Frozen Rose (Langa x reader)

Chapter 109

(Y/n)'s POV

My eyes shot open. Someone squeezed my hand and that was when I noticed Reki and Yuu by the bed I was lying on. Everyone was here. Where were we? Yuu clutched my hand tightly, as if I would disappear if he let go.

"(Y/n), are you okay? You scared me! I-I wasn't sure...I didn't..." Yuu started, his voice breaking towards the end.
"Where...what happened?"
"You fainted after the fight. We're at the hospital now," replied Cherry.

That was when dad stepped forward and it took a lot of effort not to flinch from the stern anger in his gaze. Dad was almost never this infuriated. It both frightened and worried me that I'd caused such a reaction.

"(Y/n) (L/n), how many times have you been in the hospital like this?" he questioned.
"That doesn't matter-"
"Of course it matters! Everyone here has some kind of injury! And for some reason, you have the worst ones!"
"(F/n), she just woke up. You can scold her later but she needs rest," Reki exclaimed.
"Don't think I forgot about you, young man. I saw the doctor treating those wounds on your back. You shouldn't have gone. What would've happened if you had gotten fatally injured?"
"Dad, stop scolding him. He was only protecting me-"

Dad heaved a great sigh, though didn't say a word as he left the room. An awkward tension filled the silence that remained.

"Don't worry, (Y/n). I've got him," Joe reassured.

He flashed a wink before following dad outside. A frown marred my face. He had a cast on one arm, Cherry had a bandage over his head and Langa had bandages wrapped around his hands and forearms. Miya managed to escape with minor scratches and bruises, much to my relief.

"Was I too late?" Yuu whispered.
"What's wrong?"
"I was the one who found her son and told Ryota. He came asking where you were. I didn't wanna do nothing. He immediately ran off to find Jun's dad after I gave him the info."
"Thanks Yuu. You really saved us...but something's bothering you, isn't it?"
"That boy...saved me once...."

My heart constricted. He had chosen to save me despite the guilt at throwing someone he owed his gratitude into the depths of hell. I pulled him into a hug, a tight pain gripping my heart as I heard a soft sob.

My gaze met Reki's, who offered a small smile. He was in a hospital gown like me. Knowing him, he most likely came as soon as the doctor finished treating him. He came over and squeezed me in a tight hug after Yuu left go.

"Reki, my wo-"
"Thank god you're safe. You have no idea how scared I was when I heard that you were kidnapped. Then when I saw you, the rage I felt..."
"Hey, I'm alright. I'm safe. I'm not going anywhere."
"...I know, you doofus."

Langa had not moved from his position. He was still sitting on the couch, staring at us. I made no move to talk to him. It was a risky move, showing him my weakness. Ruka would undoubtedly hurt my family if it got any worse.

"Kaoru, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But you're in no position to be worrying about everyone else," he replied.
"But-"

Ruka suddenly bursted into the room. Cherry grabbed her arm, preventing her from harming me. She glared at the tall male though he simply returned the gesture. She sneered, anger shining in her large eyes.

"I heard that my sister's boyfriend went to save you. Why is that? Did you force him?" she spat.
"Hmm, I don't know, did I?"
"You witch! Did I not-" she took a deep breath before continuing. "You're pushing your boundaries. Ayaka was in a depressive state."

I stood up from the bed, wobbling slightly though I declined Reki's offer for help. My feet began walking towards her, albeit slower than usual, and stopped just centimetres away from her seething face.

"I don't give a damn about you or your sister," I whispered into her ear.

She slapped me with her free hand. Cherry immediately pulled her away, leading her towards the door even as she struggled and struggled. Miya pulled the door open, where two of her guards were waiting.

"This is a hospital. I'd have some common courtesy if I were you, or is that skull of yours only good for complaining to daddy?" Miya taunted.
"You should respect your elders, little boy," Ruka retorted.
"I do. (Y/n) knows."

The implication was strikingly clear. She was no more than a child in Miya's eyes. She angrily threw her lipstick at me though Langa intercepted the item, much to my surprise. Ruka shot me a warning look before taking her leave.

"Does she always have to make a scene?" Yuu muttered.
"(Y/n), are you okay?" Reki asked.

I cupped the cheek Ruka had slapped. It was painful, especially since a small cut near the corner of my lip had opened again. Though despite this, I plastered a reassuring smile on my face and dispelled his concerns.

Yuu and Miya glanced at each other. The former came up to take my face in his small hands whilst the latter went to grab ointment from a nearby table to apply to my reopened cut. I smiled widely, causing the two to blush deeply.

"I really have to apologise to you all. Because of me, you all got dragged into this mess," Cherry exclaimed.
"Don't worry, Kaoru. No one blames you. None of this is your fault."
"(Y/n)-"

I pulled the male in for a tight hug, not letting go until he eventually put his arms around me. He muttered a thank you to which I replied with a cheeky grin. Langa suddenly cleared his throat. My stomach churned. I did not want to talk.

"We'll leave you two alone," said Cherry.
"No-"

He dragged the others outside before I could even voice a protest. I reluctantly turned to face Langa, who still held Ruka's lipstick in his hand as if he intended to return it to her. I schooled my expression into one that lacked emotions.

"Tell me the truth. Which is the real you?" he questioned.