False God. Okkotsu Yūta

𝖎𝖎. Birds of a Feather

CHAPTER TWO / BIRDS OF A FEATHER

CONTENT WARNINGS: This chapter contains depictions of child neglect, violence, child abuse and implied manipulation. Please be aware and take care before reading.

In the Kurosaki household, things like birthday presents or eating cake during birthdays were never considered a given. That's why the first and only present Ayaka ever received was a stuffed toy in the form of a strawberry her older brother had gifted her on her ninth birthday.

"Happy birthday!" Sitting on the edge of her bed, she stared at her older brother, Ryūsei, who was holding the plushie in his hands while cheering. "I sewed this for you, birthday girl!" He put the toy in Ayaka's lap, grinning proudly at his creation. "You are nine now, that's so old." He teased, even though he was merely two years older than her.

Hesitant, she stared at it for some seconds before taking it in her hands, then she proceeded to analyze it: it was a small strawberry with eyes and a smiling mouth. Not sure why, her first instinct was to squeeze it in her arms, and she soon noticed how soft and spongy it was. "You did this?!" She questioned in awe, her eyes lighting up.

"Yes!" He gave her a thumbs up. "I tried my best, hehe. Do you like it?"

"I love it. I love it so so much!" With a quick move, she got off the bed and put her arms around her brother's waist, hugging him tighly. "Thank you, Ryū."

Feeling his arms wrap around her too, she let herself feel relaxed in her brother's embrace. "I am glad you like it." He gently caressed her hair. "Why is your hair so messy? Did Sue not want to help you brush and braid it today?"

As embarrasing as it might be, she was unable to brush her hair on her own and, a lot of times, even wash it all by herself. Besides the fact that her hair was way too thick and long, she couldn't handle it herself since no one ever taught her how to do so. Her mother helped her most of the time, however if she was mad at Ayaka, she would completely deny to help her in any way for as long as she wanted to.

Therefore resulting in Ayaka's hair getting matted and her having to deal with it on her own even if she wasn't taught how to.

She shaked her head. "It's mother, not Sue."

"Hm?"

"Mother hates it when you call her Sue, remember? She told you to call her mother."

She knew there were a lot of things that made her mother angry, but none of them could ever compare at how mad she looked every time Ryūsei called her by her name instead of mother. Of course, his actions always had consequences and, gradually, the punishments he received worsened each time. From appearing with bruises, cuts and even burn scars all over his body to actual broken bones that the family refused to care for, there was nothing that could ever be considered too far for a punishment.