Who Among These Guys |•Haitani Brother x Y/N ft. Sanzu And Kokonoi•|

Chapter 31 : Isolated

They say that healing ourselves requires reconnecting with our inner child. But how can we find a remedy for our heartaches when it was our inner child who was wounded in the first place?

~Y/N~

|•SECOND PERSON's POV•|

"I understand that you're angry, Koko. I was a complete idiot for not considering how hurtful my words could be. I genuinely apologize; it was my emotions getting the best of me."

Seishu offered his sincere apology to Koko as they stepped out of the taxi in front of Koko's place. Koko had been maintaining his silence, even when they stopped by the market to buy groceries. Seishu reminded Koko that you're allergic to fiah when he's about to pick up salmon meat, Koko didn't say a word and silently chose ground beef instead, leaving Seishu behind. Feeling defeated, Seishu followed his friend, deciding not to engage in further conversation until they arrived home.

"I'm also sorry for not telling you about—"

Koko let out an annoyed sigh, cutting off Seishu's words.

"Listen, I'll admit that I'm still in shock, even now, finding out that Akane-san is alive all this time," Koko replied, inserting the key into his doorknob. "And I can't help but wonder why your parents and everyone else believed and declared her dead."

"Nee-san didn't want to burden you. She knew how difficult it was for you, engaging in illegal activities just to make money," Seishu confessed, looking away as he revealed the truth about Akane's existence. He realized that no matter how the sun hid behind grey clouds, it always managed to break through and eventually emerge.

"So, in order for you to stop, she asked my parents to declare her dead, even the doctors at the hospital who treated her. But it didn't work. Instead, you became even more obsessed with making money, whether it's legal or not. That's why I've always believed that you still can't let go of Akane. That either me or Y/n will always be reminders of her to you."

"You're full of secrets, Inupi, and I'm beyond dismayed that you're my best friend. Can't you see the sincerity in my eyes that it's Y/n who is dear to me now? Dead or alive, Akane-san doesn't matter to me," Koko expressed with a distorted expression as he entered the house. "You're probably thinking I brought you here to trade Y/n in order to see Akane-san again, but you're greatly mistaken. As I've said, I've already let go of the past. I brought you here because Y/n needs family, she needs you," he added, lowering his voice to prevent you from overhearing their conversation.

"Wait here," he instructed Seishu, leaving him in the living room as he went upstairs to find you. However, as soon as he entered your shared room, it was already empty. Only a note was left under his billfold, and the spare phone he had lent you was placed on the bedside table.

His hands trembled as he picked up the letter you left for him.

"Thanks for everything, Koko. I appreciate it a lot, and to be honest, I felt comfort when I was with you. But I have to leave, Koko. Don't try to look for me; I won't show myself anymore. It feels like I don't belong here or with anyone dear to me anymore. You're a very nice guy, and I can't drag someone like you into hell with me. I'll go to a place where no one could ever see me again. Sayonara."

Rushing back downstairs to the living room, he handed the letter to Seishu, a mix of disappointment and worry building upon him.

"Inupi, Y/n is..." Koko couldn't finish his sentence as his voice trembled.

Reading the letter you had left for Koko, Seishu felt a sense of panic.

"No! Koko, we need to hurry. We need to find my sister as soon as possible."

Just as Koko had assumed, Seishu knew that there were deeper messages lingering in the words you had written. It seemed like a suicidal note, bidding a final goodbye, considering the surges you had always felt to put an end to your life.

•••••••

The sun had awakened as you stepped out of the house, its golden rays chasing away the shadows. The beauty of the sunrise and the warmth it brought to the surroundings and people contrasted with the turmoil of your emotions.

Taking one last glance at the house, you let out an audible breath, locked the doorknob, and left the key under the doormat. Living under the same roof as Koko had become somewhat familiar, but now, with what you had discovered, you weren't certain if it was truly you he was in love with.

Tired of feeling used, neglected, and hurt, you knew that fleeing before those deceitful predators could further damage you was the only way to save yourself.

Earlier, after changing into casual outdoor clothes, you powered on your mobile phone. But before deciding to leave Koko's place, you cleaned everything in the house—the kitchen, beds, living room, and bathroom.

Your inbox was flooded with messages from people you knew, both through social media and text messages, all expressing concern and asking about your whereabouts. Most of them were from Kakucho and Senju. However, you only opened the group chat, which was currently active but you were unable to send messages.

Feeling too lazy to text each person individually to ask for a ride to school or accompany you to the mall or visit foster children, you created a group chat named "S-62 (Violente pero Bading)."

You saw that there were new members in the group. Scrolling up, you seethed with anger, gripping your phone tightly when it was Izana had added Erika to the group. All the members sent question marks, wondering why Izana had the audacity to add Erika when it was you who created the group, and the two of you were not on good terms.