a circle of revenge; TOKREV/GENDER APATHETIC READER

CHAPTER 17

17 ─ A FRIEND TO CRY WITH

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"Y/N," Takemichi said as he knocked on the door to your office. "How's it going?"

"I'm good," you sighed, typing away at your laptop. "Why?"

"You were a bit dazed out there," he gestured to the beach front, where everyone else were still out and playing. "And I heard you rented a room back at this hotel. What's up?"

"You know me too well," you smiled. "No, I'm not exactly fine. My siblings are still missing."

He didn't respond.

"And I'm worried. What if they're never coming back? Maybe I said something and now they despise me. Or what if they're dea─?"

"Don't think about those things," he said. "Your siblings love you. They look up to you," he took a seat in front of you on the swivel seat. "So don't worry."

"But if they're dead?"

"...that might be so, but do you have proof that they're dead?"

"No."

"Then they're not dead. 'Guilty til proven innocent'," he said with a shaky grin. "You'll find them."

You collapsed your face into your hamds, tearing up a little bit. Takemichi has always been a great friend of yours, and you knew damn well you almost had a crush on him back then before you moved, but every good thing he does for you makes you feel... selfish.

You don't mean to put your problems on him. He doesn't have to help you. You're independent, you know what you need and want, so you don't need anyone to help you other than yourself.

You're going to lose them all, anyway.

You'll lose them when your life ends, you'll lose them when their lives end, you'll lose everything. Just like how you lost your family.

"Thanks, Hana," you forced a friendly smile. "But I'm okay."

"Don't lie like that," he frowned. "I'm experienced enough to know you need help. I don't know how to help you, but I'll do what I can."

"I have what I need," your heart crumpled when you said that. "My mother's people─"

"No," he said sternly, standing from his chair. "You promised!"

"I did, but─"

"Don't fall there, Y/N... please," he begged and moved closer to you. "You promised."

"... fine.." You wiped your eyes.

He put his hands on your face and wiped them away, pulling you in for a tight hug. "I know you've lost people," he sniffled. "And you're crying."

"I'm not. I'm... not crying."

"Liar," you felt him wipe his tears with the back of his palm, not letting you go. "I'm crying, too."

"What a crybaby."

"Says you," he chuckled, and you laughed along. These solemn moments when you can cry to your hearts content are very rare to find, so you took advantage of it.

You hicced and slipped off your chair, and Takemichi did not let you go─ wiping your own tears with your arm, as Takemichi hugged you, and you cried together.

And he whispered: "I can't lose you, too."

But you did not hear it.

──

really short chapters but I have no reason for them pt 2