Boneca [Doll]

Chapter 57: zero gravity

"She didn't want to disclose anything." The teapot landed on the table, courtesy of Kurosaki-san. "I didn't insist because she seemed fine enough yesterday. Well, if I ignore her bruised eye. She thought she covered it well."

Fists clenched, Junko spoke. "He's my father, but I never understand him. He married Benedita not even a year after my mom died. I had my suspicions that he cheated on my mom first with her, that's why Mom slept with you. But he acted all high and mighty as if he was the only one who loved us so much and sacrificed enough for us. Mom never told you anything about it?"

Kurosaki-san shook his head. "I thought she was depressed by what happened to you."

"I thought he got better after I transitioned." Clasping Luuk's fist, Junko continued. "He has no reason to hit my stepmother."

"A sociopath doesn't need a reason to do harm other than to satiate their demon." Luuk grimaced post-sip of the green tea. "He frequents pubs nowadays. Alcohol feeds the demon in them."

Junko's cup returned to the table. "What alcohol? My father stopped drinking after I transitioned."

Luuk raised his brows. "You think so?"

"How did you know anything-" The realization hit. "What did you do to him?" Junko attempted a troubled tone, yet oddly, she didn't care much about Luuk's actions. A significant part of her desired his demise for what he did to her mom.

Luuk, guided by family principles, explained. "Just enhancing the probability for him to mess himself up. I told you, I'll make sure he kills himself, or something happens and kills him. One way or another. The fact that he has a squeaky clean career doesn't invalidate how filthy he is as a human."

Eyes on the steaming cup, she mused. "Jesus. This is not the time for tea. I'll go and check on Benedita. I'm dead worried." Sweaty palms rubbed against her knees, but standing proved challenging.

"You sure you don't want me to accompany you?" Luuk inquired.

"No. I got this. I don't need you to deal with my problem every time." Standing, she sat again, pecked Luuk on the lips, and stood once more.

"Call us if anything happens. I doubt you'd karate kick your own father." Kurosaki followed her to the door.

"He's not at home, but Kurosaki is right. I'll be waiting here," Luuk assured.

Uninterested in the specifics of how Luuk knew that, Junko nodded and exited the house. A group of kids played nearby, their laughter and screams filling the air as they debated whose dad was stronger.

"My dad is stronger! He beats my mom," a girl declared, her words delivered as if the most natural thing in the world.

Junko halted in her tracks and cast a glance over. The speaker remained unclear, but it wasn't a sentiment to admire. A fleeting thought about the child enduring domestic abuse crossed her mind, swiftly dismissed as past pains throbbed through her body. Her heart pounded as she approached her childhood home.

The other side of the park reached, and across the street stood her father's bungalow. Since her departure for America, the once-familiar bungalow at the street's end had transformed into a stranger's dwelling. Twelve years of her life were spent within until the day his mother passed away. Today, she returned. For what purpose? The answer lingered beyond the door.