"𝗕𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀."
Throughout her entire life, Iwakura Chihaya remained by Itadori Yuji's side. Despite being complete opposites, they had maintained a deep friendship for many years. As they entered high...
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"I'm home," Chihaya uttered before sliding off her brown-leathered shoes from her feet and placing them into one of the antique white cabinet's cube holes. She tugged her feet forward and examined the surroundings.
As expected, a delicate, sweet floral and evergreen woodsy scent wafted through the air, enveloping the transitional space to the main living area, which greeted the visitors with woven-straw flooring and allowed wooden-framed sliding doors covered with thick white fabric to be pushed out.
As she made her way further into the interior of the house, Chihaya soon reached the stairs, an entryway towards the modern built second floor where her room was located. After a few steps, she turned the knob and headed straight to her room.
She flopped her figure on her mattress, still carrying her bag and letting out a satisfied voice.
"This is the best," she mumbled while burying her head into her fluffy pillows.
Chihaya felt the tension comprising her shoulders vanishing like thin air. Knowing that she would work hard later, Chihaya seized this opportunity to touch her moment of peace.
After some time, she sensed heavy footsteps echo like a distant drumbeat, each thud resonating with a palpable weight that commanded attention. Chihaya's heart throbbed like a persistent base note as soon as she perceived those simultaneous noises.
The young teenager dangled on her bed, reaching the ground with her fingers, and then she proceeded to crawl directly to her closet, which contained a variety of clothes. She carried her legs up and snatched some house clothes she had found first.
She scurried to the bathroom, preparing for the evening before heading out of the door with confidence. "Chihaya, are you home?" she heard a delicate knock from her bedroom door.
"Yeah," Chihaya replied, tying her hair in a tidy manner with a hair claw and putting on her prescription glasses before greeting the individual behind her entrance.
She encountered a woman in her middle years, slightly shorter than herself. Despite the added years to her life, an unexpected youthful energy emanated from her, challenging the conventional march of time. While not sharing the same traits as her daughter, she did pass on the distinctive combination of droopy yet sharp double eyelids.
"I'll let you know when the food's done," she mentioned before departing from the young teenager. Chihaya exhaled unevenly, aware that any single, careless mistake could lead her into the depths of trouble.
Chihaya gently shut her bedroom door, then sank to the floor. Taking a quiet breath, she surveyed her surroundings, holding her heart still. Afterwards, she raised her legs, determinedly approached her study table, and continued with her evening routine before dinner.
—
Awkward tension filled the air as three individuals occupied their respective seats. The only sounds cutting through the silence were the clinking of plates and the subtle nibbling noises.
"How's school?" the deep-voiced man asked, slicing a small piece of food. He looked oddly similar to the young woman, different from the woman before.
"Eh, it was... okay," Chihaya replied.
"Ah, I see..." her father added.
Chihaya kept eating until she realised she hadn't honoured Yuji's request to celebrate their high school milestone together. The thought of going back to him weighed on her.
"Um, can I ask for something?" she said, breaking the silence as she put her cutlery down.
"Sure, go ahead," her parents said, still chewing.
"So, I promised Yuji we'd celebrate our first day of high school together. But I had tuition that day and left him hanging alone. I don't want to be a bad friend, so could I spend a day with him tomorrow?" Chihaya asked.
"You're still hanging out with that guy?" her mom interrupted, glancing at Chihaya. "You know he won't do anything good for you. Besides, he lacks moral authority, no par—"
"Keiko," her dad cut in, crossing his arms.
"Chihaya, we get your concern. But you know our answer, right?"
"I do, but can you give me a chance? Just one—"
"Chihaya," her dad interjected. "We're also talking about your safety," he put in.
"But I'm already fifteen—"
"Chihaya," her mom called.
"Enough excuses. Go back to your room," the older woman commanded.
Chihaya sighed again, avoiding her parents' eyes and heading to her room.
Following the Iwakura family's customary quiet dinner, Chihaya retreated to her room, securing the door. Despite having parents who fulfilled her basic needs, like food and education, she lacked a close bond with either of them. In Chihaya's perspective, they were more like benefactors than true parents.
Nevertheless, they were strict with the teenage girl, dictating the timing of her after-school lessons and daily routine. Chihaya did not mind their approach, acknowledging that their guidance would aid her present and future self.
The frustration lingered. Chihaya's yearning for freedom echoed her silent plea to express her feelings. Occasionally, she wondered if this rigid routine would define her daily existence. Was she destined to pass down the same strict guidance her parents gave her to her own future family?
