Boku no Hero Academia

The Gray Area

After the incident, no matter how brightly the sun shined the days were dim and gray to Etsuko, who lingered in her head way more often than usual. Akira had spent the past week worrying, struggling to maintain her concentration on any schoolwork at all while she awaited Etsuko's return to her classes. She had texted every day to ask how Etsuko was doing, but she never received a reply in return.
As the days crawled by, Etsuko lay alone in her dark room; the home empty and her mind racing. She could not bear to look at herself in the mirror, what looked back at her was shame and disgust. Etsuko devalued herself with every glance she took after she ran the rest of the way home. Her legs wobbled, aching with exhaustion as her anxiousness squeezed her heart. Etsuko clutched her uniform jacket, beads of sweat rolling down her face as her eyes locked with her own in the mirror. She was paralyzed by the fright in her expression and hypnotized with contempt against herself. Of all of the things she could not muster the courage for, Etsuko blamed herself for not being more assertive, crumbling to the bathroom floor, where the cold tile relieved some of the pain spreading to her thighs. Etsuko pulled her knees to her chest and held herself tightly, staring blankly at the floor as hysteria washed over her. Etsuko remained there until the sun rose, her cheeks raw and her eyes burning from their dryness. Finally, she crawled into a hot bath and mustered enough energy to bundle up in her bed, and there she went on to endure the depression of her violation. The more she recognized the word, the more upset she became; I was violated, violated, violated... it was a nightmare that was persistent in her mind.
Etsuko was preoccupied enough to forget about the days passing, and the hunger that plagued her. All that existed was the unrelenting pain.

Akira waited impatiently for the bell to sound, clutching her bag and her leg bouncing quickly as it had all day. The ticking echoed in her ears, watching as the clock hand seemed to deliberately move slowly. She was the first one out of the building, speeding all through the town, taking sharp turns and cutting through the streets to reach Etsuko's front doorstep as quickly as possible. Akira was mortified that something may have happened to her, especially after not receiving any feedback about that charming date that Etsuko had went on; she could not imagine the boy being so foul, but perhaps Etsuko had just gotten sick? Akira only grew more antsy over the three days, questions filling her mind to the point it was nearly overflowing; it was distracting, and barred her from doing her schoolwork properly.
Akira panted on the doorstep, catching her breath before rapping lightly at the wood.
Etsuko thought she was imagining things, burying her head a little deeper into the sheets, but she perked up when a second knock echoed through the home. Etsuko took a deep breath, blinking away the dazed look in her eyes before she sat upright. She abandoned her comfort, her white silk pajamas absorbing the chill in the air as Etsuko traveled slowly down the stairs, hearing a third knock. It sounded hasty and insistent; perhaps it was just Etsuko's neighbor, Akane, an old woman who often looked after her while her father was gone. Was there an emergency, Etsuko wondered.
Etsuko's fingers trembled as she reached for the doorknob, letting them slip around it before she managed a steady grip. The latch clicked as she turned the handle, and the door opened slowly.
Akira gasped in relief, Etsuko finally in her vision. Akira adored the way Etsuko's stray hairs stuck out, and noticed the wrinkles in the pajamas; she imagined Etsuko had been laying in bed for days, that's how sick she must have been.
"Etsuko! How are you?" The cheery tone in Akira's voice made Etsuko feel more guilt-ridden; she disregarded her friend because she was so upset.
"I'm... Well." Etsuko forced a crooked smile onto her face, noticing Akira's expression fade at the sight.
"I'm glad to hear you're doing okay... I brought the homework you missed." Akira smiled sweetly past her own concern.
"Oh, thank you. Please, come in. Catch me up." Etsuko abandoned the dreadful thoughts for a moment, being pulled back to life beyond what was inside of her head. Akira accepted the invitation, hurrying inside and embracing Etsuko. She was surprised at the kind contact, gradually melting into Akira's arms; Etsuko bit her lip attempting to suppress her sobs.
"W-what's wrong, Etsuko-Chan?" Akira's eye went wide with worry and she squeezed Etsuko's shoulders in reassurance. Etsuko kept swiping her sleeve against her eyes, catching the fate tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks. Etsuko contemplated revealing the mortifying events that took place a couple nights ago; could she truly find trust and understanding in someone she's only known for a few weeks? Etsuko never doubted for a second that that was the case; Akira has shown nothing but kindness and loyalty.
"It's Hotaru... the boy. He... He assaulted me." Akira covered her mouth in horror, pulling Etsuko close as her whimpers escaped her.
"He makes me miserable." Etsuko sobbed out,
"I was so ashamed that I let it happen that I was afraid to look anyone in the eye, even myself. I holed myself up in this massive house and stayed alone with my suffering for days. I didn't want anyone to ever see me again." Akira held Etsuko's face gently, cupping her rose colored cheeks. She swiped a thumb across Etsuko's cheekbone and wiped away the thick streaks of tears. Etsuko could only imagine the wrath her father would have unleashed on her if he knew. She imagined every terrifying threat he would make, and how long he would try and beat her lesson into her. She was tired of being regarded as an insignificant tool of persuasion, to trick the world into seeing the picture perfect family that Junpei wished to present to the world. Etsuko never imagined how evil could even corrupt those who are supposed to save others... Etsuko needed to be saved.
"You must think I'm a coward." Etsuko proclaimed, looking up at Akira through her bangs. Akira denied the idea, her face expressing humility.
"Of course I don't. You've had a terrible experience." Akira kept Etsuko close, feeling Etsuko's hands cling to her.
"Right now, I feel like I've been shattered into a million little pieces. I just need time to make sense of it all." Etsuko blubbered. Akira held Etsuko's chin up to face her,
"I will always be here to back you up. I promise." Etsuko oozed with relief, her heart beating quickly in her chest; this feeling was unfamiliar. She never thought anyone could care this much about someone... is it because she's just so nice?