storms don't last forever | h.kazutora

chapter fourteen

The next day, you were on your way out of the house when your father called to you from the dining area. You halted, clutching your fist.

Ah, right! the wife already told my dad. Suck it up, y/n. Just apologize. You don't have the means to move out yet, so you have no choice but to suck it up.

You let out a deep breath and turned to face your father. Standing beside him was your stepmother.

"Come here for a second," he said with a neutral tone. You recognized that tone... It's the calm before the storm.

Your fists tightened even harder as you walked toward him. "Look, about last night—"

"Do you still have enough allowance for the week? It's been a month and you haven't asked us for anything. Do you need supplies for school? How about some new clothes? Do you want us to organize a weekend trip for you and your friends? We have a villa in Okinawa. Studies might stressing you out, so your stepmom and I thought that a weekend getaway might help you relax. I can take a leave if you want us to come with you."

You stared at your father as if he had grown two heads, then shifted your gaze to your stepmother, who was smiling sweetly. Suddenly, chills ran down your whole body, not because of fear, but because everything is foreign to you.

The way they speak, the way they think about you, and not themselves, the way they put your feelings first... your well being first... everything is so foreign.

"Oh, I packed you lunch," she added, lifting a small lunch bag and handing it to you. "Just in case you don't like the cafeteria food."

Still confused, you accepted the bag absentmindedly. "Th‑thanks?"

She gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We know moving in with us hasn't been easy, especially after everything you've been through. We understand if you're wary, but please remember, y/n... this is your home too. You belong here." She said, raising her hand.

Your instincts kicked in, and you flinched, taking a step back. Once you realized what you've done, you slowly raised your head, expecting them to get angry and call you dramatic like your mother's boyfriend always say.

"Oh, dear... I'm sorry," she said gently. "I was just going to fix your hair. I didn't mean to startle you."

Your eyes widened when you saw genuine concern in her eyes. The way she showed you this kind of affection felt unfamiliar. And somehow, that scared you.

"I... I'm sorry. I—I have to go," you mumbled, then quickly left the house without looking back.

❀

It's lunchtime, and you slip out of school to visit your old apartment. You're now sitting beneath the tree across from the building, quietly staring at the place you once called home... the place where you once dreamed of a future with him.

This time, you didn't want to cause trouble, so you sat a bit away, just enough to see the building's entrance. You just wanted to wait for Kazutora to come home. To let him know that you're still waiting... That you didn't give up on him... on both of you.

"Is he doing well? Is he eating properly? He didn't have any money... how is he supposed to survive?"

You picked up a stick and began sketching his face in the dirt. "You idiot. You hurt me so much... When you come back, I'll slap you a hundred times..." You paused, then drew horns on his head. 

"No! Make that a thousand, until you feel the pain I'm feeling right now..." you paused once again and this time, you buried your head on our knees. "Just come home, Tora. No matter the reason, I'll forgive you."