strangled

⁴⁰top three

Stars light up the almost pitch black sky- a wondrous sight.

The moonlight is shining down on the marble of your best friend's grave, giving it a glow that's beautifully depressing. You're laying down on your side on the picnic blanket. A large heavy black blanket is on top of your body, protecting you from the harsh winter night air. Feeling nothing but comfort from being with your friend all day for his birthday, a small smile is on your face as you read a book. Enji had left to get some sleep only a few seconds ago.

Spending the day with him wasn't as terrible as you thought it would be.

If anything, he showed you a side of him you never saw before.

hours earlier...
sekoto peak

The silence between you and your father-in-law was uncomfortable for you but he didn't even seem to notice. He had asked to feed the fish with you and after a moment of hesitation you agreed. So the past few minutes were spent in sheer quietness as you both threw feed into the blue lake. He was acting the calmest you have ever seen him act. His body was visibly relaxed and his eyes focused gently on the animals darting around.

"Tell me something (f/n)..." He said softly.

One of your eyebrows arched. "What?"

"Truthfully, how do you feel about my son?"

You dusted your hands off then began to search through the picnic basket for something to eat. "Which one are you talking about Enji?"

His gaze is on you. You can feel it. "All of them."

"Why do you want to know that huh? Planning on-"

"I'm just trying to start a conversation with my daughter-in-law okay..." He said quickly before he gave you a sad smile. "Not everything I do has the purpose of harming you I just... I just want to talk."

"Fine. You want to know how I feel about your son's?"

You took a deep breath before continuing. "Shouto was so damn controlling and harsh to me. He cheated, lied, treated me like shit when I know I didn't deserve it. I hated him, and I hated you. I hated the fact that you forced me to marry a sociopath and I hated the fact that Shouto showed no signs of changing to become a better person. But recently... he's so... different. It's like he finally woke up and realized the way he was treating me wasn't right. I try to act like it doesn't matter to me but it does. It makes me wonder if I should reconsider hoping for a divorce. Because maybe, if he keeps treating me like this, I can be truly happy with him. But I don't know if I'll ever be able to get over the way he treated me."

"And Natsuo...?" He asked.

"My best friend without a doubt. He's always been there for me... always helping me... always cheering me up whenever I need it. I love Natsuo and that will never change."

"Lastly, Touya." You felt your heart clench as you started to speak. "I cared about him more than I cared about myself. I saw the terrible way you and the rest of your family treated him. So much neglect shown for no reason. He deserved better."

"I know..." Enji said as he wiped his eyes-that were beginning to tear up-with the sleeve of his pajama shirt. "I know..."

You clutched your knees to your chest feeling your eyes beginning to water. "Why did you have to do that to him?"