wounds that never bleed | h.ran

chapter three

Why did I end up in a hotel room? Who was with me, and what exactly happened last night? Why can't I remember anything? My eyes are puffy and this goddamn headache is killing me!

"y/n, Are you okay?" Maia asked as she handed you bottled water. "You're tapping your nose again and looked worried. What are you thinking?"

"Ah, yeah! I'm fine. Just thinking about random things." You quickly shook the thoughts away and accepted the water.

"I see... so did you apply to that bar?"

"Yeah, and I got hired."

"That's great!"

"Yes! It's a lifesaver, Maia! Thank you so much. With that, I can pay rent and the tuition for my sister."

"You're welcome but remember not to force yourself, okay? You still need to rest, y/n you're not a robot. all you did in your teens until now is work."

"I don't have any choice. After dad left, I needed to be their strength."

"I know... but think of yourself for once in a while, okay?"

"Okay." You smiled at her. Having a friend who worries about you makes your heart melt.

After your shift, you went home to change your clothes. "y/n, dear. eat dinner first before going to work." Your mother said while stitching the eyes of the plushies that she's making.

"I'm good, ma! Maia treated me to some street foods earlier." Lies. You just said that so that your mother doesn't worry about you. You walked towards her and kissed her cheeks. "I have to go."

"I'm sorry, y/n." Your mother suddenly said, looking down. "I failed as a mother. I stole your teenage years up to now by making you work non-stop."

"You didn't steal anything, ma! I did all of that because I wanted to. Okay?"

"I..." She paused for a brief moment and looked at you with a gentle expression. "I want you to find happiness again, y/n."

"I am happy! Seeing Aina go to her dream school and help this family... I am happy with that."

Your mother brushes your hair, tucking them behind your ear. "Thank you."

You smiled at your mother and gently nodded. "I have to go, ma. It's the first day of my new job, and I don't want to be late."

"Okay. you take care, y/n."

"I will."

When you arrived at the bar, you quickly changed to your uniform and greeted everyone, "Good evening."

"Oh! good timing. y/n, this is Chifuyu. you will be assisting him." Rindou said. You stared at him for a while, trying to remember what happened last night. Is he the one I spent the night with? "Uh... y/n?"

You snapped out from your trance when you heard your boss call your name. "Ah, sorry!" You faced your co-worker to introduced yourself. "Hi! I'm y/n. Nice to meet you." You extended your hand for a handshake.

"Chifuyu. Nice to meet you too, y/n." He smiled and accepted your hand.

"Okay, I'll leave everything to you, guys! I have to go." Rindou drank his bourbon straight and stood up. You wave goodbye and start your shift.

Surprisingly, everything is easy. Chifuyu was great at explaining things, and the customers were chill. They just wanted a peaceful night of drinking, which is nice because this made you relax a little from the hectic shifts in the morning.

"This place is relaxing, eh?" Chifuyu said as you both wiped the glasses with clean towels.

"Yeah, A complete opposite of my other part-time at the Ramen house. That place is a warzone, especially at lunch." You chuckled.