[English] ~𝒟𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝒟𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓂~ Kenma x OC

Chapter 26: Some things are difficult before they get easier

You know what followed my visit to the cemetery? More or less a blackout. I didn't take in anything that happened after that. I didn't even know how I got back to the Miya household. It wasn't until I smelled the scent of sweet vanilla that I slowly came back to my senses. 

"Kitten?" 

What was Kenma doing here? I had a hard time processing the whole situation. 

"The whole thing really took a toll on her. No wonder, ya." Was that Atsumu's voice in the background?

I groaned and held my head. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any trouble...", I mumbled quietly. I must have drowned a little too much in my emotions. 

Aunt Kazuko came into the living room. There were some cookies on the plate she brought with her. "Don't blame yourself, Izumi. You haven't really had the chance to face your grief yet." She put the plate in front of me. 

"Still, we should talk about it. We must make sure that it doesn't affect your mental health", she said.

Kenma had put his hand in mine. He squeezed it gently. I sighed quietly. 

"To be honest, I don't know how to deal with all of this. I've never really been given the chance to grieve properly." 

Aunt Kazuko nodded. "I understand... We need to think seriously about this. If we can't get this under control, you should consider if you want to go to therapy and discuss your trauma with a professional." 

She paused for a moment. Kenma stroked the back of my hand with his thumb. His closeness had a positive effect on me; my heart wasn't beating so unevenly and my breathing wasn't so hectic anymore. I was so incredibly grateful that he was here, even though I was still clueless about his sudden appearance. 

Maybe my aunt was right. Therapy might help me process the whole thing better. I was about to think about it further, but my aunt pulled me out of my thoughts. 

"There's more I want to talk to you about. I'm very sorry that I have to bring this up now of all times..." Aunt Kazuko grabbed my other hand. 

I knew what she was getting at. "It's about Dad's inheritance, right?" 

She nodded.

"The trial takes place in America in two weeks. I heard from Osamu that Kyo's lawyer will represent you?" While my aunt asked me this question, Kenma looked between us, his confusion was visible on his face. 

I squeezed his hand to signal that I would update him later. "That's right. His name is Mr. Jones and he was a close friend of my father." 

She nodded thoughtfully. "There's one thing you need to know, child. Just because we're here now doesn't necessarily mean it'll be any easier. Your mother will still fight. Please keep that in mind." 

I had known that from the beginning. "I know. But I'm still glad I found you. In many ways." 

She smiled happily. "I'm glad, child. And Kyo would be happy too. I'm sure he would be."

-----

Aunt Kazuko and Uncle Yuma insisted that we stay for coffee. While we ate a piece of cake and drank hot chocolate/coffee, they took turns asking the twins, Kenma, and me questions. Every time they mentioned Kenma's name, I flinched slightly. If they were about to ask him how he felt about me, I would sink into the ground. Fortunately, I was spared that embarrassment. Well... almost. Shortly before we left to return to camp, the question unfortunately came up. 

"By the way, Izumi? You and Kozume-san seem to know each other pretty well. Is he your boyfriend?" Aunt Kazuko winked at me. 

I blushed brightly. Kenma grinned slightly, but when he pushed a strand of hair aside, I could see his red ears. I cleared my throat quietly.

"Um... Something like that?" 

I had a hard time staying focused. Kenma's hand hovered over my back, giving me goosebumps. 

"It's not official yet", Kenma grinned and I almost sank into the ground with blushing. 

Atsumu pursed his lips. "Excuse me? Cousin, you're younger than us! You can't be in a relationship before us, ya!" 

I hid my face. The conversation was taking a direction that I wasn't comfortable with. And my uncle of all people had to notice. 

"Now, now, leave the poor girl alone. She knows what she's doing." 

I grabbed Kenma's hand. "E-exactly. We should go then, shouldn't we? Goodbye!" I gave a quick formal bow and then pulled Kenma out of the hallway and into the front yard. The twins followed us.

-----

Back at the training camp, it was pretty quiet. 

"Most of them went into town today. But there's a barbecue tonight, so it'll be busier again", Osamu explained.

Barbecue? That didn't sound so bad. The twins said goodbye and disappeared towards the meadow. They would probably help with the preparations. 

"And now, kitten...", he said as we quickly walked unnoticed to the main house together. We quietly dashed up the stairs to his room. 

"Would you like to tell me what's going on in your life right now?" 

I kicked off my shoes and dropped onto his bed. "Do you really want to hear all that? I always feel like I'm just complaining when I talk to you." 

He smiled before jumping onto the bed too. I giggled because his weight, which was affecting the mattress, threw me in his direction. 

"I'd love to know everything about your life, kitten. Every detail, whether positive or negative." 

My heart melted.

I spent the next fifteen minutes updating him. He listened attentively, occasionally asking questions when he wanted to know more. 

"So you have to go to the US in two weeks? For how long?" He had settled down with his head on my stomach. 

"A few days probably." 

He thought for a moment. "Can I come with you? I could testify for you as a witness if necessary. And I don't really want to leave you alone in this stressful situation." 

I tilted my head. "Are you sure this will work out for you? It was already difficult to ask my school to excuse me from classes for a few days. Won't it be just as difficult for you at university?" I didn't want him to get in trouble because of me.

"I'm still on semester break. My holidays are longer than yours." He smiled. "So, can I?" 

I looked uncertainly at the window. "I'll discuss it with my family, okay? You can come with me if you like, but I'd still like to make sure that it's okay for them too." 

He nodded understandingly. "Okay, kitten." 

My phone made a beeping noise. I flinched. Instagram notifications piled up on my screen. 

"What the hell..." I saw that I had been tagged several times. My throat went dry and I had to swallow. That could only mean one thing... Someone had seen us, AGAIN...