Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

Breaking the Chains

N/A: incase the song isn't showing up. Highly recommend to listen to "lose you to love me - Selena Gomez" while reading.

I was excited. I was finally starting a new chapter of my life with a new company. I couldn't stop smiling; I could hardly believe the amazing opportunity that had come my way. While I was daydreaming about my future, I suddenly heard someone scream my name. I jolted, looking behind me, and saw Hana tapping her foot, hands on her hips, with a very pissed-off expression, while Seiji stood nearby, looking away.

I was shocked—I had never seen Hana so angry before. She was usually cheerful and upbeat, but now I was seeing a completely different side of her. "(Y/n), how could you do this to me, to us? Do we mean nothing to you?" Hana stormed toward me, gripping my arms tightly. I winced in pain. "Hana, you're hurting me," I said, looking at her in surprise. She frowned even deeper. "Seiji told me you're quitting and moving to our competitor's company. You're a traitor. How could you not even tell us?"

Hearing her accusations made my blood boil. I glared at her and yanked my arms free from her grip. "You're not my mother, my guardian, or my sister. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I took the opportunity because it felt right for me. I don't have to discuss every decision I make with either of you." I stared at her defiantly, but as I did, her expression darkened in a way I had never seen before.

She looked at me with eyes that felt as if they could pierce through me. The warmth that used to define Hana was gone, replaced by something cold and unforgiving.

"You think you can just walk away like that?" she said, her voice low but laced with venom. "Do you think they'll care about you the way we did? Do you even know what you're getting yourself into?"

Seiji finally looked over, his face unreadable. There was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes that hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "I know what I'm doing, Hana. And I expected you, of all people, to support me." I could feel the tension between us, but I refused to back down. "If you can't respect my choice, maybe we weren't as close as I thought."

Her expression flickered, momentarily softened by something I couldn't quite place—regret? But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by her hardened glare.

Hana took a step back, crossing her arms, her face a mask of defiance. "You think it's that simple, don't you?" she spat, her voice trembling with barely concealed anger. "After everything we've been through, all the late nights, the sacrifices. You just toss it aside for a paycheck? I thought you were different, (Y/n). I thought we were friends."

The words stung more than I wanted to admit, but I forced myself to keep my composure. "It's not just about the money, Hana. This is a chance for me to grow, to do something bigger. I thought you'd understand that."

Seiji shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two of us. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something, but he hesitated, his jaw clenched. I could see the conflict in his eyes, torn between loyalty to Hana and whatever friendship we'd shared.