𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 | ᴋᴜᴢᴜʀʏᴜ ꜰᴜʏᴜʜɪᴋᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

~𝟓𝟎~

For the next few days, Fuyuhiko couldn't shake the growing concern he felt for Hannah. He had started to notice significant changes in her demeanor. The medication Dr Miyamoto prescribed was doing its job in alleviating her headaches and the bruising around her abdomen, but it came with a steep cost. Hannah had become increasingly drowsy and lacked the vibrant energy he once admired in her.

At first, it was subtle, she would yawn during breakfast, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment before she snapped them open, forcing herself to stay awake. But it quickly escalated; she began to lose her edge, becoming almost submissive and overly obedient. It was a stark contrast to the strong-willed girl he had come to know, and the transformation filled him with unease.

"Hannah, are you sure you're okay?" he asked one evening as they settled into their usual routine. They were in the living room, and he caught her staring blankly at the TV, the images flashing across the screen completely lost on her.

She blinked, as if waking from a dream. "Yeah, I'm fine." she replied, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.

Fuyuhiko frowned, pushing himself off the couch to kneel in front of her, looking her in the eye. "You don't seem fine. You've been really out of it lately. Is it the medication? Do you think you should stop taking it?"

Hannah shook her head, a hint of stubbornness creeping into her demeanor. "No- it's helping with the headaches. I can handle it. Really." But there was a hesitance in her words, an underlying uncertainty that made him even more uneasy.

"Handle it? Hannah, that's not what I want to hear." he said, frustration creeping into his tone. "You're not just managing headaches anymore; you're not yourself. You're too obedient, too passive. It's dangerous, especially with Saito and the Morioka clan still out there."

Her eyes widened, and he saw the fear flicker within them. "I know they're out there, but I'm careful. I promise." she insisted, her voice soft but firm.

Fuyuhiko ran a hand through his hair, his heart racing at the thought of what might happen if she let her guard down. "You need to be more than just careful. You need to be alert and aware. You can't let them catch you off guard again."

"I won't." she said, her tone almost pleading. "I just... I don't want to be a burden to you. I thought if I could just manage the pain, I could get back to normal."

"That's not how this works." he replied, his voice rising slightly in his frustration. "I need you to be strong. We both know that the Morioka clan won't just disappear. Saito is still out there, and he won't stop until he gets what he wants. If you're not paying attention, it could cost you everything."

Hannah's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and defeat. "I'll be more careful, I promise." she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I just need a little time."

"Time isn't a luxury we have." he said, his heart aching at the sight of her struggle. "Let's get you off the medication. Maybe Dr Miyamoto can prescribe something else that doesn't make you feel this way."

"No! I can handle this!" she snapped suddenly, surprising him with her outburst. She quickly looked away, her hands clenching nervously in her lap. "I don't want to be weak."

Fuyuhiko felt the tension in the room shift, and he softened his approach. "Hannah, you're not weak. You've been through hell, and that makes you stronger than most people. But part of that strength is knowing when to ask for help."

But Hannah insisted that she stayed on the medication, firmly believing it helped her more than it affected her. "I can handle it, Fuyuhiko." she reiterated, her voice resolute despite the lingering tremor in it. "The headaches are unbearable, and this is the first thing that's worked. I'm just a little more tired, that's all."

Fuyuhiko didn't seem convinced, his brow furrowed as he watched her. Deep down, he was worried about what would happen if they ever came into contact with Saito or the Morioka clan again. If Hannah was feeling this way, there was no way she could defend herself against them, and that thought sent a jolt of panic through him.

He clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure as his mind spiraled through the worst-case scenarios. "Hannah, you're not yourself." he said, his voice low and steady. "You've fought and defended yourself before, but with you like this..." He struggled to articulate the horror of the situation, of how vulnerable she was becoming. "You would just follow along with whatever they ask of you."

Hannah frowned, clearly hurt by the implication. "I wouldn't. I know what they did to me. I won't just forget that. I'd never let them take control again."

"Would you even realize what you were doing?" he pressed, frustration seeping into his tone. The very thought of Saito getting Hannah to do whatever he wanted, whether it was forcing her to marry him or something worse, made Fuyuhiko's blood boil. "You'd be an easy target. I can't let that happen."

Her eyes flashed with indignation. "I'm not a puppet, Fuyuhiko! Just because I'm a little tired doesn't mean I've lost my mind. I'm still me. I can make my own choices."

"But at what cost?" he retorted, the anger rising in his chest. "The cost is your safety. Your life! You can't see how dangerous this is for you. Do you really think Saito would hesitate to take advantage of you like this?"

Silence filled the room, thick and heavy, as Hannah turned her gaze away. Fuyuhiko took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. "Hannah, please. I'm just trying to protect you."

"I get that, but I'm not a child, Fuyuhiko!" she snapped, her voice cracking under the strain. "I want to heal, and I want to do it on my own terms."

"Then let me help you take back control." he implored, his voice softening. "Let's talk to Dr Miyamoto together. Maybe he can find something else that will work without all these side effects."

Hannah's gaze fell to her lap, and for a moment, he thought she might break. But then she shook her head, determination creeping back into her demeanor. "No. I don't want help- I just want to feel normal again." she said. "I trust this doctor, and I believe the medication is working for me. I can't let fear dictate my choices."

Fuyuhiko's heart sank. He didn't want to argue with her, but he felt like they were on a collision course. "I'm not trying to scare you, Hannah. I just want you to be aware of what's at stake. The moment you show weakness, they'll pounce. You're worth too much to them. They'd do anything to exploit you."

Tears pooled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, her resolve unwavering. "I understand that, but I also have to trust myself. I can't let my past control my future. I won't let them win again."

As much as he admired her courage, it only heightened his anxiety. "You don't have to do this alone." he said softly. "Let me be your strength. Let me help you through this."

Hannah finally met his gaze, her expression softening. "I know you're just trying to look out for me, and I appreciate it. But I need you to trust me too. Trust that I'll be vigilant, that I'll be aware of my surroundings."

His chest tightened, torn between wanting to respect her autonomy and the overwhelming urge to protect her. "I do trust you." he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'll never stop worrying about you, especially with those bastards still out there. I refuse to lose you to them."

She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm in a gesture of understanding. "You won't lose me, Fuyuhiko. I promise. I'll be careful, and I'll keep my guard up."

He held her gaze, searching for any signs of doubt or fear, but all he found was determination. It was a double-edged sword, he was proud of her resilience, but the prospect of Saito and the Morioka clan using her vulnerabilities against her gnawed at him.

"Alright." he finally relented, his voice low. "I'll back off, but only if you keep your word. If you start to feel off or overwhelmed, you come to me. No arguments."

She nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting into a small smile. "Deal. And if I ever feel like I can't handle it, I'll let you know."

But as they sat together in the dim light of their living room, a knot of fear still twisted in his gut. He knew the shadows of their past would never fully fade, and as much as he tried to give her space, he would remain ever vigilant, prepared to step in the moment she needed him most. Because in a world filled with danger, he couldn't bear the thought of losing her again.