! My husband is a scumbag! But this isn't about me! It's about you, kids! What am I going to say to Hansuke and Ichika? I kicked their father out last night and they were asking about him this morning before I dropped them off at my parent's home. They aren't very happy that you didn't say good night, by the way." The young couple could hardly believe their ears. She kicked him out for the sake of her stepson who she barely even speaks to? Asahi was coming to appreciate her more and more.

"You kicked him out? Hanako, you are such a badass," Y/n praised, trying to improve the woman's mood.

"I don't feel like a badass! I meant it when I said I didn't want to see his face but I've been up all night questioning my entire marriage. I was almost considering a divorce! This is messing with my mind."

"And why exactly can't you leave him?" Asahi asked. Why would anyone want to stay with him?

"I have three children that I can't take care of on my own. I don't nearly make enough to support four people, and I can't take care of all of them." Y/n and Asahi shared confused looks while Hanako continually ran her hands through her hair.

"Three kids? Hanako, do you need rest some rest?" Y/n asked her while leading the woman to their car.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you both last night. I was going to announce it to everyone once I had put the kids to sleep," She laughed slightly while tapping her head lightly. How could she have forgotten? "I'm pregnant!"