Connected Hearts

Chapter 10

After getting herself dried up, Yuzu was sitting across from her grandparents in the living room. The silence was loud and Yuzu didn't even want to look at them
"Yuzuko..." Her grandmother said
"...what are you guys doing here?" Yuzu asked
"You knew this would happen one day. Your father was originally the one who would inherit everything...even if he didn't decide to marry the partner we arranged for him. It's unfortunate he had to pass away at such a young age" Her grandmother said
"...I thought you'd wait until I graduate" Yuzu said
"Well that was our plan but then this had to happen. Mind explaining what's the meaning behind those articles?" Her grandfather asked
"Isn't it obvious? We're dating. I love her" Yuzu said
"Haaa...so just like that? You didn't even come up with a lie or deny it" Her grandmother said
"Why should I? That's the truth" Yuzu said
"I knew we should've taken you in instead letting your-"
"Don't bring my mom into this. My mom has nothing to do with this" Yuzu said
"Maybe she'll grow out of it" Her grandfather mumbled
"Ahem anyways we will start taking you in as our successor so these rumors will die out and be forgotten" Her grandmother said
"Why does it have to be me? You know I was never interested in these business things" Yuzu said
"You're his daughter. Besides you're the best choice...or...well a decent choice. I thought you were normal until this happened" Her grandmother said
"See? This is why we're the way we are. After my father died, everything got shitty in this family. Why? Because you two never gave a shit about us...including your own children" Yuzu said
"Enough" Her grandmother said
"Father was a very caring and loving person. He wasn't just a father but a great husband, uncle, and brother. He cared for my uncle and aunt...something you both couldn't do. He was even there when me and my cousins were born. You guys didn't give a shit about us, not even after he died. You guys went on like nothing happened! You've neglected Ortho like he doesn't exist! You didn't even bother to help Shai when she was being abused by the Higashi family! She was all alone once Auntie Kallen got thrown in a mental hospital!" Yuzu said raising her voice
"It's not our problem if Kallen went off with some psychopath. Shai is probably the way she is because of her genetics that she got from her father" Her grandmother said
"Shai was fine from the start! She needed someone by her side! You're all just idiots!" Yuzu said, raising her voice and panted heavily. She grabbed her head feeling tears building up once again
THROB!
"Yuzu!" Ume said as Yuzu almost fell over and she held her
"I-I'm fine..." Yuzu said getting up and pulled away from her mother. She turned her back on her grandparents and walked to her room
"Yuzuko, we're no-"
"Please step out of my house. Yuzu needs to rest" Ume said
"Hmph. I hope you make yourself useful and knock some sense into Yuzuko. Let's pray that this whole thing is all just a phase" The old woman said. Ume only remained silent and the two elders left the apartment. Ume sighed deeply and went to check on her daughter. She gently knocked on the door before opening it
"Yuzu..." Ume said. Yuzu had her face buried onto the pillow and clenched onto it tightly. She was in a curled position and Ume walked inside. She sat beside her and touched her hair
"Don't listen to them, Yuzu. You do what you want. If you don't want to do the family business then don't" Ume said
"...I want to be alone..." Yuzu said
"But don't you-"
"I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone" Yuzu said
"Yuz-"
"Please! Just leave me alone! I don't want to talk about it!" Yuzu said raising her voice
"Sorry..." Ume said getting up and went to the door. She paused for a moment and looked at her daughter
"At least take a shower since you were out in the rain. I don't want you getting sick..." Ume said and closed the door. Yuzu clenched her chest tightly as she felt her heart ache and tears rolled down her cheeks
THROB!
"W-why? Why did y-you leave? Couldn't y-you have told me about this? Damn you, Mei. Please come back...y-you have to come back to me...I-I can't be w-without you. I n-need you by my side. W-will I...ever see you again? Fuck..." Yuzu said gritting her teeth
Can you easily live without me in your life? Aren't you as hurt as me? I really hope you suffer...