I'd let the world burn for you... || Tokyo Revengers

We only have each other

As Kaiya lay in her bedroom, her eyes fixated on the blank expanse of the ceiling above her bed, a heaviness weighed upon her heart. Today marked her and her twin brother's birthday, a day that should have been filled with joy and celebration. Yet, for Kaiya, the only wish she harbored was for respite from her father's relentless violence, if only for that one day.

The sound of her brother's door opening and closing signaled that he was already preparing for school, a routine they followed day after day amidst the turmoil of their home life. Kaiya knew she should muster the strength to rise from her bed, to ready herself for the day ahead, yet the weight of exhaustion and despair seemed to anchor her in place.

With each passing day, the simple tasks of daily life became increasingly daunting for Kaiya. The thought of facing another day filled with the demands of school and the specter of her father's rage left her drained and defeated. There were times when she found solace only in the refuge of her bed, retreating from the world outside to escape the suffocating grip of her own thoughts and emotions.

Unaware of the true nature of her struggle, Kaiya could not recognize the signs of depression that gripped her tightly, suffusing every aspect of her existence with a pervasive sense of hopelessness. To her, it simply felt like an insurmountable burden, a weight she carried alone in the silence of her own despair.

With a heavy sigh, Kaiya summoned the strength to pull herself from the cocoon of her bedcovers. Despite the weight of exhaustion dragging at her limbs, she knew she couldn't bear the thought of her brother's disappointment on their shared birthday. Kazutora needed her, perhaps now more than ever.

Dragging herself to the bathroom, Kaiya turned on the faucet, the sound of rushing water filling the small space. The warmth enveloped her as she stepped into the shower, a brief respite from the ache that gnawed at her soul. For a few precious moments, as the hot water cascaded over her skin, Kaiya allowed herself to bask in the fleeting sensation of comfort and solace, a semblance of tenderness in a world that often felt devoid of it.

In the quiet sanctuary of the bathroom, Kaiya found a fleeting moment of peace. Though the weight of her struggles remained, she clung to the small moments of reprieve, knowing that they were her lifeline in the storm that raged within her.

As Kaiya emerged from the shower, her heavy heart weighed her down even further, the weight of her struggles pressing upon her with each step. Despite the ache that lingered within her, she methodically dressed herself in her school uniform: a crisp white shirt, a knee-length skirt, long stockings, a pair of Mary Jane shoes, and a neatly buttoned blazer. Her long, black hair cascaded freely down her back, a stark contrast to the regimented order of her attire.

Exiting her room, Kaiya made her way to the kitchen, where she found Kazutora already seated at the table, his presence a silent echo of their shared solitude. Their mother sat nearby, engrossed in the glow of her laptop screen, her attention elsewhere, as if oblivious to her son's presence. The air hung heavy with an oppressive silence, the absence of warmth and affection palpable in the cold emptiness of their home.

- "Mother! Do you know what today is?" Kazutora asked, his voice laced with forced cheerfulness as he attempted to inject some semblance of joy into the somber atmosphere.

- "Hm..." His mother murmured absentmindedly, her attention still fixated on the screen before her, oblivious to the significance of the day or the presence of her children around her.

Undeterred by their mother's indifference, Kaiya mustered the sweetest smile she could manage and wrapped her arms around her brother, wishing him a heartfelt happy birthday. Kazutora leaned into her embrace, grateful for the warmth and comfort she offered him in a world that often felt cold and uncaring. Taking her hand in his, he silently led the way out of the house, their unspoken bond speaking volumes as they faced the day ahead together, leaving their mother behind in her oblivious solitude.