𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞; 𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐨

𝟎𝟔

She ducked her head, " I'm sorry for coming here unannounced—"

" I don't mind. " He sighed softly,
" That's not the problem, Y/n. Is someone hurting you? Can you tell me about it? "

"...it's just...I don't..."

" You can take your time, but don't lie to me, okay? "

She nods and sits quietly for another few minutes. 

" My...mom. " Akito watched as she ended up grabbing his hand hesitantly to fiddle instead, "....I don't have a good relationship with her, that's all. "

" You couldn't go back to your house which meant she was there. " he mumbled softly, " Isn't that right? You stayed out so you could avoid her. "

"....no. " She slumped with a soft thud on the table, " I was home...and she came to find me...because she needed money. My mom...she has a bad habit of gambling and drinking.. "

" Right now, " he breathed out, " Are you telling me she has hit you before? " He had noticed the purple bruise forming on her cheek, " How long has she done it for? "

" I left home when I entered high school. " She avoids his gaze, " She found me just recently...I never told her where I lived but...she still somehow manages to find me. "

" Alright. " He shuffled closer, running his fingers through her hair. " Stay here with me for a while if you're comfortable. We'll find a solution.. "

" But..." she sighed, finally managing to look at him, "....the winter break starts...I don't want to ruin your holiday.." 

" I usually spend it alone. " He placed his chin on palm,

" I'll have company this time if you agree. " 

She pursed her lips, nodding slowly. 

" I...I'm sorry for not telling you
earlier. "

" It's fine, you aren't obliged to. " He stood up, " I can help you any time, it's up to you to make a decision. So just take your time with everything. "

She snuggled into the blankets as he went back to the kitchen,  " I'll reheat some food for you. Why don't you have some and go to sleep for today? I'll prepare the guest room for you while you eat. "

" Thank you. "

- - -

"...are you up? " Akito knocked gently, glancing at the clock. It was way past lunch time. He had thought she could sleep in but she had missed breakfast and now lunch.

" Y/n? "

"...yeah? "

" May I come in? "

" Of course. " 

He peeked in, closing the door behind himself as he entered. " You missed lunch too. So I was worried. Do you think you can eat and rest after? "

"...I slept well. " She hugged her knees as she stared at him, " Yamada, thank you for helping me. And sorry for all the trouble I caused you. "

" It's alright. " He settled by the edge of the bed,  " Should we order something? What will you eat? "

" I'm not really hungry. "

" Okay. I'll be back. " he made his way to the door, " I'll bring you my clothes. "

She got off the bed, glancing at her phone that was on the nightstand, it was still buzzing. She sighed, checking the texts to see multiple texts from her mother, even missed calls. 

She assumed Akito put her phone on mute because she didn't wake up even if her phone buzzed throughout the night. Usually, she's hyper aware of every little sound when she sleeps. 

" Y/n? "

" Yeah? " She opened the door, blinking as he held up a bunch of various clothes. " You can wear whichever you like. " he said awkwardly, " Bathroom is there. You'll find everything you need in the cabinets..."

" Okay. " she blushed, making her way towards the bathroom and locking herself in once she chose a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. 

- - -

"....you said you can't cook. " She leaned against the kitchen island, " Should I help? "

" I can make simple things. " Akito smiled, " But they're not usually meals. It's good for a light breakfast. Since you said you're not very hungry...."

" I do feel hungry now that I see a very delicious French toast. " she sighed, " Thanks a lot. "

" Sure. Do you play games? "

" I've never tried. " she mumbled, embarrassed. " Is it fun? I see a lot of our classmates talk about it. "

" I'll show you. "

She followed him to the living room, finishing her food before he led her to a bedroom that she assumed was his. 

It smelled like him, like the clothes she was wearing. She sighed softly, amazed at the dark room, the only bright thing being the gaming setup in his room. 

The monitor glowed, a design of some game she didn't know, FOS. ' I don't know any games to be honest. It sure looks interesting. '

And then the rest of the evening is spent trying to learn how to play a game and Akito trying his best to teach her. She was grateful because by the time they were having dinner, she realized she had forgotten about everything. 

But she knew she couldn't avoid it forever. And Akito deserved to know after helping her so much...

" I should go back..." she mumbled, setting the glass down. Akito blinked,
" Are you sure? What if she's still
there? "

"...I should report her. " 

She didn't want to. She knew it was just a toxic mindset because even in the midst of this all, she still wanted her mother's acceptance and nothing else. 

But it was the only option and she was too terrified to go back. How long was she going to do this? She was fine right now because she had friends, if she hadn't...then she'd have spent the night outside in fear and died from hypothermia. 

“ You should.” Akito gave her reassuring smile, leaning on the table in front of him as they enjoyed the heating blankets.

 " Since you're of age, you can have a restraining order if you don't want her to be locked up. That will at least keep you safe....though it's not really reassuring. "

" No. She should just....be locked up. It'll do her better too. " she sighed, rubbing her eyes, " I wished it could be different...but I know I can't change anything. "

" That is for the best. " Akito spun the empty water bottle, sighing softly. " I'll come with  you. "

end.