Little Do You Know

Chapter 4 - Broken Resolve

CHAPTER 4: BROKEN RESOLVE

Misaki's POV

I got up from the bench after I felt like I had no more tears left to cry. I felt slightly better after that... letting my feelings out. I was thankful though that no one saw me this way.

Emotionally I felt better, but my head was killing me and my eyes felt raw from all the tears. I went to a drinking fountain in the park close to the exit and washed my face there. The cold water felt good against my heated skin.

It was getting dark. I hadn't realized how long I had been out here until just then. I made my way towards the train station and headed to my brother's apartment. He must be worried by now, especially with the way I ran out on him like I did.

As I put the key in the lock of the door, about to turn it, the door swung open, revealing a frantic nii-chan. The first thing he did when he laid eyes on me was bring me into a tight hug, which I returned, needing to feel the comfort my nii-chan offered.

"Misaki! Never do that again!" he scolded after a long hug. He pulled back, taking my face in his hands. He then looked me over before looking back into my eyes. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you," I said sincerely as I tried to move out of his grip on my shoulders that held me in place.

"What were you thinking running out into the street like that?! What if you got hit by a car?!" he fretted.

"I'm sorry."

"I was about to call the police when you took so long to come back."

"Nii-chan, I am not a kid," I mumbled, not having the energy to argue with him about babying me.

"Why weren't you answering your phone?!"

I frowned at that, not remembering getting any phone calls. "I think I forgot to turn it back on after class," I mumbled, taking my phone out of my pocket for the first time since the morning, and then seeing all the missed calls left on it.

"Misaki-chan..." he said softly, "Why were you crying?"

The question took me by surprise for a second. I didn't realize I looked so bad. I thought that by now I would somewhat be able to conceal that I had been crying for the past few hours.

"I wasn't crying. I'm just tired... I think I will go to bed now..." I muttered as I walked past him, but stopped as he grabbed my arm.

"Misaki, eat something first," he said, which reminded me that I had told them that I would be making them dinner today.

"Nii-chan, I'm sorry. I forgot about dinner..." I said with a frown.

"Don't worry about it," he said quickly. "It's fine." I sighed as I once more started to walk away. "Misaki, please, eat something before going to bed," he repeated.

"I think I'll take a bath first. I might eat after," I replied, not turning towards him.

"Misaki." I stopped at the seriousness in his voice. "Ottoto, I am always here for you. You can talk to me if something is bothering you."

I felt my throat constrict. I wanted to tell him, but I was scared of how he would react... of how he would look at me. One person I care about hating me was enough to last me a lifetime. I didn't know what I would do if nii-chan was to hate me too. "Thanks..." I finally mumbled.

"You would tell me if something happened between you and Usagi, right? He refused to talk about it after you ran out, but I'm sure that there is nothing that can't be resolved if the two of you just spoke to each other."