Red Thread

Chapter 7

Somehow, you managed to keep your secret relationship with Mitsuya for a year. Everytime you are allowed to go outside for an errand, you will go to see him at his workshop or he will come see you at one of the shrines you are visiting. As good as you are hiding it, there are rumours that end up reaching your aunt's ears. You could feel your cheek stinging from the hard slap. It's nothing new for you "You dirty little wench.. How many times have I told you not to bring shame to our family name?! You uselle little-". Just when you thought you would get another beating, you heard the familiar voice "That is enough, mother". You opened your eyes as you gasped. You saw your cousin stop your aunt's hand, "Nii-sama..". Seeing him made you feel relieved as he gave you a small smile. You didn't know why but your aunt always cower if your oldest cousin is around. You quickly hide behind him, asking for protection. "Hmph! You shouldn't protect that wench... Why didn't you tell me you are back?" He gave her a cold stare before glance at you "Y/n.. Could you wait outside?'. Nodded your head, you just left the room and waited for him. You could barely hear what they were talking about but you could hear a crash, sounds like glass broken, then you hear your aunt yelling and telling your cousin to get out. The time you saw the door open, you could see him with his head bleeding and there was a broken cup on the floor "N-nii-sama.. Y-your head..". "Sorry, y/n.. Could you help me clean this?" he gave you a small smile as he pointed to his head. You nodded your head as you cleaned his wound in your room. You asked what happened, he sighed as he started telling you what was going on. Your eyes widened as you could feel like your world was crumbling down. "I'm sorry, y/n.. I can't stop her.." you could see how devastated he is. Both you and him have been set for an arranged marriage. You into another family to strengthen the connection and him with another family to just keep your family stayed at the top of power. "I...Nii-sama.. What should I do...I...I'm in love with someone already.." you sob as he pulls you into his arms. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, y/n.. I..I'm sorry for not having the power to protect you yet..", you could also hear him sobbing a little. Cried your eyes out, you know your cousin did retaliate to your aunt and that cost him his head. You two both know what your aunt is capable of doing if things are not going her way. How did you know? Your sister has tried countless times and many times she failed before success to elope with someone. You? You won't be able to bear it if you saw Mitsuya get hurt because of your family drama. You know what you have to do, but can you do it? Ending things with him without hurting him.

You started with ignoring his calls and text. Eventually he came to see you after a few days. "Let's end this..." you looked at him coldly. You could see how shocked he was when he heard those words from you "W-what? Why? W-what's going on?". He took your hand as you just brushed it away. You could see how hurt he is. "I didn't share the same feelings with you, Mitsuya-san.. You see, all these times I only pretend because I was bored.. It's no longer fun" you trying your best to show no expression as you said those words as cold as you could. Deep inside you could feel like you wanted to scream and cry, but after you heard the news how your aunt put your cousin's girlfriend in the hospital, you made up your mind. He gritted his teeth "Liar.. Those are lies right? This joke isn't funny, y/n..". The way he looks right now is sure tear your hearts apart. "Please don't call me so casually. It would be bad for my image if someone found out and please don't ever come here anymore. " You could see how stunned he was, "Please go home, Mitsuya-san..". With those parting words and didn't even give him a chance to say anything, you locked the window and closed the curtain. You saw him gone after a couple of minutes as you started sobbing. You scream onto your pillow, you hear a knock on your door. Hearing your cousin's voice, you open the door as you let him inside your room. You told him everything about how you broke things with Mitsuya.

-Mitsuya's POV-

It's been months since she broke things up with him. He was depressed for one whole month before could get back on his feet. He knew it's unlike her to break things off without reason. He knows her well and he knows how she always wants to get out of that place and for her to suddenly push him away like that. Many have told him to get over her but he refused. He still believes she has a good reason why she did that. He knows he won't find her at that shrine anymore but he still sometimes comes there. Fate sure is weird. He saw her under that same tree. He could feel his heart back flustered, she is still as beautiful as the last time he remembered but what made his heart ache was her standing with another guy under that tree. He stood there frozen as he saw how the guy touched her. It was supposed to be ME that stroked her cheek. It was supposed to be ME standing there with her. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists watching the both of them.

-Enf of Mitsuya's POV-