always | gojou satoru [rewriting]

chapter 2 - flashback (ii)

𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓽, (2004).

"When will Satoru going to have dinner with us?" you asked your mom who was arranging plates on the dining table. You haven't seen him for 5 days ever since his parents were back from a business trip.

"I'm not sure, honey. I think he is busy. He's going to become the successor of his father's company in the future." your mom simply explained but you didn't even understand a single thing.

"Huh? What's a successor? I thought he is going to become a superhero?" you were confused for a moment, "Mom, Satoru told me that he wants to be a superhero. I want to be a superhero too."

Your mom could only smile at your words, "Honey, go watch your favourite anime. I'll call you when dinner's ready, alright?"

You obediently headed to the living room and watched Cardcaptor Sakura quietly. In your head, you couldn't stop wondering where Gojou was. You wanted to visit him but your mom kept telling you that Satoru might be busy.

Later around 7pm, you heard the doorbell ringing which you instantly ran to open the door. You were hoping it was Satoru and it surprised you because it was indeed him.

"Toru!" your eyes sparkled as you saw him, but something was a bit off. "Satoru?" you looked at his blank face.

"Hi, Y/n" he greeted with a smile, more like a forced one. "I'm really sorry for disappearing out of nowhere. I wanted to see you but something happened so I couldn't come."

"Are you okay?" you asked as your small hands cupped his cheeks, tilting your head to face him." Are you really really really okay?"

"I'm really sorry that I couldn't eat ice cream with you." he looked at you, and he seemed super upset for some reason. It bothered you somehow.

But, it was difficult to get mad at him so you flashed a smile at him. "It's okay. You know what, I've been watching Cardcaptor Sakura everyday. I really love that anime!"

He pinched your cheeks." I promise I'll make it up to you,"

"Who is that, Y/n? Dinner is reaㅡ oh, Satoru?" your mom was surprised to see him but one thing both of you didn't realize was the fear in her eyes. But, she managed to act normal. "Let's have dinner together then."

While eating dinner, you couldn't just stop talking how you missed Satoru and told him everything you did at home for this past five days.

"Y/n, chew your food first before talking." your mom eyed you while sipping her glass of tea, then looked at Satoru who was eating his rice. "Satoru, how are your parents? I believe your mother changed her phone number. I couldn't contact her."

"I don't know." he replied with an uneasy tone." After they came home from their business trip, they didn't talk to each other anymore."

Your mom didn't respond she changed the topic instead. "Now, who wants ice cream?"

"Me!" you raised your hand and so did Satoru.

After finishing dinner, and ate ice cream, Satoru and you went to your backyard. You were excited to show him your new pink Hello Kitty bicycle your mom bought for you.

"Wow, so pretty just like you." he said with a smile.

You smiled shyly, then you had an idea, "Let's play hide and seek!"

"Sure. Let'sㅡ"

"IS SATORU IN YOUR GODDAMN HOUSE!"

Both of you froze to the voice of a familiar woman, and you could see the horrified look on Satoru's face.

"There you are!"

She roughly grabbed and pulled the boy but he obviously didn't want to leave. "M-Mother, stop!" he pleaded his mother but she ignored him. "Mother, it hurts!" he cried while his other hand trying to reach for you.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in your room? Don't waste your time!" she scolded the poor boy.

"But, I want to play with Y/n!"

Mrs. Gojou pointed at you. "Ever since you started playing with this girl, you don't focus anymore! You don't do your homeworks and you don't read your books!"

"B-But, I want to play with Y/n.."

"Do I look like I care?" she raised her voice. You suddenly had the urge to jump into the conversation. It hurts to see Satoru crying like that.

"Please let Toru stay for a while to play!" you said boldly. You were afraid but you knew what you had to do. "Just give us an hour to play and I'll make sure he goes home after that."

Mrs. Gojou eyed you from head to toe, then rolled her eyes. "I don't like when kids tell me what to do."

"Please don't be mean to them." your mom jumped in to defend the both of you, "They're just kids. Let them play together."

Mrs. Gojou wasn't having it when your mom jumped in. She glared at your mom before ended up pulling Satoru out of the house. "You should really know your place, you filthy woman." was the last thing she spat at your mom before disappearing from your sight.

And, that marks the day where you and Satoru were separated and never heard from him again.

~ end of flashback (ii)