Forced Manipulation

Chapter Forty-Nine

"Ah, Kiyoshi!" Hank called out as he walked up to the brunette's table. Kiyoshi smiled as he set his cup of hot chocolate down on the table and rose to meet Hank.

"Hank!" Kiyoshi exclaimed as he embraced the former medic. "I'm glad to see you!"

"You came way earlier than I thought! Didn't you say you had to coach Miku's practice? Shouldn't you be coaching right now?"

"Nope!" Kiyoshi beamed. "We finished earlier than expected! Is this who you were talking about?" He tilted his head to the side as he saw Katsuki. He held onto his arm as he glanced around. It seemed like the ash-blonde didn't want to be here, rather, not anywhere near this place. "Nice to meet you, buddy! I'm Kiyoshi! What's your name?"

"My name is K-Katsuki..."

"That's a nice name!" Kiyoshi said before looking at Hank. "I assume Katsuki and I will be alone for this?"

"Right," Hank nodded. "It wouldn't be my place to listen to you two talk about private stuff. I'll be right down the street to get some dinner for myself. I'll be back in a half-hour, ok?"

"Ok, sir..."

"All right, see you then!" Hank said as he began to walk off. "You don't have to worry, Katsuki. Kiyoshi's a very nice man! I'm sure you'll like him!"

And with that, Hank walked off, leaving the brunette and the ash-blonde alone. Katsuki forced a small smile, as he stared at Kiyoshi.

"I know, you've probably never heard of me, I was married to Hank's brother-in-law. I used to know him before he married Misato!" He beckoned Katsuki to sit. "Here, sit!"

"Thank you, sir..." Katsuki said as he sat down, his chair sitting right across from Kiyoshi's spot.

"No problem," Kiyoshi said as he returned to his seat. "I didn't know what to get you for a drink, so I hope you don't mind water."

"I don't mind, I was probably going to get water anyways..."

"Ah! Well, good!"

"So, you used to know Hank...?" Katsuki asked as he took a sip from his water. "He told me a story about you, a few hours before we got here..."

"Did he now?" Kiyoshi asked. "Which one?"

"The one with your father," Katsuki mumbled. "When he and your husband's family met your mom..."

"Oh. He told you that story! Yeah, I remember that like it was yesterday. That awful day brought me and Katsurou closer together. I honestly thought he was going to leave me that day, but he didn't. He was there for me when I needed him most. It's just a shame that I couldn't help him when he needed me most. You know why Hank called me, right?"

Katsuki shook his head.

"I see... You see, four years ago, I lost my husband. He was dealing with a bunch of issues before we married. He... tried to use a permanent solution to a temporary problem when we were teenagers. But, I can't judge him. After all, I couldn't know what was going on inside his mind. He eventually was able to feel happy again, and after high school, we got married. Hell, we even adopted two kids! But, when he was in his forties... He got hurt during a soccer game. It was horrible. You see, When he eventually woke up from his attempt to take his life, he injured his neck. The doctor told him that he had to take it easy because his neck injury could cause more damage. Low and behold, it did. He had to retire early from the soccer team, and I guess the feelings he had when we were teenagers returned. I wasn't there when he took his life, but if I was, I would do everything in my power to make sure he was safe. My son, Rika, was the one who found him. Now, I don't think he planned on having my son find him, as he was supposed to be at school. I remember how he called me, sobbing and screaming for me to come home. He didn't tell me what happened, just that something happened to my husband, and that he didn't know what to do. Granted, I think it was just the shock and panic taking over his body, but that doesn't matter. Rika and I had to get counseling after that so that we can overcome the trauma of what happened. The poor kid was only fourteen when he found him. I had no idea how he could have dealt with something like that at his age. Miku did her best to help us, I don't know what Rika and I would have done without her. Granted, I didn't tell her to do it. She was just a kid, she shouldn't have to be the one to be comforting us. She is supposed to live her life! Yet, when I tried to help Rika, he pushed me away. He and I never had the same bond as he had with Katsurou. Thankfully, with the help of his family and counseling, he finally overcame his demons. But... Then came his championship match during his third year. They fought so hard to get there, they even had to heat a bunch of big schools! I had to give my son a pep talk before the game, you know, because he was nervous." Kiyoshi chuckled softly. "He told me, right before he ran out there, that this win would be for Katsurou. I don't know what made me freeze like that, as he smiled and ran off. I should have stopped him and reassured him that no matter what, whether he won or lost, his father would still love him. They... They ended up losing after several overtimes. I could tell that he was hurt, but he wouldn't open up to me. The loss went to his head, I suppose. He began to be more...distant. I tried to help him, but he just kept pushing us away. He even began to skip school and refuse to hang out with his friends. A day before he... took his life, we got into a fight over school. I found out he was skipping school and going god knows where, something in me just snapped.  We argued for what seemed like hours. But, the only part I remember from it was him screaming that I would never be able to understand how he felt. I... I won't lie. I brushed it off. In my mind, I thought he was just saying it, just like any teen would. Little did I know, I became the one thing I promised myself I would never become, since Katsurou's death. I became an awful parent. I made him feel like I was against him, breaking whatever bond that he had left with me. We eventually talked about it, before I went to bed. We agreed to talk about it more in the morning, but we never did. Miku had a game that day, and I was planning on going. I recall asking Rika if he wanted to join me, and after the game, he and I could go out to eat. He didn't answer, so I just... told him I'd give him space. If I knew what was going to happen, I would have never said that. Because he called me during the game... and I missed the call. I didn't know I had even gotten a call until halftime when I was trying to get a snack. He apologized for all the trouble he caused me and how I wouldn't have to deal with him ever again. I couldn't tell you how fast I was going, all while I was on the phone with emergency services. Yet, when I got there, I was far too late." He stopped to wipe the tears that were streaming down his cheeks, the memories being far too much for him. "I'm sorry, I'm probably rambling, aren't I?"