The Third Miya: Isuma

XLVI

August 14th, 2021

It's unedited, so I'll probably go back later and fix any mistakes. Sorry :((

<<Skip to Isuma>>

Isuma regretted not bringing a jacket.

If she went back to get it now, she wouldn't be able to leave again. After a quick debate, she walked to the nearest convenience store, which was usually full of people. She sat down on a low brick wall, away from everyone. The small heater the owners had set near the tables provided a little warmth. Her eyes landed on a couple not much older than her; they were holding hands and laughing, sipping coffees. She looked away from them.

'What the heck was I thinking back there?!' Isuma rubbed her forehead. 'My hair's probably so messy... they're going to be so pissed off when I get home. That was such a risky thing to do... I'm terrified. What if-'

"...Isuma-chan?"

She looked up, surprised. Kita was gazing at her, the two bottles in his hand forgotten. He was wearing a long black trench coat with gold latches that went past his knees. Unlike her, he'd planned on being out in the cold. "What happened to you?"

Her once long hair was short and uneven in certain places, and she was wearing a sleeveless shirt. He'd be lying if he said she didn't look seriously cute with short hair. Isuma didn't respond for a few seconds. 'He's the last person I want to see me like THIS; what should I do?'

"Isuma, what happened?!" Kita repeated. She hesitated. "...my aunt and uncle are over. I kind of... stormed out on them. At dinner."

He didn't react at all. He simply said, "Tell me."

So she did. There was no point in leaving anything out; he would be able to notice the gaps in her story right away. Kita didn't say anything the whole time she spoke. Isuma buried her face in her hands when she finally finished, not wanting to face him and hear his criticism.

It didn't come. Isuma was suddenly enveloped in warmth; she looked up, startled. Kita had draped his coat over her. "You're going to catch a cold."

His tone was impossibly soft and understanding. He sat down next to her and asked, "What're you going to do?"

"Not go home, that's for sure. Even my brothers can't shield me from their anger right now." Isuma's voice was shaking slightly; her hands were gripping his coat tightly. Kita didn't say anything for a few moments. "You could... come over to our house. Hishari-chan wouldn't mind."

Isuma looked at him, surprised. "...I can't. She doesn't know about me. I don't want to tell her..."

"She'll understand. Her life hasn't been exactly normal either." Kita answered

"...still. What if-" Isuma stopped herself. She really wanted to say yes. She'd only met Hishari for a few minutes, but she gave off such a natural sisterly vibe it was impossible not to love her. "What if her opinion of me changes because of it?"

"It won't." Kita leaned forward. "I won't force you to. I'll walk you home right now if that's what you want. I won't argue if you want that.

"Trust me, though. Hishari's opinion of you won't change. She's a lot like me. Did I act differently towards you when you told me?" He asked. She hesitated. "...no."

"Then she won't either. I promise." He stood up and held out his hand to her, his other hand in his pocket. Isuma reached out, but her hand curled into a fist and she retracted it slightly. 'Why am I scared of Hishari's opinion... I don't even know her very well. It shouldn't matter to me.' But her hand went back to her lap. Kita didn't say anything for a moment. "I'm not leaving you out here alone. Come on, I'll walk you home."