The Way I Loved You || manjiro sano - yandere au

chapter twenty three

Content warning: slight mention of blood and gore at the end.

"Then why did you?"

"Why did you trust me when the others warned you not to?''

Mikey's words from the previous week were burned into the back of your mind like a seal, forever tormenting you into an abyss full of unrelenting questions, uncertainty and dread.

It was as if it was just yesterday that you imagined your relationship with Mikey to be gentle like spring, but it seemed that winter has yet to thaw and removing your rose-tinted glasses made you see the reality of it all.

His infatuation was like a wildfire, blazing through every corner of your soul and leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.

It's pure but at the same time cruel.

Pure; because Manjiro could never imagine himself with anyone but you. He'd long for your subtle touches, begging to hear the reassuring sound of your words and the very presence of your being puts him to ease as if he can forget everything else.

He almost craves for you. Whenever he enters a room his eyes would immediately search for you. He enjoys the small moments you two share, be it nonsense.

He desires for you to stay, even if it meant disregarding everyone else around him. Hence, cruel.

Manjiro has always been with you every step of your life until now and today, you realize that he will continue to.

Growing up, you learned that you couldn't trust most people. People can be savages, devour you of your worth and leave you with nothing. There were fewer people you can rely on but there was Manjiro.

Devoid of love from parental figures, perhaps the two of you found a bond of sorts as your play dates became more regular. He'd visit your house and you'd visit his. He stuck to you like glue and you let him.

If ever there were problems at school, who better to tell than Mikey? They'd be on their best behaviour the next day.

The next school years that would follow, no one would dare bother you. It was as if everyone was walking on eggshells the moment you entered the room with Mikey.

You felt as though you would tell him everything down to the most insignificant detail of your day and he'd listen. Usually, he'd act indifferent, as though he wasn't paying attention and spacing out but in reality, he sinks in every word.

It begs the question of how you failed to see the warning signs that lead you up to this moment. It wasn't as though he hurt you in the past, or threatened you in any way. He never tried to hide his affection for you, almost overbearing but never violent.

-

Drowning yourself in the faint glow of midnight, you sat at the edge of Mikey's bike. You eavesdrop on the topic of their meeting but fail to discern any words despite Mikey's volume.

You were a part of Toman but you kept your distance, uninterested in whatever business they were speaking of. Most likely related to more organized fights and problems within the gang itself.

It was none of your concern considering the only reason why you joined Toman failed to prove your worth and you already knew what it was about with Mikey blabbering about it on the way to Musashi shrine.

A few minutes passed and their chatter began to die down followed by the footsteps of the bustling men leaving the premises. The members desperately avoided your eyes as they greeted you, with tight smiles and shifted uncomfortably.