✧˚ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒍

7

when the car finally rolled to a stop in front of the imposing gates to y/n's house, she felt a familiar knot tighten in her stomach. the sprawling mansion, despite its grandeur, always felt more like a gilded cage than a home. she sighed, her eyes lingering on the gates. she knew that her father was already inside, probably engaged in some superficial conversation with his girlfriend, iku misaki.

just the thought of facing them made her want to turn around and bolt, but there was nowhere else to go.

another thing she hated was that saitō wasn't permitted to come inside with her. it was one of the many strict rules imposed by her father and his new companion, and while she was eternally grateful to her biological mother for hiring him, she wished his boundaries weren't so rigid. his presence, his quiet strength, always made her feel safer, even in this suffocating environment. "you'll be fine." saitō's calm, reassuring voice broke through her thoughts.

"thanks," y/n replied, forcing a small smile. she hated that she had to face this alone, but she also knew she couldn't drag saitō into the mess that was her family life. "i'll see you tomorrow?" she added.

saitō simply nodded his head, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips. "of course." he answered.

with that, y/n grabbed her school bag and reluctantly climbed out of the stretch car. the moment she closed the door behind her, the car zoomed off, disappearing around the corner and out of her line of sight. she watched it go, feeling a sense of finality wash over her. it was like watching her last lifeline drive away, sealing her fate for the night. she was alone now, with no escape from the hellhole that was her house. taking a deep breath, y/n turned to face the mansion, her eyes trailing up the long, shadowy driveway.

the grandeur of the estate loomed over her, but all she could feel was dread as she started walking. she approached the gate, punching in the familiar password with a sense of detachment. the gates swung open smoothly, and she stepped inside, the gravel crunching softly beneath her feet as she walked leisurely toward the front door, her head bowed.

as she drew closer, the sound of scuffling inside reached her ears. it had to be her father, fussing over some last-minute details in a desperate attempt to make everything perfect for iku's arrival. he was always trying so hard to please that woman, bending over backward to accommodate her every whim. if only he bothered to put that much energy when he was still with y/n's mother and knew that no matter how hard he tried, iku had a way of ruining things, of twisting everything to her advantage. but her father was too blind, too infatuated, to see it.

or too oblivious.

y/n's steps slowed as she reached the door, her hand slipping into her school uniform's pocket to retrieve the keys. she intentionally fumbled with them, moving slowly as if to prolong her solitude for just a few moments longer. she wasn't ready to go inside, to face whatever was waiting for her on the other side of that door.