"I don't think you realize the magnitude of your choices. People—my people—have been hurt, and you still don't respect that."
Kyoko swallowed hard, her emotions swirling into a storm of regret and resolve.
"I do understand the magnitude, Anele. I do. The hell my family has put you through is unacceptable, and I am so sorry for how my silence has contributed to that but if you'd just give me a chance—"
"A chance?"
Anele interrupted, her voice rising with indignation.
"You want me to trust you again? You think after everything you just said, I can just flip a switch and be okay with this? With you?"
Kyoko could feel the tears stinging her eyes, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her chest.
"Trust takes time, and I'm willing to work for it—if you let me. I know I need to earn your forgiveness, but it starts with me being honest. Not just to you but to my family as well. I won't allow them to continue to hurt the people I care about."
Anele shook her head, her expression fierce, yet somewhere beneath the anger, a flicker of vulnerability showed through.
"And how do I know this isn't just another Himura manipulation? Another scheme disguised as concern?"
Kyoko leaned forward, determined to break through.
"Because I'm standing here, baring my soul to you, risking everything to fight for us. I'm not asking you to forget or forgive right away. I just want you to see that I am ready to face the consequences of my actions—for you."
The silence that followed felt like an eternity. Anele's expression softened, doubt mingling with hurt as she considered Kyoko's words.
"Your family has a history of pain and betrayal, Kyoko. How am I supposed to believe that you can change it?"
Kyoko took a shuddering breath, her heart racing as she thought of how best to express herself.
"I believe that we can change it together. We're stronger than them if we fight—as a team. I'm done being a pawn in their game. I want you by my side, but I need you to trust that I'm fully committed to tearing down whatever wall my family has built. No secrets, no more lies."
Anele's gaze remained fixed on Kyoko, searching for the truth behind her words.
" You know the phrase once bitten twice shy, well in my case it's twice bitten and left for dead,"
Anele replied, her voice steady yet laced with pain.
"You can't expect me to just ignore the past because you suddenly want to do the right thing. I've been hurt before, and it takes more than just promises to heal those wounds."
Kyoko's heart sank. She stepped closer, lowering her voice as though the intimacy of her tone might bridge the chasm between them.
"I know I can't erase what's happened. I don't expect you to forgive me or to trust me overnight. You deserve to be cautious, to protect yourself. I wouldn't take that away from you. But I'm asking for a chance—a single chance to prove that I'm different this time."
Anele's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
" and if I give you that chance? What will happen when your family inevitably comes calling? Will you choose them again?"
"I won't!"
Kyoko exclaimed, her desperation spilling into her words.
"I can't go back to that life. I don't want to. I want to fight for something real, something that matters. With you, I see a possibility for that. I see hope."
The air between them crackled with an intensity that made Kyoko's heart race. Anele's defenses were beginning to waver, though the hurt still hung like a cloud between them.
"Hope is fragile, Kyoko,"
Anele said, her voice softening but still cautious.
"What if you break it?"
"I won't. I promise,"
Kyoko pleaded, taking another step forward, her hands trembling slightly.
"I'm here now, willing to stand in the open, exposed and vulnerable. Not just for you, but for us—whatever that might look like moving forward. If you're willing to work alongside me, I know we can heal. Your past doesn't have to dictate your future."
Anele's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the battle within her raging on. Months of hurt were etched on her face, yet the flicker of hope Kyoko had ignited could not be fully extinguished.
YOU ARE READING
WHEN I NEEDED YOU. ( Lesbian Slow Updates.)
General Fiction" Stupid me. I thought you were different." " But I-" " Get away from me! I don't ever want to see your fat face again." Nothing hurt more than her words and the look of disgust on her face. The one person who she thought would believe her did not...
