Escapism | Kubokai

Happy Birthday Shun!

A normal Sunday.

Is that too much to ask for?

The moment Kaidou Shun accidentally walks into his parents having a huge argument at the front door is the moment he realizes that, yes, a normal Sunday is in fact too much to ask for.

It takes him a second to realize what exactly is going on, but when the weight of the situation sinks in he wastes no time scurrying back up the stairs like the coward he is. He doesn't bother to listen to what they're fighting about, their angry words drowned out by the thumping of his feet against the stairs. As soon as he hops off the last step he turns the corner so fast he slides and nearly falls to the floor as he stumbles into the closest room, slamming the door shut and leaning his back against it.

Before he can collect his thoughts, there's a loud clack, and not even a second later an object falls directly onto Shun's head and slides off, hitting the floor with a dissonant clash. Hissing out in surprise and slight pain, he brings a hand to his head as he screws his eyes shut. When he opens his eyes he's looking down at his socks, quick to notice there's an empty towel rack next to his feet. He lifts his head up slowly, giving the towels scattered across the floor a long stare before it finally clicks.

Shun sighs, the pain ebbing away into annoyance. Why did he have to overreact so much? It was just an argument, it wasn't as if his parents had never fought before.

He bends down to pick up the rack, and with nothing better to do he listens in on their conversation. It wasn't as if he had a choice- they were so loud he had no clue how he didn't notice it sooner.

"Why do you always leave as soon as you get home?!" His mom yells. "You've been away on trips longer than you've been at home!"

"Do you actually think I'm happy with this too? But, hell, what am I gonna do, just not go to work and get fired?!" His dad retorts.

"It's just absurd! They call you for so many business trips you'd think it'd be easier if we moved! There has to be a better solution to this, your kids need their father!"

"Don't you dare bring them into this conversation. This has nothing to do th-"

"This has everything to do with them!"

Shun jolts, nearly dropping the towel he's holding as he suddenly remembers his siblings. The panic in his chest is gone faster than it hit him, however, as he hastily reminds himself that Sora's at the local library studying for entrance exams and Toki's at a birthday party for some kid named Yuuta. Both of them aren't home right now.

It's just him.

Shun's frown deepens as he folds the towel in his hands and sets it on the rack. He turns around back to the floor and- oh, that was the last of them? Good. He makes the motion to turn back around- only to stop midway, eyes transfixed on the mirror before him.

It's just him.

Dad's not usually home- but when he is, and when Mom's home too, it usually ends up the same way: Shun coming to the rescue and comforting Sora and Toki whenever their parents started to argue- from something as simple as holding them tightly to going as far as to take them out on the town just to get away from the house, he was always the one to make them feel better. This time was different.

It's just him.

Sora and Toki aren't here- he doesn't have to step up to his role as the big brother and protect them. He doesn't have to put on a brave face anymore.

It's just him.

His face falters. His eyes start to water. He takes a shaky breath, hesitating for a brief moment before reaching for the faucet and turning the nozzle. Trembling hands let go of the handle and hover under the steady stream of water. He closes his eyes and lowers his head down to the sink as his hands meet him half way, splashing the cold, biting water onto his face.