Nothing Without You

Kimmy Kuroo's Life

- alcoholic Mother
- daddy issues
- suicidal thoughts

It all began back in elementary school when I was just eight years old. I found myself without any friends, and each time I thought I had finally found someone to connect with, they inevitably drifted away, leaving me feeling abandoned and alone. Tears became a familiar companion on my journey home, and the prospect of returning to school each day filled me with dread.

Yet, amidst my loneliness, my brother Tetsurou remained a constant source of reassurance. He would remind me that friends come and go, but true friendships endure. Despite his words of wisdom, I couldn't shake the sense of longing for genuine companionship.

I waited patiently, hoping that someone would see me for who I was and befriend me, but time passed, and my solitude persisted, leaving me with an ache that seemed to grow with each passing day.

In the midst of my loneliness and the torment of bullying by Arisa and her clique, a glimmer of hope emerged towards the end of elementary school. Two guys, twins, appeared on the scene and unexpectedly became my protectors. They shielded me from the taunts and harassment, particularly from Arisa, who had made my life miserable for so long.

Their act of kindness and protection brought me an immense sense of relief and happiness. Finally, I had allies, someone to stand by me in the face of adversity. It was a turning point, a ray of light breaking through the darkness of isolation and bullying that had plagued me for so long.

We formed a friendship circle, but I found myself closest to the blonde-haired guy, Atsumu. As high school progressed, they gradually drifted away, each one moving to different places. The prospect of losing them left me with a deep sense of sadness, reminiscent of the loneliness I had experienced before. It was a painful reminder of the inevitable cycle of friendships coming and going, leaving me once again to face the prospect of solitude.

Arisa subjected me to bullying, including throwing things at me and physically assaulting me behind the school with her friends. I later learned that her actions stemmed from jealousy. A former friend of hers revealed that Arisa considered me pretty and didn't want any attention from guys directed towards me, so she orchestrated the bullying to make me appear undesirable.

The situation escalated to the point where I ended up with bruises all over my body and even broke my wrist once. When my mom found out, she became extremely frustrated and suffered a significant mental breakdown. This led to nightly fights between my mom and dad, all because of what was happening to me.

At graduation, I noticed a girl I'd never seen before, likely because she's in a different class. Her shining black hair and overall beauty captivated me, and her smile radiated kindness. After the ceremony, I rushed to my parents, who embraced me tightly, and even my two older sisters were there to share in the moment.

My two older sisters, Kia and Karla, each have their own unique paths. Kia, just a year older than Tetsurou, opts for a different route, preferring part-time work over university. Despite her laid-back approach, she's always there for her family when they need her. On the other hand, Karla, three years older than Tetsurou, is engaged and living with her fiancé. Being closer in age, she has a deep understanding of Tetsurou, perhaps even more than anyone else in the family. Together, they provide a diverse perspective on life and offer support in their own distinct ways to their younger brother.

"Congratulations, Kimmy," my mom embraced me tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm incredibly proud of you."

"Thank you, Mom," I said, glancing at her, Dad, and my sisters. "Oh, where's Tetsurou?" I inquired.

"He's with a friend, saying goodbye to her," Mom replied.

As I scanned the crowd, trying to find Tetsurou, I spotted him embracing someone. Though I couldn't quite make out who it was, it didn't really matter to me as long as he was happy. Mom and I chatted while we waited for my brother, but Dad had to leave for a job interview. We weren't as close as we used to be; he's always busy now, and it feels like I don't get the attention I used to. Mom, on the other hand, has been incredibly supportive, especially after everything I've been through. She wanted the best for me, so we ended up at this really famous restaurant after the graduation ceremony.