Starting Over • Kyojuro Rengoku

|Chapter 7|

CHAPTER SEVEN:

(Y/N) and Kyojuro arrived at her home, and to their surprise, Mitsuri was waiting for them at the door.

However, it was evident that Mitsuri had already indulged in some drinks, as her cheeks were flushed red and there was a faint smell of beer in the air around her.

"Nee-San!" (Y/N) exclaimed, a mixture of concern and amusement in her voice. She approached her sister, noticing Mitsuri's slightly unsteady steps. "How many beers have you had?"

Mitsuri giggled, swaying slightly as she wrapped her arms around (Y/N) in a slightly exaggerated gesture.

"Oh, you know me, little sis. I lost count after a few," she confessed, her words laced with a cheerful tone. "But don't worry, I'm not drunk at all!"

Kyojuro chimed in, adding to the playful banter. "Yes, (Y/N), it would take more than a dozen beers to make Mitsuri even slightly tipsy. She's got quite the tolerance."

Mitsuri whined, poking Kyojuro's chest. "Hey, hey, that's confidential information! My baby sis does not need to know about my occasional drunken sprees."

They all laughed, their playful camaraderie filling the air. Together, they entered the house, Kyojuro continuing to share a lighthearted story as they walked.

He recounted a memory of witnessing Mitsuri downing half a dozen bottles of sake without even getting close to being sick.

(Y/N) joined in the laughter, enjoying the tale and the jovial atmosphere.

But as they entered the living room, (Y/N)'s laughter faded, and her heart skipped a beat.

The room was filled with unexpected guests-several of Mitsuri's friends and some faculty members from their school.

The sight of the gathering left (Y/N) stunned and speechless.

Mitsuri noticed her sister's surprise and quickly approached her, a reassuring smile on her face. "Surprise! We decided to have a little get-together tonight, and it turned into something bigger than expected. I hope you don't mind, (Y/N)."

(Y/N) managed a small smile, although her mind was still racing. "No, not at all, Nee-San. It's just...unexpected."

The room buzzed with laughter and lively conversation as (Y/N)'s eyes locked with familiar green ones.

Awkwardness filled the air around her as she spotted Vivian amidst the crowd. She felt a sudden surge of discomfort, unsure of how to navigate the situation.

The desire to escape to the solace of her room grew within (Y/N), but before she could make her move, Mitsuri's voice cut through the noise.

"(Y/N), why don't you join us and have a drink? Just a little something, not too much," Mitsuri suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

(Y/N) hesitated, her mind racing to find an excuse. She replied, "Oh, Nee-San, you know I only turned nineteen a few months ago. I don't particularly enjoy the taste of alcoholic beverages."

Understanding filled Mitsuri's eyes as she nodded in acknowledgement. "I see. Well, you know yourself best, little sis. If you want some, Obanai also bought some strawberry milk-It's in the fridge just grab some if you want."

Relief washed over (Y/N) as she prepared to retreat to her room. However, before she could make her escape, Mitsuri hollered out to her.

"Oh, by the way, (Y/N), Vivian's cousin is here to-He doesn't enjoy the drinks either. Perhaps you could keep him company and play a few games together? It'll be fun!"

(Y/N) felt a slight annoyance at the thought of spending time with Elias, but she couldn't say no to her sister's request.

With a resigned nod, she headed upstairs towards her room, eager to find solace and distance herself from the lively gathering.

As (Y/N) reached the top of the stairs, she heard Mitsuri cheerfully call out to Elias, letting him know that (Y/N) was in her room and he could hang out there for a bit.

The sound of footsteps ascending the stairs followed, and (Y/N) braced herself for an encounter she hadn't anticipated.

Entering her room, (Y/N) closed the door behind her, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.

She understood that Mitsuri was only trying to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone, but the presence of Elias added an unexpected layer of complexity to the situation.

'I don't really want to see his stupid face... But, maybe this isn't so bad. It's not as bad as seeing him again.'

As (Y/N) opened the door, she was taken aback to find Elias standing there with a friendly smile on his face.

However, the tension in the room was palpable, and her demeanor made it clear that she was not in the mood for a warm welcome.

Elias held up two strawberry milks, his attempt at a friendly gesture. "Hey, (Y/N). I thought you might like this," he said, his voice lacking the cheerfulness from earlier.

(Y/N) invited him into her room with a monotone voice, her eyes glaring with an intensity that was hard to miss. "What's up."

"Hmmm.." Elias couldn't help but notice the change in her demeanor. He let out a frustrated groan and promptly sat on her bed, his previous reserve fading away.

"You know, (Y/N), maybe you should quit with the cold act," Elias remarked, his tone laced with annoyance. "I wasn't the one who broke your heart."

(Y/N) bristled at Elias's words, her emotions surging to the surface.

She retorted, her voice laced with bitterness, "Well, you were close friends with him, so I don't exactly have a favorable opinion of you either."

Elias let out a tired sigh, finishing up his strawberry milk before placing both his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

He looked earnestly at (Y/N) and spoke with a determined tone. "Listen, (Y/N), everything that happened in the past is just that-the past. I've changed, and I don't do shitty things to people anymore. I've learned from my mistakes."

(Y/N) crossed her arms, her skepticism evident in her huff. "Oh, really? And why should I believe you?" she challenged.

"Because you know I loved you." He replied.

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