𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊; 𝐭. 𝐤𝐞𝐢

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Hmm⏤oh! Could it be that you're the [Name] Yamaguchi mentioned?"

A woman in her thirties spoke, her blonde hair neatly tucked into a bun and her golden-brown eyes slanted into crescent moons. Mrs. Tsukishima smiled as she saw the boy awkwardly bow at her.

"Ah yes, ma'am," [Name] responded politely, still wearing his uniform and carrying his backpack and guitar case (which he now always carries). He stood there, watching as the woman beamed and flung open the door for him. "Come in, don't just stand there!" she exclaimed, motioning for the teen to come in.

[Name] followed Mrs. Tsukishima inside, looking around occasionally. Two days after, he noticed that Tsukishima wasn't in class and Yamaguchi informed him that Tsukishima was sick, which was unusual, and that he must've gotten caught sick when it rained.

"Can you instead give Tsukki's homework today, [Nickname]? Okaa-san called me earlier to ask if I could run some errands for her."

He remembered Yamaguchi pleading with him and looking at him with those cute puppy eyes, and he battled the impulse to turn away, but he reluctantly agreed and accepted. He had gone earlier to the music club and notified them that he would be unable to attend today.

...

"[Name]-san! Don't goooooo!"

"I'm begging you!"

"Whyyyy!"

Cries echoed throughout the room where the music club was, and [Name] struggled to free himself from the grasp of his three fellow bandmates. He then turns his attention to (first-year) Mio, who did everything she can to pry (first-year) Yuko, (second-year) Aoi, and (first-year) Yui away from him.

"Let him go you three, he needs to take care of his friend," Arima said, drawing their attention to the piano prodigy, who was accompanied by Kaori, who walked over them. "Come on, [Name], you can go now while we deal with these chibis," Kaori adds as she pulls the Aoi away from [Name].

...

"Tada-chan was right."

When the blonde woman glanced at him, [Name] snapped out of his daze. "You used to be so cute, and now you've grown! You have such a good-looking face!" The woman exclaimed, and [Name] couldn't help but smile faintly.

"Say, how're your parents?"

The woman asked as she saw the teen's expression suddenly sullen. "My parents are dead, ma'am. They died in the car accident." He explained to the woman who widened their eyes and rushed up to him, pulling him into a hug which he tensed at.

"I-I'm very sorry for asking you that." [Name] heard her says as he gradually eased down and hugged her back. He felt safe in the woman's arms, much like when his mother hugged him.

Mrs. Tsukishima let out a gasp when she realized she'd be late for work, quickly grabbing her handbag from the sofa before rushing over to the [color]-rette. "[Name]-chan, can I ask you a favor?" The woman asked as the latter nodded.

"Can you look after Kei while I'm not here? I'm not going to make it home tonight and will be staying at the hotel. You can stay here tonight." She added, clasping her hands as [Name] then nodded.

"It's fine ma'am." [Name] assured which the woman sighed in relief. "Thank you [Name] and just call me okaa-san okay?" The woman smiled as [Name]'s eyes widened before he give her a smile and watch her left.