Everchanging

The Tortoise and the Hare

!!TW!! Thoughts on SA/Rape, Slight Flashbacks to "Bridge and a Blade", Bullying

The evening was quite peaceful, all things considered. But he couldn't help but keep glancing at his phone, waiting for a call. Sanemi had told him that Genya was meeting with Miyano's husband, and, despite Tengen's apprehension, Sanemi actually seemed optimistic. Tengen could never guess why but it seemed like the man had been more perky lately. It was like something good had happened to him and Tengen was buzzing to find out what.

The man sighed, tossing his phone to the side as he slumped further into his couch. It was the same couch Genya had sat on not that long ago. The very spot the boy wept as he confessed some of the horrors he had been put through.

"They convicted her of rape. They said that she raped me but...she didn't."

"I don't...really remember a lot of it. She would drug me a lot. She said it was pain medicine, but I would always pass out after I took it. And when I woke up, she would be done. Sometimes, I would wake up and...She would still be on top of me. I couldn't fight her. My body wouldn't move, and I wasn't really sure if it was a dream or not."

Something akin to sickness rose in the man's stomach, pushing him to stand and walk into the kitchen. He couldn't imagine being either Shinazugawa right now. He couldn't imagine being Sanemi, having to pick up the pieces that Miyano and Kyogo left behind. He wondered how much rage Sanemi was burying deep down. Tengen wondered if Sanemi also looked back and wished they had just killed Miyano that night.

But...would killing her fix anything? It's not like it mattered anymore but Tengen couldn't help but think about it. Would her death take away that boy's pain? Tengen couldn't understand, he never would be able to. Hinatsuru could to a big extent but even then, she didn't quite understand the attachment Genya had for the woman who raped him.

And maybe Tengen was being ignorant, but he couldn't understand Genya. Shouldn't you hate the person who hurt you? That made sense. But it seemed like, despite the torture Miyano put Genya through, a part of him still loved her. A part of him still wanted to protect her and cherish her care.

Maybe the boy was attached to the Miyano that didn't hurt him. The one he described as motherly and kind. The Miyano that chose him.

But, even then, Tengen couldn't understand how those memories weren't tainted. How could Genya still care for the woman who hurt him so horribly? How could he see the slight good in her when she had been nothing but a monster.

"Why don't you tell your little heroes just how much of a little slut you are?! Tell them where your mouth has gone and what you've done with your talented little hands? Huh? Huh?! Genya! Why don't you tell them how many times I made you cum?! Well?!"

Tengen could recall the visceral hatred and anger that tore through him. There were few people who could incur his wrath, but Miyano had risen to the top of the list in only a few moments. He recalled pressing his hands further onto her and watching her hiss in pain with a sick sense of satisfaction.

That day would probably be one of the worst days in Tengen's life, but he figured everyone felt the same as he did. He didn't think that any one of the adults nor children got out of that night unscathed.

The sirens were loud, almost deafening despite the screams and pleas coming from the woman below him. And for the first time, Tengen felt dirty. He felt filthy, his hands touching sweaty skin that had once been on top of a child. And something disturbing rose in his stomach, wondering if he kept pushing would he break her? She was small and thin, his hands able to wrap around her wrists easily.